I’m very excited to share this one. Discharge came as a surprise, much earlier than the timeline I was given, and I ended up being wheeled out of the hospital on day +17.
It was a whirlwind of a day in the best way, though the week leading up to it had its fair share of low points. This post covers that stretch.
Disclaimer: Every stem cell transplant experience is different. This is mine.
Monday, August 25th | Day +11
Medical
No surprises this morning. I needed more magnesium, potassium, and platelets. At this point, it’s starting to feel like a regular routine.
On rounds, the care team reassured me that they’re still happy with my progress and that it shouldn’t be too much longer before my counts begin to climb.
Physical
Breakfast didn’t stay down this morning, and the fatigue has been relentless. My counts have been at rock bottom for a while now, and it’s every bit as draining as the team warned it would be.
Mental + Emotional
Riding the struggle bus a bit on the mental health front. I know I’m close, but staying at the bottom for this long takes its toll.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Toast
Lunch: Pudding
Dinner: Peanut Butter Sandwich
Snacks: N/A
Weight: N/A
Note: No appetite.
Media
Tuesday, August 26th | Day +12
Medical
Only needed magnesium, potassium, and IV fluids today. I held onto enough platelets from yesterday, and since the blood in urine and rash are both showing slight improvement, the team decided to hold off on giving me more platelets as a bit of a test run.
One of the nurses also helped me shave my head. I had buzzed it before coming in, but it had started to grow back and was beginning to shed. Felt good to get ahead of it and just take it all off again.
Physical
Still very fatigued, and the mouth sores that started a few days ago are definitely worse today. Eating is more difficult now—manageable, but far from enjoyable.
Mental + Emotional
Feeling more optimistic today. Even though the care team can’t pinpoint when my counts will climb, I’m getting close to the window where they’d expect progress. The finish line is starting to come into view.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Toast
Lunch: N/A
Dinner: Peanut Butter Sandwich
Snacks: N/A
Weight: 139.5
Note: Still no real appetite.
Media
Wednesday, August 27th | Day +13
Medical
Received more magnesium, potassium, and platelets this morning. My platelet count dipped below the transfusion threshold, so they topped me up again.
During rounds, the team shared a new estimate: day +18 is the median for count recovery in patients who receive a bone marrow product. Hard news to hear, but they also reminded me why this was the right choice. In my case, the benefits of bone marrow over peripheral stem cells outweighed the drawbacks.
Physical
Making progress. The rash is starting to fade to a brownish color instead of the bright red and purple it was, and the urine issue has calmed down.
On the flip side, my mouth sores are worse today, and now extend into my throat. Swallowing anything feels like an adventure I’d rather not be on.
Mental + Emotional
Hearing the median date from the care team this morning was tough. That said, it’s just that, the median. Plenty of people bounce back sooner, plenty later. I’m holding onto the hope that my age and overall health going into this give me a shot at being on the earlier side.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Toast
Lunch: Chocolate Milk
Dinner: Peanut Butter Sandwich
Snacks: N/A
Weight: 138.5
Note: No appetite.
Media
Thursday, August 28th | Day +14
Medical
To everyone’s surprise, my counts officially started climbing today. The care team was excited and even joked that I must have “read the manual” on count recovery. They told me I likely shaved a few days off my hospital stay by rebounding this early. Music to my ears.
Even with the good news, I still needed magnesium, potassium, and my first blood transfusion. My white cells are on the rise, but red cells and platelets take longer to bounce back. Hence, the transfusion.
Physical
I got a little overambitious with my morning pills and wasn’t able to keep them down which was a first for me. I had to retake a few of the more important ones since they hadn’t had time to dissolve or absorb.
On the brighter side, my energy level picked up after the blood transfusion. That makes sense physically, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was also boosted by the good news I got this morning.
Mental + Emotional
I’m about as excited as someone can be while still feeling pretty awful. The difference now is that there’s finally a timer on these ailments. Once my new white blood cells kick in, things should start to improve. Until then, it’s a matter of leaning into this low stretch and riding it out.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Nature’s Bakery Fig Bar & Apple Sauce
Lunch: Apple Sauce
Dinner: Peanut Butter Sandwich
Snacks: N/A
Weight: N/A
Note: No appetite. I have lots of mucus in my throat today which only adds to the desire to throw up.
Media
Friday, August 29th | Day +15
Medical
My white blood cell count jumped overnight. This isn’t purely natural, it’s thanks to the shot I’ve been getting to help boost production and kickstart recovery. Still, the results are exactly what we’ve been hoping for.
Rounds this morning were all smiles from the care team. They even floated a possible discharge date in the next couple of days.
Physical
My throat and mouth are still pretty raw, but I managed to pull together a good day regardless. A long afternoon nap went a long way in accomplishing that.
Mental + Emotional
It’s hard to balance all the good news with how I actually feel. The fatigue and mouth/throat pain are still heavy, and while I love hearing about the progress I’m making, it doesn’t change the immediate reality which is still a lot of discomfort.
Exercise
N/A
Nutrition
Breakfast: Apple Sauce
Lunch: Chocolate Milk & Apple Sauce
Dinner: Peanut Butter Sandwich
Snacks: N/A
Weight: N/A
Note: No appetite.
Media
Saturday, August 30th | Day +16
Medical
Another surprise this morning: my white blood cell count jumped again, and since the medication I’ll need for discharge had arrived, the team confirmed that I can be released tomorrow.
They explained that at this point there’s really no difference between recovering in a hospital room and recovering in a more comfortable environment. They weren’t pushing me out, but they recognized that after so many days here, I’d probably prefer to continue my recovery elsewhere. They were right.
Physical
Throat and mouth are still the main troublemakers, but I’m seeing progress in just about everything else.
Mental + Emotional
Hard to believe today is my last full day here. For a while it felt like the end was nowhere in sight, but tomorrow afternoon I’ll finally be able to leave this room. Grateful.
Exercise
Not exactly traditional exercise, but packing up my room took enough out of me that I’m counting it.
Nutrition
Breakfast: Apple Sauce
Lunch: Ensure Protein Shake & Rice Crispy
Dinner: Chocolate Milk
Snacks: N/A
Weight: N/A
Note: Throat still makes eating not very enjoyable. Mixing in higher calorie liquids helps.
Media
Sunday, August 31st | Day +17 (Discharge Day)
Medical
Today was jam-packed. The nurse kicked down the door at 8 AM and got straight to work with magnesium, potassium, platelets, and blood. While my platelet and blood counts looked fine, they wanted to give me a slight “boost” before discharging me.
My white blood cell count doubled again overnight. Crazy how quickly they’re bouncing back with the help of the booster I’ve been receiving.
All of the transfusions took some time, so I wasn’t able to really start the discharge process until around 3 PM.
Physical
Not a ton of progress between yesterday and today. My mouth and throat are still pretty bothersome. I’m also still noticing some blood in my urine, but the team said that as long as I stay hydrated, it should resolve soon. Same goes for my mouth and throat.
Mental + Emotional
I think it’s going to take a while to fully unpack the significance of today. All I know right now is that I’m excited to get back to a slightly adjusted version of “normal.”
I had prepared for the bell ringing and my discharge to be a very emotional event, and it was in part, but the truth is, I was ready to just be out of there.
Exercise
After settling into a nearby hotel, we took a short evening walk for some fresh air. We hardly made it down the street, but my walking endurance is something we’ll be working on as I begin to recover outside the hospital.
Nutrition
Breakfast: Apple Sauce & Ensure Protein Shake
Lunch: Peanut Butter Sandwich
Dinner: Mac-N-Cheese
Snacks: Banana, Ice Cream, & Pistachios
Weight: N/A
Note: Easily the most calories I’ve consumed in the past week or two. That said, I haven’t been eating much of anything lately, so while the food may not have been “healthy,” it’s probably exactly what my body needs right now.
Media
Closing Thoughts
Nothing compares to a real shower and a real bed after a 23-day hospital stay. I still have a long way to go, but the best thing for my recovery, and my mental health, is being out of that room and starting to rebuild some kind of routine.
Talk Soon,
– Ethan
Long Way From Home 
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