Erica Harris released from hospital

We were told going in by Erica's attending doctor that the entire process after the transplant takes many weeks in hospital, with the fastest discharge being four weeks after the transplant - but sometimes it can be three months or longer in hospital.

Erica persevered well through the chemo, however, she found the twice daily TBI very difficult.

Erica had her transplant two weeks ago yesterday (on October 25th) soon after her last TBI treatment.  

The team at VGH calls it your new birthday.  

The transplant itself (using the donor's stem cells) was relatively short in duration (under an hour).  

All progressed well until the very end when she developed a severe acute allergic reaction...close call.

Through it all, Erica was truly amazing and tenacious - she fought hard every step of the way, keeping as active as possible, using her stepper and crazy heavy medicine ball whenever she could muster up just enough strength.  

She did laps around the 15th floor tossing her med ball in the air.  

She endured the usual nausea, retching and lack of appetite with mucositis and ulcers covering her inner mouth and throat yet she was determined to stay off of the IV feeding that caused many problems to her liver in the summer.  

This meant she needed to eat and keep what she ate down.

We were told that transplant patients rarely avoid the IV feeding due to all of the multiple side effects of the process (including the post transplant immunosuppressant drugs) that cause the very painful mucositis.  

Yes, you guessed it, Erica was able to keep down enough nutrients on her own to keep the IV feeding away.  

My incredible wife.

Thanks to the super donor's super marrow, Erica's blood counts (white blood cells/hemoglobin/platelets etc.) recovered quickly - as has Erica.  

Indeed, her condition improved so quickly, we are pleased to share with you that she was officially discharged from VGH this morning (November 9th) on Day +15 post transplant.  

We were told by VGH team members that this is the fastest discharge they had seen following an unrelated stem cell/bone marrow transplant.

All that said, Erica is still very weak, very tired and her immune system is still incredibly vulnerable.   

In turn, we will be spending a few weeks at a place we secured near VGH as she gets stronger and more stable.  

She has a busy day care regimen ahead at the VGH outpatient clinic and she is certainly not out of the woods.  

A long road lies ahead with many potentials bumps as her new marrow takes hold.  

The entire engraftment process lasts many months - including daily immunosuppressant and multiple other medications.

Her lead doctor indicated that it may take up to nine months before engraftment is fully confirmed.

We are taking today's fabulous news and discharge from hospital as a blessed gift from above.

As you know, Erica is happiest in the great outdoors as fresh air means so much to her... she soaked it all in as we left VGH.  

She had not been outside since she was admitted.  

Today we walked a few blocks, we may try to walk a a few more tomorrow.  

One day at a time.  

Together, hand in hand.

Our plan is to surprise the boys tomorrow with a short surprise visit - at Hudson's soccer game.  

Erica can't wait to surprise them and hold them tightly in her arms. 

Thank you all for your kind and generous support of Erica and our entire family during this challenging journey.

We have cherished your thoughts, prayers and strength and everything that you have done for us.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you,

May God bless each of you and all of your loved ones. 

Faith, Hope and Love Always.