Going Home

The past few weeks have been filled with ups and downs. Tyler had a very rough weekend, with lots of pain, but that seems to have come back under control.

A few weeks ago, they started putting a plan in place to get Tyler home, where he can be more comfortable. I haven't mentioned it, until now, because plans are ever changing for Ty. But yesterday, we had a family meeting and they have set Tyler's go home date for THIS Thursday! Of course, I have to throw out there that this is barring any major hiccups that may happen over the next few days.

It seems like a complete whirlwind is in effect now. Lots of preparations are being made by the family to get the house ready...wheelchair ramps installed, hospital bed and other medical supplies ordered, cleaning, sanitizing, etc. Even more preparations are going on at the hospital. Michelle has been training to do all of the care-giving. She knows how to work his IVs, give his medication through the j-tube, flush lines, drain tubes, practice getting Tyler in and out of the car, etc. Backups for Michelle are being trained this week now too. There is also lots of stuff to pack up and get back home, after having lived in the Ronald McDonald house and hospital room for the last 9 months.

It's all overwhelming and exhausting, to be honest. There have been a lot of mixed emotions leading up to this decision. Lots of talks with Tyler on what he wants and where he would be most comfortable. But, all in all, yesterday it seemed as though Tyler, Michelle, and the rest of "Team Tyler" are ready, physically and emotionally, for the transition to get home.

A visiting nurse will come daily, for a few hours, until Michelle is completely comfortable with the routine and giving all the meds and such. Michelle lives within 5 minutes of her parents, her sister Cheri and Aunt Cindy...and her other sisters, Patty and Tammy, are within 15 minutes. So, help is right around the corner which is a huge comfort. The plan, for now, is to continue to do the chemo as an out-patient. This will require Michelle to bring Tyler to Ann Arbor weekly for the treatments. The first trial run for that will be Monday.

We greatly appreciate your prayers for Tyler and Michelle, and the rest of the team, during this transition.