Thursday, April 23, 2015

Last "No News" Post

Here is it! I reached the last happy thought supplied by the Bunco Babes. I am very appreciative of the support it has given me. Thank you, ladies! I will play for Glenda in May!

So, the reason I started the blog is to supply health updates and medical news. I have been so happy to have no news to report. Yay!

I am also grateful for my recent gifts. I live daily in house slippers, and it's perfect timing to be gifted these:


They pair nicely with a mug of sleepy time tea, and also support a good cause.


Thank you, Bev and Charlie!

I also got a nifty gifty in the mail. Thank you, Miss Joan!


I do feel the storm has passed. I have come so far! I will wear these beautiful hand made earrings to my coming out party on May 1st. It will be lunch and shopping. I just need to hone in on the details. (Assuming I still feel well.) one more step towards joining the world!

 So, I am taking a sabbatical.  I will next post May 7 with the test results. Thank you all for your continued support! You made my journey easy.

Last happy thought:









Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Overnight Guest

Today went by quickly. I helped move planes, then Charlie and Bev showed up. We hung with them for a while. Then more moving planes and that's it. The day went away quickly.

Last night I spoke to the caregiver of another leukemia patient. They are on day 8 post transplant.  They have a long way to go.  I don't envy them. But I told them, every day is forward progress even if it is an inch at a time.

Darlene's garden is doing well.




Kevin came down to stay on his way to FL. Pizza for dinner (bad Kent!) and an early wake up.

All is well.

This is the second to last happy thought:


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Sun and Fun

Not Sun 'n Fun.... Not for me.

So I occupied myself with other things today. I caged up the tomatoes and read more about their care. Need to sucker all the way up to the blossoms. Didn't know that before.  This should be fun. I just wish  my tomato and pepper seeds would sprout. I need my sweet 100s and Thai hot peppers! I know. Just give them to Darlene. She makes everything grow!

All is well... One day closer to May 1


Monday, April 20, 2015

6 Month Testing

Glad this day is over. It's hard getting up early. The procedures were tolerable. They pulled 15 vials of blood, had a bone marrow biopsy, a pulmonary function test, pentamidine treatment, and CT scan. I was done by noon. Results will be given May 7th. No other appointments until then.

I have 3 more of these "restaging" appointments in 6 month increments. Then I don't know a schedule after that.

Dave took me to the appointment. Thank you, Dave! He also donated platelets while I did my thing.


Then I came home to a clean house and fresh cookies. Thank you, Linda!


All is well. Time for bed.


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Night of Rest

Today was a thunderstorm kind of day. I put a thunder shirt on Annie. I don't know if it actually did much.


Dexter photo bomb.


Snuggle time.

I have the night off, but have to be up at 5 am for clinic. I really don't like mornings.

But at least Dexter turned down my bed for me.


Happy thought:





Saturday, April 18, 2015

Home

It was tough, but I stayed home. Kent kept trying to get me to go to the CAF benefit this evening,but I am not allowed in public yet. The worst thing would be ignoring the doctor's orders and getting sick. Then would a BBQ dinner really be worth it? Nope.

So, I stopped the immunosuppressive drugs April 1st, me can be in public May 1st. Just a few more days.

Hair check:


Happy thought:


Friday, April 17, 2015

Rain

Ok. Enough is enough. I'm gonna say it.  Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day.

Today is 6 months post transplant by the calendar. My friend, Ken, wished me a happy half birthday. I will celebrate with a brownie.


All is well. I don't have any gvhd symptoms, so that's just fine.

Happy thought:







Thursday, April 16, 2015

Nuttin' Honey

I got to run an errand today. Otherwise, nothing else going on.

We had salmon for dinner, and the furry Angels got their share. But, sorry, no brownies for them.

The dogs got brushed out and ears and footies trimmed. That might be the last (or second to last) for Chip. He goes to his summer home mid May. We will miss him, but he could use a rest. He's 11 years old now.

I'll take the sun now. I have so many seeds that haven't sprouted yet.

3 more days off!



Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Day 180

What a good feeling. (And feeling good!)

Today is 6 months post transplant, and a Wednesday without a clinic appt! How exciting!  Monday is a big testing day with results given May 7.  Then we go to a wedding May 9. Then we go dancing every Monday night! Yay!

In addition, I might start working again May 18th.  I got a call from Work today. They are looking for a few people to help out the new hire coordinator. It's a M-F, 8-5 office job with one week on, one week off. 

It was a phone call to see if I am interested. Ummm... Yes!!! I am now on a list. If selected, I will be interviewed. When I pass that, I will be offered the job. The question is Will they want to train me knowing I will only be with them until I get back to flying? I am hoping that will be mid November at the latest. So, we will see! If it's meant to be, it will happen. I am hoping I get it! It will be great to help out and inspire new hires!

Dave did some shopping for me today. Thank you, Dave!


I helped Kent with some office work, and surveyed the gardens.  They are growing well. We have gotten plenty of rain, but I think they crave the sun. We will have that soon enough. For now, I am thankful I don't have to water.

This I swiped from Facebook. My niece brought it home today.


Sweet, huh?

Happy thought for the day:





Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Taxes

It's 1100 pm. We are finishing up our taxes.

What?

They aren't due until tomorrow at midnight.


Monday, April 13, 2015

Mo Rain

More rain and the plants are loving it. There are zinnias popping up from last year seeds, but not where I want them. I am considering transplanting the strays to a pot. They might live....

I was supposed to bake dog treats today for Chip's birthday. I ran out of time. Kent wasn't here this evening to celebrate, anyway. Chip comes from an airline family. He understands.

I made an attempt at spaghetti and meatballs. They fell apart in the sauce. So it was just a really meaty sauce. Disappointing, but it tasted good.

I did have a good night researching places to dance.  I found one at LAX. Hotel close, 5 stops on the bus line.  Hmmm... Now if only I had a reason to visit LA...


Happy thought:






Sunday, April 12, 2015

Friends

We had a Bridal Shower to attend today for Megan and Chris.  We could not go because of my isolation, but we dropped off a card. The invitation also requested a recipe. One recipe? It's like trying to pick out a favorite child. (Dexter) WHO SAID THAT?!

So, next best thing is to steal the family dog while they are having the party.


Sassy, the greyhound, prefers a quiet home. I love having her here.
Penny came to visit while Aaron worked on the computer with Kent. They made labels for an airplane and fixed my internet signal booster. Thanks, Aaron!!!

I planted some seeds Darlene shared with me. The I went looking for the all yellow marigold seeds. Nope. Nowhere to be found. I don't get it. I guess I didn't save any seeds from last year, but somewhere around here there must be some from the year before. Oh well. I planted what I had: Orange and yellow ones.

Now I am done.

Maybe.





Saturday, April 11, 2015

Working Dogs

What a good day. 8am the GEORGIA PIEDMONT REGION K9 SEARCH AND RESCUE not for profit group met in our subdivision to work their dogs. It was great to see them work. They found several simulated victims by either following a scent trail, or just picking up an air scent.  

Our neighbors helped a lot. Jacob hid patiently covered in a camouflaged net until a dog found him. Two other boys, Cabe and Chase, were bait too. Jacob was so amazing (hanging with us for over 4 hours) driving teams around and giving great insight about the woods. Very valuable. We didn't even get a break for lunch! I think he had some fun, anyway.


Found them! Play time reward!


Apollo's reward is a tug toy.

Another cool test was conducted on our property. They hid human remains in 3 different spots: under the deck, inside the hangar, and buried in the back 40.  Two dogs came over and were dropped off in the front yard. They then went on a hunt. Both found all 3 specimens. The bag under the deck was under cinder blocks. The scent crept up to the back deck and the dogs thought it was up there. The handlers had to call the dogs off the steps and back to ground level. Apparently a good training exercise in obeying commands. The bone in the hangar was a tough one too, since lots of people frequent the hangar. Plus, there is a lot of scents of gas, oil, paint, solvents, etc. The last piece was in a glass jar buried under a tree.

More info: http://www.georgiasearchandrescue.com/. All donations are tax deductible!

Meanwhile, back at the Homefront.... How can this be comfortable?


Happy thought:


Friday, April 10, 2015

Yah, but....

Rainy day, and Friday. Kinda a cool, but not cold.


I decided to celebrate with a neighbor. And show off my 3 different types of champagne glasses.
Yay!

Happy thought!





Thursday, April 9, 2015

Beans

My garden grows! I planted beans from seed. They are coming up! I am so excited! Some sunflowers and lots of zinnias are coming up too!

I will have a lot to watch while being stuck at home this summer. Yay!

 I had some furry visitors today. ChiChi the Chihuahua.


And Penny.


Then Kent read our dogs a bedtime story. That's the whole day.


Happy thought:







Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Hydrangeas

My neighbor gave me two baby hydrangea plants. We planted them next to the one I had. I will be so thrilled if these live. These are endless summer variety and will be gorgeous!

It was another pretty day. And very warm. We broke the record with a high of 86. I didnot wear long underwear today.

I saw this pretty guy. Don't know what he is. He has some blue.


Happy thought:



Tuesday, April 7, 2015

No News

No news is good news.  Tomorrow is Wednesday and I am not going to clinic. Yay. Not going next week either. Yay. Not till the 20th, which is almost 2 weeks away. Yay.

Today I rode around giving out sunflower seeds. Need some? They make mammoth sunflowers. I saved 3 seed heads from last year. Tons of seeds.


Happy thought:








Monday, April 6, 2015

Schedule Change

April 15 will be 180 days since transplant. That means more testing: bone marrow biopsy, 19 vials of blood, maybe a ct scan, etc.

I called today to try and get it scheduled with my normal clinic appointment and pentamidine treatment on the 15th.  The clinic was full for the week. (And I did not want to go to the main hospital again. It takes 10 times longer.)

So we scheduled it for 7 am on Monday the 20th, and my PA said she does not need to see me the 15th, just come on the 20th. One stop. Yay. Vaccinations will begin soon, too.

Dave will drive me on the 20th and donate plateletes.  Thanks, Dave!  One of these days Kent and I will have to buy a usable second car. The 1969 MGB is downright scary on ATL highways.

It's getting harder to resist house arrest.  There is a Dixie Wing dance on the 18th, a wedding shower I would like to attend, and Monday night swing nights. Plus our favorite band playing very close to home on the 24th. And with my food and beverage restrictions removed, I would sure love to join the lunch bunch.

Patience.... I can do a stint of 24 days standing on my head!!

For now, I will enjoy the little things like the dogs and watching the garden.



Happy thought:




Sunday, April 5, 2015

Happy Easter


I am shocked I only have 3 different kinds of cocktail napkins for Easter, given my immense collection. Thank you, Darlene, for getting me started!

It's a lovely day, but Dexter chooses to be with me.


I think we will dye eggs. I bought an egg dye kit last year at Hobby Lobby 90% off. I think I paid a dime. Might as well use it!

Then, I opened it. It was missing the dye tablets. Seriously? Urgh. But, I bought two kits, so I got to dye eggs anyway! Ha!


Happy Easter!