Aidan update 03/24

Hello dear friends,
I am writing you from our family room couch. Yes, you read that right...Aidan is HOME! He was released from Children's on 03/17 to Marianjoy for inpatient rehab.

From the moment we walked into inpatient rehab, I requested that we be promptly discharged. Needless to say, they were hesitant and thought that I was a crazy person (which, these days is certainly debatable). However, they were unable to give me sufficient reason for him to be institutionalized. So, they discharged him Monday morning and he will participate in a day rehab program at Marianjoy.

Aidan is doing well. However, as his strength increases so does his frustration level. He needs help doing some things that he was able to do unassisted prior to becoming sick. He is often refusing help while sitting and eating. It is maddening for everyone. I keep telling myself that his strong will is what will help him get through treatment. So, we just have to deal with the frustrations in the meantime. UGH!!!

We were at Children's today to meet with the stem cell transplant team and road map the next couple of months. Aidan had his weekly chemo injection and a transfusion. We love the marathon days at clinic...11am appointment and out the door at 5:30pm just in time for rush hour. It is funny, you can laugh.

Aidan's white blood cell count should rebound within the next 5 days or so. He will have a break for 4-5 days then he will be given medicine to further stimulate white cell production prior to harvest. If all goes well, we would anticipate stem cell harvest in the second week of April. Harvest happens over 2 days and his 4th chemo cycle will immediately follow. So, he will have an inpatient stay for about 6 days.

I want to thank all of you who came out to show your support for Aidan at the fundraiser this past Sunday. It is heartwarming to know that he truly does have a whole army behind him!

Please continue to keep sweet Aidan in your prayers. As always, I will update you with future happenings.

Peace,K