Discharged!

Ben has continued to make steady progress, and since being allowed off of the ward for a few hours, has been able to repeat this several times over a week or so. This has been a very positive step, since he does not like hospital food(!), but has been eating when visiting the house and we can cook him something. Just over a week ago, the doctors told us that he was doing well enough that he could be discharged from the BMT ward, go back to the house, and come into the day ward as an outpatient. Initially this is three days a week, with the frequency decreasing as he continues to progress.

Although we were elated at the news, it is bit overwhelming, since it puts the responsibility for his eating, drinking and medication squarely on our shoulders again. And, disappointingly, it proved a bit optimistic since the next day we found ourselves being re-admitted to the BMT award as Ben was refusing meds and fluids due to feeling sick. Ultimately I think that was down to all of us not being quite ready; we hadn’t managed to get the meds regime up and running at the house before hitting problems. So feeling a bit deflated, we were re-admitted back on the BMT ward for the weekend.

Thankfully the routine was quickly re-established, and we were encouraged to be hands on the with his meds, which certainly helped with confidence, and within a few days we were being discharged for the second time. Happily, this time around things have gone much more smoothly. Ben is eating really well, and the meds routine is well established. It is a bit of a challenge getting him to hit his daily fluid target, but we are able to run a fluid infusion overnight to make up any shortfalls. In himself Ben is brighter, and slowly getting more physically active, and this last weekend we have had  the whole family under one roof which has been fantastic! Hopefully it won’t be too long before Ben’s care is handed back to Southampton we can all come home.