We’re Bringing Lina Home
It’s been a rough few days for Lina and for us.
Lina’s condition has continued to deteriorate throughout the past week. Biopsies confirmed that the aGVHD has returned and is wreaking havoc with her GI system again – causing severe damage to her colon. Friday morning the hospital called me in Maine to see what time my girls and I would be arriving in Boston. I said between 5 and 6pm. They said “that might be too late.” We rushed down to Boston and spent the day and night holding Lina’s hand and talking to her. Maybe she can hear us – but she’s completely unresponsive to us at this point.
Saturday, Dr Armand and the whole transplant team met with Chloe, Moriah and I. They were very gentle and kind to us – but were very blunt about Lina’s poor prognosis. “We don’t think we are doing her any favors to continue treating her,” they said.
Last night Lina’s brother John and his wife, Terri and daughter Aja arrived in Boston from Texas and we all met together with the Dana-Farber team again this afternoon to let them know our decision – that it’s time to bring Lina home.
We are all back in Maine now – 8pm Sunday night.
Monday morning they will remove Lina from all medications, IVs feeding tubes, and life support – then bring her home to Maine, by ambulance. Hospice will start helping us later on Monday.
Dr Armand said that without feeding and water, Lina might last a day, or a week at most – but that it was time for her to let go.
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