She's home!

It’s taken a little longer than we anticipated to get another update on here. But, what can we say? I guess we’ve just been enjoying our time with Rita! YES—you read that right. We are SO beyond happy to report that Rita was able to come home on Monday as planned! She was greeted with a homemade sign (made by Joey) and lots of love.

Soon after settling in, Rita made a bold request—a buzz cut. Her hair was already starting to fall out a little from the chemo and she did NOT want to deal with it falling out around the house. Her house, her rules… so, off with the hair! She was—just as she’s been throughout this journey—so brave and determined. She is beautiful. She absolutely rocks it. (And her husband and oldest son enthusiastically welcomed her into the bald club. Unfortunately for them, her hair is going to grow back!)

We are very happily figuring out our new routine around here. We had a nurse come today and she trained our “part-time nurses” (Rita’s husband John and son Mike) on how to help Rita receive her nutrition intravenously. This will occur every day until she can tolerate solid food again. Right now, she’s loving ginger ale and tropical fruits (in very small bites (shhh) or by blending it into a smoothie). Her appetite does seem to be coming back a little bit, so we’re very happy about that. Gotta keep our girl strong!

Rita is scheduled for her second dose of chemo on Thursday. It will be outpatient treatment moving forward. We expect the chemo cocktail will be modified to hopefully avoid the nausea and reduction in her white blood cell count, which was one of the reasons for her recent extended hospital stay.

Again, thank you thank you thank you for all your kind words, prayers, love, and support. It has meant so much to all of us.