Home again!

We are home!  Ethan was able to come home on Tuesday, after pleading eyes towards the doctor.  His ANC (or immune counts) were at 200.  She said she usually likes them to be at 500, or at least close to it before she sends patients home, but I think she saw the disappointment in my eyes, and said we could come home after all!  She was confident he was on the rise, and he was doing well. 

It has been such a blessing to be with my family again, and to spend time with them this week.  I have missed being all together.  I have missed my soft bed, and all of the other conveniences of home.  Ethan is thriving and doing well.  If it weren't for his bald head, you wouldn't know anything was wrong.  He has been happy, and energetic.  It has truly been a blessing.

Ethan will go into clinic on Wednesday for a blood test and a bone marrow aspirate.  They will know within a couple of days whether he is in remission.  If he is in remission, he will prep for the bone marrow transplant.  If he is not, he will be admitted for another round of chemo identical to this round.  It is uncommon for the patients to go into remission in one month, so it is likely we will need to do at least one more round of chemo.  Of course, we are always hopeful that he will go into remission and shorten the process, but we are geared up to do whatever needs to be done.

In Relief Society (a women's meeting in the LDS or Mormon church, for those who don't know), we talked about having a positive attitude.  I have found many things to be grateful for throughout this experience.  I have a loving husband and children that are willing to do what needs to be done without complaint.  My husband has been such an amazing support, and strength to me.  He has taken on the household and duties with the children with amazing grace.  My kids have been awesome!  The older kids watch Blake morning and afternoon each day, and have done it willingly.  I have thought a lot about how this experience will shape them.  Merrill and my families have been so supportive, and have visited us, helped watch the kids at home, and stayed with Ethan while we do things with the other kids or go to our church meetings.  Our neighborhood and ward members have helped by bringing in meals, helping financially, watching the kids, and just being supportive in general.  We have had many offers of prayers and support from people we know from a distance, and even people we don't know at all.  And of course, we have a loving Heavenly Father who is always there to listen to us, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for us so that our burdens could be lightened.  We have learned much throughout this experience, and I will be forever grateful to those who have shown us the love and support that we have needed at this time.