day 288 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Well, another week has quickly gone by. It has been a dry week and the beans are blooming and hope to soon be able to have some to eat. Rodney did pick several cucumbers. I cleaned then really good and tried them—they were ok but not like I remember them. I did have a couple of strawberries and they tasted like I remember them – delicious! I also tried some green grapes but they didn’t taste that good. I will be glad when my taste buds come back to normal. It has been a long and slow process but I am so thankful for the blessings along the way.

Monday I went to AMC to see the thyroid doctor and she said that she was very pleased with the last blood work that I had done. I don’t have to go back to see her for three months. That was some good news.

Ryan went to the doctor Wednesday because he still had a sore throat. The doctor did a throat culture and Ryan found out the he had strep throat and the doctor told him to stay away from me.

Friday I made posters and name tags for VBS and that was a lot of fun. It made me feel good to be able to help out.

Saturday was a day for Rodney and me to get some things done around the house. Today we went to church and then we went to visit Rodney’s aunt. This afternoon we went to Scottsville (a little town south of Charlottesville) to ride the Hatton Ferry. This is a ferry that was started in 1870 and is powered by two men using poles to move the ferry across the James River. It can carry two vehicles and 12 people at one time and takes about 30 minutes round trip. We didn’t even know that this existed until we read an article in the Friday DNR (our local newspaper). The  Virginia Dept. of Highways has funded it for years but they have decided not to fund it anymore. Today was the last day for the ferry to operate unless they can find funding elsewhere. It was very interesting and glad that we got to ride it before it is no longer in operation. If you are interested in more details go to www.hattonferry.org 

That does it for my week. I go to MCV on Tuesday and hope that I will get a good report and won’t have to go back for another month. One of my friends that went to Mt. Horeb Church when we went there is going to take me and I am looking forward to spending the day with her.

I pray that all of you have a pleasant and safe 4th of July.

Love,

Gloria

DAY 281 AFTER TRANSPLANT

 

Hello to everyone,

Hope all you fathers had a wonderful Father’s Day!

This week has been pretty uneventful but that is good.I am feeling good and I know that I am doing more than I should but I try to be very careful. It is really hard not to do things when I feel so well. I am trying really hard to walk everyday but I still have to be careful when to go (not when someone is mowing or if the wind is blowing or the sun is really bright).

Thursday I went with Rodney to Princeton, WV, he had a car to look at. It was a long day but enjoyable. I sat in the car and read a book while he did his estimate. It was a long way there and back but what beautiful country.

Today after church and Sunday School I took Rodney to a local Mexican restaurant and then we drove on the Skyline Drive. We saw several deer (one buck and two fawns still with the spots and several doe). We took our time and stopped at the overlooks to see the mountain ranges. Tonight we took Rodney’s mother out for ice cream ( I took a container of strawberries).

Tomorrow I go to AMC to see the thyroid doctor and I don’t go to MCV until June 30th.

That pretty well takes care of my week. Here is something that someone sent me this week that I would like to share with you. Some food for thought.

Sometimes we wonder,'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?'Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'

'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck' says her daughter. 'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!' 'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?' 'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies:                              

'Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! '

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Love, Gloria

day 274 after transplant

 

Hello, everyone!

This has been a week of thunderstorms and even hail. This week is suppose to be a repeat of the past week. The garden, flowers and the grass is growing really fast. It is hard to get the yard mowed between the showers.

Monday was a lazy day for me. I was really tired after a very busy weekend (Scott and family was here and went to 2 baby showers). It was busy but a good time.

Tuesday I went with Rodney to AMC—he had a doctor’s appointment and I needed to get blood work done for a doctor’s appointment next week. As the saying goes, “we killed two birds with one stone”!!

Wednesday I was invited to the SPED meeting at school. They had lots of good looking food (which I couldn’t have) and as a gift I received a beautiful bowl by Phil Unger, a local potter. He names his pieces  by what he is feeling at the time he is making it, mine is called “thinking positive”. It was so good to be able to spend some time with the people that I have worked with for 12 years.

Thursday I went to school for the last faculty meeting for the year. They “roasted/toasted” the retirees. I got a beautiful clock and a picture frame and a Cracker Barrel rocking chair. The only way that the doctor would allow me to go was if Rodney(my bouncer) would go with me to keep people from hugging me. It was a very nice afternoon. I appreciated all the nice comments that several of the staff said about me (hope that I will be able to live up to all they said). A sad but good time – I told them that I will be back!!

Saturday was graduation day for our local high schools. We were invited to our next door neighbors party. Rodney worked until 3pm (a lot of hail claims, so he was very busy) and we went to the party for a little while.

Today we went to church and Sunday School and then we surprised Aunt Louise and ate lunch with her at the retirement home. The food was ok but I gave most of mine to Rodney. I think that she was really glad that we had lunch with her. I think that it made her day. She was a little upset because of lady on her floor suddenly passed away and another gentleman fell and broke his hip. She was having a difficult time handling that. The gentleman was really cool, he was always singing and he would go up to all the ladies and ask if he could sing to them—he would sing “You Are My Sunshine or Let Me Call You Sweetheart”. He could really sing too.Let’s say a prayer for his healing and that he will be able to be back to singing to his “ladies” again soon. Rodney mowed the yard this afternoon (they are calling for showers every afternoon this week). He doesn’t like to mow on Sunday but he was afraid that the yard would get a head of him. After he showered we went for a drive, no place in particular, just needed to get out.

That takes care of my week. Hope that all of you have a wonderful and exciting week.

Love,

Gloria

day 267 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone!

I had an awesome week. I hope that you did too.

Monday I did some cleaning and sewing. I had a bride and groom come up to inquire about me making five bridesmaids dresses for their Sept. 20 beach wedding. I got the job! I am so excited.

Tuesday Jennifer Pence (teacher that I worked with) came up for a Mexican meal. She brought me a large basket full of clothes that she can’t wear. How exciting to get some new clothes.

Wednesday was sunny and warm – afternoon thunderstorms. Some near by places had hail and the next county north of us had a tornado touch down and did quite a bit of damage. I made thank you cards for Jennifer (for her shower on Saturday).

Thursday was still rainy and warm. Three of the bridesmaids came up to get measured. They are really sweet girls, I know that I will enjoy working with them. After Rodney got home we went to eat dinner with his mother and then we went to get groceries.

Friday it is still raining. It rained most of the day. I cleaned and baked a cake and made pimento cheese getting ready for the kids to come home.They got here at 9:45 pm—just in time for them to go to bed.

Saturday we got up early and put our things out for a yard sale (Bridgewater’s annual yard sale). The day was beautiful and the neighborhood was crazy with all the people coming for the yard sale. We sold all the big items that we wanted to get rid of. We went to Jennifer’s sisters house for a baby shower for Jennifer. It was set up outside and it was really nice. Jennifer got a lot of really cute things for the baby. After the shower we got dinner ready and had Aunt Louise up for dinner. We didn’t get her back to the home until 9:45(that was really past her bedtime, but I think she enjoyed every minute of it). She got to go down to Ryan and Jennifer’s to see the nursery.

Today we went to early church and then back home for the kids to pack and for me to get lunch ready. We had Rodney’s mother for lunch and then we left for Dad and Corinne’s for another baby shower(for Ryan and Jennifer and for Curt and Christy). Olivia was so cute and she slept the whole time. Scott, Beth and kids left for NC and got back safely. We went straight to the hospital to see my good friend Jane (she fell and broke her shoulder and wrist). We got to the hospital to be told that she was just discharged! We went to her house and had a good visit. She is still in a lot of pain. I would appreciate it if all of you would say a prayer for her. She has been through a lot of medical things these last nine months.

I am really tired and plan to go to bed ASAP and hope to sleep in for a little while tomorrow. I pray that I did not over do this weekend. I really feel good and it is hard not to do all the things that I use to do. I have to remember that I still need to be careful so I don’t get a set back.

Well that is my week.Hope that you all have a wonderful week and I will write next Sunday. Make someone’s day by doing something special for someone who is having a rough day.It doesn’t have to be anything big, just a smile or phone call or send a card or lend a listening ear or shoulder to cry on. You will find that it is far better to give than to receive.

Love,

Gloria 

day 260 after transplant

 

Hello everyone!

Hope that all of you had a wonderful week. The weather has been warm and rainy this week. We had about two inches of rain. Rodney got all the planting done just in time and now they can grow. The grass is very green and it keeps Rodney busy mowing.

Memorial Day was good -- Rodney's brother, Richard and wife Sue, his mother and aunt, my Dad and Corinne, and Ryan and Jennifer came up for a cookout. I knew that I couldn't go to someone else's house so I had them here. It was a good time.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I stayed home and got some things done and read -- nothing exciting.

Friday I went to MCV for a checkup. My sister-in-law Valerie took me. We had a good day. I got some very good news. I saw Dr. Chung, he said that he was very pleased with my progress. He said that I could have fresh vegetables and fruit, if they were washed thoroughly and done at home not in a restaurant. But the best news he gave me was that I could go to church! I had to wear my mask, take hand sanitizer and stay away from people. I was so excited. Valerie and I went up to the 10th floor (where I was in the hospital for a month) and we several of the nurses that took care of me. It sure was good to see them again. They were so excited to see me and they said that they liked to see patients that are doing so well. 

Saturday was beautiful and Rodney mowed and I got some house work done. In the late afternoon we went on a Road Rally in memory of J.J. Smith (a friend of Rodney's who died in a freak accident a year ago). We had never been on a road rally before but it was a lot of fun. We were given an envelope with clues in it that we had to figure out which way to go. When we got to a check point we got another envelope with clues to figure out until we got back to where we started. It took a little over an hour to complete. After everyone completed the rally we were treated with a big cookout (I went home since I couldn't eat the food and there was a large crowd there). Rodney stayed and I know that he had a good time being around a lot of guys that he hadn't seen for a long time. Denny and Pam thanks for all your hard work in making the rally very enjoyable.

Today was a BIG day for me -- after 9 months I got to go to church! It was so good to be there and to see my church family. Rodney did a wonderful job keeping people at a safe distance. After church we went to visit Rodney's aunt and then we came home to eat lunch. We fixed a salad (I was so afraid that it wouldn't taste good anymore). It was so good! This evening I ate an apple and it was ok. I have to go slow to see if my body can tolerate this kind of "new" food. I really feel good but I have remember that I still need to be careful so I don't get an infection.

As I have said before that God puts people in places for a certain reason. Today we went to Wal-Mart and as I was going down an aisle, a lady said to me, "Where did you get your mask? I would like to get some to wear while I mow." I told her the reason for my wearing the mask and she got a surprised look on her face and said that her husband was going to have to have bone marrow transplant in the near future. She wanted to know where I had mine and I told her that I would recommend MCV to anyone. She thanked us for all the information. I pray that I was of help to her.

That about takes care of my week. I pray that each of you will have a good week. I have something to look forward to this week-- Scott, Beth, Grady and Libby are coming up for the weekend. We have two baby showers to go to for Jennifer and Ryan. It won't be long now till the baby is here-- 6 weeks!

Blessings to all,

Love, Gloria 

day 253 after transplant

 

Greetings to all and hope that you have a wonderful Memorial Day tomorrow.

This has been a pretty uneventful week but I am very thankful for everyday that God has given me.

Monday was my first day that I didn't have to take my immune suppressant meds. Dr. McCarty said that I will have to be very careful for the next month or so to see how I do not off of my meds. He said that I have a little G vs H but he said that was good because that means that my donor is working. 

I rode with Rodney to Swoope (in Augusta County - way out in the country). It was a nice ride and the scenery was beautiful.

On Tuesday Ryan came up for dinner and he helped me with baby shower invitations for Jennifer. I had the wording done but he helped me to "kick it up a notch"!

Wednesday and Thursday I worked most of the day getting the invitations done. I enjoyed getting into card making again. Next week I hope to do some sewing-- cushions and curtains and pillows. I like it when I have something to do. It helps to pass the time.

Friday Wilda Long (friend from church) came to visit. It was good to see her again.

Rodney has really been working hard outside in the yard and garden. The beans that he planted a couple of weeks ago are starting to come up. He planted tomatoes, peppers(sweet and hot) and cucumbers. He also planted some flowers and everything looks so pretty. Our peonies, iris,sweet williams and roses are in full bloom. I wish that I could have a vase of the flowers in the house.

Today Dennis and Shirley Hohenstein came to visit. Ryan and Jennifer got back from the lake and they came up and planted the flowers that they gave me for Mother's Day. They really look nice.

Well, that takes care of my week. I go to MCV this Friday -- I am looking for a volunteer to take me, if you are interested just give me a call.

Enjoy your Memorial Day tomorrow. Hope that you are planning something special. Be safe.

Love,

Gloria

day 246 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Here we go again with crazy weather. We have had rain with thunderstorms and yesterday it was 82 degrees and tonight they are calling for frost! If you have any delicate flowers or plants out I hope that you have them covered. Rodney put out our flowers from the basement yesterday and tonight he had to cover them up or bring them in.

Tuesday I went to MCV for a checkup. I got to see Dr. McCarty and he was pleased with all of my blood work. The results from my MRI and CT scans were good-- nothing has changed. That was an answered prayer. He said that May 18th I am to stop my immune suppressant meds and that is tomorrow! I was hoping that I could go to church and have a little more freedom but now I have to be very careful for the next month because I don't want to get sick or get G vs H disease. He did say that I do have a little G vs H in my mouth but not anything that he is concerned with. He said that this shows that my donor is doing her job. I just have to watch that it doesn't get any worse. I don't go back to MCV until May 29th.

Thursday afternoon I went with Rodney to Lexington. It was a cloudy day but it was good to get out. Dad and Corrine came up for soup and we played cards.

Friday morning I got to go with Ryan and Jennifer to see our granddaughter! Jennifer had a sonogram. We could definitely see HER. She was not bashful at all. I saw her smile but she was asleep and would not wake up, even when the technician poked at her. It was amazing and to think that in 8 weeks she will be here (don't mean to scare you Ryan).  After I got home Rodney called and asked if I wanted to go with him again and I said sure, so on the road again! When we got back home Rodney mowed because they were calling for rain Friday night and boy did we get rain. We had a pretty bad storm.

Saturday was work day but we did stop early and rented a movie. We have not done that in a long time.

This morning for a church service we listened to one of Bob Disher's sermons on the computer. Then we went to see Rodney's aunt. Then we went to town and stopped by to see Rodney's mother but she was not at home. I talked to Beth today and she sounds a lot better and she said that she is feeling better. Another answered prayer. Scott said that she still tires quickly.

Well that does it for my week. Hope that everyone has a good week (it is Memorial Day weekend). If you are traveling please be extra careful(watch your speed. We saw 5 police in a 3 mile stretch, 4 of them had someone pulled over!). If it is sunny be sure to wear your sun screen.

God Bless all of you,

Gloria