caterina

2005: Road to Recovery

The road to recovery after transplant is not a smooth one. For many many months children are totally immuno-suppressed. They cannot come into contact with other children or anyone who may be ill; precautionary measures have to be taken at home in order to avoid any potential complications from bacteria or other germs. As 2004 became 2005, Caterina was slowly recovering, although her marrow was still in its infancy. She was unable to produce platelets; for many months she received daily platelet transfusions. For many months she also received blood transfusions. As winter of 2005 turned into spring, the doctors gave us hope that we may be able to return home to New York City. That became a reality on June 1, 2005, eleven months after our initial trip down to Durham.

Returning home came with its own challenges.  We had to integrate into what they call “the new normal”. Caterina was now 2 years old. She did not walk, and did not talk. She was swollen from all the medications she continued to be on, and we had to get used to a new hospital routine at Memorial Sloan Kettering, our local hospital. Changes are never easy, and while we were delighted at being back home, we were filled with uncertainty and fear. Thankfully, Caterina has always shown us that spirit can triumph.  Her amazing strength, disposition and perseverance led her to tremendous progress over the course of 2005. She began standing up on her own again. She started mouthing words and slowly began to develop a personality of her own. She received therapies 5 days a week for over 3 hours per day: speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy.

We received news on other challenges she was facing – her vision was impaired. So we added visual therapy to her routine. Leaving the comfort zone of Duke Hospital and entering life at home proved to be the biggest challenge that year. But as we watched Cati blossom in every way, we continued to be forever grateful and led by her shining spirit.