Getting Some Sunshine

Outside at the courtyard enjoying the sun.

As usual, I met with Jayson's medical team about 9:30 as they did their rounds. There were no major changes to Jayson's condition and we discussed the possibility of getting Jayson home tomorrow. He was still stable and they weren't sure how long he would be in this condition. They wanted to try to get him home because that's what we had hoped to do and what Jayson wanted, even if it was to visit.  He wanted to be home for 5 days. I don't know how he came up with that number, but we wanted to get him home and for as long as possible. His team was driven to make this happen.  Preparations for getting Jayson home began. Some of the medications he was getting via IV were now changed to pill form so that Jayson could take them orally. We discussed with Heather, our social worker, what we were going to need as far as equipment, supplies and medications.

In the afternoon, we met with a hospice case worker who described what resources was included in their services should we go this route.  We knew we would need various resources to help us while Jayson was at home, including training on how to use the oxygen compressor, giving medications and other health care requirements.  Henry & I are both up to the task and we will have help from other family members and friends. We knew we wanted to give Jayson the opportunity to come home once again and and still be comfortable and pain-free.  We are expecting to take Jayson home sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Jayson is excited about going home. We don't know how long he'll be able to stay.  It'll all depend on how he does.  We will probably still need to go back to the hospital every other day for blood transfusion if Jayson's bone marrow doesn't start making its own blood. It's been about 35 days since chemotherapy started and there is still no promising increase in Jayson's white blood count. So, we continue to pray for some improvements.

About an hour after talking to Jayson's team, I urged him to go outside again. It was a another beautiful day and we wanted Jayson to go outside to enjoy the sunshine.  So, around 10:45, his nurse, Kayla, and I took him out of his room and we walked down the main corridor of the second floor that had a wall of windows to one side.  We rolled Jayson down the hall and took the elevator to the ground level. We brought him to the main courtyard in front of Building 1. He felt the warmth of the sun and the slight breeze. We sat at the courtyward just talking among ourselves as we observed people going about their business. After about 5-10 minutes in the courtyard, Jayson asked to be taken back to his room. We ran into a few of Jayson's nurses from 2 East on the way back.

Rolling down the long hallway

Headed outdoors with Nurse Kayla

Headed back to his room

A beautiful day to be outside

When we returned to the room, Jayson ate and took several naps. It was a fairly quiet afternoon with a few visitors, mainly family. Jayson played on his lap top and communicated via text with his friends. Father Spencer came by to pray with Jayson and give us holy communion.  He was happy to hear that Jayson was going home the next day and he gave thanks for this great news.

In the evening, Henry & I practiced taking care of Jayson's hygiene needs during the evening. We know that Jayson will continue to require a lot of our personal attention and we already have offers from family members to help take care of Jayson.  We are so blessed to have many family members and friends offer their help and support.  I'm sure we will need this especially once we're at home.  Only if we could take some of the nurses with us. 

After almost 6 weeks at the hospital, we've gotten to know many of the doctors, nurses and staff who've help take care of Jayson.  In that short of time we've met many incredible medical personnel who've touched our hearts and our life. We have many stories to share of our stay at the NMCSD, some funny, some heart-warming and some life-changing.  A great big "THANK YOU" to everyone who has helped our family get through this challenge in our life. We are forever changed by this experience and by the compassion and passion of Jayson's medical team. Even though this past 5+ weeks have been tough for our family, it's been a positive experience for us. As always, we give the glory and praise to our Lord and Savior.  For it is because of Him that we remain hopeful, faithful and strong. It is also because of Him that Jayson is still with us and had overcome many of the challenges. Thank you Lord Jesus for who you are and for all that you do for us. Amen!