My niece Claire was released from the hospital for the last time for this round of treatment earlier this week. She is at home. She is with her parents and her little sister and her grandma in a house that is mostly snowed in and overloaded with toys and books and presents. She is doing pretty well right now considering that she just finished up her 5th round of chemo. Her numbers are good to very good.
Her parents finished cleaning out the apartment on Wednesday and handed back the keys to the landlord a day early. They no longer have a place in Philly.
The Balloon-Juice Jackal Crash Pad was heavily used and greatly appreciated. It was a spot where Megan and Travis could sleep without listening to beeps. It was a spot where they could breathe. It was a spot where Megan and Travis could have their younger daughter come down and visit to see mom and her big sister. It was a refuge. Thank you!
Right now, the plan is fairly straightforward. Claire resumes normal on-line learning on Monday. She can probably win the first argument on where the family should order take-out once her appetite fully comes back and her stomach settles. She can play in the snow/ice/sleet that is supposed to be hitting her house today.
She will have monthly lab work. If the results are not scary, that is all she needs for several months and then she’ll get a check-in with her oncology team. If the results are scary, something happens and we don’t know what that is.
cope
I could not have read a more heartening and uplifting thing to start my morning. Thank you and what a joy it is to hear she is back home. Being seriously ill is horrible but being seriously ill and away from home is crushing. I am so glad she is back on familiar ground.
Percysowner
I’m so glad. Great news in a world that needs great news.
JPL
She must be elated and thank you for sharing the news. I’ll continue praying and hoping that her numbers are always good.
p.a.
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Elizabelle
All good news. Great to hear. Home is best.
Dorothy A. Winsor
I’m so glad. Thank you for telling us
Betty Cracker
Glad she’s home, and I will keep the family in my thoughts, hoping for the best.
WaterGirl
Happy tears.
stinger
Yay, Claire! Thank you so much for the update, David. She and her family are often in my thoughts. I hope she has fun playing in the sleet!
OzarkHillbilly
Home is where the heart is.
Kristine
The best news. May it continue.
mardam422
Good news. Here’s hoping the road is straight and smooth.
RedDirtGirl
Such great news! I just love community and the things we do for one another. Yay Jackals!
dnfree
So glad they are home and I know they will treasure the experience of living everyday life, even during a pandemic.
Nicole
Such good news; thank you for letting us know. I’m so glad she’s home.
lowtechcyclist
And there is much rejoicing!
EmbraceYourInnerCrone
This is great news! Keeping Claire and her family in my thoughts.
laura
Pure joy!
MomSense
Hooray!
🎉🥳👏🙌🎊
HeleninEire
Wonderful news!!
SiubhanDuinne
Oh, David, this is such lovely news! I’m tearing up from happiness. Thank you for keeping the Jackaltariat well-informed throughout this ordeal. It was an honour to be a tiny part of Claire’s recovery and her family’s comfort.
BruceFromOhio
Thank you so much for providing this. Should the need arise, you know what do to.
Benw
YAY
Tazj
Great news!
Dave's Dad
Wonderful news…she gets to be a kid again!
KenK
Excellent news. A wonderful way to start the day. thank you.
Ohio Mom
There’s lots Western medicine hasn’t figured out how to do yet but when they know what to do, they know what to do!
Such happy news!
raven
Yay!
Ghost of Joe Liebling*s Dog
Good. Good. Very glad to read that.
wvng
What wonderful news!
jalcirrus
Wonderful news!!
WaterGirl
@Dave’s Dad: Besides the great news for Claire and family, you must be so proud of your son!
Barbara
Such a nice way to start the Friday news dump! Go Team Claire!
WereBear
So very very happy to hear!
TaMara (HFG)
Such a good way to start my day! Good energy to Claire’s continued healing.
JMG
Thank you for the good news. My continued best hopes and thoughts for Claire and her family.
Karen S.
Excellent news! Thanks for the update.
arrieve
I am so happy to hear this! What a relief for Claire and her family.
TomatoQueen
Welcome home dear Claire, may you have a warm snuggly weekend with your wonderful family, followed by a beautiful and tranquil life.
la caterina
Thanks for sharing the great news! So glad Claire is getting back to a semblance of normal life.
Barry
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
frosty
Good news! Thanks for letting us know.
Bluegirlfromwyo
Happy day! Let’s hope the news just gets better!
Betty
Happy Valentine’s Day to all your family! What a beautiful gift!
scribbler
This is fantastic news! I hope Claire enjoys having a snow day at home!
mali muso
This is wonderful news to hear!
Old School
Yippee!
Embra
It makes my day to hear things are going well for Claire. And thanks, David, for the opportunity to help out in a small way.
JanieM
Yay! So glad for Claire and her family! I hope her future course is like my great-niece’s — she had cancer at the age of three and is now a sassy junior in high school, having had no further problems along the way. Fingers crossed for all of you.
Miss Bianca
Yay!! (Kermit arms flailing)
VeniceRiley
Late to the thread, but so happy to hear good news!
CaseyL
This is wonderful news! I am so happy for Claire, and for your whole family. Fingers crossed for only good things from now on.
Alison Rose
So so glad to hear this!! <3
pacem appellant
Welcome home, Claire. Juck cancer.
Suzanne
This is fabulous news. Congrats to Claire and the family.
Baquist
Thank you so much for the update David; it was such good news for this morning. I wish your entire family the best and look forward to hearing about Claire’s exploits as she grows up – I’m manifesting only good news here on out!
There go two miscreants
That is excellent news! I hope she has smooth sailing from now on.
J R in WV
So much good news on Balloon Juice today. So happy for your family and your specific good news!!!
Please do keep us posted at times as Claire proceeds to have a normal life!
HumboldtBlue
Man o Manischewitz some good news was needed That’s wonderful.
The Lodger
Wow! What great news! Get better, Claire!
Mary G
Late, but so happy to see this and know that the apartment is no longer needed for the best reasons! Congratulations to Claire and may all her future experiences be good.
Joy in FL
I’m so glad for this good news. May it continue for Claire : )
Dave's Dad
@WaterGirl: ….yes we are….Dave is one of 5…they all do different things ..very proud of all 5…and yes growing up…Dave loved to ask questions
WaterGirl
@Dave’s Dad: You probably won’t see this, but just in case…
For some obscure reason, screen names with apostrophes (like Dave’s Dad) always have to be manually approved. So your comments won’t show up right away unless you somehow change your screen name. :-(
Dave*s Dad would work, as would Daves Dad. (we will understand why there is no apostrophe and won’t hold it against you!)
Dave*s Dad
Thank you for the help
rikyrah
Many thanks to Cole for pointing this out. I hadn’t noticed this post. I am so happy that she’s home. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to her and the family.