Seem Like Family

Dr. Mag and Tim (in that order in the picture) do seem like family. We have spent a lot of time with them and been through several crises together. We are so thankful that they have been the heart of Ron's medical team at the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic.
U of M has taken precautions and been providing eduction about ebola. There is always someone to greet you when you enter the hospital, and you are asked questions about your current health status. The sticker on Ron indicates that he has been screened. The questions now include travel to Africa or being anywhere outside the country. You can see a flyer on the back wall of this picture, and educational handouts are on tables in the waiting room. The many extra things the staff does to be welcoming, professional, and compassionate are a part of their motto: The Michigan Difference.

Taking time to say thanks: Happy Veterans Day!

We were in Ann Arbor for doctor appointments on Veterans Day. Between appointments, I took Ron to Applebee's for lunch. We had eaten there numerous times in the past because it is attached to the Hampton Inn where we stayed before we bought the villa. For dinner we met friends at The China, so we had a full day.
Ron's new antibiotic for his lung infection has probably caused side effects; he has a history of having difficulties with various medicines and blood products. At first it was thought to be a GVHD flare because of a new rash, but now it would seem (to me) that the levoquin caused a rash, achilles/tendon pain, and bloodclots in both of his legs. All of this developed in the week that he took levoquin. I had called the clinic with concerns last Friday, and they changed him to Cipro. His lung congestion has improved; the next treatment would be in the hospital with IV antibiotics, but that is not in the plan now. In fact, Dr. Mag has encouraged us to go ahead with plans for our trip to Virginia.
Ron's chronic graft versus host disease has damaged his lungs, so he is susceptible to pneumonia. It also affects his skin, mouth lining, and eyes. His dry mouth has resulted in almost all his teeth breaking off. We were supposed to see the oral surgeon today, but that had to be postponed.
Ron's lower legs and feet had been swelling A LOT, so Dr. Mag sent him to ultrasound today, and they found the bloodclots. (even though his legs were not warm to touch and the swelling was in both legs, and usually DVT is one leg) So now I am back to giving the dreaded lovenox belly shots everyday. Before Dr. Mag ordered the ultrasound, he asked Ron if he would agree to the injections if they found bloodclots. I told Ron that it was his call, so he is still in the fight. Although his mental functioning has changed, I think he can still make his medical decisions. To give you a couple examples, he is into cutting up things. He cuts washcloths into very small washcloths, he cut the fringe off one side of my new throw for the couch. He cut the fringe off a winter scarf (his) He tears napkins into fourths usually, and is into wearing gold chains. He is obsessed with watches and clocks. He has wanted to buy a grandmother clock, but I convinced him that a new mantle clock would be a better choice, so it arrived today from Amazon. Overall, pretty harmless stuff.
I am rambling…
Love to all,
Ron & Jan

Good-by October 2014

November has charged in with colder temps and spitting snow. We are enjoying the first few days of this month at Gilead Lake. We have looked at two smaller properties here on Gilead Lake, but the stress of just thinking about clearing out this property was beyond what I am ready to do. In many ways this house is perfect for us because everything we need is on the street level. My ideal situation would be lower to the lake and an attached garage. (and SMALLER…less to take care of)
Ron has been having some increase in lung congestion, so his antibiotics have been tweaked. He takes bactrim and levoquin now. Otherwise, things continue about the same. He recently had his immunity infusion, IVIG, and he is having his light treatments every third week, instead of every other week which we had done for the last year. That will give us a 3 week break after Veterans Day, so we hope to travel to Virginia for part of that time to visit Matt's Family, Niccole, and Cole.
Love to all,
Ron and Jan