One Card Done!!

I have organized my New Year cards; now I just need to get hopping! I addressed one, then realized that I couldn't mail them tomorrow, so that was enough of an excuse to stop. I am feeling like my brain has cleared at least partially! The last six weeks were stressful, and I didn't do anything that I didn't want to...if that makes sense.
I have started to read a book, so that is a good measure of feeling better. Ron is gaining strength, so it is not such a worry about him falling. He still has quirky behavior that is child-like at times. Yesterday he wanted to get a fish in a round bowl, so now we have fish and also walkie talkies. He also bought a clock radio that has so many functions that we can't even get the time set!! Cale, I need you!!!
I am putting away some of the holiday decorations and other things setting out that we don't actually use. I felt like that would help settle my mind, and it has. As much as the holiday events are enjoyable, collectively it can be overwhelming even in its modified form. Now I can better handle all that I need to be responsible for as a caregiver. At the same time, I wouldn't change anything that we were able to do for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Ron might seem very much the same when carrying on a conversation with him. His long term memory is good, but he continues to lose many things daily and has some confusion. He has always given me cards for all holidays and special days like the first and last days of school. For our anniversary this year the card was "for the both of you", and my Halloween card was for "baby's first Halloween". Although he did order gifts for me by phone, he did not have Christmas or birthday cards for me. This is an example of change in thought process. There are so many little changes in behaviors that others would not notice. He does not usually seem to be aware of this but has asked why he can't do most things that involve numbers. He gets frustrated with clumsiness and forgetfulness at times. Today when we went to town for our newspaper, he turned to me and said that they only had yesterday's newspapers. He was positive that it was Sunday. As you can see, these changes are mostly harmless although I am really tired of looking for hearing aids!
Physically, Ron's lungs continue to be congested, but his meds to treat bacteria, virus, and fungal infection control symptoms except coughing. This is a long-term treatment. His immunity is so compromised by the steroids that he must take to control his chronic graft versus host disease. GVHD. Hopefully, the resumption of phtopheresis treatments every other week will permit the steroids to be tapered.
So this is probably my last 2013 entry in Ron's blog. Again I am hopeful that next year will be better in regard to Ron's health. That is a real possibility.
Love,
Ron & Jan

A New Season

We are having an early start to winter. Our driveways have been plowed twice already! When we came home from Ann Arbor on Wednesday, I was so happy to see a clear driveway. Ron had two ECP light treatments, and we saw his eye doctor to wrap up our day on Wednesday. The chronic graft versus host disease affects his eyes; they itch and burn at times, so he frequently uses eye drops. Because his tear ducts do not produce tears to keep them moisturized, the doc put plugs in the tear ducts to keep his eye drops on the eye surface for a longer period of time. He has felt some relief from those symptoms.
Christmas activities have been underway. We had a gathering in our home last Saturday…the day of the winter storm, so not everyone could come. There really was no decision to be made as the storm was widespread, windy, and everyone had about 10 inches of snow. Cale, Jess, Joey, Jack, and Allison came last night, so we could have our Christmas a week later. I have mailed my packages, and our Christmas cards are ordered; that will be a project the week after Christmas! We hope to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in BG. I have felt very busy the past month, starting with Ron's hospitalization in November. It was a shock when December arrived, and I knew that I had so much that I wanted to do for the holidays! We have enjoyed Christmas greetings from family and friends. It will be nice to sit down with our cards and read those messages again.
It was drizzly rain and fog late this afternoon which was actually perfect weather for a nap and winding down. Apparently that appealed to Ron, too, because he has been taking a long nap.

Back to Grinding...

At least that is what it feels like today. I don't know what a realistic goal of recovery is at this point. Ron told me today that he would just like to be able to drive some time in 2014. The physical therapist visited on Monday, and Ron is not discharged yet from home PT. I am glad that he qualified for more in home sessions.
So we are moving ahead again and being very careful getting around in what has already been a snowy winter. And it's only mid-December! I have several new year resolutions in mind. The first one will be to do our Christmas cards! Ron has always been the Hover "card man", and that is hard for him to pull together now. He kept the calendar, bought the cards, addressed and stamped them, added a note and put them on the kitchen table for me to add a note and mail. I have a new appreciation of what that entailed! Hoping that I can pull it together, so our roles for this can be reversed as many other aspects of our lives have reversed roles.
We have resumed traveling to Ann Arbor every other week for Photopheresis treatments. ECP. We are now "diamond" Hilton members due to so many overnight trips! Hope you are enjoying the holidays!!
Love, Ron & Jan

Abby Hover- Soccer Player

Tis the Season...

We have been busy since returning home from our trip to Virginia for Thanksgiving. I could have used a few more days between Thanksgiving and December! So I continue to learn how to modify, and have had a reminder of how less can be more. Actually, I probably have enough outside lights, tree ornaments, and other decorations for 3 homes...so no reason to use everything!
We have made one routine trip back to AA for appointments, and we will do the same next week. We are returning every other week again for "a long time". I didn't ask what that meant in a number. Ron is recovering well from November's pneumonia and hospitalization. He has physical therapy in our home, and a visiting nurse comes each week to check progress. That will probably end before Christmas because he is doing well.
In addition to less decorating, I am postponing my Christmas cards until after Christmas this year. I have been thinking about which pictures I want to use on our yearly card.
I continue to enjoy hearing about adventures of family and friends. That never makes me sad for us, but oddly, when I see couples who are complete strangers but remind me of who we used to be, I feel sad. I do not dwell on those feelings.
We had an update on Lily today. Lisa is almost 35 weeks pregnant. Everything looked great on today's ultrasound, and Lily has long arms and legs like Abby and Andy--Lisa's words. They could even see that she has hair, and of course, all of us wonder if it will be curly like big sister Abby. Everything looks great, and she weighs about 5 pounds and 11 ounces. After I post this, I am going to add a picture of Abby. I have a soccer one in mind.
I love thinking about a new baby in the family! Hope you are enjoying your holiday preparations and activities.
Love,
Ron & Jan

The Boys and the Girls on Thanksgiving 2013

Back Home in Michigan

We had a good trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia for our Thanksgiving celebration. We rented a van, and my brother Gary and sister-in-law traveled with us. Gary did all of the driving which was a huge treat for me. We took two days each way so to not overdo the travel days. Because we left on Monday and started home on Friday, we missed the winter storm. Vicki, Niccole, and I prepared "the feast", so it was not too much work for any of us. Can you beat Thanksgiving food? I don't think so, and the Detroit Lions game was part of the tradition too!
The 3 nights at Niccole's and Cole's were relaxing for Ron and me. Nic, Gary, and Vicki participated in the annual Turkey Trot, and Nic and Vicki did some shopping Thanksgiving night.
Today I am trying to organize my thinking for December birthdays and of course, Christmas. We do travel to Ann Arbor again this week. Ron is recovering from the last bout of pneumonia.
We were home in time yesterday to watch most of "The Game". The Buckeyes were lucky to win that one! George had set our DVR, so we were able to see the fight that we had heard on the radio. Griffiths also took care of the newspapers, mail, garbage pick up, and of course, Blue while we traveled.
We have much to be thankful for as we both continue to enjoy family, our home on Gilead Lake, and scaled down traditions. We live in a peaceful setting surrounded by nature's surprises and beauty. All three of our siblings and their spouses have been so supportive, helping us in a variety of ways.
Love,
Ron & Jan