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