day 381 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Well, another week has past and ended with much needed rain. We got 2 1/2 inches of rain. Good to hear from you Dave – we worried about you all because we heard that Atlanta had 20 inches of rain. 

Monday Rodney went to his arthritis doctor and he has scheduled for him to go to the hospital for an injection (needle is very long). Rodney has been putting this off for a good while but he is having a hard time getting around and is in a lot of pain. Please pray that this procedure will be pain free and will bring him some relief. 

Tuesday I got to babysit Audrey and we had a good day. She is growing so fast and is really getting quite a little personality. She loves to go outside for a stroller ride.

Wednesday it was off to MCV again. They still did not have the results back from my bone marrow biopsy or pulmonary tests but I did get a chart with the schedule for my childhood shots. I will be getting about 19 shots over the next 13 months if my body does not have any reactions from the shots. My first shots are scheduled for tomorrow and I will be able to get my shots here in Bridgewater by my family doctor. That is good that I do not have to go to Richmond for them (saves time and gas).

Thursday was a day spent sewing. I have alterations and other projects to do. It was a good feeling to get some of my projects done. I hope to start getting some Christmas gifts done. Christmas will be here before long and I want to be ready for it this year. Last year was in Richmond and only home for 3 days. I am not complaining one bit because I was so blessed with good health.

Friday morning I kept Audrey before Ryan, Jake and Audrey left for the weekend in NC. Audrey’s first time out of state! Audrey gets her first live virus shot tomorrow and that means that I will not be able to be around her for 2 weeks. I will really miss her and I know that she will change in those 2 weeks.

Saturday we woke up to rain and it rained most of the day. There was a lot of outside events planned but we sure needed the rain.

Today we went to church and then to see Rodney’s aunt and ran some errands.

Hope that all of you had a good week and will have a good week this week.

One thing before I close is I learned of a local 10 year old boy that is in need of a bone marrow transplant. He is now in the hospital at UVA and is in hope to go to Duke for his transplant. He has 7 siblings and not one of them is a match but there is a baby due soon and they are in hope that this baby will be a match (umbilical cord cells). Please take a moment and pray that this little boy will get the gift of life.

Love to all,

Gloria

God draws close to you when you draw close to God.

day 374 after transplant

Hello everyone,

Well another week has gone by and I hope that it was a good one for you. It was for me, but then again every day that my feet touches the carpet is a good day for me! Another chance for me to do something to let God know that I am so thankful for His love and care and to be a good servant for Him.

This week was a week to finish up the 5 bridesmaids dresses and to get them out. The wedding was today. The dresses looked really good on all the girls and I think that they were pleased with them. I enjoyed getting to know them.

Wednesday Rodney took me to MCV for my bone marrow biopsy and pulmonary tests. I was a little anxious about the biopsy because the doctor that was really good went back to his home country Israel. I got REALLY anxious when I was told that a resident was going to do the procedure! Dr. Martin (from West Virginia) talked him through and he was really good. As I was being prepared for the biopsy I learned from the Post Coordinator that I would have to wait another year before I can find out anything about my donor because I have an international donor. That is the policy for an international donor. I was disappointed but excited at the same time. Jennifer said that we will all have to save our money and all will go next year to meet my donor, that’s exciting. I also was given a list and schedule for my childhood shots. There is a total of nineteen shots given over 13 months. Some good news is that I can get my shots from my family doctor here in Bridgewater (don’t have to go to MCV for them). My body has retained some of my immunizations so I don’t have to have all my childhood shots.

Friday afternoon I got to babysit Audrey. She slept a lot of the time but we did have a good “talk” when she was awake. She is really changing and getting very alert and starting to get quite a little personality.

Saturday morning we went to a yard sale and then we went to the Farmers Market with Ryan, Jennifer and Audrey. It was good to do something different on a Saturday morning. Then we worked in the flower beds getting them ready for the fall and winter. I had to be very careful what I did but it did feel good to be able to do that much.

Today after church we went to see Aunt Louise and then back home for lunch and to do more in the flower beds, they are calling for a chance of rain on Monday and Tuesday. We visited with Dad and Corinne and took Audrey with us because Ryan and Jennifer were busy. She was really good and she was awake the whole time.

Next week I have to go back to MCV on Wednesday for a meeting. Hopefully I won’t have to go back again until November 4. I get to keep Audrey two days next week and then she will get her first live virus shot and I can not be around her for two weeks!

I pray that you all will have a wonderful week.

Thought for the week: We witness best by being who God created us to be. You may be the only Bible someone reads.

More later.

Love,

Gloria 

day 367 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

This has been a BIG and EXCITING week for me! I am one year old! Friday was exactly one year since I received my gift of life (bone marrow transplant). It is so hard to believe that a year has passed by. I am so anxious to meet my donor. Also it is our 38th wedding anniversary and Rodney’s 37th anniversary with Travelers Insurance Co. and it would have been my 20th anniversary with the school system! I told you that it was a BIG day for me. Last year when I was told that my donor picked 9/10 to be harvested and I would be getting my transplant on 9/11 I knew that it was going to be ok.

On Wednesday I got to babysit my new grand daughter, Audrey. We had a really good day. She slept a lot but when she was awake I took her for a stroller ride and she really enjoyed the outdoors.

Thursday I spent the day getting ready for a weekend in North Carolina. Since Scott and Beth were my caregivers while I was in Richmond the doctor gave me permission to go to spend the weekend with them (the first time for over a year). Ryan, Jennifer and Audrey took Rodney and me out for dinner to celebrate our 38th Anniversary and my 1st birthday!

Friday Rodney and I left for NC. We wanted to get there in time to see the kids get off the school bus. Scott fixed blackened chicken on the grill – it was really good. I got a big surprise after dinner – a surprise birthday party! Several couples from Scott and Beth’s small group came over. I got candy,flowers, balloons, two cakes and some really cute cards. I was over whelmed. It amazes me that they thought enough to come help me celebrate my big day.

Saturday I fixed the kids pancakes for breakfast while Scott and Beth ran some errands. They came home with a puppy!!!!! The kids were speechless and Libby said, “God has answered my prayers!” They named him Levi and he is so cute. Grady had a soccer game – he scored the first goal for the season. It was a good game. After the game we went to Scott’s favorite dinner, Blue Ribbon. We went to church in the evening and it was a big day for all of us.

Today we went to Pet Smart to get some supplies for the new puppy. After a delicious lunch we left for VA. It was hard to leave but necessary to get back. I have a big week ahead of me – Wednesday I go to MCV to get a bone marrow biopsy and pulmonary test. Please say a prayer for me that the procedures will be painless and the results will be good. I may get some of my shots if all the test results are back by then. The test that they did on my arm last week did absolutely nothing so I don’t know if that is good or not – guess i will find out this week.

I just want to thank everyone that has kept up with my blog during the year and most of all for all your support and prayers. It would have been a very difficult journey for me without you all. There have been so many blessings along the way.What an awesome God we serve.

Love,

Gloria

Food for thought:  Faith without action is like a submarine with a screen door!  Rodney saw this on a church sign on our way home from NC. Thought that it was very good.

day 360 after transplant

Hello to everyone,

This has been an exciting week. Last year this time I was at MCV going through chemo and waiting for my transplant. Friday will be my first birthday!!! I can hardy believe that a year has gone by. What a journey. God has been so good.

Tried to start every day with a walk in the neighborhood. It was cool and quiet. Beautiful time of year to be walking.

Wednesday was a really busy day. Rodney took me to MCV for my monthly checkup. Had blood work done first then I saw Dr. Chung. After he asked all kinds of questions he said that he was pleased with my progress. He ordered more blood work and another test (like the TB test) on my arm. The results will be back when I go back to MCV for my bone marrow biopsy on the 16th. These tests are to see when to start my childhood shots. Dr. Chung also mentioned that it is time to contact the National Bone Marrow Center about me finding out who my donor is – how exciting!

After my appointment at MCV I had to go to UVA to see my OBGYN Dr. Jazeri. He was glad to see me and he said that everything looked normal. It was a long day but a good one.

Thursday I sewed and called the last two girls to come up for a fitting. I hope to have all five dresses ready this week. Went to see Dad and Corinne – Curt, Christy and Olivia – Ryan, Jake and Audrey. Good to get together with all of them.

Friday was the day to clean and I had some tomatoes to do something with so I made some salsa. I was tired by bedtime.

Saturday Rodney and I got up early and hit it hard and then we had a good evening together.

Today we went to church and ate lunch with Aunt Louise. Went to Costco to order contacts – can’t wait to wear contacts again. We went to the concert in the park.

That just about takes care of my week. Hope that all of you have a fun and safe Labor Day. Last fling for the summer (my goodness where did the summer go?!). I can already see that the days are getting shorter and cooler.

Love,

Gloria

day 353 after transplant

 

HELLO TO EVERYONE,

Hope that you all had a good week – I did. This blog will be short tonight – I am tired and am going to bed.

Monday morning we got our sidewalks poured and they really look nice. Kept me busy all week keeping them watered down.

Wednesday I went to the eye doctor for a yearly checkup and he gave me a good report. Gave me a prescription for contacts but I have to get the ok from the doctors at MCV first.

Thursday Rodney took the day off to take me to AMC to a doctor appointment to get the results back from the bone density test. Not quit the news that I wanted but ok. The predinsone that I took for the graft vs host affected my bones but nothing to worry about. Wants to put me on a new med but again I have to get the ok from MCV. My blood work came back fine. Then I went on to UVA to see the breast cancer doctor and she was so glad to see me and said that she has wondered about me all year. She checked me and said that everything looked very well. That was an answered prayer – not that I thought anything was wrong but still nice to get a good report back from the doctor. I don’t have to go back to her for another year.

Saturday was a usual day for getting things done and today we went to church and then to see Rodney’s aunt and eat lunch with her. In the evening we had our Sunday School Class picnic (I took my own food). Had a really good evening. Jennifer asked me to babysit for a little while tomorrow afternoon. I have a lady coming to wash windows. It will be good to have clean windows again.

That takes care of my week. Hope that you have a good week until I write again. I go to MCV this Wednesday start some of my shots and then back to UVA for another doctor’s appointment. Say a prayer that I get good reports back from these appointments also. Lots of appointments to keep but I just take one at a time and then it is not quite so overwhelming.

Love, Gloria

day 344 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone,

Well, another week has gone by and I hope that your week was good.

Monday a crew came in and tore up our walks and prepared them for new ones. They were scheduled to pour the concrete on Thursday but called it off because of a good chance of rain (well guess what – it didn’t rain). A week later and everything still tore up—now they are scheduled to be here tomorrow morning at 6:15 am. Then I have a lady scheduled to come up and clean windows. It will be nice to have clean windows again.

Tuesday I went to AMC to have blood work and a bone density test done—I won’t know the results until I go to the doctor at AMC this Thursday and then on to UVA to see the breast cancer doctor (for a yearly check up). I also have an appointment with the eye doctor on Wednesday morning. It looks like this is the beginning of all kinds of doctor appointments.

Thursday I got to babysit our new granddaughter, Audrey while Jennifer went to the dentist. It was so good to be able to hold a little one again. She was so good.

Today was a full day – our Sunday School class was responsible for the 4th Sunday Coffee at church today. We stayed for the second service- got to hold Audrey! Then we got a bite to eat and went to a classic car cruise in – we got there in time to see them leave, so we sat in the car and watched them go by. We stopped at the nursing home to see Rodney’s aunt and then we came home. Dad and Corinne stopped by and we ordered pizza and just sat and talked.

That just about takes care of my week except that I have been working on the 5 bridesmaid dresses (I have 3 completely finished and one ready for the girl to try on and the fifth one cut out). I hope to have them all completed by the end of this week (between my doctor appts.)

Have a wonderful and fulfilled week.

“And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16.

Love,

Gloria

Day 337 after transplant

 

Hello to everyone!

This has been a hot and dry week until this afternoon – we got a good shower and that cooled things down some. Saw on the news tonight that there are several hurricanes brewing around Florida so maybe we will get some rain from that.

This week has been pretty much uneventful but that is not all bad. I am working on the five bridesmaids dresses(two completely finished and one more almost done). I have two more to cut out – hope to be finished this week. I have a lot of trips to the doctors coming up and things might get a little hectic. I have some blood work and a bone density test at AMC on Tuesday and then I get to babysit Audrey on Thursday while Jennifer goes to the dentist. I am really looking forward to that.

I know that this is short but like I said not much happened this week.

Find out what God made you to do well and do more of it. Don’t worry about what you don’t do well. In fact, try to do as little as possible of what you don’t do well.
Then find out what others do well and help them to be able to do more of it.

Love ya,

Gloria