At Home in Boise

Jill, Sylvia, Turbo and Kishka are back in Boise. Scott flew out to Seattle on Wednesday, they finished packing everything and left for Boise on Thursday. Jill, Sylvia and Kishka (the cat) flew while Scott, with Turbo (the dog), drove Jill's car back to Boise. Because of flight delays, Jill and Sylvia were quite late arriving in Boise and pretty tired by the time they finally got home but they have been resting up since then. On Friday Jill met with her Boise oncologist, had some tests, and made arrangements for the switch back to Boise providers of drugs and supplies.

Now Jill starts the long process of recovery from the transplant. Over the next few months she must slowly reduce the levels of immuno-suppressive drugs she takes and take physiotherapy to restore her muscles, bone mass and strength. Everyone is happy to be back in Boise where they have room to spread out, and quieter, familiar surroundings. As Jill regains her strength, I am sure she would enjoy hearing from you.

tom

Going home next week

Sylvia and Jill got great news yesterday. The medical team set next Wednesday as Jill's release date. Jill and Sylvia will fly home Thursday and then check in with the Boise doctors on Friday. They have been busy preparing for their return home for the last week or so. Before they can leave Seattle there are numerous medical steps necessary (tests, changes in prescriptions and so on) in addition to packing and getting ready to vacate the apartment. Scott will fly out to Seattle and drive the car, filled with boxes (and Turbo the dog), back to Boise.

Jill is regaining her strength. She is taking physiotherapy and getting regular light exercise to rebuilt her muscles. The medical team is also fine-tuning her drugs and IV fluids as her body recovers from the transplant and the drugs used to treat the graft-versus-host disease that followed.

Jill and Sylvia are looking forward to being back in Boise with friends and family.

tom

A Fun Reunion in Seattle

Last weekend the Johnsons converged on Seattle to visit Jill, Scott and Sylvia. Due to bad weather in the mid-West, Harley (Jill's brother), his wife Amy, and children Elise and Will were late arriving from Illinois on Friday night. Tom, traveling from Missouri, was also delayed. On Saturday and Sunday we had a nice visit. Jill and Scott got to meet Will (1 year old) for the first time. Scott returned to Boise on Sunday, and Harley, Amy, Elise, Will and Tom left on Monday.

Jill is steadily regaining her strength. She has started physiotherapy to reverse the atrophy in her muscles caused by the immunosuppressant drugs. She is receiving smaller and smaller doses of the drugs which is helping as well. Everything looks good for their return to Boise late in May.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who has sent expressions of support and encouragement to Jill. I know Jill finds these very uplifting. And a special thanks to those who have made donations to the Jill Korn Benefit Fund.

tom