Catching a Break...

Daughter-in-law Kate says we are due. We have had an eventful 24 hours-- weather related that is. The day was cruising along and busy with cleaning along with my two regular Amish ladies, delivery of our new television, shopping for clothes with Ron, and picking up a young Amish couple who said they would help us put in the dock at Wee Cottage for Kate and kids. We ordered pizza for pick up from the Draft Horse and were all eating together at our house when it appeared our chance of severe thunderstorms was indeed developing quickly. Soon it was pouring, thunder and lightning. We couldn't see across the road or the lake. Kate pulled up severe weather warnings with south Branch County, where Gilead Lake is, mentioned specifically. Cautioned to move to the safe area or lowest level of your home, immediately we headed down to our lower level which is a walk out on the hill that leads to the lake. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that by now it was dark, and our power had gone out.

We had a few flashlights in tow and settled in on the couches downstairs. We cuddled up in blankets, and the train set and toys were close by for entertainment in the dark. Anna moved out to the toy area and when returning to the L-shaped couch area, she jumped; water splashed, and Henry the beagle started lapping a drink of water from the carpet. We knew we were going to have a problem. Will flashed his light over to the wall with two window wells, and there was a waterfall down the wall from one of the windows. We threw several beach towels, blankets, and bedspreads on the floor. It was still storming and pouring rain. We headed up the stairs, and the ceiling was dripping water by the laundry room. I went outside to trench a ditch away from the house. It was lightning too much to use my pole to free the clogs in the eaves troughs. We had over 5 inches of rain in about 3 hours-- have had over another inch today.

George, Anne, and I used 3 wet vacs on the carpet the next morning (today) and hauled all the wet linens outside, they did hold quite a bit of water. Things are drying nicely now, and I have had to use my pole on the downspouts 3 times today to free the leaves, etc. that keep damming the downspouts when it rains.

I am not even go into the issues with getting the new TV to work. It worked at installation yesterday but this morning ( and I am trying to see the humor in this) our ONLY channel that would come in was ESPN. We thought we had had trouble with the old TV but have now switched out DVRs and TVs, so it appears the cable is the problem. The satellite feed is problem free with the other two TVs in other rooms. Direct TV is sending a service person Friday. The diagnostic testing with a representative by phone was interesting.

Ron put things in perspective for me today when he said, "well, Jan, no one was hurt.". I can only imagine how upset he would have been in days past. He didn't even go downstairs to look at the clean up process. It really didn't bother him at all. And I felt like I was ready to move to a condo!

Love to all,
Jan

Moving Ahead...

Esther/GG update: she is now in a beautiful rehab facility in Jackson, Michigan and still feisty. When she has recovered from her hospitalization --regaining strength-- she will be living in an assisted living setting that has additional self care services available. Her previous assisted living apartment is not a safe choice for her any more, and she now needs more services than that setting offers. Not easy.

Ron is having his two ECP treatments at Mott Hospital in AA. In fact, he is almost done with the second one as I am blogging. We stayed at our regular Hampton last night. Ryan, the desk manager, told me that he sees us more than his own family! They make us feel at home.

Ron's bloodtests remain to be good. This week he switched to heparin based fluid for the ECP treatments because his platelets have been over 100 for 3 months. This is another step forward. 122 this week, and 140 starts the normal range. We saw Tim, his PA. We are cruisin' along. The season of family being at Gilead Lake is beginning. That is a special time of the year for us. Hopefully, we will be able to travel and visit them this fall and winter. Ron did some mowing on the rider this week and played golf. It isn't the golf of years past, but it is good therapy for him. George told me that the cursing at bad shots is about like it used to be.

Love from Ron & Jan to you!!

A Couple New Challenges

Last week a nurse was talking to us, and she asked if we can relax, or are we always waiting for the next shoe to drop. Basically, we do not stay fearful but guarded to some degree. Still when a new challenge surfaces, we are taken aback, then regroup, and try to figure out what to do. We have two new challenges. After a routine dental cleaning, xrays, and exam, we were advised that no more restorative work should be done. (would just be throwing money away) Now an evaluation process has started, and decisions will be made as to how proactive to be when extracting teeth. Ron's Bone Marrow Transplant doc- Dr. Magenau- has referred him to an oral surgeon at U of M. So we are still in the information gathering stage.
Our second new challenge is that Ron's mother is hospitalized after having two falls. She didn't injure herself, but she is weak and not well. She is hospitalized in Jackson, Michigan near Rick, Ron's brother. Esther had not had a hospital stay since the early 70s for a procedure which is now probably an outpatient procedure. She will require a period of rehab at the least, and at this point, there are many more questions than answers. Rick and his wife, Tammy, shoulder the responsibility for her care. They truly are awesome, and Esther is challenging at times. I think if you live to be 92, being feisty is a given. She still gets fired up about politics, and when the paramedics asked her who the president is, she said, You know: Stupid. You are always a little bit nervous about what she might say!
We are getting excited about the kids starting their summer visits. Kate and the kids are on their way to Michigan from Florida today! Her mother is traveling with them, so it is nice to have some help. I do know that their frogs got loose in the van, and somehow Anna had a fishing lure stuck in her clothes and blanket. Never a dull moment!
Hope all of you are doing okay with your challenges. I know that we aren't the only ones with bumps in the road. It is a part of life and helps you appreciate the calmer times even more.
Love,
Ron & Jan

Good News out of Ann Arbor

We have returned home after two days in Ann Arbor where Ron had bloodtests and two ECP treatments. That will be our routine every other week for four more months. Yeah!!---no more lovenox belly shots..my least favorite nurse duty the past seven MONTHS! Also, Ron will not have any more monthly steroid infusions. He does continue to have prednisone daily: 10mg. They plan to lower this dosage after another month. His symptoms of graft versus host disease are being controlled with the current treatment. His weight is holding steady in the 170s, and he requires very little insulin to control his blood sugar. They also expect the insulin to be totally phased out. His new bone marrow continues to improve in function. White blood cells and hemoglobin are in a normal range, and platelets continue to inch up closer to a normal level.
We are looking forward to summer lake activities and visits from family. Life is good.

All About Jan Day...

Today was the longest time that I have been away from Ron during the day for over two years. (When he lived in rehab for 5 weeks, I wasn't allowed to spend the nights with him.) I left home to have my car serviced at 9:30 this morning after doing the morning meds routine. Felt a little like a teenager taking off in the car solo! Ha! I did a little shopping and picked up some things we needed.


BUT THE BIG NEWS IS...Ron played golf today! It had been over two years since he last played. Brother-in-law George and a friend picked him up at 1:00 to play 9 holes at Cedar Lake Golf Course. It made him feel so good to accomplish that.

5 Years of Retirement

There really is something about anniversaries. Ron and I went to BG to see Cale's family and attend the Bowling Green Education Association retirement recognition. It was a glimpse back at what our lives used to be, and there was a lot of emotion in the room as several friends were retiring, and the association has had a lot of conflict with contract settlement and non-passage of a recent levy which will result in more changes within the schools. I have been more emotional recently. I looked back at our pictures from 2008, and I felt drawn into a grieving process as I needed to accept where Ron is in his recovery. It is also hard for me knowing that Andrew, Lisa, and Abby are moving to Germany for 3 years. They plan to come home each year. I feel like I am pulling myself up at this point and ready to move on. When Ron and I are out of a crisis in his recovery, there is more time to think rather than just get through each day. That's when you have to face feelings head on.