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Emotional contact just what doctor ordered

By DOROTHY SCHNEIDER
dschneider@journalandcourier.com

There were few hugs at Conner Smith’s homecoming celebration Monday night, but the joy and excitement in the air was tangible.

Thirteen-year-old Conner returned to his Lafayette home for the first time since July, when he went to Cincinnati for prepare for a bone marrow transplant.

The Aug. 17 transplant was Conner’s only chance at being cured of a rare immune disorder, called Nuclear Factor Kappa B Essential Modifier Deficiency, or NEMO.

The doctors have ruled his transplant a success. But he’s still at high risk of developing a potentially life-threatening infection, which means no hugging and very little contact outside of his immediate family for at least the next six months.

“What are you guys doing here?” Conner asked his friends, from behind a green face mask as he stepped out of his mother’s minivan and onto his driveway.

“We’re here for you,” several shouted back, amid cheers and applause from several dozen family friends who gathered to welcome him home.

Pastor Norm Nellis of Grace United Methodist Church offered a prayer in the Smith’s front yard, thanking God for healing Conner and bringing his family back together.

Kristin Smith, Conner’s mother, spent most of the past four months in Cincinnati, away from her husband, Chris, her other two sons — Conner’s fraternal triplets, Evan and Hayden — and her 11-year-old daughter Kelsey.

“Our goal was to try to get home before Thanksgiving, but we didn’t really think that was attainable,” she said. “We were told he wouldn’t likely leave before day 100 (post-transplant) and a majority of the kids who have transplants have to stay even weeks beyond that.”

Monday was Day 95 post-transplant for Conner. He’s still not out of the woods and has battled several infections in the past couple months. But he was allowed to head home as long as he makes weekly follow-up visits to his Cincinnati doctors.

Lori Austin, Kristin’s best friend, organized the homecoming and had tears in her eyes even before the car pulled into the driveway. Austin held her 2-month-old son, Bryce, who she said is Conner’s youngest fan even though the two hadn’t yet met.

“We’re so proud of Conner and the whole family,” Austin said. “They never lost the faith.”

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