day 140 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was an uneventful day -- cold but sunny. It is suppose to be down in the single digits by morning. But wait until Sunday --it is suppose to be in the 50's. Hopefully I will be able to walk outside. Today I rode the  exercise bike today because it was too cold and windy to get out.

I put some more things away today -- I have so many clothes that do not fit me now and I am trying to go through my closet to see what fits and what doesn't. I am finding things that I put in a "one of these days" box that now fit or too big!!

Tomorrow we have a big day-- laundry, and cleaning. Wow! how exciting.

Take care,

Love,

Gloria

day 139 after transplant

 

Hello to all,

Not much to write about tonight. Another cold day but it was sunny. Rodney worked at home for a while and then he went North to look at cars.

I tried to get a few things done here today. Still not much of an appetite but hopefully that will change soon. Rodney ate some peanuts this evening and I just about had to leave the room because of the smell !!!

I hope that I will be able to go to Richmond on Monday. They are calling for some snow and rain starting Monday night into Tuesday. I would hate to be caught out in the bad weather.

Take care and be safe.

Love,

Gloria

day 138 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Woke up this morning to 28 degrees and very icy roads and walkways. It stayed below freezing for most of the morning and then it went to 40 degrees and it rained. The kids had a second day off from school and I think that they will go on a delay tomorrow. Rodney said that the roads were bad until the temperature got above freezing.

Barbara Lowe (neighbor up the street) came to see me this afternoon. She brought some DVD's for me to watch. It was nice to have someone to talk to. If anyone would like to visit I would enjoy seeing you -- just make sure that you don't have an illness. It would be a good idea to call first.

We watched American Idol tonight. Not much else on the TV tonight. Rodney did laundry tonight. He has gotten so domesticated and I am so proud of him but I will be glad when I can do my share again.

Take care and be careful when you go out tomorrow. Have a wonderful day and make it count!

Love,

Gloria

day 137 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Well we woke up to sleet this morning and then it changed to snow. It was really pretty coming down but I felt sorry for those that had to go out on the roads. It snowed most of the morning and then it stopped but not for long--it started to rain. Since the temperature was only 28 degrees it froze and that made things very slick. There was a fatality on the road early this morning. I don't think that we are out of the woods yet-- they are calling for freezing rain until 6 pm tomorrow evening.

I did get a chance to get out today -- Rodney stopped by after lunch and I went with him to Augusta County. It was good to be out and to see how much snow was around.

Take care and if you have to go out tomorrow please be careful and watch out for icy spots.

Love,

Gloria

day 136 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Hope that you got all your groceries that you will need for the next couple of days -- to get ready for the mix of weather they are calling for. Three inches of snow and then some ice and finally turning into rain by Wednesday.

I had a good appointment with the doctor at AMC. He was very pleased with my progress, my lab work and my overall wellness. He agreed to see me every other week and to keep in the know with MCV. That means that I will go to Richmond every other week. It was good to see the nurses that worked with me last spring when I was going through chemo.  I am so glad that I had all my appointments today with this weather that is suppose to be here this week.

Hope that you all have a safe day tomorrow.

Love to all,

Gloria

day 135 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

Today was cold and breezy but sunny. It was too cold to walk but at least I could get out in the car. I now have, thanks to Bill and Sara an exercise bike set up in the spare bedroom, so I am ready to go. Thanks again, Bill and Sara.

This afternoon we went to lunch at my Dad's to celebrate his birthday. It was fun, no big crowd, just family. Corinne worked really hard to have Dad's favorite meal (steak and potatoes man).

Scott, Beth and kids made it back from Disney World this evening and they had a good time but it was a little cold. I am anxious to hear all about their trip. I am so glad that they are home safely. I always like it when all my "chicks" are back in their nest! No matter how old your kids get you never stop worrying about them.

I go to AMC tomorrow for a dr. visit to see if the dr. will take me on as a patient. If he will agree then I will see him one week and go to Richmond every other week. That would be less driving. Also it would be a closer place for me to go if I would get sick.  I pray that I won't get sick -- God has taken such good care of me so far and I He won't let me down now.

Take care -- have a good week. Sounds like it might be a messy week.

Love,

Gloria

day 134 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

Today was another sunny but cold day. The wind blew and it was not a day for me to be outside and walk. Sara and Bill have been gracious enough to loan me an exercise bike and to even bring it to the house. Thanks so much to you Bill and Sara.

Rodney and I did the laundry and he cleaned the house. We cooked a turkey breast-- didn't smell too bad but I haven't had the nerve to try a bite yet!

Tomorrow is my Dad's 84th birthday and we are going to go down to his house for lunch (I"ll probably take my own lunch). I always make him a jelly roll for his birthday. I didn't want to disappoint him so Rodney helped me to make him a jelly roll today. Rodney did a wonderful job cracking and separating the eggs!

We had a good day together, of course any day that Rodney and I are together is a good day. He has really been my strength and such a good caregiver. I feel so blessed.

Hope that everyone gets a chance to go to church tomorrow-- can't wait until we can go back. I was hoping that it wouldn't be very long but read in the paper today that there is still a lot of flu out there. I sure don't want to risk getting the flu.

Take care,

Love,

Gloria

day 133 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was a beautiful sunny, warm day. It was a good day to go to Richmond. Barbara Kiracofe  took me down and I think that she enjoyed going in the clinic with me. She said that it was good to be kept in the know (I think she really misses nursing). I got labs drawn and then saw John, one of the nurse pract. He said that I was doing well but he says that I need to eat more ( easy for him to say) and he said that I need to be sure and get some exercise. I told him that I would love to walk but it has been so cold. He told me to go to the mall or ride a stationary bike or tread mill.

After dinner this evening Rodney and I took his mother and went to the mall to work. It was good to get out and I know Rodney's mother enjoyed getting out for a while. We went to Wal-Mart and got a turkey breast for me to try to eat. Hope that it will work but just thinking about it just does not sound good to me.

I go to AMC on Monday afternoon to see the doctor. Hopefully he will feel comfortable seeing me so I can alternate weeks from AMC to Richmond.

Thanks Barbara for the ride and the nice day together.

Take care everyone,

Love,

Gloria

day 132 after transplant

 

Hello everybody,

It was nice out today for a change. It was warm enough for me to go out to the mailbox today! When Rodney came home this afternoon we went to run some errands. It was good to get out of the house for a while. I was tired by the time we got back.

I have to get up early and go to the clinic tomorrow. Barbara Kiracofe is taking me to Richmond. I am looking forward to spending the day with her. I pray that the clinic will go well and I won't have to stay there very long. I know that I am due for another biopsy but I am not going to mention it to them. I will wait to see if they think about it themselves.

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 131 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Another COLD morning, two degrees when we got up this morning! Thank goodness for the sunshine-- at least we can have some solar heat. By Friday it is suppose to be in the 50's, but that will be short lived.Another cold front is coming over the weekend. Bummer!

Rodney started the laundry this morning before he left for work and I finished it up. Washed some dishes and did some paperwork today. Getting a little "cabin fever" since it is so cold and I can't get out. I really miss that.

Take care and stay warm.

Love,

Gloria

day 130 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Again BURRRRR -- it is 15 degrees now as I write my blog. Sure am getting tired of this cold weather. I am looking forward to warmer weather so I can get out and walk.

It was a long day today. I watched history being made -- the inauguration. I am so glad that things went smoothly. Now I pray that Obama will make a change. I sure wouldn't want his job.

I am still in need of someone to take me to the clinic in Richmond, if any one is interested please let me know ASAP. Hopefully it wouldn't be a long day at the clinic. Friday the weather is suppose to be in the 40's-- not cold and no snow.

Take care and stay warm,

Love,

Gloria

day 129 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

Today it snowed and then the sun came out and it all went away. Even though we just had a dusting it still caused quite a few traffic accidents (job security for Rodney) and our schools closed at 12:30 today. It was beautiful coming down but didn't last long enough.

I guess tomorrow is the big day for America. I plan on watching some of the Inauguration. I just pray that everything will go smooth and everyone will be safe.

Today I tried on some of my clothes to see what fits me now. The ones I wore in August are way too big and the ones I couldn't wear before August (years ago) fit or are too big also !!! I still can not find something that really tastes good to me. Today I made potato cheddar cheese soup and I ate it but it didn't taste like what potato soup use to. I have to just keep trying. Rodney got me mint choc. chip ice cream and it tasted cold -- nothing else and that is my favorite flavor of ice cream !!

Take care.

Love,

Gloria

day 128 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was sunny and not as cold as the last couple of mornings. The wind wasn't blowing so it was pleasant to be outside today. After breakfast we went to Wal-Mart to get a few groceries and just to be out for a while.

Watched the play-off football games. It looks like Steelers and Cardinals are going to the Super Bowl in two weeks. Ryan came up to watch some of the football game with us.

I guess that Tuesday will be a big day in history and we will get a new president. I just pray that everyone will be safe and it will be a good day. I guess that I will at least watch some of it, since I will be home. Better than being there with 30 thousand other people in the cold.

Hope that everyone has a good week at school or work. Stay warm.

Take care,

Love,

Gloria

day 127 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

Again, I have to start this blog off with a BURRRRRR !!!!!!! It was minus three degrees when we woke up this morning! It was really cold all day (the high was 20 degrees). Rodney and I stayed in all day-- we did laundry and cleaned the house. Hopefully it will not be so cold in the morning and the rest of the week.

Ryan and Jennifer came up for a while this evening. It was nice to visit with them. They were tired after serving spaghetti at the mission group supper this evening at the church.

I think that Rodney might be getting a cold - he has been sneezing and blowing his nose at times today. Please pray that he is not getting a cold because I can't be around ANYONE that has a cold or some kind of a bug. A little cold for him might be something really bad for me.

Take care and stay in where it is warm.

Love to all,

Gloria

day 126 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

BURRRRRR again! It was 2 degrees this morning when we left for Richmond. I hate to say this but it is suppose to be even colder tomorrow morning-- I am glad that I don't have to go anywhere.

Today my oldest son, Scott turned 35 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT! It wasn't near this cold 35 years ago.

The clinic today was good. It was good to see everyone there. I got my labs done and then waited to see the doctor. The doctor was delayed so I saw one of the nurse pract. and she told me that the finial results from my biopsy was very good (what the wanted to see)and I am ALL donor! Praise God! My labs came back good and I didn't have to have any IVS. I don't go back to the clinic until next Friday (23rd). She said that if I do good again next week then they will consider coming back every other week.

Take care and stay warm.

Love,

Gloria

day 125 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

BURRRRRR it is really cold  - 8 degrees out there now! Our friends and family that live in AZ, FL, and GA could you send some warm weather our way? I am so glad that I could stay inside today wrapped up in a blanket.

Tomorrow morning we have to get out of here really early (7 am) to go to Richmond to go to the clinic. It has been over a week since I have been at the clinic and I hope that all my labs will come back good. I also hope that the final results from my biopsy will be back tomorrow. I have waited long enough. I know that tomorrow will be a long day but I pray for a good day. I am so glad that Rodney will be taking me.

I have been keeping up with Maddie's condition. Sounds like she has a way to go but she is young and full of faith so she will be fine.  We need to remember the whole family in our prayers. Prayers do work.

Take care and stay warm and safe,

Love,

Gloria

day 124 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was COLD but it sounds like it will be getting even colder! I think that I will stay in as much as I can. I do have to go to the clinic in Richmond Friday morning.

Thanks to everyone who has so generously offered to take me to my appointments. I will try to get a schedule this Friday while I am at the clinic. It might be just like when I was in Richmond -- days at the clinic will depend on what my lab work is like. I pray that it will all be well. I still do not have any appetite-- I fixed b-b-q for dinner this evening. It was all I could do to get it down -- I mixed it with some mashed potatoes.

I did get out today -- I rode with Rodney to Mt. Jackson, Woodstock and Luray. It was good to get out and ride with him. I was ready to get back home and rest this afternoon. 

Take care. Remember to pray for the Shinaberry family -- Maddie (freshman in high school) had a lung transplant last night. Last report the surgery went well. Pray for a full recovery for her. Also for Larry Campbell ( like a brother to me growing up) he is preparing for a kidney transplant. Next for Karen Ridder as she is going through breast cancer. We never know what life will bring us but we are never alone, God is always there for us and it is also comforting to know that we have so many people out there praying and supporting us all the way. Thank you.

Love,

Gloria

day 123 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was cold but sunny. I slept in for a little while and then I got some things done. Still did not get done all I wanted to do. A little at a time. Rodney started the laundry before he left for work and I finished it.

I called Virginia Furry to see how she was doing-- we talked for almost an hour. Good to hear her voice again. Need to remember her in our prayers for her pain in her back. She may be facing surgery. We do believe in miracles.

When Rodney got home we went to the grocery store -- I didn't really feel like going out in the cold. I haven't been out of the house since I got home on Friday. After I got back I was so glad to be able to get out, even though it was just to a grocery store. My appetite is still not much -- we got a glazed dough nut (thought that would taste good) but one bite and that was it. I would like to know what my donor likes to eat!

Take care and stay warm. This weekend is suppose to be really cold. We need to remember those that don't have a nice warm house or coat.

Love,

Gloria

day 122 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Not much to write about tonight. Rodney went to work this morning. I slept in for a while and then got my breakfast. I made oatmeal but that didn't work-- threw that out and ate cold cereal. I tried to put some things away and do some paper work. Guess I'll have to get our taxes together soon.

Rodney and I just chilled this evening -- to get ready for another day tomorrow. I am so glad to be home. I just hope for some warmer weather so I can get out and walk but it sounds that I am barking at the moon! Friday the high for the day is suppose to be 22!

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 121 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Today was a good day -- lazy but good. Got a few more things put away. Did laundry - it is a lot of washing when you have to wash your bed sheets every other day and your blankets once a week.

I really tried to eat some different things today but I went back to the dried beans -- my donor must have been a very picky eater. I hope that when they say that I can eat salads again that I will like salads as much as I did before. The kids at school thought that was all I lived on !!!

Ryan and Jennifer came up tonight and visited for a while. It was good to see them again. Scott called tonight and he is all excited about going to Disney World this weekend. I pray for a safe trip for them.

Take care and stay in where it is warm.

Love,

Gloria

day 119 and 120 after transplant

 

OOPS !!  I FORGOT TO BLOG LAST NIGHT!!!

I guess that yesterday was such an exciting day that I forgot to blog last night. Rodney and I got up early on Friday morning and got the cars packed-- it took 2 vehicles to get all my stuff in, and that was after Rodney had taken a load home last week.

It was a long and tiring ride home. I had to stop two times to get out and walk and rest. We got home at 3:15 and it was good to be home again and this time for good.

It took a long time to unpack the cars and I was so tired that I told Rodney we would do it on Saturday. We laid on the couch to watch some TV and Rodney passed out right away( I know that he had to be tired because he had been going all day). I watched to news and then I went to bed and didn't once think about getting on the computer(I didn't even have it out of the bag).

Had a good day today- the sun was out this morning but it got cloudy and it rained all afternoon. Good day to stay inside and get things unpacked. Things are looking almost back to normal now. Just a little bit at a time.

It is so nice to be home and to think that I don't have to go back to the clinic until Friday.

Thanks to all of you who has been so supportive and continued to pray for me == prayer works!  Looking forward to seeing you all soon. I am allowed to have visitors as long as you don't have a cold or any type of "bug". I am looking forward to a nice sunny, warm day so I can get out and walk the subdivision. I need to get back to some routine. I know that a lot of you would like to fix a meal and bring it to us but not right now. My appetite is not the best right now and my food has to be prepared in a certain way. What I need at this point is someone to take me to doctor and clinic appointments.

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 118 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

What a day -- we woke up to sunshine today!! It was really nice to see blue sky instead of clouds and rain.

Got up and started to pack --I'M GOING HOME TOMORROW, JUST INCASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD !!!! Beth and I worked most of the morning getting things packed. She left at 1:oo and thank God she made it home safely. Rodney got here safely also and then we had a special visitor that I had not seen for several years. Larry Campbell that I grew up with across the street. Until a couple of weeks ago I had forgotten that he lived in Richmond. When I got his number I called and told him that I was in Richmond, so he called today to see if it was ok for him to stop by. It was so good to see him and to talk about things long ago. He is getting ready to go through his own little journey - a kidney transplant and we need to keep him in our prayers. He said this evening that it must have been God that got us back together. I encouraged him to just take one day at a time and to remember that THIS TOO SHALL PASS.  I now have his email so I will try to keep in touch with him and I will pass on his progress so we can pray for him.

I have to go to bed so I can get up early in the morning and pack everything up and check out. I"M GOING HOME !!!! Sorry, but I am really excited. Next blog will be from home

Take care,

Love to all,

Gloria

day 117 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!!!!

The day started off rainy and foggy but when we got back from the clinic the sun came out -- it was so good to see the sun shine after several days of clouds and rain. The sunshine didn't last very long - the next 10 minutes it was raining again. I am just thankful that the temperature was warm enough to keep it rain and not ice or snow.

Got to the clinic at 8:30 and got my lab work done and then I got to see Dr. Chung and he said that the final results still are not back from the bone marrow biopsy but he gave he a very good report and said that I didn't need to come back to the clinic until Jan. 16. That means that I can check out of Candlewood and go home!!!! I got my hickman line out today and that wasn't as easy as the nurses told me it was. Beth stood beside me all the way and held my hand. After I was numbed (stuck about 4 or 5 times) I could feel a lot of tugging and sniping. I kept asking, "Are you done yet?" When it was finally out Beth said, "Boy that was long!" The line that was in my neck was 20cm long! It is kind of sore now but if I can stand a bone marrow biopsy, I can stand getting my hickman line out. I sure do appreciate having Beth there with me. At least I had someone that I could talk to to get my mind off of what was going on.

Talked to Rodney and he is coming down tomorrow evening and take me home on Friday. Beth will leave early tomorrow so she will get home before dark. I know that her family will be glad to have her home again (especially MR> MOM) She helped me pack up a few things tonight and we will get some more done tomorrow.

This is so exciting -- so many prayers answered. God is so awesome!

See you all soon!

Love, Gloria

day 116 after transplant

 

Hello everyone,

It was a very rainy and dreary day. I hope that some of you enjoyed going to school 2 hours late today. Sounds like it might be the same tomorrow--rainy and dreary. The sun is suppose to shine on Thursday, that will be a welcome sight.

We just stayed in the room. We walked the hall to get some exercise.Beth cleaned the room while I sat in the lobby and read a book. Boy, I really have my daughter-in-law trained -- I don't have her washing my feet yet but she gave me a foot massage and painted my toenails!!!! That was such a treat. It has been really nice to spend time with Beth and get to know each other a little better.

I have to get up really early tomorrow to go to the clinic. I am kind of excited to hear  the results from my biopsy and hopefully good lab work after a week off from the clinic. I am looking forward to hearing the word that I can leave Candlewood and can go home.

Take care -- be safe tomorrow.

Love to all,

Gloria

day 115 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone!

Glad that you guys at home didn't get the nasty weather that they were calling for - hope that you will not get the nasty weather tomorrow either (I know that the kids and a few teachers are looking for this bad weather!). The weather here this morning was in the 50's so we left early for the mall. We wanted to be back before the rain, but we didn't make it. They are calling for rain tomorrow and into Wednesday down here.

Tomorrow will be a day just to stay in and get some things packed up just incase I get to go home this weekend. It will be one of our lazy days. Wednesday we will have to get up early to be at the clinic at 8:30. Pray that all the lab works and the removal of my lines will go well. I am also praying for the green light to go home and can leave the Candlewood Suites. Candlewood has been very accommodating  and couldn't have been more helpful but as Dorothy says. "There is no place like home".

Take care to all,

Love,

Gloria

DAY 114 AFTER TRANSPLANT

 

Hello everyone!

Hope that all of you had a wonderful day, I did. Slept in for a while and then we headed for Richmond. Packed up some things that I thought I could do without for a week. I am thinking positive that I am going to go home for good on Saturday.

Beth made it down here safely and Rodney made it back to B'water safely. Don't know exactly know what Beth and I will do tomorrow but I am sure that one of us will come up with something!

I didn't get a nap this afternoon so I think that I will go to bed early tonight. I will blog more tomorrow.

Take care to all,

Love,

Gloria

day 113 after transplant

 

HELLO TO EVERYONE,

Today was a day for getting things done to get ready to go back to Richmond tomorrow morning.

Rodney got some things done outside and I stayed in and put some Christmas things away. It seems that I don't get very much done before I get tired but that is what is to be expected. I took a nap this afternoon and I didn't think that I was tired but I couldn't believe how sound I slept and that it was almost dark when I woke up! I want to do a lot more than I can right now but again I must be patient.

We hope to leave early in the morning and get down to the Candlewood to pack up a few things for Rodney to bring back so we won't need a u-haul to get everything back. You would be surprised of all the things that you accumulate in 4 months time. Rodney would bring a few things down at a time but now we have to take most of the things back at once.

Beth will be my caregiver for the week and hope that this will be the last caregiver I will need for a week. I will know more after I go to the clinic on Wednesday. God has answered so many prayers and I can't doubt him now. He has been so awesome!

Take care- sounds like some of us may get some freezing rain tonight. It should be short lived but you be careful.

Love to all,

Gloria

day 112 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Well today was another mile stone for me. I stayed here by myself all day. Rodney had to work. Ryan and Jennifer were at work and close by if I needed them (Ryan called twice to check on me). Rodney checked on me through out the day. It was kind of nice to be on my own for several hours. It is the first time since August that I have been on my own!

Several other people called and I looked at the instruction book of my new phone to see if I could work it. Dennis and Shirley stopped by for a visit this evening -- it was so good to see them and to spend some time with them. I am really missing being at church and school but I know that is not the place for me to be with all the cold and flu that is out there.

Tomorrow I hope to get a lot of things done here in the house to get ready for my coming home for good. I have a lot of things that need to put away and things that I want to take to the clinic for the other patients. We will leave early Sunday for Richmond and then Beth will be there with me for the week.

You guys take care,

Love,

Gloria

day 111 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

I almost forgot to blog tonight -- I got tied up in the Tech vs Bearcats game (the Orange Bowl). Pastor Steve I think that your team won !!!

I had a good day today-- just being home made it a good day.Rodney goes to work tomorrow and it will be the first day that I will be here alone. I'm not worried about that because I have family that will be close by just incase.

Rodney and I made shrimp creole for dinner this evening and Rodney made me some more brown beans for me to eat tomorrow. That is about the only protein that tastes good to me. I don't know what my donor liked to eat but she must have been picky!!

Hope that you all had a wonderful and safe New Years Day.

Take care to all,

Love,

Gloria