Grandpa's Two Birthdays in Two Weeks, and Record Breaking Release from the Hospital

A month ago my father-in-law had his stem-cell transplant. I think it's cool that they gave him a new birthday- his transplant day. They celebrated it with a sign and cake and everything. The first few days after the transplant were pretty rough, with vomiting, high blood pressure, severe head aches, and chest pain. But since then, he's done great! Ten days after his transplant was his real birthday, and we were able to go see him at the hospital. I hadn't thought they would let us see him, but we were all healthy, and didn't stay long, so it was ok. A year ago, we didn't think there was any chance that he'd make it to his next birthday, so this was cause for great celebration. He has amazed us every step of the way.

We were expecting him to be in the hospital at least 4 to 6 weeks. Before his transplant, he asked the doctor what the record was for the shortest stay after a stem-cell transplant. When the doctor said it was 3 1/2 weeks, Grandpa said he'd beat it. Sure enough, he was ok to be released in 2 1/2 weeks!!! He's still really fatigued all the time, but doing great. His blood cells are looking good so far. He had another bone marrow biopsy today, so we'll know more when we get the results in a few days. He's such a tough cookie! He's been through so much- poked and prodded every way imaginable. I guess the biopsy isn't just a little poke either, it's a 9 inch cork screw needle they drive into his hip bone. Ouch! It leaves him sore for days. This was his 10th biopsy. Now he has to stay within 15 minutes of the hospital for the next 100 days. He's got no immune system still, so he has to stay away from people and be careful with the food he eats- no raw vegetables or fruit that have the potential for bacteria. He takes about 40 pills a day to prevent infection, rejection, etc.

They had to scramble to find a place to stay when he got out. They hadn't anticipated him getting out so early, so the arrangements they'd made for an apartment weren't for another few weeks. They are so happy to be out of the hospital though! Rob's mom stayed at the hospital all the time, sleeping in a fold-out bed. I can't even imagine being in a hospital that long! There's a guy in the hospital, about Grandpa's same age, that had the same transplant, and is barely able to eat. He got an infection in his lung, that went up to his brain and put him in a coma for a while. We feel so, so very blessed to have him go through all this so well.Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!

Way to go Grandpa!