Medical Update

Today Ron had appointments at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. The 7th floor of Mott Hospital in their huge connected medical center is the Bone Marrow Transplant and Leukemia Clinic. Half of the floor is for adult patients and half pediatric. Ron had bloodwork done at 8:30. Then we had breakfast in their cafe. His immunity infusion was scheduled at 9:30, and Dr. Magenau and Tim Higgins, PA came to his infusion room for Ron's appt with them. Ron's white blood cell count remains high indicating an infection. Because he already takes 3 antibiotics, an antifungal, and an antiviral, the next treatment will be immunity infusions once a month for four months. There is not another antibiotic pill to add to what he already takes. If he becomes acutely ill, he will have to go into the hospital for IV antibiotics. The infection is likely in his lungs, but he has no fever, and his coughing issues are chronic so no big change there. He has had more random cognitive glitches, but overall, that is okay. Because I am with him nearly all of the time, sometimes I feel like I lose perspective. He fell two days ago on his bottom but was lucky to only have a couple bruises. So hopefully today's immunity infusion will start to help lesson this infection wherever it is. Also, getting an IV in was difficult today. When they have to go to the second arm and find a different person to try, it is not going well. His veins are not good due to long term steroid medication and probably other reasons too. When this happens, we miss the central line that he had for years.
I can't say enough good things about Dr. Mag and Tim. We totally trust their medical decisions and value their friendship. Both of us feel like we are among friends in a competent, professional setting. The infusion center is adjacent to the clinic, and Ron has his treatment is in a private room, much like a hospital room. Today we watched the snow fly outside! This is the 7th winter that Ron has had treatment for AML leukemia and complications from his bone marrow transplant. The "new"BMT Clinic in Mott Hospital just celebrated their 5th anniversary from opening day. Ron had the first infusion administered 5 years ago. His first years of treatment were in the main University Hospital.
Enjoy the holidays and find peaceful moments.
Love, Ron & Jan

Thankful....

What a beautiful fall we had this year! It was nice to be able to get ready for winter at the lake without working in finger numbing conditions. Thankful for the villa, so we can be close to Cale's family and Bowling Green friends. I really am thankful for our attached garage here and close proximity to groceries and other shopping. Thankful for more time together.
I have learned to admit when we can no longer do things the same as in the past. It still amazes me that I mostly feel relief over disappointment. Although it seems to me that Ron stays about the same, when I think about what he could do a year ago compared to now, I realize the changes. He no longer can walk with just a cane. When we shop, he drives the cart in the store. If they don't have carts, I bring a shopping cart out to the car to hold his oxygen, and he uses it like a walker. He's lost stamina, and walking in a store behind a shopping cart tires him quickly. He has been on oxygen 6 months now. He doesn't draw breaths deep enough to medically qualify for the smaller, more convenient portable systems, so we take the large canisters when away from home. As far as meds, there haven't been changes for some time now. The clinic is having him extend the time between immunity infusions. I admit that concerns me.
Wow! I missed finishing this in the month of November! On to December! I think I will just add a couple pictures and post. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Below are pics of our peaceful Gilead Lake, Jack and Joey's November birthday, and one of Ron's barn pictures; he is getting quite a collection, and we are looking forward to finding barns in snow soon. Thankful....