Our plan came together!!

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? I do have to admit though that I had more discomfort than I had expected the first 24 hours after the scope. I had thought that I would immediately be able to crutch around the house. Not so, but the pain meds covered the discomfort. So glad that we have had around the clock help for 3 days and a nurse visiting 5 days. The hospital "gave us" an ice water lower leg compression cuff that circulates cold water. It is electric, and the ice water tank has to be changed about every 4 hours. It alleviates pain and swelling. Everything is so much better today, and I am able to crutch around. I am totally taking advantage of all the great support we have had. Our siblings and spouses are the best!!!

Staying Busy!

Thought that I had better let you know that we are doing okay! I have my knee scope tomorrow and have been busy making all arrangements for both of us! Our siblings are going to take care of us. We have also been to Ann Arbor for light treatments and Dr. Mag appointment. Things are stable, and Ron had an immunity infusion, too. During this busy time, we have been looking at condos back in BG. More on that later.

Great to see Ron outside!

It has been 70 degrees the last two days! Ron wanted to go outside today and walked around the fenced-in garden area. He held onto the fence, used his cane, and stopped to rest 3 times, but he did it. I hope this is the beginning of a new trend. He also watched me clean out the asparagus bed.
It was a loooong winter. He had his 75th extracorporeal photopheresis light treatment last week; the treatments help to counteract his over zealous bone marrow which attacks his own body. Chronic graft versus host disease is like an autoimmune condition.

Welcome to early spring!

This was an Ann Arbor week. It didn't turn out as routine as we thought it would be. Ron has his blood draw appointment first, and when he pulled up his shirt because they draw from his central line which has 3 tubes, one line had blood in it, and there was dried blood on his chest and all tubing. Long story short, that tube had a hole in it next to its clamp, so he went into the OR in the afternoon and had an all new central line placed. Routine to them, not so much for us. He has had chest bruising and tenderness but about back to our normal now.
In spite of that experience being tiring, we decided to go ahead with our plans to travel to BG the next morning to see a condo to help us get a reference point for what we might buy or rent there. No crystal ball but as we might continue to need more help and know that we will continue to travel to AA frequently, a home base in BG in addition to Gilead Lake makes sense. We are excited about continuing to explore that option. It is a one hour drive from BG to AA, so visits would not have to be overnight.
Ron's appointment with the BMT doctor did not have any surprises. His medications will stay the same, told Ron that he cannot drive (of course....the difference being that Ron seems to be accepting now that he will never drive again) told us that nothing can be done about his loss of teeth with his current health status, and suggested that we move ahead to have the serum eyedrops made. Ron's blood will be a part of the serum formula.
It is an absolute delight to have the lake thawed and the first spring flowers starting to bloom. Our temperatures will go up and back down but no more extended frigid weather. Yeah!! I love getting back outside for some yardwork. Happy spring to all of you!

Per her wishes...

GG, Ron's mother, passed away on 11-12-13. Today Ron's brother Rick, Tammy, Ron, and I gathered at South Gilead Cemetery when her ashes were buried next to their dad. Rick did such a beautiful and complete job of carrying out her wishes, and now it is done. She would have been 93 in February.
Ron did not get out of the car, but I was able to pull up close. Rick, Tammy, and I shared some closing thoughts, and of course, we had lavender and purple flowers, her favorite. It was a peaceful setting and felt like the appropriate way to say a final good-by.

And so, the fifth year begins.

The 4th year anniversary of Ron's diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia has passed. And the fight continues. He no longer battles leukemia, but the fight is between his body and the side effects of his bone marrow transplant and medications. Next week he will see the doctor who is the Adult BMT director. He periodically sees Ron in regard to his chronic graft versus host disease. I am not anticipating any major changes in treatments or medications. He may order tests to monitor Ron's brain and lung changes. Grateful to be overall stable now.

As many of you know, a special Army friend organized the gift of an IPad for us when Ron relapsed in 2011. His wife died unexpectedly this week. Both of them have been amazingly supportive and caring. That's just who they are. Their community reached far and wide, and you may have seen messages from Mort and Janet. Janet, you are already missed by many. I always admired the way and manner in which both of you kept contact with so many and genuinely cared.