day 110 after transplant

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!

I went to clinic early today- with the car packed ready to come home if I am permitted. I had lab work done and saw Dr. Toor. He asked me a lot of questions about how I felt and then he told me that I could go home!!! But there was one condition - I am not to be out at Wal-Mart or any place where there may be germs and sick people. That means that I have to pretty much  stay home. It is so good to be home. It has been good medicine.

He is pleased with the results of the biopsy (the final results still have not come in). I will go back to Richmond on Sunday but I don't have to go to the clinic until Wednesday. That is when I will get my Hickman line removed.  He has started to wean me off of some of my meds. This is all a step forward. He said that he wanted me to stay around a couple of days after my line is removed and if everything goes well I can say goodbye to the Candlewood Suites!

It looks like Beth will be my last caregiver at the Candlewood suites, but after I get home I will need someone to take me to Richmond once a week, at the clinic for a few hours for lab work and a check up. If any of you could to do that, please let me know and I would appreciate it very much.  Things are really moving fast now and it is a little scary but I know that God has not brought me this far to leave me now. So many prayers have been answered already and there are more to be answered. I just take it one day at a time and let God.

My prayers for all of you is that you have a healthy and blessed 2009!!

Take care,

Love,

Gloria

day 109 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was another wonderful day-- 60 degrees. We got up early and ate breakfast and then we took off. Didn't know where we were going- so we headed south on 95. At Colonial Heights we saw a large mall so we checked that out. They had just about anything that you would want-- stores, restaurants, gas stations and etc. They had a Joann Fabrics store that I really wanted to go in but knew that would not be a good idea. First of all I shouldn't be there with all the dust and second I would probably buy things that I really don't need now. I can't sew right now anyway because of getting an infection from a needle stick. The nurse pract. suggested that I learn to knit or crochet. Now I have an idea for Christmas gifts next year -- look out everyone!!!!

We have to be at the clinic early tomorrow and we will be packed ready to head home if they say that I can go. I have been eating a little better the last few days so I am hoping that will help me to get the green light. I didn't have a very good night last night because my hips and legs hurt and I couldn't get comfortable. I have had a good day today  without them hurting.

Take care and hope to be home tomorrow afternoon and maybe I'll get to see you.

Love to all,

Gloria

day 108 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

Today was a wonderful day -- not only weather wise, which was really nice and warm for December. It was also a good day for me at the clinic. I had my labs taken and then I saw one of the nurse pract. and she asked me some questions about how I felt. I asked her if I could go home again this weekend (just like for Christmas). She said that would depend on  the results of my labs. I was then told that I did not need any IV's for today ( the first time I have not had to have an IV since I started the clinic) How wonderful! I was also given some results from the bone biopsy and they are all good but the final results will not be back until next week. Also some of my meds have been reduced and this will be done week by week to see how I get along .Big prayers answered!

I will go to the clinic early on Wednesday and then if given the permission I will come home for the weekend. I will return on Sunday because Beth will be coming to be my caregiver for the week.

I only lost one pound since last Tuesday. Rodney has been trying to find some protein that would taste good to me -- I think that we found a winner tonight. We had some SPICY steamed shrimp. Rodney made some SPICY cocktail sauce. Boy was that good and I have enough left for lunch tomorrow.

Time for me to go to bed.

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria  

day 107 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Well today was a day that I knew would come too fast. It was great to be home and to get to spend some time with the kids and family. I did get to go down to church and see some people from the car as they came out of the church. Thank you to all who helped to make my time at home wonderful. Thanks for all of the calls, gifts and prayers for us.

We are back in Richmond and will go to the clinic tomorrow at 11am. I hope that the labs will come back so good that they will let me come home again for the New Year. Home was good medicine for me!!

Take care and hope to see some of you over the holidays.

Love,

Gloria

day 106 after transplant

 

Good evening to everyone.

Well today was another wonderful day. First of all it was very nice outside and Rodney got some yard work done. The first Saturday he has been here since September because he has been in Richmond with me. We got to see some of our neighbors and got to take some gifts around.

I wanted to walk the subdivision but after I walked out and around the yard I felt that that was enough. Pastor Steve came by for a nice visit and he did a very special Communion Service for us. Thanks, Pastor Steve.

After a little rest we went to my side of the family for a little while to have Christmas it was very nice, After we got home there was a message on our answering machine from the B'water Home that Rodney's Aunt Louise has the flu. She is now quarantined to her room. I wanted to see her before I left to go to back to Richmond but I know that God had a hand in that. I hope that she will only have a mild case and I will be able to see her in the next couple of weeks.

Rodney and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon to go back to Richmond and be there to go to the clinic on Monday. Hoping that they will let me come back home for the New Year like they did for Christmas.

Take care,

Love,

Gloria 

day 105 after transplant

 

Good evening to all of you,

I had another good day today. Fixed breakfast (Grady and Libby always wants Mamaw's pancakes and eggs). Then we just hung out for a while and the "boys" played with their remote helicopters. They liked to see how many heads they could land on!!!!

We did get to go to Rodney's mother to see his side of the family but only for a little while. Long enough to exchange gifts. I kept my mask on and didn't touch anything. Found out that Rodney's aunt that lives in the B'water Home her floor has been       quarantined because of the flu. I wanted to see her but that takes care of that. She doesn't have the flu but evidently some of the other residents have it. Not a safe place to be.

We fixed pizza for dinner and then after we got the kids to bed we played a game of Dominos. That was a lot of fun - Ryan and Scott were so funny.

It is time for me to go to bed and start another fun day tomorrow. I feel like the time is going by too fast but I sure am thankful for this time together.  Rodney and I have decided that we will go back to Richmond sometime Sunday afternoon so we won't have to get up so early on Monday to go to the clinic. I feel so helpless. I don't like to be the one that gets waited on but God has a plan for me and my time of being waited on will pass and maybe I will be the one to wait and help other people. I just have to take care of myself and have a lot of patience. Remember that I need to be like the turtle and not the hare!

Take care and write more tomorrow night.

Love to all,

Gloria

day 104 after transplant

 

Merry Christmas to all,

It has been a very busy but wonderful day. Scott and family got here about 5 pm and Ryan and Jennifer came up and we had dinner. Then we opened presents and then we had dessert. It was so much fun with the kids. Grady and Libby were so excited and very thankful for all their gifts. As I am here writing my blog I am being attacked by a two remote control helicopters (one of Grady's Christmas gifts). They are having some much fun with the helicopters.

I spent most of the day wrapping gifts and baking a chocolate cake. I got very tired so I took a shower and then went to bed for a couple hours. I had so many phone calls and people just concerned and thankful that I got home. I appreciated the calls very much.

Tomorrow is usually the day that we all get up early and go  shopping and get our cards and wrapping paper for next year. Don't think that I am up to that this year. Jennifer said that she will pick up some for me.

Hope that everyone of you had a wonderful Christmas. It is so nice to be able to be with family and make more memories. I know that the weekend will go by too quickly  but I am so thankful for the time I have. Rodney's side of the family is coming in tomorrow but I am not sure that I will be able to go see them. On Saturday evening my side of the family will get together and here again I am not sure that I will be able to go see them. I have come so far now that I just can not take the chance on getting a set back.

I hope that I will find out some results about the biopsy and when I can go home when I go back to VCU next week.

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 103 after transplant

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL !!!!

Today has been a wonderful day. I AM HOME UNTIL MONDAY !!!! Praise the Lord. He is so awesome.

Left Richmond and stopped at AMC at the Hope Clinic to see the nurses that was so good to me while I was going there for chemo this spring. I got to see so many of them.They all came up to me with open arms and Rodney had to run interference for me. He told them, please no hugs. They understood. It was so nice to see them. When we were leaving AMC Santa came by on a Harley with his pack on the back and blowing his horn. It was so cute - Rodney wanted a picture but Santa wouldn't stop. I guess that he was on a mission.

It is so good to be back in B'water. After we got here we unloaded the car and then we went to Wal-Mart. Rodney didn't have a chance to get milk, eggs and bread. What a mess. I got so tired that I went straight to bed when we got home. I rested for several hours. Good to be back in my own bed. Ryan and Jake stopped by for a few minutes. Ryan fixed me pancakes and sausage cake. I helped Rodney decorate a little for Christmas. Ryan and Jake came down last night and set up the manager scene-- that really makes it more like Christmas.

We went down to church at the 5:30 service and sit in the car and saw people that I wanted to see so bad. I told them that my spirit was definitely inside the church but I just couldn't go  in now. It was so fun to see everyone.

    Went out to look at Christmas lights and Ryan and Jake went   with us. We took them down to church for the 11pm service (this is the service that Rodney and I really like to go to). We saw some more of our church family from our car. What a perfect day!!

Scott and family will be here tomorrow and then we will have Christmas tomorrow evening.

I have got to get to bed and get up early in the morning to finish wrapping the presents. I get tired easy so it will take me a while.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.

Love, Gloria

day 102 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Well today started out early and it was cold outside (13 degrees). Had to be at the clinic at 8 this morning. I got my stats and lab work taken and then waited for the nurse pract.to come in. She said that she didn't think that I should stay at home until Monday but after she saw my lab work she changed her mind. But I was told by 3 different nurses that I was to stay away from anybody that was sick. A common cold could set me back and so could being around anyone who was sick. I know that Rodney is going to be very careful of who comes to see me. I will stand in front of the picture window and wave at all who goes by!

The biopsy was done by a Jewish doctor and he was really good.My nurse Carol stayed by my side and held my hand the whole time. She continued to pray for me- it was very powerful. Prayers do work- the biopsy was painless today. I had to lay on my back for about an hour and I was given a small bag of saline. I don't have to stick my finger to check my sugar and I don't have to do home IV of saline while I am at home. I go back to clinic at 11 on Monday. Hope to be able to come home again for New Year's but I'll have to see. I know that when I come back down here I have to have my Hickman line removed. I will then use my port and I won't have lines hanging out. That is one more step closer to coming home for good.

I am hoping that Beth will be here to be my caregiver starting the first week of January but I do not have anybody else lined up and I would appreciate anyone who would be willing to take a week. Hopefully I will be home for good by the middle of January but like they said, You have come this far don't rush it now.

A very merry Christmas to all of you and the best for 2009.

Love, Gloria

day 101 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

One more day closer to Christmas and to me going home. Hurrah !!!

I have to get up really early to go to the clinic to get my bone marrow biopsy. I will get to see the doctor and find out if and how long I get to stay at home. I will also get labs done. Hopefully they will be better and I won't have to put more rocks in my pockets. I have really tired to eat more proteins and to do everything that I am suppose to be doing. When I get back from the holidays I am praying that the results will be good and that they will have a game plan for when I get home for good.

It was really cold here today and will be even colder tomorrow morning. I can take the cold but not the snow. It can snow when I get home to stay.

I have  to take a shower and get ready for an early day at the clinic tomorrow. Dad and Corinne will go home and Rodney will come down tomorrow and then take me home on Wednesday.

Take care -- hope to see some of you later this week.

Love to all,

Gloria

day 100 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was very rainy when we got up but by afternoon the sun was shining bright. We didn't go anywhere but it was a good time of being together.

Dad and Corinne came down and Rodney went home. He will be back down here on Tuesday after my bone marrow biopsy and hopefully they will tell me that I can go home on Wednesday. I am not looking forward to the biopsy but I am looking forward to coming home.

Again we are watching a Hallmark Christmas story. We have really enjoyed these movies this past week. The one we are watching now is called "Bring Me a Boyfriend For Christmas".

Hope that tomorrow will be a good day to go out to do some shopping. I can't stay out for long because I still get very tired.

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 99 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

I guess that everyone is out getting the last (or maybe the first) things ready for Christmas. It was rainy and pretty cool here today but we went out to get a few things done. The stores were really crowded and probably not the best place for me to be.

I got really tired so we came back to the hotel and while Rodney was doing the laundry I laid down and I felt a lot better when I got up.

I ate some cream of wheat for breakfast and noodle soup for lunch and then I ate some dried beans for dinner. I have tried to eat more protein but it sure doesn't taste good.

We are watching another Hallmark Christmas movie. They have all been very good and gets you into the Christmas mood.

I know that they are calling for some nasty weather at home tonight and tomorrow. I am praying that the weatherman is wrong. I don't want Dad and Corinne traveling down here in bad weather and I sure don't want Rodney traveling home in bad weather.

You all take care,

Love,  

Gloria

day 98 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone!

Today started off foggy but not too cold. I had to be at the clinic early and had my labs done and dressing changed. Now I can take a shower. I don't have to go back to the clinic until Tuesday. That will be another early and long day. I have to have a bone marrow biopsy and then they will let me know if I have to continue the home IV.

Next week on Wednesday I hoping that I will get the ok to go home until Sunday or longer. I have to put more rocks in my pockets -- I lost 3 lbs. last week and another 4 lbs. this week. I am not trying to lose weight but I just can't find anything that tastes good. I know that I need to eat protein but it all tastes like metal. Susan told me today that I had better start gaining some weight back or I would end up back in the hospital! Please say a prayer for me that I find a protein that tastes good.

Dad and Corinne left today at 3:30 this afternoon and Rodney got down here at 6:30. Ate some dinner and now we are watching another Christmas story with Henry Winkler. We are switching back and forth to the Richmond Spider football game. The last time we looked Richmond was ahead 14 to 0.

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 97 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

I didn't have to go to clinic today so this was a very lazy day. I stayed in bed until 9:45! I was up every two hours to go to the bathroom during the night. I woke up at 8 and took my pills and took my blood sugar count. I listened to Good Morning America. I fell off to sleep and didn't wake up until 9:45.

I got up and ate breakfast and hooked up my IV bottle. I helped Corrine to make peanut balls. We made cheese balls yesterday.

It was very cloudy but not cold out. I walked the hall today while the room was being cleaned. I hear that they are calling for a wintry mix this weekend at home. They are calling for rain down here.

We are watching another Christmas story on the Hallmark channel. It is called "The Christmas Choir". I have enjoyed these movies the last several nights. They have a good moral to them and makes you appreciate the meaning of Christmas.

I go to the clinic early tomorrow and then Dad and Corinne will leave and Rodney will come down. I hope that the weather will not mess things up.

take care and take time to smell the roses.

Love to all,

Gloria  

day 96 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was a nice day. I had to go to clinic early and they said that the irritation around my hickman line had not blistered but was still red. They put gauze bandages on and that means that I can't get it wet. I go to the clinic on Friday and I hope that they will put the waterproof patch back on.

We made cheese balls today and then we rode around to see the tacky lights and the lights on the skyline of Richmond. Now we are watching a Hallmark Christmas movie. It is really good. Now tomorrow will be cleaning day and a day that I give myself IV of saline and magnesium.

Take care and remember the reason for the season.

Love,

Gloria

day 95 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

I understand that the weather is cold with ice and sleet. It was cold here today too with rain. It was 30 degrees cooler today than yesterday.

I had to go to the clinic fasting early this morning. After my labs were done I got a small bag of magnesium and saline and I got to talk to the nurse pract. She was very pleased with all of my labs. She made an appointment for me for next Tuesday for another bone marrow biopsy (90 day out). She wanted me to wait until I came back from Christmas but I told her that I didn't want to wait-- I want to be able to enjoy my Christmas and not worry about having to come back for that. I promised her that I would not go home for 24 hours after the test-- that means I will be coming home on Christmas Eve. Dr. McCardy said that after the biopsy and the results come back he will sit down with me and tell me the game plan. That sounds good to me.

At the clinic today they changed my hickman line dressing. The solution that they have been using for cleaning the area burned like fire. When I got back to the hotel it was still burning real bad, I looked at it in the mirror and it was really red, I called the clinic and they wanted me to come back in to check it. They don't want my skin to blister because that would be open to infection. When I went back they cleaned it as best as they could and put several layers of gauze pads on it and they said not to get it dirty or wet. I have to go back early tomorrow to have it checked again. It is still burning pretty bad. They said that sometime after so long cleaning with this solution my skin may have become sensitive to it. I think that after the biopsy the hickman line will be taken out anyway. I will still have my port for them to draw labs and etc.

I lost another 3 pounds since last week and I told them that I was going to fill my pockets with rocks so they wouldn't be upset with me!

Take care and be careful tomorrow with the sleet and ice.

Love,

Gloria

day 94 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

Today was a beautiful and warm day.I could stand days like this until April! Tomorrow it is suppose to be cooler and cloudy. We went to the mall and did some Christmas shopping. Got a few presents done.

I was really tired when we got back "home" and ate some dinner and showered. We are now watching a Lifetime Christmas movie called "Secret Santa" It is really cute.

I have to get up early tomorrow to go to the clinic. I have to go fasting. I am hoping for good results from my lab work. I hope to be able to see Dr. McCarty to get some questions answered and to find out if and when I can go home for Christmas.

Take care,

Love,

Gloria

day 93 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was another day off from clinic, so it was a very lazy day. I did have to hook up to my saline and magnesium. My appetite was a little better but nothing to write home about.

The weather was nice, temperature wise but this afternoon it got cloudy. I think that they are calling for clouds and showers all this week until Friday. That is ok with me, just as long as we don't get any of the white stuff.

Dad and Corinne came down and Rodney went home today. I don't go to clinic until Tuesday. I hope to take Dad and Corinne out to see some lights while they are down here.

Hopefully this will be a quick and good week with out any surprises.I am so anxious to get home.

Take care and have a good week, don't get too stressed out with Christmas getting closer- just relax and remember the reason for the season.

Love,

Gloria

day 92 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was sunny and not real cool in the sun. We slept in a little this morning and then we got some Christmas cards out and we went driving around Richmond.

This evening we went to the James River and watched the boats decked out with Christmas lights go down the James. It was pretty chilly but the boats were beautiful. We sit in the car until we saw the boats coming down the river.  I had never seen anything like that before. I think that B'water should sponsor something like this next Christmas to go down the North River!! They had hot dogs and burgers and hot chocolate for sale.

Got back to the hotel and ate dinner and showered and I am about ready to go to bed. Dad and Corinne will come down tomorrow and Rodney will be going home. The weekend just flies by.

Take care,

Love,

Gloria

day 91 after transplant

 

Hello there everyone,

Today was a get up early and go to clinic day. I got my labs done and then went to get a chest xray (just routine) and then back to clinic to see the doctor. The doctor said that I could probably go home Christmas Eve and stay for the weekend. I still won't be able to be out to do things but I'll be home. I probably will not be able to go home for good until the middle of January. That means that I will need some more caregivers starting the 1st of January. I want to be home before Richmond has a big snow storm. The doctor has changed some of my meds hoping that will help my appetite and nausea.

After clinic Scott and I went Christmas shopping and got Beth her present. He left to go home at 3:30. Rodney got tied up in traffic on the West side of Richmond and he didn't get here late because of some accidents.

I don't have to go to the clinic until Tuesday but I have to give myself IV saline every other day. I hope that we can go to see the boats with Christmas lights go down the James River. One thing about Richmond there is a lot of things to do and see.

Take care,

Love,

Gloria

90 day after transplant

 

Good evening to all,

Today was a totally rainy day. They are calling for 3-4 inches of rain and a flash flood watch.

I didn't have to go to clinic today - I just had to give myself an IV of saline. But I do go to clinic tomorrow, early. I did have a visitor today - Pastor Steve came by. It was good to see him.

Again today I didn't have much of an appetite but I did try to eat some cream of wheat for breakfast and a little chicken stir-fry for lunch. Scott fixed chicken breast, scalloped potatoes and peas for dinner. The only thing that really tasted good was the potatoes and peas. Things still taste like metal. I hope that this will soon pass.

Scott will leave tomorrow and Rodney will come down. Hope that it doesn't snow too deep for Rodney to get down here!

Take care and be careful if you have to go out tomorrow.

Love,

Gloria

day 89 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

Today was a nice day - it was 68 degrees! Tonight it is suppose to start raining and they have a flood watch out for this area(calling for 3-4 inches). Thank goodness it is not cold enough for that to be snow.

Charity (my niece) and her family came at 12 today and we really had a wonderful visit. Avery is two years old and she is the cutest thing. She took to Scott right away and then she warmed up to me. She saw my hickman line bandage and she "Ohh you have a boo-boo!" Charity took pictures so I hope to post them soon.

Tomorrow Pastor Steve will be here for a visit. I am looking forward to that. Then on Friday morning I go to the clinic. Scott will leave for home and Rodney will be coming down. I can't believe that the week is almost over. I have really enjoyed spending some quality time with Scott. 

Thanks for all who emailed me about my good news. I appreciate all of your concerns and continued prayers for me. Again prayer works.

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 88 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

It was a nice today - not near as cold as it has been. I don't think that it will last very long but I'll take every nice day God gives us. It is suppose to rain tonight and tomorrow.

I have some exciting news that I could hardly wait to tell you about. I went to clinic today and I found out that my donor was not a 20 year old football player but was a female. I am just so thankful for her and her lifesaving gift. I also got the final results back from my bone marrow biopsy --- I am ALL DONOR !! Praise the Lord, that is an answered prayer. I have an appointment with the doctor on Friday when I am at the clinic to find out what is the plan and try to give me a time line. I am almost sure that I will get to come home for Christmas but only for a visit. I just have to remember that I have come this far and I don't want to rush things now. One day at a time.

Scott and I went to the mall after the clinic and I was about worn out when we got back. He fixed me chicken stir-fry for dinner that was really good.

Need to get to bed and get up early tomorrow and wait for my niece and her family to visit with us  and then Pastor Steve will be here on Thursday.

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 87 after transplant

Hello to all,

Today was another cold day. I didn't have to go to the clinic today but I did have to hook myself up to saline and magnesium in an IV. I was watching TV after I was hooked up and I heard this boom outside the hotel. I thought that someone that was remodeling the Ramada Inn next door ran into the building with their front end loader. When I looked out the window I noticed that some man in a jeep ran into a pole at the only entrance of the Candlewood Suites! I went out the hall to see if another vehicle was involved when I saw that he clipped the pole completely in two and the lines are hanging across the entrance. Fire trucks, rescue squad and police came. The lines are still down and Scott said that it is a good thing that we can go through the Ramada Inn parking lot or we wouldn't be able to get out and nobody else can get in. Hope they get someone out here tomorrow to replace the pole. Can't understand what the guy was doing to hit that pole.

 

    Chuck and Sue Rexrode came to visit this afternoon and it was so nice to visit with them. Shortly after they left I got a call from my niece Charity (she lives in AZ) and they are in VA for a week and she wants to come down Wednesday to see Scott and me. Her husband Chad and 2 year old Avery will be here also. I am so excited to see them.Pastor Steve is hoping to come down on Thursday for a visit and I am excited about that too. This must be my week for visitors.

 

Scott fixed me a hot dog on bun and French Fries for dinner and it did taste good. Hopefully my appetite is coming back and I won't feel sick to my stomach. It is a lot better than 2 weeks ago.

Clinic tomorrow at 9:15 and then go get some meds and maybe go to the mall. Depends on how long I am at the clinic.

Take care,

Love to all,

Glorial

day 86 after transplant

Hello everyone,

Today was cold when we went to the clinic. Tonight is suppose to be really cold in the teen's. The clinic went well today. They were not busy so I didn't have to stay very long. As we was getting back to the hotel, Scott called and said that he was at Petersburg.

I fixed lunch and then we just chilled. It is good to have him here.

Rodney left at 4:15 so he didn't get home too late. I had a surprise call from Sue Rexrode saying that her and Chuck was going to be in Richmond tomorrow and wanted to know if they could stop in.I am glad that I don't have to go to the clinic. It will be good to see them.

I also got a call from Pastor Steve and he is going to try to come down to see me on Thursday. That will be fun.

Last night I blogged about going to see the Christmas lights. Posted are some pictures and this just does not do it justice. You can see how hard it was snowing in the pictures. Hope you enjoy them.

 

The white balls are really snow!!!!

Not much more to write so I will close and write more tomorrow.

Tale care and keep warm,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 85 after transplant

Hello everyone,

I had a really good day. I didn't have to go to the clinic so I got to stay in bed a little longer. We thought that we were going to get up early and go to see the Richmond Christmas parade but it was cold this morning and it was too tempting just to watch it on TV.
We ate breakfast and did some paper work. Then we went to the bank and to Wal-Mart for some groceries. We went before the parade was over so it would be less crowded, so we thought.

We came back to eat lunch and to watch the Tech game -- yeah they won ! On to the Orange Bowl now. Also I got hooked up to the IV that I am suppose to do everyother day for a week. While that was doing "it's" thing we rode around Richmond to see the tacky Christmas lights.
One place at Glen Allen was absolutely amazing -- I thought that the Tutwiler's had a lot of lights but it didn't even compare! There were so many lights that you couldn't walk in the yard or get to the front door. I think that every foot was covered. It was amazing also because it was snowing! It really made it more like Christmas.

Got to go to bed early tonight because I have to be at the clinic tomorrow at 9. Scott will be soon after that and Rodney will be going home tomorrow evening. Scott is the last caregiver that I have lined up and I am sure that I will be beyond that. If anyone out there would like to be my caregiver please let me know, it would be much appreciated.

Take care,
Love to all,
Gloria

day 84 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

Got up to another cool day and went to the clinic. I got more saline and magesium while waiting for my lab results. They want me to do IV saline and magesium at home (the hotel) everyother day so I won't have to come to the clinic as often. I go back to the clinic on Sunday morning. They took four bottles of cultures that won't be back for a week and then three tubes of blood to test for a virus! I pray that I don't get another virus. It took me a long time to get over the last one.

Shortly after we got back from the clinic Rodney called and he was in Fishersville one his way to Richmond. Hazel left at 3:30 and I was here alone until Rodney got here. We drove to the city and saw the skyline illumination. Wow!! We hope to get out of here early tomorrow and scout out Broad Street for a place where we can watch the Upkrop's Christmas parade. We need to find a place where we will be able to watch the parade from the car. If we can't find a place we will just have to leave.

Take care,
Love to all,
Gloria

day 83 after transplant

Hello everyone,

The day was sunny and comfortable when we left for the clinic. It was so nice that Hazel and I walked outside at the hotel today. By late afternoon it got cloudy and now it looks like rain. I heard that it is raining at home.

My day at the clinic was good but I have to go back again tomorrow. Depending on the results of my labs they may put me on homecare IV of saline and maybe magesium. That means that I would give myself an IV which is really not big deal. That would mean less trips to the clinic. They say that I am not drinking enough but honestly I drink as much as I can stand. My appetite comes and goes. Some food sounds so good until I get it in front of me and then it just doesn't taste good. Everything tastes like metal!

The Post Bone Marrow Coordinator talked to me today and she reminded me of the story of the tortise and the hare. She said that the hare got in a hurry and lost the race but the turtle took his time and he won the race. She said that I need to be like the turtle-- take one step at a time and I would have a better chance of winning the race. It is really interesting to hear other peoples journey while sitting in the waiting room. One lady today said that she was 200 days out and she finally got to go out to eat (the only thing that she could eat was soup because her mouth is so sore from her chemo months ago) and now she can drive. Another lady was there getting ready to go through her second bone marrow transplant (she used her own stem cells the first time). Now her sister is going to be her donor. Also there was a young girl that was so weak that she had to be brought in the cinic in a wheelchair. I see so many people in different stages and hear their stories and I praise God that my journey so far has been pretty smooth. I have come this far that I don't want to do anything to make my journey longer than it needs to be. Your prayers sure do help.

Hazel will leave tomorrow afternoon and Rodney will be here for the weekend. I heard Hazel tell her sister that the week has really gone by fast-- I am glad that she feels that way. It has been good to spend time with her. Scott comes for the week on Sunday. I keep praying that he will stay well. It seems like so long since I have seen him.

Take care,
Love to all,
Gloria

day 82 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

Today was a very lazy day. I didn't have to go to the clinic and Hazel cleaned yesterday. There really wasn't anywhere we needed to go so we just stayed in. It was cool again today and we walked the long hallway a couple of times for some exercise. We worked a puzzle and read. I started reading a book about the Amish that Pastor Steve gave me, The Plain Truth. It is really good so far.

I had more of an appetite today and my stomach didn't hurt. Hazel made me beef noodles, peas and jello w/ fruit in it for dinner. It tasted really good to me tonight. I hope that my labs will have improved tomorrow when I go back to clinic.

Not anything else to write.

Take care to all,
Love,
Gloria

day 81 after transplant

Hi,

Today was another cool day but sunny. Hazel did my laundry this morning and then we took off for Target and Wal-Mart. When we got back it was cooler.

This afternoon Hazel cleaned the suite and I sat in the lounge until she was finished. We are working on another puzzle. This one is round and has very odd shaped pieces. It might get done by the time I leave for B'water!

Another day off tomorrow and I don't know what we are going to do. It is suppose to be cold all day tomorrow so we might just chill here at the hotel. I go back to clinic on Thursday morning. I hope that my labs will be better. I have been eating more and drinking like a fish. I feel a lot better than I did over the weekend.

Everyone take care and I will blog again tomorrow night. Miss all of you so much.
Love,
Gloria

day 80 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

Today was sunny but cool when we left for the clinic but it was raining when we came out. It is suppose to be cold this weekend. That is when the Christmas parade in downtown Richmond is and Friday the skyline will be lit. I would like to go to the parade but not if it is going to be so cold and I am sure it would be really crowded. I am sure the doctors would frown on that.

I am feeling better today than I did over the weekend. I even ate a scrambled egg and 1/2 of an english muffin for breakfast(I am not a breakfast person and I don't like eggs). The amazing part is that I even kept it down!

I got the results from my bone marrow test today and the nurse pract. said that everything looked good. That was an answered prayer. I was scheduled to go to the clinic on Wednesday but the clinic called this evening and wanted me to reduce the meds that is keeping me from getting Graft vs Host disease and they said that I didn't need to come back until Thursday. They will slowly wean me off this med because the want me to have a little GVH but not a lot. This shows that my donor is taking over. That is a good thing.

I hope that you ladies had a good time at the UMW Christmas party tonight. Hazel said that we were having our own party here -- we had chicken salad and apricots! Whew !!!!!!

Tomorrow is cleaning day and then we plan to go shopping and get groceries. Hopefully we can go early so maybe it won't be so crowded.

Take care,
Love,
Gloria

day 79 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

Woke up today to a cold, raw and rainy day. Had to be at the clinic at 10:45 and it was really raining when we left. I had to have a large bag of saline and 2 small bags of magesium. They said that was because I had not eaten and was dehydrated. It is hard to eat when you don't have an appetite and nothing tastes good. Everything tastes like metal. I did eat a little more today and my stomach wasn't as upset today so I hope that things are getting better. I go back to the clinic tomorrow. I hope to be able to find out about the results of my bone marrow test.

Rodney left this evening and Hazel made it down safely I am looking forward to having her here this week. She is a sweetheart.

Not much else going on today. Hope that things are going well with all of you guys. I sure do miss you and just think tomorrow is DECEMBER. The month when I will be going back home!!!!
We will need a u-haul to take everything back.

You all have a wonderful week and take care,
Love to all,
Gloria

day 78 after transplant

Hello everyone !

This morning was sunny but it got cloudy this afternoon. It was cool but pleasant to be out. We went to a mall hoping that it wouldn't be super crowded but it was pretty crowded. It was getting really crowded when we left.

When we got back we watched the Virginia vs Tech game while we ate lunch. We had a lot of paper work to do so we sit down to do that for several hours.

I go to clinic tomorrow. I hope that it will be good but I have not had an appetite and have been kind of sick to my stomach. I don't know what that is all about but I hope that it will be an easy fix. Rodney leaves tomorrow and Hazel Beasley will be my caregiver for the week.

I can't believe that Monday will be December. Sorry that Hazel and I will not be able to be at the UMW Christmas Party on Monday. We will be thinking about you all. Also am sorry that Rodney and I won't be at our SS Class Christmas party -- we always have a lot of fun. Please let us know who gets the gag gift this year.

Take care,
Love to all,
Gloria

day 77 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

It was 47 degrees when we got up this morning! It was cloudy but warmer than it has been. Ryan, Jennifer and Granny came down this morning and we had a nice lunch together. We played dominos and then ate birthday cake and cookies. Jennifer made a pumpkin cake and Ryan made ginger cream cookies. We had a very good visit. Wish that Scott, Beth and the kids could have made it too. My prayer is that we will all be together at Christmas.

We are watching "Polar Express" on TV now. Rodney said that he couldn't believe that he is sitting here watching an animated Christmas story. It is really good. Cartoons have come a long way-- they are almost real now. Tomorrow Shriek comes on and I can't wait to see that.

I don't go to clinic tomorrow so after we do our cleaning we are going shopping. They are suppose to still have some deals out there.

Hazel is coming down on Sunday and Rodney will go home. I go to clinic on Sunday and am hoping that I will find out the results of my biospy this week.

Thanks to everyone who sent Thanksgiving cards and get well cards. That really makes my day.
I feel so blessed to have so many out there that are thinking and praying for me.

Take care and have a good weekend,
Love,
Gloria

day 76 after transplant

Happy Thanksgiving to all,

Hope you didn't eat too much turkey but you had a good time with family. Rodney and I went to Shirley Plantation and to Berkley Plantation. They were not open but at the Berkley we at least got to walk down to the James River. It was a really nice day and tomorrow is suppose to be nice also.

Scott called this afternoon and said that Grady is running a temperature again so I didn't want to take a chance on getting a setback. I want to get home for Christmas. They are not coming and I am really disappointed but at least Ryan, Jennifer and Rodney's mother are coming down. Scott was bringing the turkey so I don't know what we are going to have now but we will find something.

We got to watch the Macy's Day parade and that is something that we usually don't do. We saw JMU's marching band(for about 30 seconds). We watched part of the Dallas football game.

Take care,
Love,
Gloria

day 75 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

DAY 75! Yeah!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Today was another day at the clinic. I don't think that I like being out of isolation. Two of the people I was in the room with threw up. I felt so bad for them. I know that they didn't want to throw up in front of everybody. I praise God that I do not feel bad and that everything seems to be going well. We'll know more after the results of the biospy comes back next week. I don't go back to the clinic until Sunday.

Today was another cool day. It was warm in the sun but cool in the shade. Ryan left at 3:30 and he didn't even get to Richmond (about 6 miles) before he was in slow traffic. It was crowded until he got out out of Richmond. Rodney is here with me now until Sunday and then Hazel will be here for the week.


John Miers and his son came by this evening. He works with Rodney and it was nice to meet someone who works with Rodney. He brought me some books about the Civil War. I didn't use to like history but now I find it very interesting. I just finished my Big Read book (Tom Sawyer) and now I can start these books. Thanks, John.

Rodney and I are going to watch the Macy's Day Parade-- I have never been able to sit down and watch it because I was always fixing lunch. It is going to be a quiet day for us. The kids are coming down on Friday and we will celebrate Rod's birthday and Thanksgiving.

Take care,
Love to all,
Gloria

day 74 after transplant

Good evening to all,

I am watching the final of "Dancing With the Stars". I had never seen it before I came to Richmond. It is pretty interesting. It is amazing the costumes (or lack there of) they wear! I don't know how they keep from having a wardrobe malfunction!

Today was sunny but a little cool when we left for clinic and cloudy and colder when we left the clinic. I was scheduled to have the biospy at 11 but didn't get it until 12:15. OUCH! This time the doctor hit a nerve and a pain shot down my leg. I am walking very slow tonight and careful how I sit down. I am glad that it is over and now I pray for good results. I won't know anything until next week. I have to go back to clinic tomorrow.

Ryan leaves tomorrow and Rodney comes down for the week. I am looking forward to seeing him. I want Ryan to get back to B'water before dark-- it is going to be very busy on the road.

I have got to get to bed so I can get up early in the morning to go to clinic. It has been a long day.

Take care,
Love,
Gloria

day 73 after transplant

Hello to all,

I hope that it is just raining at home, not snowing! It has been cold but sunny today until this evening and now it is raining. I hear that W VA is going to get more snow.

Ryan and I didn't go anywhere today. We started putting another puzzle together -- one of NY city skyline. He has worked really hard on it today. He also washed my bed linens today and fixed some bar-b-que for dinner.

Tomorrow is the big day at the clinic-- biospy day at 10. Please say a prayer for me. This one will be the 5th one that I have had (the 2nd one here at VCU) and they all felt different. I just pray that the results will be good and that things are moving like they are suppose to be. I won't know anything for a week. I still don't have much of an appetite but at least my stomach isn't hurting like it did last week. I hope that changing my meds did the trick.

One day closer to Thanksgiving and I hope that if you are traveling that you will make it safely to your destination. The roads are suppose to be very busy on Wednesday. If you are staying home have a wonderful day with family. Go to bed early so you can get up early for Black Friday specials!

Take care,
Love,
Gloria

day 72 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

Another cold day but sunny. Had to be at the clinic at 9:30. I was told that I am no longer in isolation. My nasal drip test came back negative. I don't know if I like that because now I am in a large room with about 10 other people. I hope that Rodney didn't give me his cold. He is not bad just a little runny nose. I tried to keep a little distance and extra hand washing. I go back to clinic on Tuesday at 10 for my biospy. Will probably be a long day there. Please say a prayer for me.

Ryan came about 4:15 today and Rodney left soon after. He said that it was good to be able to drive part of the way home in the light. It is usually late when he gets back. I would like for him to get more rest this week so he won't be so run down and get sick. I need him here with me.


This will be a busy week for everyone- getting ready for Thanksgiving. Wish that I could be in B'water but hopefully I will make it home in time for Christmas. It depends on the results of the bone marrow biospy. I have not had much of an appetite for the last couple weeks and have lost some weight and they will probably not like that. They have adjusted my meds, so hopefully that will help. I think that I am hungry for something but when it is set down in front of me, I just can't eat it.

Take care,
Love to all,
Gloria

day 71 after transplant

Hello to everyone!

Brrrrr! Another cold day and tomorrow is suppose to be colder yet. I think that Rodney is getting a cold - not good for me. His nose has been running all day. I pray that I won't catch anything. I have been trying to keep my distance, wash my hands and keep my hands away from my face.

I go to clinic tomorrow at 9:15. Hope that I won't be there all day. Ryan will come down in the afternoon and Rodney will go back home. He'll be back on Wednesday and stay until Sunday.

I am anxious to hear all about the auction. I hope that it went well and that the cold weather didn't keep people away.

Rodney and I went to Target and Wal-Mart today to get some groceries and just to get out for a while. Next week the buildings in Richmond are suppose to be decorated for Christmas. I'm anxious to see all the tall buildings in the business district all lit up.

Here's wishing all of you a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. I pray that we take the time to stop and thank God for all our blessings. We take so many things for granted and we forget to say a simple thank you. I hope that you all will get to spend some quality time with your family.

Take care,
Love,
Gloria

day 70 after transplant

Hello,

Today was another cold and windy day. It is suppose to be cold all weekend. Sunday is suppose to be especially cold. Tis the season but I sure was enjoying the nice 70 degree weather we had the other week.

Beth called me this morning and said that they woke up to snow this morning- the ground was covered. She also said that Scott has been home sick since Wednesday. I hope that he soon feels well and that it isn't passed on to Beth and the kids. They are suppose to come up on Friday for Thanksgiving and for Rodney's birthday.

I had to be in clinic today at 9 and didn't get back until 3. Long day. I told them that my stomach ached and that I didn't have an appetite. Lots of bowel movements. They did a stomach xray and it came back negative. They feel like it is one of my meds making my stomach hurt- I was told to stop taking it to see if it helps. I go back to clinic on Sunday.

Jennifer left this evening and Rodney came down. We ate dinner and now we are just chillin'.
I am going to bed soon because I am tired.

Take care and keep warm and safe.

Love to all,
Gloria

day 69 after transplant

Good evening all,

Today was another cold day. I didn't have to go to clinic today. Jennifer did laundry and the rest of the day we just chilled out. We did finish the book "Shack" and it was really a good book. Really deep. Surprise ending.

Jennifer worked on more jewelry and I tried to get this puzzle together.

I didn't feel the best today- no appetite and pain in my back. I go to clinic tomorrow at 9. Can't believe that it will be Friday already tomorrow. Rodney will be here in the evening for the weekend.

I pray that the auction will be a big success. I sure would like to be there to see all the people and all the nice items to be auctioned off.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend.
Love to all,
Gloria

day 68 after transplant

Good evening to everyone,

Again it was very cool today. It was sunny but windy. Had to be at the clinic at 9:15. I got my usual again today--saline and magesium. I did get a visit from Rick one of the nurse pract. from upstairs. I hadn't seen him since I was in the hospital. He talked to me and told me that things looked good and that he didn't have any concerns about my transplant. He also told me that he thought that it would be very possible for me to go home for Christmas. At least for a long weekend if not for good. That is not very far off.

After clinic I had to go to CVS to get some meds refilled. While we were close to Libby Hill I took Jennifer see Libby Hill. It is a wonderful view of Richmond and of the James River. We didn't get back to the hotel until 3 and we were very hungry.

Jennifer made vegetable soup in the crock pot. That was very good especially in this cold weather. We have enough to last all week.

I don't go back to the clinic until Friday. The nasal wash test will not be back for about a week so until then I am in isolation. Suits me.

This evening after dinner Jennifer started to make jewelry and I started to put another puzzle together! This time it is a picture of a red barn in the snow. Since it is cold outside I thought that would be a good puzzle to put together.

I can't believe that tomorrow will be Thursday already. The time flies by. That is a good thing because I'm ready to go home.

Take care and talk to you tomorrow,
Love all,
Gloria

day 67 after transplant

Hello everyone,

Today was very cold and we saw snow flurries. It was a day off from clinic and that meant cleaning day. Jennifer did the laundry and vacuumed the suite. After all that was done we went to Chesterfield Mall. It was a good warm place to walk. It was all decorated for Christmas.

Jennifer made a beef roast in the crock pot and Eric (Jennifer's brother) ate dinner with us. He is down here for a class and just happened to be staying at the Candlewood. Of all the hotels in Richmond can you believe that we are staying in the same one?

Tomorrow is clinic day at 9:15. Hope that the results from my nasal wash test will be back and be negative. I hope that I won't stay long at the clinic.

Take care and I'll write tomorrow.
Love,
Gloria

day 66 after transplant

Good evening to all,

Got up early and went to clinic at 8 this morning. It was really cold- 32 degrees! It is suppose to be cold all week. I guess that we have been spoiled with all these wonderful warm days and now all of a sudden it is cold. Hear that they are even calling for snow in Highland County.

The clinc visit went well today and I don't have to go back until Wednesday. I got the usual saline solution and magesium. They also did a nasal wash and if it comes back negative I won't be in isolation anymore. That is good and bad. Good that I'm over my virus. Bad that I will put in a large room with a lot of other people. I like to be able to read and have a little privacy. But it would be good to talk to other people too. Oh well, I won't be here that much longer anyway. At least that is my prayer. Guess tomorrow morning will be for cleaning and then we may go to a mall. That would be a good place to get some walking in.

Jennifer made me spaghetti for dinner this evening and it tasted good. We started reading the book "Shack" and we are at chapter 7. So far it has been really good.

Take care and will blog tomorrow.

Love to all,
Gloria

day 65 after transplant

Hello,

Today was sunny but cold. Yesterday it was 77 and today it was 55!!!

We fixed breakfast and listened to Charles Stanley on the TV. He had a really good message but it just isn't like being in church. I sure miss you guys.

We got a few things done and then we rode around and ended up at Glen Allen. We stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. Ryan and Jennifer got her about 4:45 and we ate dinner and then Ryan and Rodney left.

We had a little excitment here this evening. At 8:45 the fire alarm went off. We had just changed into our pj's. We grabbed our pocketbooks, cell phone, coat and blanket. We were outside for about 15 minutes. Three fire trucks came. We were glad when the firemen said that we could go back in.

I have to go to the clinic tomorrow at 8:15. They called this afternoon to see if I would change my appointment. I hope that I won't be there very long. I know that it will be cold when we leave. I'll have to dress warmly.

Hope that everyone had a good weekend and are ready for another week at school or work. Next week will be a short one for some of you since it will be Thanksgiving. I can hardly believe that we are on the last half of November. I hope that soon they will be giving me an idea of when I can go home. We will need a truck to get everything home. It is amazing how things collect.

Take care and love you all,
Gloria

day 64 after transplant

Hello,

We woke up to rain today. I woke up several times during the night and heard it raining. The weather man said that they got over an inch of rain. Late morning the sun came out and it was 77 degrees. Tomorrow it is suppose to be sunny but a lot cooler.

After breakfast Rodney did laundry and cleaned the room. We went out just to get out and we just drove around Chesterfield. We were going to go to the Veterans Hospital and walk the track but the wind was blowing pretty hard and the leaves were blowing around. Didn't need to take a chance on getting some kind of infection.

Tomorrow Ryan and Jennifer are coming down and Jennifer is staying here with me all week.

After dinner I finished the puzzle! I didn't know if I had enough patience or not but I stuck it out and got it done. Then we watched a movie tonight.

Everything is going well and everyday is one day closer to B'water. I can hardly believe that November is half way over. I guess that the auction at church is this Saturday. Wish we could be there. Hope that you have a lot to auction off and that it will be a big success.

Take care and I miss everyone. See you soon.
Gloria

day 63 after transplant

Hello everyone,

Today was a lazy, do nothing day! It was rainy and cool all day. We worked on the puzzle and still have a ways to go. I'm beginning to like cardinals even less!

Rodney came back down this evening and Dad and Corinne left to go home. They are calling for rain again tomorrow. Don't know what we will do tomorrow. Stay in if it is raining.

Ryan and Jennifer are coming down on Sunday and Ryan will ride back home with Rodney. Jennifer will be here for the week to be my caregiver. It will be nice to spend some time with her.

You all take care and have a safe weekend.
Hopefully I will have more to write about tomorrow night.

Love to all,
Gloria

day 61 after transplant

Hello everyone,

I just finished watching the Tech game. They came up just a little bit short tonight. Sorry Tech fans.

Got up really early this morning to get ready for the clinic. It was cloudy but not bad for November. I had to go fasting for blood work. They were checking my sodium and glucose level. While I was waiting on the results to come back I was given saline and magesium. The nurse pract. came in to talk to me. She said that they think the reason my electrolytes are messed up is because of some of the meds that I am on. They are just going to watch me for a while. My white and red blood cells are increasing so they feel like the bone marrow is taking effect. She said that if anything was wrong rest assured that the doctors would be in there in an instant.
I don't have to be back at the clinic until Monday. If anyone would like to come for a visit just call me on my cell phone(421-8551). Please make sure that you are free of colds, etc.. It would be nice to see some new faces.

My bone marrow biospy date has changed to November 25th at 10. Now I have another week to think about it. Just say a prayer for me at this time. I know God will be there with His strong arms around me. That is a great comfort to know.

I didn't get out of the clinc until 12 and it was almost 1:00 when we got to the hotel. I didn't have anything to eat since last night at dinner. I was hungry. I ate a bowl of chicken noodle soup because it was raining and raw when we got out of clinic. It was a nasty afternoon so we started to put a puzzle together. I always thought that the cardinal was a beautiful bird but that was before I had to put one together today! We didn't get it finished so we will work on it again tomorrow. Suppose to be another rainy day.

Rodney got here at 6 this evening . He will leave early in the morning and then turn around and come back tomorrow evening for the weekend. In the next couple of weeks Richmond will be decorated for Christmas. That will be something new to see. I will be here for the big Christmas parade but I doubt if it would be a good idea for me to go. Too many people and it might be too cold. I am anxious to see all the high risers decorated with lights on.

It is time for me to quit for the night.

Take care and God bless all of you,
Gloria

day 60 after transplant

Good evening,

Today was a partly cloudy and a cool breeze was blowing. I had to go to clinic at 10:30. Went to get meds. at CVS first. I didn't get out until 3! What a long day and they really didn't do anything different. Accessed my port and used it to draw my labs. While waiting for the labs to come back I got a bag of magesium and saline. Then we waited and waited for the lab work. The nurse pract. came in and said that she wanted me to come back early tomorrow to do some fasting blood work. My sodium is low and my glucose is too high. They want to check it out. I hope that my throat test will come back by tomorrow. I get my bone marrow biopsy on Tuesday at 10. Looking forward to that!

When we got out of clinic Rodney called and said that he was on his way to the hotel. He was here by the time we got to the hotel. We ate dinner and Rodney did my laundry. Now we are watching the country music award program on TV.

Well, it is time for me to go to bed. Got to get up early.

God bless all of you and thanks for your support and prayers.
Gloria

day 59 after transplant

Hello,

It was another beautiful sunny day. The wind was blowing and it was pretty cool. Tomorrow is suppose to be cloudy and in the evening the rain will start and rain until Friday. At least that is what the weather man says.

This was an off day for me so the room got a good cleaning today. I rode the bike and walked the long hall until the room was clean. It was too cool for me to go outside and walk.

Dad, Corinne and I played some cards this afternoon and that was fun.

I go to the clinic tomorrow at 11. They are all booked for the bone marrow biospy this week, so I find out tomorrow what day next week I'll have that done. Hopefully tomorrow will be a short stay and we can get back early. Rodney has to come to Richmond again and he will stay here tomorrow night and leave Thursday. Just to turn around and come back on Friday evening.

Next week Jennifer is coming to be my caregiver (please Jennifer don't get sick !). We are going to read the book "Shack" together. Looking forward to her coming down.

Gotta go for tonight. Stay safe and well (wash your hands!). They were talking on the news this evening about this new infection that is going around and the most likely place to pick it up is nursing homes and hospitals! And where do I go 3 times a week? They do not have an antibodic for it yet. It was really kind of scary.

Love,
Gloria

day 58 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

Today was sunny but a little cooler than yesterday. It is suppose to be in the 30's overnight. Wednesday and Thursday they are calling for rain. I'll try to send the rain up your way-- sounds like you might need some.

Talked to Beth today and she is still coughing. Libby has been running a temperature all weekend and didn't go to school today. Scott stayed home from work with a head ache, congested head and joint aches. Sounds like it was a good thing that Beth didn't come up this weekend. I'm sure she has had to play nurse all weekend.

Went to the clinic today at 3 and didn't get back until 6. The only thing different that they did was to swab my throat for strep throat and get a chest xray. I don't know when I have to go back, either Wednesday or Thursday. They will call me tomorrow with appt. time. I will have to have another bone marrow biospy done then. I thought that I was going to get out of that but Dr. McCarty ordered that for me.

I was watching Monday night football but I am tired so I'm going to bed as soon as I finish blogging.

You all take care and I pray that all of you stay well (especially Jennifer and Ryan-they are my next two caregivers). Remember to wash your hands often and keep your hands away from your face. This stuff hangs around forever.

Continue praying.

Love to all,
Gloria

day 57 after transplant

Good evening everyone,

Today was another day off from the clinic. Rodney did laundry for me today. He has really gotten good at it!

I go to clinic tomorrow at 3 pm. I wanted an earlier time but they are all booked up until Wednesday. Oh well, what else do I have to do. Hopefully it won't be crowded and I can get in and out quickly. I know that since I am coming up on day 60 soon that I will have some other kind of test done instead of the bone marrow biospy. Also they said that my hickman line days are numbered. That will be taken out soon. It will be nice to not have lines sticking out of my body. I will still have my port for them to use. They will excess that first to see if it is still working before they take out the hickman line.

Hope that all of you got to get out and enjoy the beautiful day. It turned cloudy and cool this afternoon but it didn't rain. Rodney left at 5:20 this evening and Dad and Corinne got there at 6. I wanted Rodney to get back over the mountain before it got too late. He called when he got home and said that he saw 5 deer on the way home (thank goodness they were all dead when he saw them). I guess that it is that time of year when they are really on the move.

We went to the McGuire Veterans Hospital and walked on their fitness trail. It was really nice. It was really a big place and we walked the whole path. I was tired by the time I got back to the car.

Got to take my 10 pm meds and then go to bed.

Take care and again thanks so much for all your support, cards, calls and prayers for us. It has been very helpful to make this part of my life a lot easier to handle. God has brought me this far and He won't leave me now.

Love,
Gloria

day 56 after transplant

Hey everybody,

Sorry this is so late. I was watching TV and fell asleep. When I woke up I remembered that I had not done my blog.

Today was a lazy day. Didn't have to go to clinic so we stayed in bed a little later. We woke up to rain hitting against our windows. After breakfast the sun came out for a while. It was close to 70 today. Another nice November day.

We got some things done here in the room and then we rode around just looking at the beautiful fall colors. They will soon be gone and then the trees will be bear. Does that mean that winter is on the way? I pray that it does not snow until I get back to B'water because it could mess up my caregivers schedule.

I pray that you will have a good day tomorrow. I wish that I could be there to be in church with you. I sure miss you all.

Beth was suppose to be here tomorrow to be my caregiver for the week but both she and Scott have the bug. Scott sounds terrible and he said that his joints ache and he is all stopped up. Beth is still coughing. I don't think that it would be a good idea to be around me. Dad and Corinne will be here for me again this week. I just hope that everyone will be well on Thanksgiving so they can all come and we can celebrate Rodney's birthday and Thanksgiving.

God Bless,
Gloria

day 55 after transplant

Good evening !

Today was an early day at the clinic and we still didn't get back to the hotel until noon. Things went well at the clinic. I got my usual saline and magesium. They said that everything looked good. I don't have to go back until Monday at 3 pm.

It was a beautiful day. Nice and warm and sunny. Not like a normal November day but that could change in a hurry. We rode on Route 5 to see some of the historical plantations around Richmond. The prettiest one we saw was The Shirley Plantation. We didn't go in because they didn't have paved side walks. A lot of the buildings were in the grass and I can't go on the grass.
We went almost to Williamsburg. It was nice to be out for a while.

Came back and Dad and Corinne packed up to leave and when they knew that Rodney was close by they left so it wouldn't be so late for them to get back. It was nice to see Rodney.

I hope that tomorrow will be nice and we can explore more of Richmond. I know that the weekend will go by fast. But I am so glad that the time is going by fast.

You all have a wonderful weekend. I sure miss being there and being able to get out in the flowerbeds and walking the neighborhood. Soon !!!

Take care,
Gloria

day 54 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

I am watching the Tech game and thought that before it gets too late I better do my blog. It is in the 3rd quarter and Tech is ahead 20 to 10. Yeah !!

Today was a day off from the clinic and we went to Wal-Mart. Saw some beautiful fall colors. I think that they must be at their peak down here. I did some needed paper work while Dad did my laundry. Also got some things done on the computer. Not a real exciting day but glad to be able just to relax.

I go to clinic tomorrow at 8 so I have to get up really early. The clinic called and wanted to know if I could change my appointment from 10 to 8 because they have so many people that need to be isolated and they only have a couple of isolation rooms. I am hoping that they will do a nasal wash on me tomorrow and see if I am over this virus. I feel like I am. Only a test will tell.

Rodney will be here tomorrow evening for the weekend. Hope that the weather will be nice so we can do some outside things. Beth is suppose to be my caregiver next week but she still has a virus so we don't know if she will be able to. The nurse pract. said that she does want me to be around anyone that is sick because that may cause me to have a set back and I sure don't want or need that. We will continue to pray that Beth will be well by Sunday.

You all take care,
Gloria

day 53 after transplant

Greetings to all,

Today was cloudy but pleasantly comfortable. I had to be at clinic at 9 this morning. I got labs done first and then I got a big bag of saline and some magesium. That has been the norm for me.
I feel like my influenza is just about over. I just cough a little bit now but I can not be taken off of isolation until I have one more negative nasal wash test done. I hope that they will do that on Friday when I have to go back. Dr. Chung stopped by and he said that everything looked good and I am right of schedule.

After clinic we went to the grocery store and then we got a visitor -- Rodney. He had a meeting here in Richmond so he stopped by on his way home. It was good to see him. He will be back for the weekend on Friday evening.

I hope that since I have two days off the weather will be nice and we'll be able to get out and do something. I am spoiled because at home we have two Wal-marts close by and down here there are very few. You would think that in Richmond there would be one on every corner.

Hope things are going well for everyone and that we are getting some rain at home.

Continue to pray that Beth gets over her cold so that she can be my caregiver next week.
She is going to the doctor tomorrow to see if she can get something to speed it along.

Write more tomorrow.
Love,
Gloria

day 52 after transplant

Good evening to all,

Hope that you had a good election day. Hope that your man is winning! It has rained here off and on all day and we didn't go anywhere. Dad and Corinne got some cleaning done while I sit out in the lobby and read a book.

I go to clinic tomorrow at 9 and then Rodney is coming down for a meeting and is planning on stopping by. Hope that it will be a short clinic visit. I am over 1/2 way to my day 100 and I pray that the second 1/2 will go as fast as the first 1/2.I have to remember to be patient -- THIS TOO SHALL PASS! I sure do miss being in B'water.

We played some games this afternoon and that kept us occupied for a while.

I have got to get to bed early tonight because I have to get up early tomorrow.

God Bless,
Love to all,
Gloria

day 51 after transplant

Good evening everyone,

Today started out by getting ready for the clinic. It was a long day (10 to 3). They were short handed and there are still a lot of people that have to be isolated. Also the nurse said that the charts were slow in coming back because something had to be done to them because it was the first of the month. They couldn't do anything about labs until they got the charts. Then my magesium was low so they gave me a big bag of saline and some magesium. They said that this is normal. Sometimes it just takes your body a while to get started again. The nurse pract. said that they are pleased with my progress and everything looks good. I can expect to lose my hickman line soon and that will leave my port for them to use. I don't go back to clinic until Wed. at 9.


Got back to the hotel and ate lunch-dinner? My appetite has not been real good for a couple of days and the nurse prat. said that it shows on my lab work. I had to promise her that I would try to eat more. She gave me a list of food that is high in magesium.


Sara just to let you know that I got the puzzle ornament together tonight! It was kind of hard at first but it looks really nice. Thanks so much for the ornament.


Shirley Hohenstein called me this evening. It was good to hear her voice. Thanks Shirley.

I have got to go take my meds and then get meds ready for tomorrow.Then it is bed time.

Miss all of you,
Love,
Gloria

Photos of the Journey III

day 50 after transplant

Hello everybody,

I hope that all of you had a wonderful fall day. It was a beautiful sunny day here and Rodney and I went to Libby Hill where we saw a good view of the city of Richmond and of the James RIver. The trees have changed colors and it was beautiful. Then we went to St. John's church where Patrick Henry gave his famous speech. We also went to the Virginia Holocaust Museum and that was kind of scary. It is located in an old tobacco warehouse and full of a lot of interesting things. We watched a 13 minute video interviewing 7 Holocaust survivors from Richmond. It brought tears to your eyes. There was even one of the survivors in the gift shop. He had written a book and was promoting it. The museum was set up like you were there and as you entered some of the rooms it was dark and all of a sudden the lights would come on and there would be a German soldier with a machine aimed at you! Another place as you walked by a dog would bark and Rodney about jumped out of his skin.


My caregiver for this week was suppose to be Beth but she called this morning and said that she had a cold. I called the clinic to see if it would be ok for her to come and they said definitely not. So we called Dad and Corinne and they said that it suited them to come down. Beth will come down next week if she is over her cold.
She really felt bad about it. I told her that was just something that happens and we cried. Things will work out ok - we have God on our side. Please say a prayer that she will get over her cold quickly.

I go to the clinic tomorrow at 10. Hope that it will be a short visit. I have got to go to bed early tonight so I can get my meds and breakfast before I go.

I heard that the Wild West Fall Fest at church went well. I am so glad. I know that there is a lot of work that goes into it. Wish I could have been there to help be a part of it.

Write tomorrow night,
Love to All,
Gloria

day 49 after transplant

Good evening everyone!

Today was just a lazy day for Rodney and me. We got up at 8 so I could take my meds on time and then we had breakfast and got a little paper work done. Rodney did my laundry. We watched the UVA football game. Went into over time and UVA lost. Oh well, that's why there is next week I guess. Wish I could have been home to see last night's TA vs Broadway game. I heard that it was a really nice night for a football game.

It was a beautiful day here - in the 70's. We rode around Richmond and saw the new $104 million renovation of the State Capital. It was really pretty -- our tax dollars at work. We stopped by CVS and picked up some meds. and then to the grocery store to pick up a few things.

Came back to the hotel and ate dinner and showered and watched part of another football game. Not real exciting but we just enjoyed some time together. It was very tempting for Rodney to drive on up to B'water so I could see the house but we thought that might not be a very good idea.

Beth is coming tomorrow to be my caregiver for the week. I am looking forward to spending some time with my daughter-in-law. Pray that she has a safe drive here. I hope that Grady and Libby will not miss their mommy too much. At least they will have their daddy with them.

Have a wonderful day at church tomorrow- sure do miss being there. I am almost 1/2 way to the 100 day mark. It really has gone by fast but now that the holidays are just around the corner I would like to be home. I can hardly believe that it is already November. If Nov. goes by as fast as Sept. and Oct. I'll be home before I know it.

God Bless all of You,
Gloria

day 48 after transplant

Good evening everyone!

Today was a beautiful day. The weather was so nice that I got to go outside to walk. It felt really good to be out. I had the day off from clinic and we got laundry done. Seems like that is all we get done, but when you have to do linens every other day and then my clothes it takes a while.

Dad and Corinne left this evening after Rodney got here. It was good to spend time with my Dad and Corinne but it was nice to see Rodney too.

I think that graft vs host disease is coming on my left leg. It is like I have a suntan on my leg except for the place where they grafted skin last year. It just started today. It may be nothing but I have to let them know if there is anything different at any time. We want a mild case so we know that the marrow transplant is doing what it is suppose to be doing.

I hope that all of you had a fun and safe Halloween and second reminder to set your clocks back one hour on Sat. night before you go to bed.

Well, I have to get my pills together for tomorrow and then go to bed.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Love to all.
Gloria

day 47 after transplant

Hey guys,

I know that this is early for me tonight but I want to get some other things done and then go to bed.I went to the clinic today at 10 and didn't get back to the hotel until 3 this afternoon.It was a long day. They really didn't do anything different today. I think that they may have been a little short staffed. I got the results back from my bone marrow biospy and they said that everything looked good. No sign of MDS. Praise the Lord! Things are going as scheduled. I do seem to be over this virus. There are still alot of people that have it. Thank the Lord that I only had a mild case of it compared to some of the others that I have seen in the clinic.
I do not have to go back to the clinic until Monday -- so I have the whole weekend off. That will be nice.

I can't believe that it is almost November. My time here is getting shorter and I will so excited about being back in B'water. I know that I will still have a long row to hoe then but at least I will be home.

Hey everybody, don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour on Saturday night or you will be late for church. Now it will get dark at 5 and that makes for a long night. It also means winter is just around the corner. I pray that it will not snow until after I get back to B'water because that could mess up my caregiver schedule.I will just take it one day at a time.

Thanks for your love, support and prayers for Rodney and me.
Gloria

day 46 after transplant

Hi,

Long day today. My brother got up at 3 a.m. this morning to get ready for the airport and he left the hotel at 4 a.m. After telling him good-bye I went back to bed. The week with him went by really fast but I sure enjoyed the time we got to spend together. Thanks John for everything you did. My Dad and Corinne came in to be my caregivers until Friday when Rodney gets here.

They washed my linens off the bed and we ate lunch. Then we played a round of Mexican Train Dominos. I was tired so I laid down for a while. They fixed dinner and we watched a little TV. They had a new game they wanted to teach me how to play called Sheng-Hi Rummy. It was a card game and it was fun after I learned the rules.

I go to the clinic tomorrow at 10 and I hope that it won't be too long a visit.I am praying for good test results.

Thanks to everyone that continues to send cards. The front desk is amazed at the amount of mail that I get everyday. It sure is nice to hear from all of you.

Well, I have to go to bed.
God Bless all of You,
Love,
Gloria

day 45 after transplant

Hello guys,

Today was very cool and windy. John cleaned the suite.I had to find some place to go. It was too cool to sit outside so I sat in John's car and read a book and even took a nap. Other then clean we really didn't do much because I didn't have to go to the clinic. I have tomorrow off also. It will be a short night because John is getting a wake up call at 2:45a.m. so he can shower and leave for the airport. His flight leaves at 6 a.m. I am so glad that I have the day off. John and I had an awesome week together. Can't believe that the week is already over. Dena, don't worry he was a very good caregiver. He moved all the furniture and cleaned behind everything.

Dad and Corinne came down this afternoon and will be here until Rodney gets here on Friday.

I am sorry to hear about Shirley's dad passing but I know that he is at peace and has no more pain. Shirley and Dennis I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Good night guys,
God Bless all of You,
Gloria

day 44 after transplant

Hey everybody,

I am blogging earlier tonight because I had a big day and I am going to bed early.
I had to be at the clinic today at 10. When we left the hotel the sun was out and really bright. When we got out of clinic at 1 the wind was blowing and it was cold and raining. I just had a sweatshirt on and I about froze.

I had a short day at the clinic and I don't go back until Thursday. The first results came back from my bone marrow and it looks good but the final results have not come back yet.

The Confederacy White House and Museum is really close to the hospital - as a matter of fact the hospital is built all around the Museum. John was interested in going to see them, so I told him for his birthday I would take him. The White House was a guided tour and the guide was very informative and the house was beautiful. Stood in the room where Abraham Lincoln was 4 days before he was killed in Washington, DC.

Came back to the hotel and ate a bite of lunch and then we finished a puzzle that we had started. Finally got it finished. It was a big one 39" x 20". It was one that was in my sunshine box from school. Dad and Corinne are coming down tomorrow afternoon and staying the night with friends so they can be here when John has to go to the airport(his flight leaves at 6:15 am). They will be here Thursday and Friday until Rodney gets here.

Thanks for your prayers - they sure do work,
God Bless all of you,

day 43 after transplant

Hey, to all,

Sorry that this is so late. John and I are putting another puzzle together and I lost track of time. Then I had to put my meds together.

I go to the clinic tomorrow and I hope that I will get some results back from some of my tests, especially the bone marrow biospy. I need one more negative result before I can be taken out of isolation for this virus.

Today was sunny and a beautiful fall day. We showed John some of Richmond. We went to Bell's Island. There is a lot of Civil War info there and then a long bridge to walk over to Bell's Island. I was tired when we got back to the car. Came back to the hotel and fixed a quick dinner so Rodney could leave. Didn't want him on the road after dark.

I am ready to go to bed and get up early tomorrow and get to the clinic.

Heard that church went well today and that 17 members joined the church and there was a reception for the new members. Way to go! Was told that the 8:30 service was pretty full. Sure do miss being there.

Good night to all,
Love,
Gloria

day 42 after transplant

Good evening!

I can't believe that this is day 42 - soon I will be half way to my 100 days. Woke up to rain this morning and it was misty all day,

Went to clinic this morning. They weren't busy so they got my labs quickly and then they wanted to do some other labs. So I got a small bag of saline,bottle of antibodtic and some magnesium. Judy was my nurse (during the week she is the bone marrow coordinator) but likes to work some weekends to keep in practice. She said that she was really impressed with my blood work. She said that my platlets were 182,000 with is good for a normal person.

After we got out of the clinic we showed John some of Richmond. Especially the historial parts. Then we stopped at the grocery store for a few things and came back to the hotel to eat lunch.

John and I got a puzzle out last night so John finished it this afternoon and now he is working on another one. I will be helping him as soon as I finish blogging.

I don't have to go to clinic tomorrow so hope to sleep in a little and then watch Charles Stanley on TV. I still miss BUMC.

Thanks for all your continued support and your cards. I have gotten over 300 cards. I have gotten letters from the students that I worked with last year. It was so good to hear from them and to know that they miss me. I miss them also.

God Bless,
Gloria

day 41 after transplant

Good evening,

Today was good but busy. I had to go to the clinic at 10:30. They were doubling people up in the isolation rooms. I got in the small room and they brought in another lounge chair and then brought in a young girl. We were only about 3 feet apart! She was sneezing and coughing. She said that she got this virus a week ago. I am almost over mine. I can finally taste my food. Before I could ask if I could be moved they came in and took her out because she needed to be seen by the doctor. I sure don't need to get this stuff back. I felt sorry for the nurse because her hands were tied because she had to do what the head nurse said. She tried to get the head nurse to put the patients in exam rooms so there would be only one to a room.

I had to get a small bag of saline, magnesium, and my antiboditic and get some meds changed and refilled. So we had to go to CVS to pick up meds. John saw a statue on top of a hill near the CVS and he wondered if I could walk there. Well I needed to get my exercise so off we went. What a beautiful view of Richmond from on top of the hill. The street name was Libby Terrace! They had a lot of houses that were very old and very well kept up. I showed John St Johns Church where Patrick Henry made his famous speech, Give me liberty or give me death.

Came back to the hotel and fixed lunch and then we got out a picture puzzle to put together. A picture of a red barn in the snow. I worked on it until 10 when I had to stop to get my meds together but John is still working on it.

I have to go to clinic tomorrow. I have to fast because they are going to test my lipid pannel and my thyroid. I will get my antiboditic also. Hope it won't take too long.


Rodney got here at 8 tonight and we fixed him dinner. Good to see his face again.

Well I am going to turn in for tonight. Continue to pray that all my tests will come back negative.
If this stuff that Dr. Toor thinks is a yeast infection but the nurse pract. thinks that it is graft vs host disease. If is is not better by next week I will have to have a skin scraping to test it to see for sure what it is.

God Bless All of You,
Gloria

day 40 after transplant

Good evening to all,

I had a good easy day and it was nice to have a day off from clinic. I go tomorrow and I hope that it will be a short day. My twin came in tonight (my brother who is bald). We got our picture taken and we laughed like crazy.

Dena left and Dad and Corinne came to stay until John got here. Dena thanks so much for all you did for me. It was fun to catch up and laugh alot. John has already become Betty Crocker and Josephine the cleaner. Dena I don't think you have to worry that he can't do what he is suppose to do. He cleaned the kitchen and even took the knobs off the stove and cleaned them.

It is cool down here. I walked the hall today instead of going outside.

I am going to take my 10 pm meds and then go to bed. Get up early and take a shower and go to the clinic.

Thanks for your continued support and prayers. They sure work.

Love,
Gloria

day 39 after transplant

Hello,

It was sunny but cool today. We left for the clinic early this morning because Obama was to be at the colliseum today which is really close to the hospital. The news said that the colliseum could hold 13,000 people! Heard on the news tonight that they filled the colliseum and about 5000 people stood outside. We were afraid that the traffic would be bad but it wasn't at the time we got there.

I had labs drawn today as usual and then I got my antibiotic, saline and mageseum. The nurse pract. and the doctor both came to see me. I have a discoloration under my arms and on my legs and the nurse pract. thought that it might be the beginning of graft vs host. She wanted to send me to the dermo. to get a skin scraping. Dr. Toor came in and he said that he thought that it was yeast infection and he didn't want to do the skin scraping because that would leave an opening for infection. So now I have to shower with Selsun Blue and apply another kind of creme. I am also to eat yogurt.

We got back to the hotel and Dena fixed me some wonderful potato soup. That warmed up my tummy. While Dena was doing laundry I sit in the lounge chair for a nap until the phone rang and scared me to death.

We watched a movie tonight. A funny one so we got to do a lot of laughing. Now that I have all my meds ready for tomorrow I am ready to go to bed. I get the day off tomorrow but go on Friday. John comes in tomorrow, pray for a safe flight for him. Dena will go home and Dad and Corinne will be here until John gets here.

God Bless all of you. Miss all of you.
Gloria

day 38 after transplant

Good evening to all,

This is going to be a short one tonight because I am going to bed earlier tonight. Dena and I stayed up too late last night talking! Thank goodness I didn't have to go to clinic today. I go tomorrow and I hope that I will have a short visit and that maybe some of my test results will be back. I heard on the news tonight that Obama is going to be in Richmond tomorrow at the colliseum which only 2 blocks from the hosiptal. I sure hope that we don't have trouble getting to the parking deck.

Dena cleaned the suite today and did laundry. I took a book and went out at the gazbo and read while she was cleaning. It was a little cool but I had on a sweatshirt and I was fine. You don't realize how much heat you lose when you don't have any hair. It felt good to be out in the fresh air. I rode the bike in the exercise room while waiting for my clothes to dry. That felt good to get my legs moving.

We didn't go anywhere today. It was good just to be in the room and talk and read. Dena did some cross stitch and mended one of my socks.

Well, I told you this would be short so, I am going to bed.

Night to everyone and thanks so much for your continued prayers, cards and support.

Love,
Gloria

day 37 after transplant

It's me again,

I went to the clinic today and it was a long day (10 to 3). They had double booked and a lot of people needed to be in isolation. They tried to put me in a very small room with another lady and I asked if I couldn't go down the hall to my favorite room. I am so glad the they let me do that because the first room was so small that the other lady would have had to almost be sitting on my lap. I thought isolation was only one person to a room. Then it took them an hour until they even started my blood work and my IV's. Then I had to do another nose drop culture and they wanted a urine sample and I had to have a chest xray. I also saw the nurse prat.. I get tomorrow off. I looking forward to just easing around.

When we got back to the hotel Dena did my linens off of my bed and I sat in the lounge chair and read and took a power nap.

The clinic called back this afternoon and my stomach got a knot in it. She asked me how I was doing and I said fine I think. They just wanted to change one of my meds. I asked her if the results had come back from my bone marrow biopsy and she said that the final results wouldn't be back for another 2 weeks but the preliminary looked good. Please continue to pray that the results will be good. Hard to wait 2 weeks but I have had to learn a lot of patience over the last several years.

Ate dinner and waiting for 10 so I can take my last meds for the day and then I am going to bed. Been a long day.

Dena and I are having a good time catching up on things. It is so wonderful to spend some time with her again. She is a new Grandmother of a little girl.

Not much else is happening so I will say good night to all. Miss you.

Love Gloria

day 36 after transplant

Hello,

Today was a cool one. It was in the 50's and last Sunday it was 88 degrees. That's a big change. My poor head got cold.

Went to the clinic today and they took my labs, gave me an IV of saline and magesium and they did my antibotic for me. I have to go to clinic tomorrow and get another chest xray and labs and cultures. Hope that it won't be too long.

Dena Wheelbarger is now my caregiver until Thursday and then my brother John comes in. Dena is a friend from high school and so we will have a lot of laughs about our high school days. She is a hoot.

John will be here from Thursday to Wednesday and I am anxious to see him. He lives in AZ.

Rodney left and will be back next Friday.

Hope things went well at church today and I miss everyone.

Well I am going to sign off and soon go to bed and crash and burn. I am pretty tired.

God Bless each and everyone one of you. I love you.

Gloria

day 35 after transplant

It's me again !

I had a wonderful day. I didn't have to go to the clinic. Scott, Beth, Grady, Libby, Ryan and Jennifer came down to celebrate October birthdays. Today my baby turned 25! Seems just like yesterday that he was born. Grady had a birthday on October 9th and Beth has a October 26th birthday. It was good to spend the day with them. The men went to KFC and Captain D's and brought lunch back to the hotel. I made mac and cheese for the kids. It wouldn't be like going to Mamaw's without that. Rodney and I went to Food Lion last night and got a cake for them. The food sure looked good but I couldn't eat a bit of it. I can not eat fast food. I'm not sure if chemo or this cold has my smell messed up but I couldn't smell a thing and that was probably a good thing.

After the kids left Rodney did a little Travelers work and I did some paper work and watched the UVA and now we are watching the Tech game.

I gave myself my first antibiodic IV here today and I hope that I did it correct. Thanks to Holly for writing it out step by step because "Lucy and Ethel" sure didn't help that much yesterday.
It was kind of neat the way it worked. It looks like a balloon in a bottle and it is under pressure and it is finished when the balloon goes flat.

While Scott was here today he put a picture of my caregiver Pam Cox back on day 27 entry just incase you would like to go back to look at the picture.

I am soon going to bed. I have to go to clinic tomorrow. Hope for a short visit. Then Dena Wheelbarger will be my caregiver until Thursday and then my brother will be here for a week.

God Bless,
Gloria