Holidaze 2014

I am still trying to appreciate what I have accomplished and not what I have left to do!! The Christmas cards continue to be a work in progress. We do have some beautiful memories of this holiday season and also continue to reminisce about Christmases past. Also I am a year older and feel every day of it, so I am going head to head with my sweet tooth. Comfort food has been too much a way of life for me!
Below are pictures from our Christmas Eve gathering at Jessica's parents home after Christmas Eve services at their church. Not too long after this picture was taken, Abby and Lily were having their Christmas morning in Germany--Lily's first Christmas; she will be one year old New Year's Day. Da-da, who is in Iraq, is missing these special days this year. I have been able to text with Andrew on Christmas and my birthday. After only having MREs to eat since early December, the Marines came to the rescue with a traditional Christmas dinner. Andrew said that he will never look at a washer and dryer in the same way since he has been doing laundry in a bucket.
College football bowl season is underway, and so both of us enjoy the games, and I am wrapping up my Christmas cards as I watch games the next few days. We will stay in BG for awhile in January--at least through the next round of doctor appointments in Ann Arbor. No snow yet in December, but that may influence travel plans in the next few weeks. There was not even frost, so I couldn't call it a white Christmas this year.
Enjoy these last few days of 2014; find time to relax a little and appreciate your way of life and all you have. Love, Ron & Jan

Go Buckeyes!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All

I have always loved decorating for Christmas, and Ron has always loved "the lights" especially. Trying to get a good picture of our outside lights was impossible, but the picture of the tree turned out well. We have trees at both homes this year. Since we are in the Villa for the holidays and the BG Hovers will celebrate with us, I brought the majority of our decorations here.
You would think that I could get my cards mailed on time, but I am still working on them. It used to be a project that we did together, so now I really appreciate that (in the past) Ron prepared all of the envelopes. He also motivated me!
We have joined the BG Community Center which is only a couple miles from us. I am taking yoga, and Ron and I go together to walk and use some of the machines. Both of us enjoy going.
This time of year brings on a variety of emotions. Remembering holidays of past years can make me feel thankful, happy, warm, joyful, and a bit melancholy all at the same time. I am sure that is true for many. Very normal I think!
So I hope that the holiday season is joyful for you, and if you have had changes in your life, I hope that you can find peace with those changes.
Remember that not every Da Da (and every Mommy) is able to be home for the holidays with family. Thank you for your service and sacrifice to protect our way of life.
Love, Ron & Jan

Milestone

Ron had his 99th and 100th extracorporeal Photopheresis treatments this week at University of Michigan Hospitals (Mott). These treatments control the effects of his graft versus host disease which is like an autoimmune disease. His new bone marrow attacks his own body.
Ron often wears Michigan gear when at the hospital. He has told his doctor that he is a spy for the Buckeyes. Still has his sense of humor!

An Eventful November

I hardly know where to begin! Looking back, it was a good month even though we had a couple bumps in the road. Early in the month Ron developed a more persistant cough, and Dr. Mag ordered a sputum culture which showed that Ron had two strains of pseudomonas in his lungs. We opted to try a course of a new antibiotic at home rather than a hospitalization. Ron has frequently had atypical outcomes. Levoquin caused him to develop an itchy rash and achilles pain, so after 6 days, the antibiotic was changed again...same family. His lung congestion did improve, and the rash resolved. A week before our planned departure for Virginia, both of Ron's legs had swelling, and after an ultrasound, bloodclots were discovered in both, so he is back on the "belly shots". (Blood thinner) As we worked through the process of finding the right dosage, our trip shortened, but a week remained for a good time! And we had a great trip! We spent two nights in Gettysburg, and our sightseeing day was 70 degrees. (Two days later when we were at Ft. Belvoir with Matt, it snowed!)We now have a wheelchair which we used when it was necessary to walk a distance. It also comes in handy for Ron to push with our stuff on the seat. Then we spent 3 days and nights at Matt's, including Thanksgiving day when Niccole, Mike, and Cole joined the celebration. Two families of friends also came, so there were 10 adults and 9 children. Matt's family also ran the turkey trot in DC on Thursday. The trip was a whirlwind and required packing a lot of medical supplies and way too many clothes, of course. We returned to Gilead Lake for the weekend. So very glad that we were able to make the trip.
Christmas preparations are underway now; I put lights on two bushes in the dark last night. Our early cold temps and snow seem to have put everyone in the holiday spirit early. Enjoy your family, friends, and holiday traditions in the coming weeks. Take time to reflect on your blessings of 2014. Our blessings were kicked off on January 1 when Granddaughter Lily was born.
Love to all, Ron & Jan

Gettysburg, PA; Springfield, VA; & Thanksgiving