Day +47
Clinic day
CVL dressing change/line flush/cap change

Recap on clinic visit

• WBC: 3.07
• HGB: 8.8
• Platelet: 165
• Continue all current supportive care
• -hold Fluconazole & Bactrim: liver enzymes are bumping up (AST at 157, ALT at 189)
• -kidney number is back to normal range (Creatinine at 0.6, BUN at 21)
• -potassium level is back to normal range (5.4), continue Lasix

Home away from Home

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities - One of best McDonald Houses in the nation

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. (ARMHC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of children by providing temporary housing and support services to families during the worst crisis of their lives.

 

A new, state-of-the art 50-bedroom Ronald McDonald House to serve patients receiving treatment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston opened in June 2008 on Gatewood Road.  In four years this facility has served over 4,500 families.

At the Ronald McDonald House, families can enjoy many of the comforts of home, receive nutritious meals prepared and served by volunteers and obtain emotional support through contact with other families experiencing similar situations. No family is turned away if they cannot afford the small $30 per night requested contribution and many of these families stay at the Ronald McDonald House for weeks, and sometimes months, while their children receive the treatment at CHOA.

 

Ronald McDonald welcoming you in the parking lot

Reception

Main lobby

The floors are so polished that you can actually see your reflection

Dining area

Another dining area

Outdoor terrace where my hubby and I have a "date" when Viki is with her teacher

Free breakfasts & dinners are prepared by volunteers for families

It's amazing to see how the local communities stepped up to make our lives go a little easier

Play & Game room for little ones

They thought of everything: a shuttle ride is provided to go back and forth to the hospital. 

It literally takes just 3 minutes.

Safe environment for taking Viki for a walk

Card access is required for the BMT suites.  I feel previleged.  Haha

BMT suite waiting area

Hallway of our 2 bedroom apartment

 Main bedroom

 Guest bedroom where daddy sleeps over on Saturdays

Bathroom

Fully equipped with kitchen and laundry

 Little muli-task table for serving meals, school work and much more

Small yet cozy family room

Viki having so much fun at our new home

 

 

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House is a beacon of hope for families like us.  I'm just astonished by caring staff and volunteers who create a comfortable, loving environment that allows me to focus on the well-being of Victoria.  I would like to thank all of them from bottom of my heart.  I must say, America is the most blessed country in the world.  Everyday, I'm adding on a new blessing to appreciate. Feel extreamely blessed!

 

BMT 환자들은 퇴원을 하더라도 언제 어떻게 될지 모르는 risk를 안고 있다. Recovery 중이라도  fever, infection 같은 비상사태를 대비하여 병원에서 가까운 숙소에 머물게하는데, 아틀란타는 맥도날드사에서 Atlanta Ronald McDonald House를 지원해 주고 있다.  승리가 치료받는 병원에서 3분거리, 환자와 가족을 위한 최상의 시설과 서비스로 기나긴 BMT 여정을 거쳐가는 우리가족에게 새로운 둥지가 되어 주고 있다. 매일매일 식사를 준비해오는  지역단체 봉사자들, 애들이 힘든 투병생활에 지치지 않도록 끊임없이 activity를 만들어 주는 수많은 가족봉사자들, Starbucks, Coca Cola, AirTran을 비롯한 유명 미국기업들에서 끊이지 않는 지원과 후원들을 보면서, 아직은 미국이 이렇게 약한자들의 편에 서 있는 나라임에 다시 한번 감동하고 감사 드리게 된다. 우리 승리가 이렇게 시설좋은 미국에서 아팠던 것도 또 하나의 축복임을 새삼 깨달으며, 우리도 나중에는 수혜자가 아니라 이런 도움을 "주는" 쪽에 서는 삶을 살기를 머릿속에 그려본다.