Release Me and Set Me Free! Joe's out of the hospital

To state that Joe is ecstatic about being released out of the hospital today is a huge understatement. When I arrived at the hospital, Joe had everything packed up and on top of the bed ready to go. He was fully dressed and energized that he would be released after being there for a full week. The week seemed much longer because of the Thanksgiving holiday week when hospital was emptied of people. I felt like I was in the movie "Shining" as if Jack Nicholson would jump out from one of the doors in the empty corridors of  MDACC. It takes people to make a hospital alive and Monday started huge flux of people to roam the halls, offices, cafeterias, and alcoves. Life was born again. Hallelujah!

I did not get to the hospital till about noon. Joe was being unhooked from the Tree of Life and discharge orders were starting to be written up. We had to wait till the doctors came by after they reviewed the blood results and the nurses log of the last 24 hours. There were three doctors who came in. They thanked us for choosing MDACC for treating Joe. With his rare myelofibrosis and mantle cell lymphoma, they stated that they had learned a bunch from Joe's case and they were grateful for that opportunity since it is extremely rare. The docs stated that Joe responded very well to the chemo and his ability to withstand it as well as he did was terrific. They gave us the usual precautions of being released and what to watch out for in terms of danger and prevention. A echo-cardiogram needs to be completed. Usually it is completed before the chemotherapy begins but Joe was in dire need of hospitalization immediately that it was skipped. He will have it done on his next day of check on on Thursday which is his day to be examined and  new blood tests to be reviewed. We pray that he will remain stable since that will mean that we will be going home soon. Joe is scheduled to get an IV of the chemo "V" of the HyperCVAD-R which is a second dose given 11 days after the start of chemo treatment on Saturday on an out patient basis. We still had to wait around for the written discharge papers and I took that opportunity to request Joe's medical records to be copied and sent to Dr. Elliott Winton of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University who will take over Joe's chemotherapy and care which will continue indefinitely. The particular chemo treatment that Joe is on will last till April unless he goes into complete remission before then and that is what we are hoping and praying for. At least it will be done from Atlanta but we will have to probably travel back to MDACC to see Dr. Romaguera every three months.

We left the hospital at 2PM with a short stop at the hospital pharmacy to pick up some drugs to take home with us. Joe just loved walking to the car, getting his whiff of cool fresh air and hopping in the car and traveling to the studio apartment. I knew that he would be beat after the excitement of the discharge. He sat on the couch and just savored the moment enjoying the quiet, Max greeting and loving him, no one poking at him every 30 minutes for vital signs or whatever. He had a satisfied grin on his face. Mission accomplished. He took a 3 hour leisurely and sound nap. I had already ordered a pizza to be delivered which he thought was absolutely perfect from Barry's Pizza. All three of us enjoyed the medium thin crust pizza with extra cheese, mushrooms and Italian sausage. As we ate, I read Joe the messages on Facebook and e-mails about congratulations on his discharge. He was amazed at how many people made comments. As I was reading Facebook, one of my friends who I adore told me that she was having a mastectomy on Friday for invasive breast cancer. I was in shock when I read that and my heart just ached for her. Even though she had a mammogram in July which was negative for cancer, she found a lump in her breast in September which turned out to be malignant. Imagine having to wait two months with the monster in your breast waiting for a team of doctors to get together to decide a course of action. Agony and fear are feelings that run through my mind. I would not be able to sleep. Please pray for beautiful friend, CP, and her family.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, will be devoted to nothing. Nothing means rest and some walking for Joe, He has got to walk to gain strength and keep the blood flowing. He is in good spirits today with his adrenalin pouring through his veins in the excitement of his discharge.

We pray that his condition remains stable with no detours in the road so that we will be in Atlanta soon. I can imagine our joy when the doctor says that we can go home. It is coming by the grace of God. He has been sending his angels regularly to guide us through this dangerous journey. You are some of the angels and we are thankful for all of you who have prayed and send great thoughts, wishes and vibes. The good karma has traveled the miles.

Ciao!