Back To Our Second Home!

Re-connecting with Marshall!

Waiting for the doctors-thank God for my DS!

Look how you've grown! You look incredible!

Dr. Priti and Dr. Prasad--just like old times!

Soon after Jaden started back at school, we made preparations to return to Duke for his 18 month post-bmt follow up. This time, Guri wanted to come as well and I was relieved to take him because of the bad weather in the East Coast. I'm not a good "snow driver" and did not want to deal with inclement weather. Plus, it would be wonderful to have the company and another pair of hands to help with Jaden.

As usual, we planned a quick trip, giving ourselves just enough time to get there, get the testing completed, and be back home with the kids. We're so blessed to have family that covers for us and can watch Devin and Gia while we focus on Jaden. I don't know what we'd do without them. They are amazing and we are so grateful to have them in our lives.

Jaden's testing is now reduced to about a day and a half. It's the usual lab draws in clinic, PFTs, echocardiogram and chest x-ray. On occasion we follow-up with his ENT doctor for his sinus issues and his optomologist to recheck his vision. Last time we checked his vision so this time we saw his ENT. Then it's back to clinic on Friday to meet with Dr. Prasad and discuss the results.

I couldn't wait for Dr. Prasad to see Jaden. I know he looks a thousand times better than he did when we were last at Duke. He's getting stronger by the day. We checked in to the "fish tank room" as we had done so many times before. It's just second nature now. The ladies at the reception desk always greet us warmly and tell Jaden how wonderful he looks. Jaden barely makes eye contact as he pushes the big silver button on the wall that lets him into the clinic area. The nurses always remember him and call out to him by name. I have to remind Jaden to be cordial and respectful. I'm not sure if he's just being shy or whether being in clinic brings back lots of painful memories for him. He's certainly not as ecstatic to be here as we are. The team at Duke had told us that before. Generally the parents and family are thrilled to return to Duke, visit the nurses and the medical team. For us, it's a reminder of the medical miracle that saved our son's life. For the child, it's a constant reminder of the pain and suffering that he endured. I guess only Jaden will truly know what he went through. I can only imagine, even though I was there with him every step of the way.

As we waited in the fish tank room, I looked to see whether Marshall (Jaden's hospital school teacher) was around. We had missed each other last time we were in town and I had emailed her in advance this time in hopes of connecting. She had a crazy busy schedule as usual, going above and beyond to help the children, so I knew she had very limited time in her day. However, Marshall being Marshall, wanted to make sure she saw Jaden at some point during our visit. For her, it's about seeing the kids healthy and back to their normal routines, something she rarely gets to see when she's teaching them in their hospital rooms.

It turns out we did connect. As we waited, I saw a figure approaching with a big smile. As soon as she yelled "Hey, Jaden" in a twang that is typical of Marshall, I knew immediately who it was. I jumped up and gave her the biggest hug. Jaden was being shy until Marshall yelled out "You better run over here and give me a big hug!" That definitely brought a smile to my little guy's face! She then told him how wonderful he looked and how big he was getting. Of course, we had to capture these moments and Jaden mugged for the camera as usual. We spent some time catching up and then Marshall was on her way again. She is such an amazing lady. We were so blessed to have her as Jaden's teacher. I don't think there is anyone who is as patient, kind, warm and loving as Marshall. She knows what these kids are going through and is incredible with them.

After a while, we were called back into the exam room. We waited for a little bit and then Dr. Priti came in. "He looks great! Look at all that hair! He's so handsome!" She reviewed his current medications with me and I updated her on where we were at in his recovery. She said his labs looked great and more importantly Jaden looked great. We got caught up on how she was doing and exchanged info about our families. Then I saw a shadow over my shoulder.

It was a figure in a white coat looming in the hallway. I knew immediately who it was: Dr. Prasad! He stopped in his tracks at the doorway and was shocked to see how good Jaden looked. "Look at him! He looks amazing!" Dr. Prasad was grinning from ear to ear. I was beaming too. I know, doesn't he look wonderful! "There's no need to go over his results, I can tell by just looking at Jaden that he's doing perfectly well!" Dr. Prasad announced. He marched over to Jaden, gave him a big hug and began the examination. Again, it was brief. Dr. Prasad told me he could tell by just looking at Jaden's skin color and appearance that things were moving along nicely. He was so impressed with Jaden's progress and couldn't believe how far Jaden had come in such a short period of time.

He quickly reviewed the stack of papers that were Jaden's test results with me, flipping through each as he checked it off and said "perfect!" Dr. Prasad was most impressed by Jaden's PFTs. Jaden's lungs were recovering unbelievably well. The doctor was in complete disbelief. He even went as far as to say that Gia's cells had helped to heal Jaden's pre-transplant scarring! Incredible! I was holding back tears as I thought of my little angel and what a gift she was to all of us. I knew Jaden was recovering well, but I had no idea that his pre-transplant condition could also be improved. In other words, I knew the goal was to get Jaden's body back to as close as pre-transplant state as possible, but I didn't realize that Gia's cells could actually heal some of the damage that was done pre-transplant. I stopped to say a quick prayer in my head and thank God for all the blessings we had received. I could not have imagined a better outcome for my son.

Before we knew it, we were back on our way home. Another check-point, another milestone, another visit with our "family" completed.