October 15: Home sweet home

Home sweet home!! In the picture above Sujata is sporting a big smile as she sits in our bedroom, a place she has missed so much for the past month. Alas, all the hair is gone. It had started to fall off in large clumps, as is common with people on chemo, so the hospital hair dresser shaved it all off. It will grow back soon we hope. In the meantime, Sujata intends to make strong fashion statements about stylish head coverings. So, all you "fashionistas" watch this space for more dazzling and colorful headgear.

Our family is walking on air with joy, but we need to keep our feet firmly planted on the ground for the next few months. There are many challenges ahead, not the least of which is to travel to Mount Sinai for tests and blood transfusions twice a week, until her blood counts reach an acceptable level. The battery of tests awaiting her in the coming months is pretty daunting and the frequent trips to the hospital will be tiring, but with some luck I am sure we will get through this phase without many hiccups.

Life at home will be different for a while. The instructions on “do” and “don’ts” are elaborate and long, and ignoring any of them could land Sujata back in the hospital. Thankfully, there will be a visiting nurse for the first two weeks to help us navigate through the maze of rules, and to teach us how to clean and maintain the catheter that will continue to be stuck in Sujata for the next few months. The biggest restriction is with food - what she can eat and how it should be cooked. So, I have to brush up on my culinary skills to get by in the next few months.

Challenges ahead

One of the most difficult reactions to Bone Marrow Transplant is called “Graft versus Host Disease”, GVHD for short, a condition where your own cells attack the donor cells, like little soldiers protecting their domain against a foreign enemy. GVHD can occur in any part of the body and at any time, even a year after the transplant, leading to life threatening situations, so we will need to be ever vigilant and take immediate action if symptoms appear.

Another challenge is to remember to take all the medicines faithfully and on time. The list is long and can be confusing, but the hospital was very patient in going through the routine with us several times. Those of you who know Sujata well will agree that, while she has many admirable qualities, the discipline to follow a regular routine is not one of them. So, the whole family has to make sure that she plays by the rules.

Visitors

Now that we are home, please come and visit whenever you can find a little time. Sujata’s recovery still has many hurdles to cross, and your company will be the best therapy for her. Just give me a call to make sure she is feeling well enough to sit up and talk. Of course, we need to be very careful not to get her exposed to anyone with cold or fever. Talking about cold, it is getting a little nippy outside as Autumn gets ready to usher in old man Winter. Not to worry -- I will always a have a cup of hot tea or coffee to warm you up when you come in to say “hello”.

Thank you

During the past 26 days, all of you, from near and far, have shown your support with phone calls, letters, visits and, most of all, through you loving and inspiring messages on this website. With these writings, you have made Sujata and me feel as though you were in the hospital room with her, cheering her on as she marches towards the finish line.

Today is “Mahalaya”. To all friends who are devotees of Ma Durga, may this Puja season bring you happiness and health.