Oh what a feeling!
We’re HOME!
I was able to convince the doctors to let me out on Friday. Their plan was Saturday until I pointed out that I’d hit my caloric goals. I also mentioned that my mom-in-law and Deepesh (brother-in-law) just arrived - and my friend Neil Butani was scheduled to arrive Friday night - so it would be really great to be out on Friday. After a second of thought and glances exchanged, they said, “Yeah, what the heck. Friday and Saturday are the same thing.” So by evening we were out!
Nearly seven weeks in the hospital…it’s quite a haul. Your legs decondition (I’m really sore after just walking around for a few days) and the bed that felt comfortable week 2 is concave and constantly hurts your back. But as I thought about it more, I realized how fortunate we are. In most hospitals, you are not allowed to be outpatient if you are neutropenic (low blood counts; no real protection against infection). Since I’m going to be neutropenic for a long time - we’re purposefully knocking down all my counts, including the blast counts - we (Reena and I) would probably be in the hospital for 6 months!
I’m 10x better now that I’m home. I have some control over my sleep since no one wakes me up every 2-3 hours. (However, sleep is a problem due to the manic side effects of the high-dose Prednisone I’m on for the GVHD.) Of course, being in control of my schedule, which largely consists of clinic appointments and as much work I can squeeze in. And spending quality time with my family, as opposed to 1-2 hours per day in the hospital when they come to visit, is paramount.
As an additional note, we had a very interesting clinic appointment with Dr. Bedalov, our attending who has been fully vested in carefully crafting an aggressive and unconventional treatment plan for me. He presented a new chemo clinical trial that he is very optimistic about in the event that Mylotarg doesn’t put me in full remission.
As my father has always said, the longer I can hang in there, the more options emerge. Here’s to hanging strong. Due to the benefit of youth, my body and I can tell our team to bring it on!
February 12th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Dear Mr. Kumar Bhatia,
Oh what a feeling is true. Touch wood and knock wood. God bless.
Love,
Vasan.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:50 am
It is terrific to know that you are back home after so many weeks. love to you all. Doug
February 12th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Prayers and best wishes for a remission. Nasty cells, stay away!
February 13th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Sameer,
I’ve followed this blog for a while, I can’t eve remember how I stumbled upon it months ago but I’ve been literally checking daily ever since. Your strength and optimism is amazing, and its exactly why you’re going to get through this soon and be on with the rest of your life in no time!
February 13th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Hi Sameer,
Best Wishes to you.I hope and pray that the new treatment plan will be very helpful to you.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Fight on, Brother! You are inspiring more people than you’ll ever know. Every day is one day closer to a full recovery. Glad to hear you’re feeling better at home.
-NJ
February 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Welcome home buddy!!!
February 17th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Dear Sameer,
Good to know that u r home the fact is that u r home and that makes u feel better is itself a big morale booster for you
As some one here said Hang in there Sameer and we add that Hang in there Sameer with your positive attitude and good medical care and prayers of all your loved ones and welll wishers.
regards
kanu-kanta
February 20th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Yahooooo your home! That must be a great feeling! I have faith that with this trip home you can recharge your body and start recovering! I wish you the best, and hope with ALL of my heart that you could be cured. I will continue praying for you! I wish you THE BEST!!!!
February 21st, 2008 at 7:17 am
Hang on Sameer. Recharge your batteries. There is a long way to go. You have to live your life full. That is fulfilling, isn’t it? We pray for you.
February 21st, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Hi Sameer,
I haven’t been visiting your blog in a while and finally am abreast of the latest run of activity. Your positive attitude is absolutely infectious my friend–I will be saying prayers for you all the time and wishing for nothing but the best with your treatment.
Enjoy your time at home!
Shalini
February 21st, 2008 at 7:26 pm
its so good to see you’re doing better!!!! you definitely give me a lot of hope in life…. We’ll continue to pray for you and remind people to make sure we count our blessings everyday…. Congrats on being home!!
February 26th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Hi Sameer,
I am visiting the blog after awhile, but think of you often. I am glad that you are getting to spend some time at home. Am continuing to wish you and your body lots of strength and energy to get through this all. Keep up your incredible good spirits (though it’s okay to throw things around in frustration every once in awhile!!). Wishing you the very best!
Lots of love,
Nisha