It was a good day!
I did a little work around the house - replacing a couple of light fixtures. Nothing ever goes according to plan, so it took me a little longer than I initially thought it would. But, I survived without any problems, which, I suppose, can be one definition of success when one tinkers with electricity. However, the new light fixtures work fine.
More importantly, my son and his 2 daughters came over for dinner tonight. The older one loves tacos so that's what we had for dinner. Normally, I wouldn't even mention it. But, tacos were something that I could not have eaten during that 100 day period because of the fresh tomato and the lettuce. As I said the other day, we take so much for granted. Without a doubt, I really appreciated the meal because it was denied to me for so long. Just wait until I have my first drink! Of course, one drink and I'm sure that I'll be under the table - but it'll be worth it!
After dinner we played Yahtzee - the 8 year old loves to play the game. It was a lot of fun. The 4 year couldn't play but she could certainly throw the dice from time to time - actually throwing a couple of Yahtzees! I played the role of the gracious host and finished last!
Tomorrow, I think it will be a little more painting. It feels great to be able to do something constructive. But, I am not pushing myself. When I get tired, I stop. If I don't feel like doing something, I don't do it.
Everything in moderation...
Bob
July 24, 2009 10:45 PM
Where do we go today!
Kind of a pot-pouri I think.
Rumors are abounding that Nortel has reached an agreement to sell off our portion of the business. However, a phone call to work revealed that as far as they know, it's only rumors - nothing definite.
I did some more painting today. Still have lots more to do. I guess that I'm making up for lost time here - should have done this quite a while ago. But when you can't go out - you might as well make staying in count!
Also on the appetite front, I seem to want to eat more. I won't say that I savor food at this point in time but I guess that I am feeling more hungry which I am taking as a good sign. Now, I just have to be careful that I don't go overboard and gain back all that unnecessary weight that I had lost.
Other than that, I feel fine. I have all the prescriptions that I'll need for the next month so I'm set for a while and I won't need to have my blood boil thrying to reorder what I need. Only 5 days left before our next trip to Boston. After 5 weeks, it'll be interesting to see how everything looks.
So much for today...
Bob
Kind of a pot-pouri I think.
Rumors are abounding that Nortel has reached an agreement to sell off our portion of the business. However, a phone call to work revealed that as far as they know, it's only rumors - nothing definite.
I did some more painting today. Still have lots more to do. I guess that I'm making up for lost time here - should have done this quite a while ago. But when you can't go out - you might as well make staying in count!
Also on the appetite front, I seem to want to eat more. I won't say that I savor food at this point in time but I guess that I am feeling more hungry which I am taking as a good sign. Now, I just have to be careful that I don't go overboard and gain back all that unnecessary weight that I had lost.
Other than that, I feel fine. I have all the prescriptions that I'll need for the next month so I'm set for a while and I won't need to have my blood boil thrying to reorder what I need. Only 5 days left before our next trip to Boston. After 5 weeks, it'll be interesting to see how everything looks.
So much for today...
Bob
July 23, 2009
No thinking today!
But the thought did occur to me, as I called to have three prescriptions renewed today, that I have not really provided an update as to where I stand with the remaining prescriptions that I have left. Over these past few months I've provided insight as to the degree of difficulty involved to obtain them but that's about it. Hopefully it won't be too boring. At a minimum, it will be informative
So here goes...
I am required to take an over the counter vitamin pill everyday as long as it contains folic acid. This I will have to take until the end of the 12 month period from the date of my bone marrow transplant(2/17/10)
I take acyclovir 3 times a day to prevent shingles and the chicken pox. That's right, the chicken pox! It seems that it's a big concern. Enough so that I will have to get my "baby shots" all over again this coming February. I will take the acyclovir until 2/17/10.
I take bactrim once a day to prevent pneumonia. This replaces the mepron suspension that I had been taking. The pill is a lot more convenient. And a lot cheaper! The mepron suspension is over $1200/month while the bactrim is $7. This I will take until 2/17/10 as well.
I take lipitor once a day for high cholesterol. The high cholesterol is a side effect of the immuno-suppressants so I am not sure how long I will be taking this.
I take 2 immuno-suppressants - prograph and rapamune.
I am currently ramping down on the prograph taking 1 mg twice a day at least until the end of July. If I encounter no problems during that time period(and I haven't) the dosage will be dropped to .5mg twice a day during the month of August and then(God willing) stopped altogether at the end of the month.
The rapamune dosage is 2mg once a day. This will remain so during August but should be cut to 1 mg during September and then stopped altogether at the end of the month. Some time thereafter, I would assume, the lipitor should be cut out as well as I will no longer be taking the imuno-suppressants.
For someone who never even took an aspirin, this is quite a load to handle. But, truthfully, it has become routine. It's a whale of a lot better than the 30+ pills a day that they were giving me in the hospital and it's a lot less than the 12 medications that I took when I first got home.
However, I am looking forward to getting back to the number of medications that I took before all this started which was none! The initial major goal was to try to get me off the immuno-suppressants by February(if possible). This looks like it will be done by October! So I think that I have a good chance to get back to where I want to be. It's all in God's hands.
I hope that you are all still awake...
Bob
But the thought did occur to me, as I called to have three prescriptions renewed today, that I have not really provided an update as to where I stand with the remaining prescriptions that I have left. Over these past few months I've provided insight as to the degree of difficulty involved to obtain them but that's about it. Hopefully it won't be too boring. At a minimum, it will be informative
So here goes...
I am required to take an over the counter vitamin pill everyday as long as it contains folic acid. This I will have to take until the end of the 12 month period from the date of my bone marrow transplant(2/17/10)
I take acyclovir 3 times a day to prevent shingles and the chicken pox. That's right, the chicken pox! It seems that it's a big concern. Enough so that I will have to get my "baby shots" all over again this coming February. I will take the acyclovir until 2/17/10.
I take bactrim once a day to prevent pneumonia. This replaces the mepron suspension that I had been taking. The pill is a lot more convenient. And a lot cheaper! The mepron suspension is over $1200/month while the bactrim is $7. This I will take until 2/17/10 as well.
I take lipitor once a day for high cholesterol. The high cholesterol is a side effect of the immuno-suppressants so I am not sure how long I will be taking this.
I take 2 immuno-suppressants - prograph and rapamune.
I am currently ramping down on the prograph taking 1 mg twice a day at least until the end of July. If I encounter no problems during that time period(and I haven't) the dosage will be dropped to .5mg twice a day during the month of August and then(God willing) stopped altogether at the end of the month.
The rapamune dosage is 2mg once a day. This will remain so during August but should be cut to 1 mg during September and then stopped altogether at the end of the month. Some time thereafter, I would assume, the lipitor should be cut out as well as I will no longer be taking the imuno-suppressants.
For someone who never even took an aspirin, this is quite a load to handle. But, truthfully, it has become routine. It's a whale of a lot better than the 30+ pills a day that they were giving me in the hospital and it's a lot less than the 12 medications that I took when I first got home.
However, I am looking forward to getting back to the number of medications that I took before all this started which was none! The initial major goal was to try to get me off the immuno-suppressants by February(if possible). This looks like it will be done by October! So I think that I have a good chance to get back to where I want to be. It's all in God's hands.
I hope that you are all still awake...
Bob
July 22, 2009 10:55 PM
Just thinking...
I know that it's a dangerous thing to do, but when the days are uneventful it presents you with opportunities to think. And, believe me, today was very uneventful!
What was I thinking about? Basically, I was falling back on the fact that I am so fortunate(I was going to say lucky - but I don't believe that what I have experienced is luck!) to be where I am today. And I do have a greater appreciation for the things that go on around me and the things that I can do. I am not expecting that you will properly understand all of this because you have not had to go through it. And, believe me, I don't want any of you to have to undergo any of this.
But, we do take so much for granted - and well we should! However, we must be aware of why we take these things for granted. We do so because we have been blessed with the faculties and good health that allow us to conduct our lives on a higher plane than just being grateful that we woke up in the morning and that we are able to undertake the plans for the day without concern. I ask that you take the time to thank God that you can do so! I know that I said that I won't tell you how to lead you lives. Among other things, I guess that I am a liar! Neil Diamond has expressed it better than I in his song "Leave a Little Room for God"
But, you know, I am grateful that I have had this experience because it definitely gives you an enhanced perspective on life and it's wonders.
You become a changed person...
Bob
I know that it's a dangerous thing to do, but when the days are uneventful it presents you with opportunities to think. And, believe me, today was very uneventful!
What was I thinking about? Basically, I was falling back on the fact that I am so fortunate(I was going to say lucky - but I don't believe that what I have experienced is luck!) to be where I am today. And I do have a greater appreciation for the things that go on around me and the things that I can do. I am not expecting that you will properly understand all of this because you have not had to go through it. And, believe me, I don't want any of you to have to undergo any of this.
But, we do take so much for granted - and well we should! However, we must be aware of why we take these things for granted. We do so because we have been blessed with the faculties and good health that allow us to conduct our lives on a higher plane than just being grateful that we woke up in the morning and that we are able to undertake the plans for the day without concern. I ask that you take the time to thank God that you can do so! I know that I said that I won't tell you how to lead you lives. Among other things, I guess that I am a liar! Neil Diamond has expressed it better than I in his song "Leave a Little Room for God"
But, you know, I am grateful that I have had this experience because it definitely gives you an enhanced perspective on life and it's wonders.
You become a changed person...
Bob
July 21, 2009 10:30 PM
Another typical 2009 summer day - rainy and chilly!
My grandson is away at summer camp this week and this surely had to be a bummer of a day.
As for me, I continued my painting. What better activity to do when it's pouring outside. However, the landscapers were busily pruning bushes in the rain today. I suppose if they wait for it to stop - it will never get done.
I am really doing great and I think that doing things around the house are really good for my mental wellbeing. It really feels good to be contributing again. I admit that it's somewhat limited right now but still it's a step in the right direction.
Tomorrow is the last Wednesday off for the month. Next week it's back to Boston and we'll all get an objective update as to what my condition is and not the subjective "I feel good" that I always give you.
Not a whale of a lot more to say today, so I'll bring it to an end for another 24 hours...
Bob
My grandson is away at summer camp this week and this surely had to be a bummer of a day.
As for me, I continued my painting. What better activity to do when it's pouring outside. However, the landscapers were busily pruning bushes in the rain today. I suppose if they wait for it to stop - it will never get done.
I am really doing great and I think that doing things around the house are really good for my mental wellbeing. It really feels good to be contributing again. I admit that it's somewhat limited right now but still it's a step in the right direction.
Tomorrow is the last Wednesday off for the month. Next week it's back to Boston and we'll all get an objective update as to what my condition is and not the subjective "I feel good" that I always give you.
Not a whale of a lot more to say today, so I'll bring it to an end for another 24 hours...
Bob
July 20, 2009 11:05 PM
It was a working day of sorts.
I spent some of the time painting our master bath. I use non-VOC paint and I wear a face mask in order to prevent anything unexpected from happening. Wearing a face mask is a pain because it fogs up my glasses. But I have to admit that I am getting antsy and I just need to be doing something! This is therapy for me!
My second prescription arrived today so that I am now in good shape for a while.
Other than that, it was quiet and uneventful - just the way that the doctor's like it! Actually, I should amend that comment somewhat. My company, as I have mentioned before, has filed for bankruptcy. Come to find out that they are looking to sell off the facility that I work(ed) at. When I called HR to ascertain what my position would be should any sale occur and they said that they have no idea! Talk about being in limbo! As they say, you shouldn't worry about anything until it happens, so I guess I'll have to wait to see how the chips fall.
It's funny, I sat down to write this entry thinking that not much happened - but, as usual, there always seems to be an event or two to talk about.
Tomorrow there will be some more painting on the agenda...
Bob
I spent some of the time painting our master bath. I use non-VOC paint and I wear a face mask in order to prevent anything unexpected from happening. Wearing a face mask is a pain because it fogs up my glasses. But I have to admit that I am getting antsy and I just need to be doing something! This is therapy for me!
My second prescription arrived today so that I am now in good shape for a while.
Other than that, it was quiet and uneventful - just the way that the doctor's like it! Actually, I should amend that comment somewhat. My company, as I have mentioned before, has filed for bankruptcy. Come to find out that they are looking to sell off the facility that I work(ed) at. When I called HR to ascertain what my position would be should any sale occur and they said that they have no idea! Talk about being in limbo! As they say, you shouldn't worry about anything until it happens, so I guess I'll have to wait to see how the chips fall.
It's funny, I sat down to write this entry thinking that not much happened - but, as usual, there always seems to be an event or two to talk about.
Tomorrow there will be some more painting on the agenda...
Bob
July 19, 2009 10:55 PM
I think that I am slowly melting away!
It was a beautiful day, weatherwise so I decided to once again put on a pair of shorts. The world deserves to see my gorgeous legs! Anyway, I found this pair that still had on the original tags, removed the tags, and put them on. They were a little tighter than any of the other pants that I have been wearing but they certainly fit fine. When I then proceeded to look at the tag with the waist size on it - I then knew why they had never been worn before. The waist was two inches smaller than what I had been wearing for God knows how long! That's why the tags were still there - they wouldn't fit.
So, of course, what did I do during the day? I ate my way through it - eating lots of pasta at dinner time and going out for ice cream afterwards. I guess that I am determined that these shorts won't fit for long!
Other than that, I had a nice long phone conversation with a friend. I think that he really needed to unload some things that were bothering him moreso than simply being concerned about my wellbeing. That's fine. The fact that I am doing so well removes that as a burden from me and as an all encompassing topic of conversation when people call. We can converse about other things that are going on in people's lives and I can do things to set things aright for others in my own simplistic way.
Another great day in so many ways! I feel good that it seems that I am slowly getting back into the swing of things. It's going in the right direction even if it seems at a snail's pace to me.
It's an old saying but... God please grant me patience and give it to me now!!!
Bob
It was a beautiful day, weatherwise so I decided to once again put on a pair of shorts. The world deserves to see my gorgeous legs! Anyway, I found this pair that still had on the original tags, removed the tags, and put them on. They were a little tighter than any of the other pants that I have been wearing but they certainly fit fine. When I then proceeded to look at the tag with the waist size on it - I then knew why they had never been worn before. The waist was two inches smaller than what I had been wearing for God knows how long! That's why the tags were still there - they wouldn't fit.
So, of course, what did I do during the day? I ate my way through it - eating lots of pasta at dinner time and going out for ice cream afterwards. I guess that I am determined that these shorts won't fit for long!
Other than that, I had a nice long phone conversation with a friend. I think that he really needed to unload some things that were bothering him moreso than simply being concerned about my wellbeing. That's fine. The fact that I am doing so well removes that as a burden from me and as an all encompassing topic of conversation when people call. We can converse about other things that are going on in people's lives and I can do things to set things aright for others in my own simplistic way.
Another great day in so many ways! I feel good that it seems that I am slowly getting back into the swing of things. It's going in the right direction even if it seems at a snail's pace to me.
It's an old saying but... God please grant me patience and give it to me now!!!
Bob
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