We departed the beach early yesterday morning, had breakfast @ Bojangles and was on the road by 8:00 a.m. Lee drove all the way and each time I offered to drive, he reminded me that he was fine. The trip home was somewhat eventful because we passed an accident near Lumberton and a traffic jam on I-85 near Gastonia. Other than that we were able to arrive home by 1:30 after stopping for a few groceries and subway for lunch.
Lee's cough from the bronchoscopy Oct. 20th has finally subsided. I called his lung transplant nurse last Thursday and she was able to get a prescription order from the doctor for an antibiotic. Within 24 hours, the cough was beginning to wane. He seems to be fine now and will continue the antibiotic until the 10 days have been completed. I believe his lung was inflammed from the biopsy, and it had not healed. He had begun to run a low grade fever.
Unfortunately, he has had a complication from his fishing day last week. It seems that the constant throwing out the line and reeling with his right arm and shoulder has caused extreme discomfort. He gets some temporary relief from "icy hot" patches, but is not able to use his right arm with shoulder movement without experiencing the pain. This is the same shoulder that has the prosthesis that he had in 2006. We are hoping he did not tear a muscle. This morning he has gone to his family doctor to have his labs done and will talk to him about the shoulder. His plan is to go to rehab and at least get his leg exercise in today.
He has been given a new anti-rejection drug that he must take twice a day. This is in addition to the ones he has been on during this past year. We are suspicious that it is draining some of his energy that he had prior to the last visit to Duke. There are several types of drugs that may be used, but Lee has at some time during this past year tried them all with adverse effects, such as low blood pressure or debilitating fatigue. This is one of the last to try and since he had rejection, they really want him to stay with it. Unfortunately, it saps his energy.
It is good to know that you are still there as our friends and family, reading the blog and caring about what is happening in our lives. We love hearing from you with all your comments. Doug, I know your Dad will be happy when he can share some days of golf with you. Dennis & Betsy, thanks for your counseling on my behalf and all that you do for us when we visit Durham. We had such a good visit over your "early" Thanksgiving meal and enjoyed the take-home food at the beach.
So, there you have it. The good, the bad, the ugly....................We are focusing only on the good because Lee and I believe that is the key to his success. How fortunate we are to have family and friends who never give up on us and continue to send prayers and good wishes our way! Good news is that we are home, looking forward to the holidays, family visits, and all the good times ahead. We wish you the Good, also.
More Later...............................................Brenda
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Last DAY
This is our last day at the beach. We plan to leave early Sunday morning and get Lee home in time to watch the Panther's game. We could have left today, but we were both a little tired from staying up late to watch the last game of the World Series. Actually, that is not quite as accurate as it sounds. I went to bed @ 10:00, only to awake @ 11:30 to watch it to the finish. Lee went to bed @ 11:00 and just gave up. He figured the game was probably already won...and of course, it was. I did get to see the celebration and jubilation from the winning team.
Today we are playing catch-up on laundry and all the tasks that must be completed prior to our leaving. It has been a lovely week. The weather has been perfect..........sunshine every day.............Indian Summer weather with most days in the hight 70's. Perfect! And, of course, the big event.........Lee enjoyed a day fishing.
Yesterday evening we were invited to our neighbor's house to enjoy the catch from the fishing trips. They had caught whitings, sheepheads and spots. We joined another couple and were treated to lots of fried fish, baked potatoes, and cole slaw. Lee and I had to watch our portions since we were still full from a big lunch earlier.
We were able to have some of our transplant friends , Gloria & Jerry from Wilmington, and Nancy & Veda, from OI, over for lunch. It was so uplifting to hear the three of them, Lee, Jerry & Nancy share so many of their stories before, during and after their lung transplants. To look at each of them today, you could not imagine how sick each of them had been prior to the transplant. It was as if we were all witnessing a miracle! Each of the three have experienced some form of rejection during this past year, and each one has been able to overcome it.
That was one of the issues we addressed as we sat around the living room and talked for several hours. We, the transplantees and caregivers, have come to terms with the fact that this is an ongoing process, and how important it is to use precautions. Precautions are necessary, but at the same time, one must get on with their lives. Jerry has returned to playing golf a couple of days a week, Nancy is planning to return to her home in Alabama, and Lee was able to go fishing for an entire day this week. His plans now are to return to golf in the Spring. I have no doubt that he can do that!
So, for today, we will wind down our week here..............start packing up the car....return home and begin looking forward to the Holidays! There is much work to be done!
More Later..................................Brenda
Today we are playing catch-up on laundry and all the tasks that must be completed prior to our leaving. It has been a lovely week. The weather has been perfect..........sunshine every day.............Indian Summer weather with most days in the hight 70's. Perfect! And, of course, the big event.........Lee enjoyed a day fishing.
Yesterday evening we were invited to our neighbor's house to enjoy the catch from the fishing trips. They had caught whitings, sheepheads and spots. We joined another couple and were treated to lots of fried fish, baked potatoes, and cole slaw. Lee and I had to watch our portions since we were still full from a big lunch earlier.
We were able to have some of our transplant friends , Gloria & Jerry from Wilmington, and Nancy & Veda, from OI, over for lunch. It was so uplifting to hear the three of them, Lee, Jerry & Nancy share so many of their stories before, during and after their lung transplants. To look at each of them today, you could not imagine how sick each of them had been prior to the transplant. It was as if we were all witnessing a miracle! Each of the three have experienced some form of rejection during this past year, and each one has been able to overcome it.
That was one of the issues we addressed as we sat around the living room and talked for several hours. We, the transplantees and caregivers, have come to terms with the fact that this is an ongoing process, and how important it is to use precautions. Precautions are necessary, but at the same time, one must get on with their lives. Jerry has returned to playing golf a couple of days a week, Nancy is planning to return to her home in Alabama, and Lee was able to go fishing for an entire day this week. His plans now are to return to golf in the Spring. I have no doubt that he can do that!
So, for today, we will wind down our week here..............start packing up the car....return home and begin looking forward to the Holidays! There is much work to be done!
More Later..................................Brenda
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Gone Fishing!
Yesterday was a day when Lee was able to meet another benchmark! He spent the entire day, on a boat , between the waterway, the Cape Fear river, and the ocean! Our neighbor, Ted, has a good fishing boat with all the necessary gear. He, along with another fisherman from Oak Island, invited Lee to spend the day with them. Lee had been feeling so good, that he decided he could do this.
So it was, that early Tuesday morning, I fixed him a full breakfast of bacon, eggs, biscuits, packed his lunch and all medication, loaded him with sunscreen and bid him farewell for his adventurous day ahead. I have to admit that it was with trepidation that I experienced his leaving and being in the sun all day. I could not remove the thoughts such as: Will he remember his medication? Will he find shelter from the sun? Will he remember to use extra sunscreen?
You are probably wondering why those thoughts were any concern for me. That is part of being a caregiver. This has been something that I was not prepared for. When you become a caregiver for your loved one, your role expands beyond that of marital partners to include those of nurse, mother, guide, advocate, decision maker, etc. What happens is the shifting of responsibilities from one partner to another. Sometimes it is gradual, but in our case, it was rapid. Even though it was a quick transition, for me, I was slow in realizing the shift of all the responsibility. Now I am trying to change the tide of the shift back to Lee. Once again, we both have to establish the trust for each other that we had before his illness. It is coming back and Lee has once again become the person in charge of those areas he once dominated. I, however, must now learn to move out of the "Mothering" role and let him go. This, of course, is happening....it is only still there in my emotional challenges.
I share this with you in hopes that I may somehow help other caregivers along the way. I was not prepared for those emotional challenges I mentioned. In a sense, a caregiver, along with the person being cared for, must relinquish former identities, and assume those that have now become an inevitable force in ther lives. The days now become focused on the immediate care involving the situation at hand. There is no time to mourn for roles that no longer exist. Catastropic illness thrusts you forward into a lifestyle that only weeks before would have been totally alien to you. Our return to former life roles has been gradual, but the good thing is that it continues to return. His fishing day was a huge step forward in that positive direction.
When Lee returned around 4:00 from his fishing trip, I had good news for him from Duke. He does NOT have any rejection. Our transplant coordinator was delighted to learn that he had spent the day fishing! We will return on Nov. 30th for another bronch to see if the fungus is completely cleared. Today, Lee wants to go to a nursery to look for some trees......so we will be exploring today..............as you can see.....most of our previous roles and identies have returned..........we're.......back to where we were.
More Later.....................................brenda
More Later.................................................Brenda
So it was, that early Tuesday morning, I fixed him a full breakfast of bacon, eggs, biscuits, packed his lunch and all medication, loaded him with sunscreen and bid him farewell for his adventurous day ahead. I have to admit that it was with trepidation that I experienced his leaving and being in the sun all day. I could not remove the thoughts such as: Will he remember his medication? Will he find shelter from the sun? Will he remember to use extra sunscreen?
You are probably wondering why those thoughts were any concern for me. That is part of being a caregiver. This has been something that I was not prepared for. When you become a caregiver for your loved one, your role expands beyond that of marital partners to include those of nurse, mother, guide, advocate, decision maker, etc. What happens is the shifting of responsibilities from one partner to another. Sometimes it is gradual, but in our case, it was rapid. Even though it was a quick transition, for me, I was slow in realizing the shift of all the responsibility. Now I am trying to change the tide of the shift back to Lee. Once again, we both have to establish the trust for each other that we had before his illness. It is coming back and Lee has once again become the person in charge of those areas he once dominated. I, however, must now learn to move out of the "Mothering" role and let him go. This, of course, is happening....it is only still there in my emotional challenges.
I share this with you in hopes that I may somehow help other caregivers along the way. I was not prepared for those emotional challenges I mentioned. In a sense, a caregiver, along with the person being cared for, must relinquish former identities, and assume those that have now become an inevitable force in ther lives. The days now become focused on the immediate care involving the situation at hand. There is no time to mourn for roles that no longer exist. Catastropic illness thrusts you forward into a lifestyle that only weeks before would have been totally alien to you. Our return to former life roles has been gradual, but the good thing is that it continues to return. His fishing day was a huge step forward in that positive direction.
When Lee returned around 4:00 from his fishing trip, I had good news for him from Duke. He does NOT have any rejection. Our transplant coordinator was delighted to learn that he had spent the day fishing! We will return on Nov. 30th for another bronch to see if the fungus is completely cleared. Today, Lee wants to go to a nursery to look for some trees......so we will be exploring today..............as you can see.....most of our previous roles and identies have returned..........we're.......back to where we were.
More Later.....................................brenda
More Later.................................................Brenda
Monday, October 24, 2011
Rest, Food, etc....
After that exciting trip down from Raleigh on Friday, Lee and I have spent most of our time recuperating. I suppose that is a better word than telling you we have been very lazy. Everything we have done during these past three days has been with leisure. No housework yet! No Laundry! No big projects! Just being lazy and probably consuming way too much food!
On Saturday evening, we collected some of our neighbors and had a pizza feast......then last night we were invited over to Ted & Diane's for Ted's famous oyster stew. Lee and I waddled home around 7:45 to watch the world series. We were so loaded with warm milk and crackers that we had to fight to stay awake! Lee finally woke me,( as I was sitting up sound asleep on the sofa), and told me to go to bed. I suppose it can be annoying to try to watch a game with someone making sleep noises adjacent to you. (I will not use the word snoring!) Anyway I was banished to the bedroom only to discover that bedtime rituals (bathing, brushing teeth, etc. ) brought me back to full awakfulness. I returned to Lee and was permitted to stay and watch the exciting game with him. When the game was over, he went to bed.....not me.....I was on full alert! After trying to read, drinking a little milk and nibbling on peanut butter and cracker, I began to relax and finally was ready to sleep again by midnight.
Needless to say, we slept in this a.m. and enjoyed a late breakfast and leisure time with the newspaper. I and my neighbor decided to venture out to the Christmas shop in Southport and enjoyed shopping on this beautiful Fall day. So good to have a friend to share my time with. Lee found a few small chores to do around the house and was on his own for his lunch. Each day he is feeling better after the bronch he had last Thursday. He has finally stopped coughing so much.....still occasionally, but hope it too will subside. We should get the report from that by Tomorrow. We are hoping that he is no longer in rejection.
Even though we have had this lovely beach weather, Lee and I have had to limit our time on the beach. He must use precautions and I have an outbreak of rosecea on my chin. This happens sometime when I am exposed to the sun, or the chemicals in the sunscreen are too strong. We are still able to enjoy the breeze from the ocean and to inhale the fresh salty air. Perhaps we will be able to return later in the week.
We are looking forward to lunch with our former Duke Towers friends on Wednesday and dinner with other friends here on Thursday. I had purchased some new jeans prior to leaving last week, and if I continue to overeat with little activity, there may be a struggle to fit into them! In addition to my body making a fast trip South, it is detouring in the worst of places for these jeans! Old Age.......you have to humor it!
Our return to Vale may be determined by the report from Duke Tomorrow. At any rate, we will have to return by Monday. Until then, our days are restful, there is peace and harmony here and we have the exciting baseball game and dancing with the stars tonight.
We wish you peaceful, restful days also.......................
More Later............................................................Brenda
On Saturday evening, we collected some of our neighbors and had a pizza feast......then last night we were invited over to Ted & Diane's for Ted's famous oyster stew. Lee and I waddled home around 7:45 to watch the world series. We were so loaded with warm milk and crackers that we had to fight to stay awake! Lee finally woke me,( as I was sitting up sound asleep on the sofa), and told me to go to bed. I suppose it can be annoying to try to watch a game with someone making sleep noises adjacent to you. (I will not use the word snoring!) Anyway I was banished to the bedroom only to discover that bedtime rituals (bathing, brushing teeth, etc. ) brought me back to full awakfulness. I returned to Lee and was permitted to stay and watch the exciting game with him. When the game was over, he went to bed.....not me.....I was on full alert! After trying to read, drinking a little milk and nibbling on peanut butter and cracker, I began to relax and finally was ready to sleep again by midnight.
Needless to say, we slept in this a.m. and enjoyed a late breakfast and leisure time with the newspaper. I and my neighbor decided to venture out to the Christmas shop in Southport and enjoyed shopping on this beautiful Fall day. So good to have a friend to share my time with. Lee found a few small chores to do around the house and was on his own for his lunch. Each day he is feeling better after the bronch he had last Thursday. He has finally stopped coughing so much.....still occasionally, but hope it too will subside. We should get the report from that by Tomorrow. We are hoping that he is no longer in rejection.
Even though we have had this lovely beach weather, Lee and I have had to limit our time on the beach. He must use precautions and I have an outbreak of rosecea on my chin. This happens sometime when I am exposed to the sun, or the chemicals in the sunscreen are too strong. We are still able to enjoy the breeze from the ocean and to inhale the fresh salty air. Perhaps we will be able to return later in the week.
We are looking forward to lunch with our former Duke Towers friends on Wednesday and dinner with other friends here on Thursday. I had purchased some new jeans prior to leaving last week, and if I continue to overeat with little activity, there may be a struggle to fit into them! In addition to my body making a fast trip South, it is detouring in the worst of places for these jeans! Old Age.......you have to humor it!
Our return to Vale may be determined by the report from Duke Tomorrow. At any rate, we will have to return by Monday. Until then, our days are restful, there is peace and harmony here and we have the exciting baseball game and dancing with the stars tonight.
We wish you peaceful, restful days also.......................
More Later............................................................Brenda
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Beach & Sunshine!
We are at the beach and enjoying a lovely Fall day! The temperature on the beach is warm enough for shorts and t-shirts. (Lee said Bikinis, because he saw some girls on the beach....guess I missed that!) Lee and I took the golf cart to the beach and he enjoyed some good fellowship with two of his fishing buddies. I relaxed in the sun, took off my shoes and let the sand gather between my toes. The ocean was calm and a soft breeze would occasionally cross our paths. There were some sailboats on the horizon and the sky was a beautiful "Carolina Blue". As I sat, determined to read an exciting novel, I had to stop more frequently to take in the sites of the day than to read the book. There were some beach walkers, mostly people in our age group. The children are in school so there were no children on the beach where we sat.
We could have stayed all afternoon, but after about 30-45 minutes, I realized that Lee would be toast if we did not return to the shade of the house. All of his medications warn against being in the sun as he is more prone to skin cancer now. In fact, his exposure is now exponential to what is was before the transplant. We are always being warned against this when we return to the clinic. In fact, we have encountered at least two post lung transplantees who have developed skin cancer.
I have to say, this was not one of our better trips to Duke. Thursday was a very busy day for Lee. We arrived at the clinic @7:45 to begin with labs, chest x-ray, pulmonary function tests and then to the surgical area for his bronchoscopy. We were surprised to find that he would be done as close to the appointed hour of 9:00. ( usually, we have to wait and hour or so). Not so this time............he was whisked to surgery @ 9:20. I made my usual exit to the waiting area and prepared for the long wait.....again, not so......he was back in the recovery area long enough for me to be called back by 10:15! He was discharged from that area around 12:00. This is not unusual. However, Lee could not seem to recover from the anesthesia as fast as usual. Anyway, we had our lunch around 12:15 and decided to relax in the waiting room until his doctor's appointment @ 2:30.
It was a long wait! He was called back @ 3:30 and saw the doctor @ 4:30. We left the clinic at 5:00. Back at the condo, Lee began having hard chills, his face was flushed, and he had a fever of 100.8. The instructions were to call if fever was above 101. Tylenol reduced it to 99.8, he continued to sleep...could not even stay awake for the world series. This sleepiness lasted throughout Friday, but no fever. We visited friends Martha and Larry @ Duke Raleigh and had lunch with Dennis & Betsy. ( a feast! ) I drank lots of caffeinated coffee because I knew I would be driving to Oak Island.
Well! After a long ride on I-40......about 40 miles from Wilmington......we had a tire to go bad. Exited @ a little town called Rose Hill ( Duplin wine country) and was able to get a used tire after the second inquiry. After being advised to travel 7 more miles to a little town called Wallace, we were able to purchase a tire. We were told that we were an accident waiting to happen! ( and I had been moving along @ a cool 70-75 miles an hour!) Our only warning had been a quiet little thump, thump in rapid succession. We made new friends in Wallace.....the owner and his wife were very cordial and had us back on the road in record time....all for $25.00!
All is well now................we are safe in our house at the beach................Lee is finally (this a.m. ) awake and with energy................and we are happy!
More Later.....................................Brenda
We could have stayed all afternoon, but after about 30-45 minutes, I realized that Lee would be toast if we did not return to the shade of the house. All of his medications warn against being in the sun as he is more prone to skin cancer now. In fact, his exposure is now exponential to what is was before the transplant. We are always being warned against this when we return to the clinic. In fact, we have encountered at least two post lung transplantees who have developed skin cancer.
I have to say, this was not one of our better trips to Duke. Thursday was a very busy day for Lee. We arrived at the clinic @7:45 to begin with labs, chest x-ray, pulmonary function tests and then to the surgical area for his bronchoscopy. We were surprised to find that he would be done as close to the appointed hour of 9:00. ( usually, we have to wait and hour or so). Not so this time............he was whisked to surgery @ 9:20. I made my usual exit to the waiting area and prepared for the long wait.....again, not so......he was back in the recovery area long enough for me to be called back by 10:15! He was discharged from that area around 12:00. This is not unusual. However, Lee could not seem to recover from the anesthesia as fast as usual. Anyway, we had our lunch around 12:15 and decided to relax in the waiting room until his doctor's appointment @ 2:30.
It was a long wait! He was called back @ 3:30 and saw the doctor @ 4:30. We left the clinic at 5:00. Back at the condo, Lee began having hard chills, his face was flushed, and he had a fever of 100.8. The instructions were to call if fever was above 101. Tylenol reduced it to 99.8, he continued to sleep...could not even stay awake for the world series. This sleepiness lasted throughout Friday, but no fever. We visited friends Martha and Larry @ Duke Raleigh and had lunch with Dennis & Betsy. ( a feast! ) I drank lots of caffeinated coffee because I knew I would be driving to Oak Island.
Well! After a long ride on I-40......about 40 miles from Wilmington......we had a tire to go bad. Exited @ a little town called Rose Hill ( Duplin wine country) and was able to get a used tire after the second inquiry. After being advised to travel 7 more miles to a little town called Wallace, we were able to purchase a tire. We were told that we were an accident waiting to happen! ( and I had been moving along @ a cool 70-75 miles an hour!) Our only warning had been a quiet little thump, thump in rapid succession. We made new friends in Wallace.....the owner and his wife were very cordial and had us back on the road in record time....all for $25.00!
All is well now................we are safe in our house at the beach................Lee is finally (this a.m. ) awake and with energy................and we are happy!
More Later.....................................Brenda
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Good Report today
We arrived in Durham around 2:00 p.m. after a foggy, drizzly drive from home. Lee drove all the way. I relaxed and slept some of the way. Good to be relaxed and let him do the driving! Those of you who know me already know and understand that I do not enjoy driving on crowded interstates...........especially around Burlington and Greensboro. I can do it, but not without tense muscles in my neck!
We are staying @ Duke Towers again for two nights. This afternoon, Lee had a 3:30 appointment with the urologist for his 3-month post TURP check-up. He is doing so well, that the doctor released him to his urologist in Hickory for any follow up treatment. Such Good News!
We plan to check out a good restaurant for dinner this evening....just need something warm and comforting on this cool, rainy evening. Also good to get out because Lee will have a full day tomorrow. The day begins with the usual Labs, x-ray, breathing tests, bronchoscopy, and finally all wrapped up with a visit with the lung transplant doctor @ 2:30 in the afternoon. That is when we get most of the results.
We will stay here at the Towers Thursday night, visit Martha & Larry @ Duke Raleigh on Friday a.m. and hopefully meet Dennis and Betsy for lunch before heading down I-40 to Oak Island for a week. Lee is looking forward to fishing with Ted and I am looking forward to seeing Diane. We may do some shopping in Southport or just read on the beach...............weather permitting. Ted loves to cook and I'm sure his famous pot of oyster stew is on the menue! At any rate, we are anticipating a good week at the beach.
More Later..................................Brenda
We are staying @ Duke Towers again for two nights. This afternoon, Lee had a 3:30 appointment with the urologist for his 3-month post TURP check-up. He is doing so well, that the doctor released him to his urologist in Hickory for any follow up treatment. Such Good News!
We plan to check out a good restaurant for dinner this evening....just need something warm and comforting on this cool, rainy evening. Also good to get out because Lee will have a full day tomorrow. The day begins with the usual Labs, x-ray, breathing tests, bronchoscopy, and finally all wrapped up with a visit with the lung transplant doctor @ 2:30 in the afternoon. That is when we get most of the results.
We will stay here at the Towers Thursday night, visit Martha & Larry @ Duke Raleigh on Friday a.m. and hopefully meet Dennis and Betsy for lunch before heading down I-40 to Oak Island for a week. Lee is looking forward to fishing with Ted and I am looking forward to seeing Diane. We may do some shopping in Southport or just read on the beach...............weather permitting. Ted loves to cook and I'm sure his famous pot of oyster stew is on the menue! At any rate, we are anticipating a good week at the beach.
More Later..................................Brenda
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Mall Sitter
Today I have had the good fortune to spend a good part of my time as a Mall Sitter. That is what I get to do whenever I am invited to accompany my daughter and teenage grandaughters on a shopping expedition. There was a time (just a few years ago) when I could maintain my stamina and keep up with their pace as we wandered in and out of ALL the stores in the Mall. They have always been more attracted to those stores with the loudest music which is also fast-paced. When we moved from store to store, there would be different music in each area.....none was calm and soothing...........no, the music and the rhythm had to be loud and fast in order to keep the teens hopping among the various stores. These stores were all alike: jammed with clothes that were arranged in such a way that one had to be a shopping sleuth to find their way among the maze. I believe you could leave a child in there for a week before someone found them! After several years of this, I discovered the various benches and chairs that were scattered along the walkways of the Mall.
I have become accustomed to this new method of shopping with them. I leave them in the store after announcing that I may be reached outside in the comfort zone. I am usually notified that I am necessary by text message. I do not worry about losing them at all because I am the keeper of the money. They would never lose Nana!
And so it is that I have learned to use my time wisely as a Mall Sitter. I have become very observant during my sitting time. Mall sitting can be an educational experience. One thing I learned today is that a person's gait belongs to the age one is in. For example, children do not walk.....they jump, skip or run. They are always moving forward or side to side and they move quickly. If they happen to be in a stroller, they want out and they let everyone within 10 feet know that! Then you have the teens. They are everywhere. They are easy to spot because they have cloned themselves in the way they wear their hair and dress. Jeans, flip-flops, tops that are usually layered. and the same long hairstyle. Most of the teen shoppers are girls and they always come in pairs. Occasionally I would see a young couple holding hands as they strolled along. Next were the parents. The mothers looked tired....they never smiled. They were too busy trying to quiet the toddler or hang on to another child. The fathers would usually saunter along beside or behind as though they had not a care in the world.
Finally, I found my category.............the seniors. Some would waddle as they walked with weight bearing more side to side than forward. This, of course, depended on the bulk being walked. They would stop from time to time and look all around. I knew what they were looking for, and it was not for a particular store. They were busy looking for an empty bench or chair so they could join the other Mall sitters for a while.
Where was Lee while I was shopping? He was invited to join many of his neighbors and friends for a bonanza birthday bash in our friendly neighborhood. They had a big BBQ feast. As I was leaving for my shopping day, I kindly reminded him to carry hand sanitizer and a mask. He was very abliging and did not seem to be offended by my little hint. (I prefer to not call it "nagging"). He has had quite a week! Every day during this past week he has been involved in some type of work. He is visibly enjoying being able to do some of the work around here. Not all of his strength has returned, but enough has returned to make him feel comfortable doing some of his chores. He loves to do anything that is work outside.....tried to convince him that vacuuming, mopping, etc. would be the same as an exercise program, but to no avail for me.
A great week....................even as a Mall Sitter!
More Later.................................Brenda
I have become accustomed to this new method of shopping with them. I leave them in the store after announcing that I may be reached outside in the comfort zone. I am usually notified that I am necessary by text message. I do not worry about losing them at all because I am the keeper of the money. They would never lose Nana!
And so it is that I have learned to use my time wisely as a Mall Sitter. I have become very observant during my sitting time. Mall sitting can be an educational experience. One thing I learned today is that a person's gait belongs to the age one is in. For example, children do not walk.....they jump, skip or run. They are always moving forward or side to side and they move quickly. If they happen to be in a stroller, they want out and they let everyone within 10 feet know that! Then you have the teens. They are everywhere. They are easy to spot because they have cloned themselves in the way they wear their hair and dress. Jeans, flip-flops, tops that are usually layered. and the same long hairstyle. Most of the teen shoppers are girls and they always come in pairs. Occasionally I would see a young couple holding hands as they strolled along. Next were the parents. The mothers looked tired....they never smiled. They were too busy trying to quiet the toddler or hang on to another child. The fathers would usually saunter along beside or behind as though they had not a care in the world.
Finally, I found my category.............the seniors. Some would waddle as they walked with weight bearing more side to side than forward. This, of course, depended on the bulk being walked. They would stop from time to time and look all around. I knew what they were looking for, and it was not for a particular store. They were busy looking for an empty bench or chair so they could join the other Mall sitters for a while.
Where was Lee while I was shopping? He was invited to join many of his neighbors and friends for a bonanza birthday bash in our friendly neighborhood. They had a big BBQ feast. As I was leaving for my shopping day, I kindly reminded him to carry hand sanitizer and a mask. He was very abliging and did not seem to be offended by my little hint. (I prefer to not call it "nagging"). He has had quite a week! Every day during this past week he has been involved in some type of work. He is visibly enjoying being able to do some of the work around here. Not all of his strength has returned, but enough has returned to make him feel comfortable doing some of his chores. He loves to do anything that is work outside.....tried to convince him that vacuuming, mopping, etc. would be the same as an exercise program, but to no avail for me.
A great week....................even as a Mall Sitter!
More Later.................................Brenda
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Connections
I don't remember if I have shared with you the connections we continue to have with others who have had lung transplants. I will explain: During our first month in Durham, I was fortunate to meet a group of caregivers whose loved ones had already had their lung transplants, and were in the rehabilitative stages. One of the wives compiled an e-mail address list that has now grown to over 40 contacts. Lee and I are part of the contact group, and are able to receive and share stories and events that surround his continuing recovery.
This has been a valuable tool, because it helps prepare us for some unforseen complications that may occur and it also allows us to share and give feed-back to others who may have been or are experiencing the same "bump in the road" as these crisis are referred to. I have to admit though, I do have ambivilent feelings sometimes when I have learned of more serious complications of one of our former asquaintances. There have been some, and of course that tends to put us on guard.
Post lung transplant, in addition to all the precautions related to coming in contact with various infective organisms, we must deal with the adverse effects of the anti-rejection drugs. These drugs are a necessary part of keeping Lee from rejecting his lung, however, the drugs are also very harmful to his body. The kidneys and liver are the ones @ highest risk. We pay close attention to all his lab reports for any signs of the beginning of kidney or liver damage. We have also learned that the longer the length of time post lung transplant, the more we must participate in being pro-active and iniating calls to Duke rather than waiting for them to contact us.
Each person is unique and the way their bodies respond to the drugs is also unique. Some may do very well and live a fairly normal life while others may have extreme adverse effects of the drugs on their bodies. So far, Lee is doing amazingly well. The medical team was impressed with how well he did on the RATG treatment for rejection. He rebounded with strength and vigor that we had not seen for a long time. We pay close attention to all his labs and contact Duke for any adjustment in medication as soon as possible. Lee is an amazing person and was gifted with a strong, healthy body prior to his illness. He had been careful during his life to not abuse his body with overindulging bad habits. He was physically fit from hard work, and prior to that from all the athletics he maintained through 33 years of officiating basketball, and 40 years of officiating football. I believe his lifestyle contributed to his recovery..........................that along with his fierce determination, strong will power, faith and the prayers from so many of you.
During his intense battle for recovery @ Baptist (prior to the transplant), one of the doctors told him that if he could take Lee's determination and will power to recover, and put it in a bottle, he could cure a lot of patients! There you go...................Our Lee!
More Later................................Brenda
This has been a valuable tool, because it helps prepare us for some unforseen complications that may occur and it also allows us to share and give feed-back to others who may have been or are experiencing the same "bump in the road" as these crisis are referred to. I have to admit though, I do have ambivilent feelings sometimes when I have learned of more serious complications of one of our former asquaintances. There have been some, and of course that tends to put us on guard.
Post lung transplant, in addition to all the precautions related to coming in contact with various infective organisms, we must deal with the adverse effects of the anti-rejection drugs. These drugs are a necessary part of keeping Lee from rejecting his lung, however, the drugs are also very harmful to his body. The kidneys and liver are the ones @ highest risk. We pay close attention to all his lab reports for any signs of the beginning of kidney or liver damage. We have also learned that the longer the length of time post lung transplant, the more we must participate in being pro-active and iniating calls to Duke rather than waiting for them to contact us.
Each person is unique and the way their bodies respond to the drugs is also unique. Some may do very well and live a fairly normal life while others may have extreme adverse effects of the drugs on their bodies. So far, Lee is doing amazingly well. The medical team was impressed with how well he did on the RATG treatment for rejection. He rebounded with strength and vigor that we had not seen for a long time. We pay close attention to all his labs and contact Duke for any adjustment in medication as soon as possible. Lee is an amazing person and was gifted with a strong, healthy body prior to his illness. He had been careful during his life to not abuse his body with overindulging bad habits. He was physically fit from hard work, and prior to that from all the athletics he maintained through 33 years of officiating basketball, and 40 years of officiating football. I believe his lifestyle contributed to his recovery..........................that along with his fierce determination, strong will power, faith and the prayers from so many of you.
During his intense battle for recovery @ Baptist (prior to the transplant), one of the doctors told him that if he could take Lee's determination and will power to recover, and put it in a bottle, he could cure a lot of patients! There you go...................Our Lee!
More Later................................Brenda
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A working Man
Lee has lately been reentering his former life of a "working man". Following our breakfast together, he begins planning his day. Sometimes he is planning his entire week. When the weather is nice, his plans are to travel a short distance or to find something to do here on the farm that does not include working around hazardous materials ( soil, hay, dust, etc.). He has been spending more time in his shop out back and it is good to hear him discussing ways to repair or fix something that he uses.
Yesterday, he and his brother-in-law, Tom, spent most of the afternoon traveling to and from a not too distant golf cart sales store. They were able to secure Lee's trailer to his truck in preparation for the short journey to Lenoir. Lee had the strength to be actively involved with the work that was necessary in the transaction of loading the golf cart onto the trailer and unloading it when he returned home. Last evening as he was talking to his son, Todd, in Charlotte, I overheard him making plans to deliver a tractor to him on Friday. Todd is planning to remove excess trees and foliage from his back yard, and Lee is now planning to load the John Deere on the trailer and take it to him. He has invited a neighbor to go along. At the moment, Lee is working with his bee hives. He has faithfully been supplementing their food daily, and seems to be enjoying every moment of the work that must be done to keep his hives healthy and thriving. His plan for this afternoon is to hang some pictures for me in his downstairs "man's room". A good chore for this cool, rainy October day.
Work is so good for him! I share another quote from Kahlil Gibran:
"You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's proscession that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite. And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God. Work is love made visible."
When we lose our ability to work, due to sickness or an accident, a major part of who we are, and who we have always been, has been removed from our lives. Lee's love of work, and the satisfaction he receives from being able to make a contribution to not only himself, but others, has been restored. It has not been restored to the capacity that he had two years ago, but nonetheless, it is returning, and for that I am eternally grateful.
We are enjoying these bountiful blessings!
More Later..............................Brenda
Yesterday, he and his brother-in-law, Tom, spent most of the afternoon traveling to and from a not too distant golf cart sales store. They were able to secure Lee's trailer to his truck in preparation for the short journey to Lenoir. Lee had the strength to be actively involved with the work that was necessary in the transaction of loading the golf cart onto the trailer and unloading it when he returned home. Last evening as he was talking to his son, Todd, in Charlotte, I overheard him making plans to deliver a tractor to him on Friday. Todd is planning to remove excess trees and foliage from his back yard, and Lee is now planning to load the John Deere on the trailer and take it to him. He has invited a neighbor to go along. At the moment, Lee is working with his bee hives. He has faithfully been supplementing their food daily, and seems to be enjoying every moment of the work that must be done to keep his hives healthy and thriving. His plan for this afternoon is to hang some pictures for me in his downstairs "man's room". A good chore for this cool, rainy October day.
Work is so good for him! I share another quote from Kahlil Gibran:
"You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's proscession that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite. And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God. Work is love made visible."
When we lose our ability to work, due to sickness or an accident, a major part of who we are, and who we have always been, has been removed from our lives. Lee's love of work, and the satisfaction he receives from being able to make a contribution to not only himself, but others, has been restored. It has not been restored to the capacity that he had two years ago, but nonetheless, it is returning, and for that I am eternally grateful.
We are enjoying these bountiful blessings!
More Later..............................Brenda
Monday, October 10, 2011
To Sleep or not to Sleep
Stealing a quote from Shakespeare, and changing it to fit my life......to sleep or not to sleep, that is the question.....................................
There are many unexpected events that continue to susrprise me as I age. The one I have been dealing with lately is sleep. I do get sleepy as the day moves into evening, and I fall asleep eventually. It is now becoming my habit to awaken one to three times during the night. The earlier the wakefulness ( as 12-1:00), the raiding of the kitchen for a late night snack, and the later wakefulness, ( as after 3-4:00), the more apt I am to remain awake. This morning is the latter of the two.......awake @ 3:00, dozed until 5:00, and now @ 6:00, awake for the day. I read an article recently that encouraged all to get at least 8-9 hours of sleep as we age, because it will probably increase our lifespan, help us to feel better, and may even enhance our looks. Looks like I may lose out on that!
Where is Lee during the night? Blissfully sleeping like a baby! Last night he turned in at the same time I did, 10:00, and has been peacefully asleep since then. Isn't that wonderful?! After all he has been through these past almost two years, and he can sleep even better than before. I am greatly encouraged to see that he is (a) increasing his lifespan, (b) will probably feel better than I today (c) and everyday is enhancing his looks! If this keeps up, someone will eventually ask if I am his Mother!
I must admit that there are advantages to rising before dawn. I love the peaceful time that I can spend in prayer. There are so many friends of ours who need prayers.......It is good to be allowed some quiet times to remember them and lift up their needs in prayer. It is also a good time for me to visit with you, my bloggers, and to share some of the more poignant events of our life. I'm sure most of you are still sleeping as I write. I wish for you, a day that is filled with the wonder of our creation, along with the peace and love that is available for all of us to share with others.
Sleep well tonight.............................
More Later.....................................Brenda
There are many unexpected events that continue to susrprise me as I age. The one I have been dealing with lately is sleep. I do get sleepy as the day moves into evening, and I fall asleep eventually. It is now becoming my habit to awaken one to three times during the night. The earlier the wakefulness ( as 12-1:00), the raiding of the kitchen for a late night snack, and the later wakefulness, ( as after 3-4:00), the more apt I am to remain awake. This morning is the latter of the two.......awake @ 3:00, dozed until 5:00, and now @ 6:00, awake for the day. I read an article recently that encouraged all to get at least 8-9 hours of sleep as we age, because it will probably increase our lifespan, help us to feel better, and may even enhance our looks. Looks like I may lose out on that!
Where is Lee during the night? Blissfully sleeping like a baby! Last night he turned in at the same time I did, 10:00, and has been peacefully asleep since then. Isn't that wonderful?! After all he has been through these past almost two years, and he can sleep even better than before. I am greatly encouraged to see that he is (a) increasing his lifespan, (b) will probably feel better than I today (c) and everyday is enhancing his looks! If this keeps up, someone will eventually ask if I am his Mother!
I must admit that there are advantages to rising before dawn. I love the peaceful time that I can spend in prayer. There are so many friends of ours who need prayers.......It is good to be allowed some quiet times to remember them and lift up their needs in prayer. It is also a good time for me to visit with you, my bloggers, and to share some of the more poignant events of our life. I'm sure most of you are still sleeping as I write. I wish for you, a day that is filled with the wonder of our creation, along with the peace and love that is available for all of us to share with others.
Sleep well tonight.............................
More Later.....................................Brenda
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A NEW LOOK
I decided to change the picture on the Blog so that you could see what Lee looks like now...(he actually looks even better now -- this pic was made in May at our Mother's Day celebration). At the time of the picture, he was still on high doses of Prednisone which made his face "puffy". Today he is on lower doses, and he looks more like he did before his illness. I will add more picture updates as we are able to have more family gatherings where pictures are taken (and when my daughter is here to help me post them!)
On this lovely autumn sunny day, we are enjoying a visit from daughter Julia, and son Doug with his wife Elizabeth and their two children Alex and Max. Earlier today, under Granddaddy's supervision, they all worked to remove fence posts from the garden. Granddaddy commented that the boys were such good workers, that he wished they lived closer so that he could put them to work on the farm more often. The grandsons are excited to be going to a Panther's game tomorrow with their parents (they both play football).
Max (almost six) will be having a "football party" for his birthday November 3rd, and he plans to play on the Panther's team when he grows up.
Today is what I would refer to as a "normal" Saturday on the farm. Family is visiting, and trucks and tractors are going up and down the driveway. How nice to enjoy "business as usual" here.
How lovely....
More Later -- Brenda
On this lovely autumn sunny day, we are enjoying a visit from daughter Julia, and son Doug with his wife Elizabeth and their two children Alex and Max. Earlier today, under Granddaddy's supervision, they all worked to remove fence posts from the garden. Granddaddy commented that the boys were such good workers, that he wished they lived closer so that he could put them to work on the farm more often. The grandsons are excited to be going to a Panther's game tomorrow with their parents (they both play football).
Max (almost six) will be having a "football party" for his birthday November 3rd, and he plans to play on the Panther's team when he grows up.
Today is what I would refer to as a "normal" Saturday on the farm. Family is visiting, and trucks and tractors are going up and down the driveway. How nice to enjoy "business as usual" here.
How lovely....
More Later -- Brenda
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Out and About..........
It seems that Lee and I are passing each other frequently, either leaving or returning for one or two of us! I had some errands to run today and Lee was scheduled to go to the rehab center in Hickory. He departed around 9:30 and I left at 10:00. I had decided to make a day of it, and in between errands was able to spend some time with my sister Bonnie, and Aunt Kat, who live in Lenoir.
By the time I finished the visits, filled the car with gas (now $3.29/gal), stopped by the grocery to pick up a few things......( I thought just a few.....spent $103.00!). I think it was because I was hungry. One pack of peanut butter crackers and water, along with a few slices of apples apparently weren't enough for my lunch on the run today. One should never grocery shop when hungry..........................
Anyway, after leaving the grocery, I decided to check in with Lee and tell him the expected time of my arrival home. No answer. He was not at home. I called his cell and he was out shopping with his friend, and the two of them had been looking at golf carts in Granite Falls. I arrived home around 5:00, carried in the groceries, put them away, and started supper. Lee arrived about 45 minutes after I came home. I could tell by the smile on his face that he had a good day with his friend.
He continues to get stronger each day. As his strength is returning, he is becoming more mobile. There are some days when I just have to look the other way or swallow the words such as: Do you have a face mask and hand sanitizer with you or, please try to stay out of the hay areas.........I have learned to try to refrain from my "mothering" and learn to trust his judgement.
I share this day with you so you may be able to see a good normal day that we are able to have from time to time. We have rediscovered the relationship we had for so many years, that includes recognizing space for each other from time to time. This has not been easy returning. I remind you that Lee and I have spent almost every day together for the past two years. There is a saying about marriage by the great Labanese poet, Kahil Gibran, "Let there be separateness in your togetherness".
I love sharing these good days and stories about Lee with all of you. There were so many days in the past when I could only speak of the difficult days he had to endure. Tonight I am spending time on the computer while Lee is............................Where is he anyway?
More Later...................................................Brenda
By the time I finished the visits, filled the car with gas (now $3.29/gal), stopped by the grocery to pick up a few things......( I thought just a few.....spent $103.00!). I think it was because I was hungry. One pack of peanut butter crackers and water, along with a few slices of apples apparently weren't enough for my lunch on the run today. One should never grocery shop when hungry..........................
Anyway, after leaving the grocery, I decided to check in with Lee and tell him the expected time of my arrival home. No answer. He was not at home. I called his cell and he was out shopping with his friend, and the two of them had been looking at golf carts in Granite Falls. I arrived home around 5:00, carried in the groceries, put them away, and started supper. Lee arrived about 45 minutes after I came home. I could tell by the smile on his face that he had a good day with his friend.
He continues to get stronger each day. As his strength is returning, he is becoming more mobile. There are some days when I just have to look the other way or swallow the words such as: Do you have a face mask and hand sanitizer with you or, please try to stay out of the hay areas.........I have learned to try to refrain from my "mothering" and learn to trust his judgement.
I share this day with you so you may be able to see a good normal day that we are able to have from time to time. We have rediscovered the relationship we had for so many years, that includes recognizing space for each other from time to time. This has not been easy returning. I remind you that Lee and I have spent almost every day together for the past two years. There is a saying about marriage by the great Labanese poet, Kahil Gibran, "Let there be separateness in your togetherness".
I love sharing these good days and stories about Lee with all of you. There were so many days in the past when I could only speak of the difficult days he had to endure. Tonight I am spending time on the computer while Lee is............................Where is he anyway?
More Later...................................................Brenda
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Apples!
Lee and I spent the afternoon preparing Granny Smith apples for the freezer. It was an exciting thing for both of us......................and very uplifting, because this is the way we were before Lee's illness and transplant. It has been our custom every Fall to gather apples and prepare them for the freezer. Before Lee sold his orchard, we were able to pick our own, share them with other family members, friends and neighbors. Our orchard is gone, but we were able to purchase these from a local apple orchard in Vale.
I remember one year in particular when we had a beautiful Autumn such as today, with an abundance of apples in the orchard, especially those delectable "Granny Smith's". It was the time for our annual Halloween party with our children and grandchildren. Lee hitched the hay wagon to the tractor, loaded all the children and grandchildren, dressed in their Halloween costumes, and headed for the orchard a few miles away. For many of them , this was a first time event! We made many pictures that warm, sunny afternoon just before dusk. The children delighted in finding their very own apples, and from time to time I would see the little girls gathering apples in the fullness of their little princess dresses. Our little boys, dressed as warriors or transformers (fighters) delighted in finding an apple with a worm and scaring the girls! I remember the squeals of delight and laughter as we moved among the apple trees.
So, this afternoon, Lee and I prepared the downstairs for our work. Lee secured the apple-peeler to the table while I washed the apples and prepared the area for my work. Lee is quite the pro with the apple-peeler. It is a unique apparatus. Once the apple is secured into the three prongs on one end, Lee turns the handle on the opposite end and as the apple is turning, it is peeled and cored all at the same time! He then drops the apple into a large basin of salted water. ( the salt keeps the apples from changing color and also removes the bitterness from the green apples) I, in turn, separate the "wheels" and place them on paper towels to dry. After they dry, I put them into zip-lock bags. We were able to put 18 quarts and 2 gallons in the freezer.
While working together, we remembered those joyful events and each in turn shared a memory thought to be long forgotton. Even though we cannot have the annual family Halloween party this year, We savor all those memories! How wonderful to look at him now.....happy and laughing at the shared memories, while peeling all those apples!
I suppose your are wondering why I am so excited to be writing about something that is a lot of work. I am sharing this with you because Lee thrives on work. To be able to watch him doing something he enjoys, and to know that he is be able to have the strength to do it is a tremendous blessing to me this day. Blessings are meant to be shared.
More Later.....................................Brenda
I remember one year in particular when we had a beautiful Autumn such as today, with an abundance of apples in the orchard, especially those delectable "Granny Smith's". It was the time for our annual Halloween party with our children and grandchildren. Lee hitched the hay wagon to the tractor, loaded all the children and grandchildren, dressed in their Halloween costumes, and headed for the orchard a few miles away. For many of them , this was a first time event! We made many pictures that warm, sunny afternoon just before dusk. The children delighted in finding their very own apples, and from time to time I would see the little girls gathering apples in the fullness of their little princess dresses. Our little boys, dressed as warriors or transformers (fighters) delighted in finding an apple with a worm and scaring the girls! I remember the squeals of delight and laughter as we moved among the apple trees.
So, this afternoon, Lee and I prepared the downstairs for our work. Lee secured the apple-peeler to the table while I washed the apples and prepared the area for my work. Lee is quite the pro with the apple-peeler. It is a unique apparatus. Once the apple is secured into the three prongs on one end, Lee turns the handle on the opposite end and as the apple is turning, it is peeled and cored all at the same time! He then drops the apple into a large basin of salted water. ( the salt keeps the apples from changing color and also removes the bitterness from the green apples) I, in turn, separate the "wheels" and place them on paper towels to dry. After they dry, I put them into zip-lock bags. We were able to put 18 quarts and 2 gallons in the freezer.
While working together, we remembered those joyful events and each in turn shared a memory thought to be long forgotton. Even though we cannot have the annual family Halloween party this year, We savor all those memories! How wonderful to look at him now.....happy and laughing at the shared memories, while peeling all those apples!
I suppose your are wondering why I am so excited to be writing about something that is a lot of work. I am sharing this with you because Lee thrives on work. To be able to watch him doing something he enjoys, and to know that he is be able to have the strength to do it is a tremendous blessing to me this day. Blessings are meant to be shared.
More Later.....................................Brenda
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Football etc....
Thank Goodness for Football! I don't know anyone who enjoys it more than Lee. He always looks forward to the games on Sunday afternoon, and again on Monday for "Monday night Football!" This is good, because right now he is having to limit his activities, and restrict his being around crowds of people. Of course that eliminates church, restaurants and some of our family visits.
We did get the report from his labs last week and the lymph count is only 5. (Normal is around 30 ) You can see how we have to be careful because he needs a higher lymphocyte count along with thymocyte (the killer T-cells) to fight any kind of infection. He must use the next three weeks with caution to allow his body to build the cells again. A viral infection would be extremely dangerous right now.
Lee encouraged me to go on to church without him, and it was good to be able to see our friends there. I was able to sit with Carroll Morrell who is experiencing many difficulties during her husband, Robert's illness. Please remember them in your prayers, along with special requests for Lee to recover from his rejection and for him to continue to restrict his time with others until we return to Duke for another evaluation that will determine whether or not he is indeed out of rejection.
This afternoon I was able to visit with my daughter and grandaughter as they shared a CD of Michaela singing at the Whiperwill festival in Nebo yesterday. She is very talented , plays the guitar, and loves to sing ballads. She is only 15, and a delightful girl to be with. We enjoyed a lovely Fall day while sharing a freshly made pumpkin pie and coffee. This visit was a pleasure that I no longer take for granted. Lee and I have learned to treasure each and every moment we are able to spend with family and friends.
Later this afternoon, we decided to take a long ride through the country, and travel around some areas that we had not seen in a long time. As we were driving, it occurred to both of us how fortunate we were to be able to live in the country, and enjoy such an outing. All we had to do was turn right at the end of our driveway and keep going! We realize that for those who live in big cities, a day like this is impossible for many people. We count our blessings. I wish for you....a lovely Fall day with a slow drive through the beautiful countryside. Enjoy!
More Later......................................Brenda
We did get the report from his labs last week and the lymph count is only 5. (Normal is around 30 ) You can see how we have to be careful because he needs a higher lymphocyte count along with thymocyte (the killer T-cells) to fight any kind of infection. He must use the next three weeks with caution to allow his body to build the cells again. A viral infection would be extremely dangerous right now.
Lee encouraged me to go on to church without him, and it was good to be able to see our friends there. I was able to sit with Carroll Morrell who is experiencing many difficulties during her husband, Robert's illness. Please remember them in your prayers, along with special requests for Lee to recover from his rejection and for him to continue to restrict his time with others until we return to Duke for another evaluation that will determine whether or not he is indeed out of rejection.
This afternoon I was able to visit with my daughter and grandaughter as they shared a CD of Michaela singing at the Whiperwill festival in Nebo yesterday. She is very talented , plays the guitar, and loves to sing ballads. She is only 15, and a delightful girl to be with. We enjoyed a lovely Fall day while sharing a freshly made pumpkin pie and coffee. This visit was a pleasure that I no longer take for granted. Lee and I have learned to treasure each and every moment we are able to spend with family and friends.
Later this afternoon, we decided to take a long ride through the country, and travel around some areas that we had not seen in a long time. As we were driving, it occurred to both of us how fortunate we were to be able to live in the country, and enjoy such an outing. All we had to do was turn right at the end of our driveway and keep going! We realize that for those who live in big cities, a day like this is impossible for many people. We count our blessings. I wish for you....a lovely Fall day with a slow drive through the beautiful countryside. Enjoy!
More Later......................................Brenda
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Short note
This will be a short note to let you know that all is well. We have been trying to adjust to the sudden change of weather. We have had a steady wind all day ,and the temperature this a.m. was a low 46 degrees. I think it has stayed around 58 to 60 this afternoon. These changes in the weather do seem to have some effect on the way Lee feels. He has been coughing a little today, and I am hoping that is because he has been outside some today, and not rejection.
Earlier today we went North of Lenoir to look at some trees that we need to purchase as replacements in our yard. All the beautiful Bradford pear trees developed the blight and were dying. Lee had them removed and now we are in the process of replacing them with a mixture of Cleveland pear trees and Crepe Myrtles. He has arranged to have them planted sometime during the next two weeks.
Yesterday was one of those beautiful days that reminded of the days Lee used to enjoy when working on the farm. On those days he would leave the house shortly after sun-up and return after dark. He never tired form work; quite the opposite, he thrived on work. He confessed to me that those days were the hardest for him because he cannot do the things he loves. He does acknowledge, however, that he feels blesssed to be alive and to breathe freely again. He continues to enjoy his independence with driving and visiting his neighbors and friends. He still has not tried golf. Every time he begins to talk about starting golf again, he has a "bump" in the road, and once again it gets put on the "back burner".
Well, I guess the short note became a longer note. Just wanted to give you a glimpse of our days. Right now, Lee is watching a GeorgiaTech vs. State football game and I am about ready to start supper. I guess you could say, this has been one of those very, very good days for both of us. One of those wonderful, normal days!
More Later...............................Brenda
Earlier today we went North of Lenoir to look at some trees that we need to purchase as replacements in our yard. All the beautiful Bradford pear trees developed the blight and were dying. Lee had them removed and now we are in the process of replacing them with a mixture of Cleveland pear trees and Crepe Myrtles. He has arranged to have them planted sometime during the next two weeks.
Yesterday was one of those beautiful days that reminded of the days Lee used to enjoy when working on the farm. On those days he would leave the house shortly after sun-up and return after dark. He never tired form work; quite the opposite, he thrived on work. He confessed to me that those days were the hardest for him because he cannot do the things he loves. He does acknowledge, however, that he feels blesssed to be alive and to breathe freely again. He continues to enjoy his independence with driving and visiting his neighbors and friends. He still has not tried golf. Every time he begins to talk about starting golf again, he has a "bump" in the road, and once again it gets put on the "back burner".
Well, I guess the short note became a longer note. Just wanted to give you a glimpse of our days. Right now, Lee is watching a GeorgiaTech vs. State football game and I am about ready to start supper. I guess you could say, this has been one of those very, very good days for both of us. One of those wonderful, normal days!
More Later...............................Brenda
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