Trading Duke for the OBX

April 8, 2021

Sarah should be getting out today! She’s been fever-free for 48 hours and her weight is holding steady. They are waiting on a last blood count to check that her platelets are holding. As of yesterday, her platelets had gone from 40 to 110, with the help of two infusions.

They did discover her albumin is quite low which may indicate she is not getting all the nutrients she should from her food. This might explain why she is hungry all the time so that will be an interesting thing to look into further.

The bone marrow biopsy went great.  The nurse practitioner who did it said Sarah has very tough bone marrow so she had to make three attempts but she eventually punched through and got a good sample.

Sarah came back to the room, wolfed down some Zaxby’s chicken, and has felt great ever since.

The doctors just came in to talk a few minutes ago; no news on any results yet.  He did refer to the fact that she will be coming back soon for surgery–that’s a given. They just don’t know a plan other than that until all the biopsy and test results are back in.

But at least we are 98% sure she gets to go home.  A weekend in her own personal bed with her own personal brother will go a long way toward restoring that spark in her eye.

I’ll leave you with a couple of photos for today.

 

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43 comments so far.

43 responses to “Trading Duke for the OBX”

  1. Suzanne says:

    I hope you are all home and resting well by now! So thankful for this great news and these pictures are just so sweet. These two just glow.

    Continuing to pray for all of you!

  2. Michele says:

    So glad Sarah us feeling better and gets to go home! Love the pictures!

  3. Phyllis says:

    Great news that Sarah is busting out of there!
    My mom’s albumin was also low when she got out of the hospital in early January. She has been drinking a Premier Protein shake most days. It has 30 grams of protein and tastes good. There are several flavors also. We had her albumin rechecked Tuesday and it was in the normal range.
    Have a good weekend with Nathan and Sarah both home!

  4. Sharyn L. McDonald says:

    Those pictures say a thousand words! PTL she can go home.

  5. Gayle in AL says:

    Hooray for going home!! Sarah looks good and I’m so glad she’s feeling better. Enjoy your family weekend!

  6. Guerrina says:

    Hallelujah! Salt air is curative 🙂 So glad Sarah will be able to rest in her bed, and hug her Dad and brother…I think Dad & brother need that as Sarah does! Gage you’ve been awesome. Will continue to pray.

  7. Jenna hoff says:

    Such wonderful news!! I pray this weekend will be incredibly restorative and restful for each of you.

  8. Wendy says:

    How great to be heading home today. I hope you all get rested up and enjoy the weekend with Nathan

  9. Jan Reuther says:

    I’ve never seen a person in the hospital looking as beautiful as Sarah does! Wishing you all a happy and peaceful weekend.

  10. dmantik says:

    That does my heart good. 🥰

  11. Bridgette says:

    What a wonderful update!! Praying she continues to feel better! I am quite sure there could be no more perfect guy for Sarah than Gage. What a love story they are continuing to write! Thank you for the continued updates. Sarah looks beautiful!

  12. Donna says:

    So glad the three of you will be able to come back home and get some much needed rest!! Becky, you need to let those around you, take care of you for a few days. Gage is young and has the stamina to take care of Sarah. Sitting in a hospital room is exhausting, especially when one is stressed about test results, surgery and the constant influx or nurses and doctors!
    So glad Nathan will be visiting too! I am sure he will also be taking care of you and Sarah. And enjoy taking pictures of his shoes sitting near the door and of him snoozing on the sofa!!
    Absolutely love the pictures!! Gage simply adores Sarah! The black and white one taken from overhead is so precious! I am sure you are grateful to have another doting partner staying with you and Sarah, along with all your faithful followers who have also lifted your family up in prayer!!

    • Becky says:

      Donna,

      Yes, definitely looking forward to being home with family and in my own bed. I’ve heard enough machines beeping in the middle of the night to last me for awhile. We still have to get through whatever next week holds but for now, we will enjoy this brief oasis.

  13. Steve says:

    WAHOOOOO!

  14. Gail Puckett says:

    Becky what wonderful news that she gets to go home the pictures you attached brought joy to my heart. Please let Sarah know that prayers are coming from East Tennessee for especially her and of course all of you all. Gage is a keeper. God bless and thank you for Keeping us anxious readers updated. Looking for more good news. God is sbleyl

  15. Liz says:

    Thank you for the good update, Becky. Love the photos of Sarah and Gage. If love alone could heal Sarah, she would be healed right now. Time at home with loved ones sounds wonderful, I’m sure. Continued prayers for you all.

  16. Katrina says:

    I really hope Sarah can have a wonderful week at home!

  17. Ann O. says:

    Home sweet home! Home, and a special big brother will be great medicine! May you all have a peaceful weekend!
    I gave blood yesterday, for the first time in decades, with Sarah in mind. Of course she was in my mind. I was reading a Smithellaneous update as my blood drained out! But, I thought of her well before that. Next time, maybe I’ll consider platelets.

    • Becky says:

      Ann,

      Thank you for donating. How appropriate to be reading about Sarah while you did so. And yes, platelets are great, too! Sarah has needed so many bags of those over the years. Bless you.

  18. Shawn says:

    I am so glad Sarah gets to spend some time at home. It especially nice that Nathan is coming home. Sarah and Gage look so cute together. Praying that you all get news soon and that you have a great weekend.

  19. Beth Kayser says:

    What wonderful news — celebrations for you all going home. I am just soaking up all these pictures… Continuing prayers…

  20. Brooke Robertshaw says:

    Yeah! I’m so glad she gets to go home and that she’s feeling better. <3

  21. Jessica says:

    What great news!
    These photos are so precious. ❤

  22. Sarah says:

    Yay! What great news! A weekend at home will be great and relaxing!

  23. Robin says:

    This post made my day. So grateful for these precious moments in all of your lives and my own in mine. Still praying and will continue to do so.

  24. Mel says:

    Fantastic news. Resting at home is always preferable to resting in a hospital. Love the pictures of the two of them together. Gage is so attentive that it makes my heart smile. I am sure everyone is excited to see Nathan this weekend. Prayers to your entire family.

  25. Cindy says:

    What happy news! I imagine seeing Nathan will be a breath of fresh of fresh air for all of you. Praying for good news to arrive soon.

  26. LeeAnne says:

    Great news! And the pictures of Sarah and Gage make me smile so much. They also bring on the happy tears. They are just too cute and so perfect together. Love seeing her beautiful smile.
    Have a safe trip home and a really wonderful weekend!!

  27. Cindy says:

    Those pictures brought tears to my eyes….you can feel the love they share just looking at them ❤️😍❤️

  28. SueEllen says:

    Wonderful – the OBX (and your own bed) sounds much better for a relaxing weekend! And more restful for you too, Becky. The photos are darling – especially the “view from above” one.

  29. Patti says:

    Prayers you are home soon. Great photos.

  30. Tiffany says:

    So happy to hear this news!! have a fantastic weekend with your family!!

  31. Tammy says:

    Praise the Lord!!

  32. Lesley says:

    Fingers crossed! Glad she’s feeling better, wonderful photos, lovely couple.

  33. Ruth says:

    Such good news! Praise be to God for his merciful goodness! Ruth

  34. Mrs. Pam says:

    another perfect couple, just like you and Steve, and Nathan and Meagan

  35. Jill says:

    Thanks for the update. I do love these photos, they make quite a nice couple! Continued prayers for all.

  36. Happy to hear your good news! Hope things continue to progress so that you can get on the road to OBX! Becky, I loved the photos! If Sarah can smile while in a hospital bed… it must be love! 🙂 Thanks for all the updates, Fred & Lucy

  37. Terry Quidley says:

    How is it possible to smile and cry at the same time? I don’t know but that’s what these pictures did for me. Becky thank you for all the updates. We are all glued to our phones awaiting your next post.
    So happy for the improvements and to know that she is homeward bound.

    • Becky says:

      Terry,

      How nice to see your name; a voice from home. 🙂

      And yeah, I know what you mean about the laughing/crying thing!

  38. Yay for home! And the two of them are SUCH a lovely couple. 🙂

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