This was Ann Arbor Week

It feels like things are under control again. That means that we have a plan for April. We have just spent two nights in Ann Arbor, and I get around easily with my knee brace. I have no pain in my knee, the brace keeps it stable, but it can't heal until after arthroscopic surgery. My sister Anne is going with me to the surgeon this week. I want to make sure that we have a solid plan in place at the end of April when I have the surgery. That includes plans for Ron's care. Griffiths are with us a lot so understand what that means. We only live 10 minutes apart. I am planning to bring on board his home nursing service, so they can take care of some of the nursing things I do: dressing changes, flushes, monitor glucose, injections. I organize his medications, so that is just a matter of giving them to him to take. Ron's brother Rick and Tammy will help us too. My brother Gary and Vicki will take me for the surgery and help afterwards too.
We will see the head BMT doc in two weeks, so I will hear his perspective on things. Putting all that information together I am anticipating the best plan is to stay in our home with help. I can't imagine planning doing anything different. Everything we need is here. Other than the 3 steps up to the area of the house where our bedroom, both bathrooms, and the laundry room is, everything is very accessible. As long as a plan is in place, I feel in control.
Ron saw his eye doctor and had two ECP treatments this week. They decreased the medrol infusion dose which he has every two weeks, from 80 to 60. I can tell that he is way less hyper. Before he was almost manic for two days, especially wanting to shop..and then he would crash and sleep two days.
Ron's vision for reading is slightly worse, but he doesn't need new glasses yet. Because his eye glands do not function well, in addition to steroid eye drops, Refresh Plus eyedrops, we are now also using eyelid wipes. If the dryness persists even as humidity in the house improves, the next step will be a serum eyedrop. It is made with his own blood as an ingredient. We would get a 4-6 month supply made at a time, keeping it frozen until use...must come in individual vials like we use now. More Star Wars.
We are still enjoying basketball. GO BIG TEN! ---especially Michigan State.

Retreat on a military base

This picture from the area of Matt and Kate's home on MacDill AFB brought back many memories! Retreat is a work day ceremony at military bases. It signals the end of the work day with canon fire and music "Retreat". Everyone pauses and turns to face the flag or the sound of the music, knowing that the flag is being lowered for the day even if you are not able to see it. It is a time to display respect, your dedication to the flag, our country, and sacrifices that have been made. If you are in your car, you stop, get out and face Retreat. In this picture you see neighborhood children, including our grandchildren, pause their play for Retreat. AWESOME!

Some things don't change.

Although many things have changed, Ron continues to have a patriotic heart. He taped a small American flag on the wall next to his chair.
We are enjoying the NCAA basketball tournament and have filled out brackets. He also continues to buy lottery tickets. The difference is that he does not go back and check things. I have a big envelope of lottery tickets that I need to check on the IPad apps. Michigan and Indiana. Maybe we are big winners!
Unbelievably, it snowed again last night but will not last long. We are seeing a very slow shift to spring.

I am going to have arthroscopic knee surgery at the end of April. Until then, I continue to ice and elevate part of the day and am wearing a knee brace to keep my knee stable. 24-7. Wearing it actually feels good, and I do not have too much discomfort; this is a major inconvenience though! I am still adjusting from running my own life to hanging on for the ride.

Love, Ron & Jan

Not making this stuff up..

I really do need to plan an "all about Jan day". I am not asking that much; just wanted to go to the doctor to see what to do about my knee injury. So we are slammed with yet another snowstorm, and I had to cancel Rick coming to stay with Ron and the appointment. All schools are closed, and the storm will persist for a couple more hours...then -3 degrees tonight. Unbelievable! I rescheduled as soon as possible - March 31- but the doc called me, and she will see me Monday. More rest, elevation, icing. I do not have much discomfort.
I drove into Coldwater yesterday to pick up a copy of the MRI because I saw (of course, because I am a weather freak) that a winter storm was predicted. I do have two meniscus tears and water on my knee if I interpreted the results correctly. I do NOT have torn ligaments or tendons, so that was great news! That is it in a nutshell.
Ron's IVIG infusion went smoothly on Monday; it took 5 hours, and his immunity should be bumped up well. The pattern has been that he needs this infusion every two months. Both of us enjoyed visiting with Kirk, a family friend, who drove for us on Monday.
Love to all,
Jan

Living the Dream...

Our circumstances were really never a thought when we prepared for our retirement years. Who could have imagined? I had wondered how many good years we would have at our dream location, thinking it would be at least 10 more years and maybe longer. Ron was 59 when we retired and so young and active for his years. His first diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia was less than two years later. So this dream has ended, and it is time to start in the very beginning stages of "what's next?" It is almost 4 years since Ron first started treatment.
It would make sense to find a place to live back in Bowling Green. Perhaps a good starting point would be a small apartment while a more permanent arrangement is figured out. We would keep our Gilead Lake home at first. Moving from this home feels overwhelming, and I would still like for us to have a small summer cottage. There's no crystal ball, and so much to think through. At this point, travel to somewhere warmer for a part of the winter is not possible due to Ron's medical needs which are met at U of M Hospitals. Even this thought process is a major project!!!
Meanwhile, my knee has continued to improve even though it is not right, and I had my MRI last night. Waiting for results. I am not using the crutches and can do what is needed here at home. Ron and I went to Angola and did some grocery shopping. I am putting my feet up more and still icing periodically. It doesn't feel like a big deal now.

Ron has had one of his sleepy days. His immunity is very low again, and he will have an infusion to boost it up next week. It will be a day trip, and a family friend is driving us, and I am talking way back to the 1950s for Ron and the 60s for me! See: I am starting to learn how to ask for help!
We are seeing the deer and turkeys in our yard every day. I love how nature surrounds us here and can hardly wait for the first signs of spring. A slight warm up is predicted during the next week. In the last two months we have only had 2 days where the high was above 32 degrees, many sub zero and one digit lows with ridiculous wind chills. Can you tell that I am tired of winter?!
Love,
Ron & Jan