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Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

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DeSantis transforming Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

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Marge, god is saying you’re stupid.

You are here: Home / Balloon Juice / Claire Updates / Claire is home

Claire is home

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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.

Reader Interactions

66Comments

  1. 1.

    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.

  3. 3.

    JPL

    She must be elated and thank you for sharing the news.   I’ll continue praying and hoping that her numbers are always good.

  9. 9.

    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!

  14. 14.

    dnfree

    So glad they are home and I know they will treasure the experience of living everyday life, even during a pandemic.

  21. 21.

    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.

  27. 27.

    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!

  39. 39.

    TomatoQueen

    Welcome home dear Claire, may you have a warm snuggly weekend with your wonderful family, followed by a beautiful and tranquil life.

  48. 48.

    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.

  49. 49.

    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.

  52. 52.

    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.

  56. 56.

    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!

  58. 58.

    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!

  61. 61.

    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.

  63. 63.

    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

  64. 64.

    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!)

  66. 66.

    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.

Comments are closed.