A day of preparation.
No projects and no work of any kind today and probably for the week. But we did buy the materials for my next job which is to redo our small guest bathroom. Whenever we plan to do something, we always make sure that we go out and get the materials early on. For two reasons - once you have the materials, you have no excuse not to begin the work and, once you have the materials, the frugal Bob says that you have wasted your money unless you actually follow through with the project.
To me this is a lesson in life as well. We live for, and enjoy, today. But we must always prepare for tomorrow. Even though tomorrow is not promised to us, the hope of tomorrow is and that is what helps to propel us through life. If you have no hope for each new day then you there is no reason for you to seize it and make it yours.
I have no idea how many days I have left. But, for me, knowing that each day is such a special gift, I have tried to put them to their best use by either successfully accomplishing something or preparing myself for the days ahead.
I suppose that it's also the perfect time of the year to reflect on all of this as 2009 winds down and we turn ourselves to the future that 2010 will bring to us. What will it be? What will I do to make it as good as it can be for me? For those around me?
Life hasn't been good to all of us on all levels - I know that. But it has been good to all of us on some levels. I plan to use what I do have as the foundation for what I can give.
All I know is that for me, once I'm back on my feet, things will be different...
Bob
December 25, 2009 10:25 PM
Christmas Day!
A great day as we spent the morning with one of my daughters and her family and then we went to my sister-in-law's house to be with the extended family. As I look upon it, obviously the gift of the birth of the baby Jesus is the greatest gift ever. But to think how many, many gifts that that gift has spawned is just too staggering to comprehend.
As much as we all tend to balk at Christmas shopping(I don't put myself in that class since I really don't do any!), I think that one of the most precious is that it provides an opportunity for the family members to think of each other, how much they mean to each other, and how vitally important it is to come together and share those thoughts of love.
On Christmas Day, you can see that in action as gifts are being freely passed around the room. What a wonderful sight and, more importantly, what a wonderful feeling it is to be a part of it.
As much as Thanksgiving is an introverted time when we personally thank God for all that we have received, Christmas is the overt expression of those thoughts. It seems so fitting that the two holidays are positioned the way that they are and how each supports the other so well.
As for me, I still feel great and I should append my message of a few days ago by saying that the doctor ideally looks for a little graft vs host disease as it provides a further indication that the transplant is doing its job. No reaction is fine, but some is better.
I have no complaints(not that it would do any good), my walk has been a fantastic one and one that each and every one of you has provided for me with your thoughts and prayers. This has been the greatest gift that I have ever received.
I thank you again, so much...
Bob
A great day as we spent the morning with one of my daughters and her family and then we went to my sister-in-law's house to be with the extended family. As I look upon it, obviously the gift of the birth of the baby Jesus is the greatest gift ever. But to think how many, many gifts that that gift has spawned is just too staggering to comprehend.
As much as we all tend to balk at Christmas shopping(I don't put myself in that class since I really don't do any!), I think that one of the most precious is that it provides an opportunity for the family members to think of each other, how much they mean to each other, and how vitally important it is to come together and share those thoughts of love.
On Christmas Day, you can see that in action as gifts are being freely passed around the room. What a wonderful sight and, more importantly, what a wonderful feeling it is to be a part of it.
As much as Thanksgiving is an introverted time when we personally thank God for all that we have received, Christmas is the overt expression of those thoughts. It seems so fitting that the two holidays are positioned the way that they are and how each supports the other so well.
As for me, I still feel great and I should append my message of a few days ago by saying that the doctor ideally looks for a little graft vs host disease as it provides a further indication that the transplant is doing its job. No reaction is fine, but some is better.
I have no complaints(not that it would do any good), my walk has been a fantastic one and one that each and every one of you has provided for me with your thoughts and prayers. This has been the greatest gift that I have ever received.
I thank you again, so much...
Bob
December 24, 2009 4:45 PM
An early post today!
Because we are going to church late tonight(and we have to arise early - it being Christmas)I didn't want to have to post whenever we got home.
Last year , I went into depth about what I thought the magic of Christmas was for me. And, as every bit of that was certianly true, it will only be truer(more true!) in the years to come as each Christmas is now a special gift to me that I would not have had.
I have to go to church on Christmas Eve(is the PC version Holiday Eve?) as most of you know,b ecause of that magical moment on day ride from church to home where the world seems to be so at peace - the way that life should be. The quiet streets, darkened houses and stores, and the few cars that meander about create(for a brief moment) the world that we all long for. A world of joy, a world of love, a world at peace. I can really feel the presence of God at that time as He seems to be telling me, "See, this is the peace on Earth that I have given to you and that you sing about give it a chance."
Even though I am not a fan of the cold, it cannot be Christmas without cold weather. Having viewed people in Florida setting up outside decorations in tee-shirts and shorts, it just doesn't cut it for me. I realize that they have no choice - but I do - and New Hampshire for Christmas is all right by me.
Now I want to wish each and every one of you a most wonderful Merry Christmas. May the Christmas that you imagine in your heart be the Christmas that you receive.
Your support and prayers have been the gifts that keep on giving for me and I thank you so much!
It's hard to believe that it's been a year since I last attended a church service!
It won't be a year to my next one...
Bob
Because we are going to church late tonight(and we have to arise early - it being Christmas)I didn't want to have to post whenever we got home.
Last year , I went into depth about what I thought the magic of Christmas was for me. And, as every bit of that was certianly true, it will only be truer(more true!) in the years to come as each Christmas is now a special gift to me that I would not have had.
I have to go to church on Christmas Eve(is the PC version Holiday Eve?) as most of you know,b ecause of that magical moment on day ride from church to home where the world seems to be so at peace - the way that life should be. The quiet streets, darkened houses and stores, and the few cars that meander about create(for a brief moment) the world that we all long for. A world of joy, a world of love, a world at peace. I can really feel the presence of God at that time as He seems to be telling me, "See, this is the peace on Earth that I have given to you and that you sing about give it a chance."
Even though I am not a fan of the cold, it cannot be Christmas without cold weather. Having viewed people in Florida setting up outside decorations in tee-shirts and shorts, it just doesn't cut it for me. I realize that they have no choice - but I do - and New Hampshire for Christmas is all right by me.
Now I want to wish each and every one of you a most wonderful Merry Christmas. May the Christmas that you imagine in your heart be the Christmas that you receive.
Your support and prayers have been the gifts that keep on giving for me and I thank you so much!
It's hard to believe that it's been a year since I last attended a church service!
It won't be a year to my next one...
Bob
December 23, 2009 9:45 PM
Always news on doctor's visit day!
Today's news was really - for the first time - a mixed bag. Some of my blood counts that have been slowly marching toward normality have continued to do so - that's the good news. The not as good news is the fact that there is evidence of chronic graft vs host disease. This evidence was indicated by some of my other counts being highly elevated - not because I didn't feel well.
Chronic, in this case, doesn't mean that it will last forever, it simply means that it occurred later in the recovery cycle - after the 100 day period. Otherwise, they call it acute graft vs host disease. Likewise, according to the doctor, this is something that happens to 50% to 70% of transplant patients and we've caught it early on.
So, what do you do about it? Well, one thing is that I go back onto one of my immuno-suppressants for a while - how long remains to be seen as it depends on how things progress from here. I am also starting on prednisone with the same conditions.
The other bummer is that we now have to go back to Boston in two weeks instead of in a month.
So, the bottom line is that I am not out of the woods yet and am still in need of your kind thoughts and prayers.
Not quite the Christmas present that I was looking for - but it certainly could have been a lot worse...
Bob
Today's news was really - for the first time - a mixed bag. Some of my blood counts that have been slowly marching toward normality have continued to do so - that's the good news. The not as good news is the fact that there is evidence of chronic graft vs host disease. This evidence was indicated by some of my other counts being highly elevated - not because I didn't feel well.
Chronic, in this case, doesn't mean that it will last forever, it simply means that it occurred later in the recovery cycle - after the 100 day period. Otherwise, they call it acute graft vs host disease. Likewise, according to the doctor, this is something that happens to 50% to 70% of transplant patients and we've caught it early on.
So, what do you do about it? Well, one thing is that I go back onto one of my immuno-suppressants for a while - how long remains to be seen as it depends on how things progress from here. I am also starting on prednisone with the same conditions.
The other bummer is that we now have to go back to Boston in two weeks instead of in a month.
So, the bottom line is that I am not out of the woods yet and am still in need of your kind thoughts and prayers.
Not quite the Christmas present that I was looking for - but it certainly could have been a lot worse...
Bob
December 22, 2009 10:45 Pm
Off to Boston!
Tomorrow is our monthly visit to the doctor. Not that I expect anything unusual to occur, but it will be nice to once again get confirmation that everything is going according to plan.
Today was very nice as friends unexpectedly dropped in during the afternoon and my son and his daughters were here for dinner.
Otherwise, work continues apace downstairs which keeps me going because I think that I would go nuts if I just sat around all day every day and did nothing.
It's up at 5 AM tomorrow, I can hardly wait...
Bob
Tomorrow is our monthly visit to the doctor. Not that I expect anything unusual to occur, but it will be nice to once again get confirmation that everything is going according to plan.
Today was very nice as friends unexpectedly dropped in during the afternoon and my son and his daughters were here for dinner.
Otherwise, work continues apace downstairs which keeps me going because I think that I would go nuts if I just sat around all day every day and did nothing.
It's up at 5 AM tomorrow, I can hardly wait...
Bob
December 21, 2009 10:30 PM
What a difference a year makes!
Having come home from the hospital on the Monday before Christmas a year ago, I was waiting for my counts to begin to bottom out after my second round of chemo. This year we are continuing to watch them rise. Wednesday will provide the latest installment in that journey as we head to the clinic for my December appointment.
In the mean time, how do I presently keep myself occupied. For one, I am a relatively late riser - 9:00 to be precise. Many people are now aware of this luxury that I presently have and refrain from calling until at least that hour. At this point, I grab a little breakfast, put on some work clothes and proceed to leasurely work on a few projects that I have going on downstairs. Lunch commences at 12:30 so that we can watch how ignorant people are on the daytime syndicated version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". I'll continue working for an hour or two after lunch and then call it a day. There is no reason to feverishly work to complete the projects as there is always tomoroow. What a pleasure it is to be able to write that even though they say that tomorrow is promised to no one.
For me each day is a gift that is much appreciated when you realize that it was not that long ago to be diagnosed with leukemia was a death sentence - especially for people my age!
Back to the remainder of the day. Usually I then migrate to the computer and do some web surfing, e-mail checking, etc. A break for dinner is followed by TV until about 10:00 or so when I get back on the computer to do the blog for the day. I'll stick with the computer for a while after that and then go to bed.
Sounds exciting, doesn't it! But, when I'm basically restricted to home duties, there is not too much else that I can do. A meal out once in a while(off peak hours), a movie(on a midweek afternoon), see a grandchild's game occasionally, visit a friend, etc. Those are the main "activities" that get me out of the house.
Christmas Eve will be a biggy for me. The first time that I will have been to church in a year! I really feel like a kid at Christmas with regard to this as I can hardly wait.
It'll probably be February be fore I can go back for good...
Bob
Having come home from the hospital on the Monday before Christmas a year ago, I was waiting for my counts to begin to bottom out after my second round of chemo. This year we are continuing to watch them rise. Wednesday will provide the latest installment in that journey as we head to the clinic for my December appointment.
In the mean time, how do I presently keep myself occupied. For one, I am a relatively late riser - 9:00 to be precise. Many people are now aware of this luxury that I presently have and refrain from calling until at least that hour. At this point, I grab a little breakfast, put on some work clothes and proceed to leasurely work on a few projects that I have going on downstairs. Lunch commences at 12:30 so that we can watch how ignorant people are on the daytime syndicated version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". I'll continue working for an hour or two after lunch and then call it a day. There is no reason to feverishly work to complete the projects as there is always tomoroow. What a pleasure it is to be able to write that even though they say that tomorrow is promised to no one.
For me each day is a gift that is much appreciated when you realize that it was not that long ago to be diagnosed with leukemia was a death sentence - especially for people my age!
Back to the remainder of the day. Usually I then migrate to the computer and do some web surfing, e-mail checking, etc. A break for dinner is followed by TV until about 10:00 or so when I get back on the computer to do the blog for the day. I'll stick with the computer for a while after that and then go to bed.
Sounds exciting, doesn't it! But, when I'm basically restricted to home duties, there is not too much else that I can do. A meal out once in a while(off peak hours), a movie(on a midweek afternoon), see a grandchild's game occasionally, visit a friend, etc. Those are the main "activities" that get me out of the house.
Christmas Eve will be a biggy for me. The first time that I will have been to church in a year! I really feel like a kid at Christmas with regard to this as I can hardly wait.
It'll probably be February be fore I can go back for good...
Bob
December 20, 2009 10:35 PM
It fizzled out!
All that snow that they were predicting for us to get today turned out to be an inch at best. It always seems that when the predict a lot - we get a little - and vice versa. Ah, but weatherman failure leads only to the next day when they can try again. What a job!
Sunday once more. Only a special Sunday that will require a year to recover from. This is the night when they have lessons and carols at church. There is a lot of preparation put in by the choir and it is a nice way to focus on the real reason for the season as they say. It is then followed by a gathering at a parishioner's house to celebrate all that is good about the season. An enjoyable and fun evening on several levels and a part of the Christmas season that I have now missed for the past 2 years. I know that I shouldn't complain but I do know what I am missing and it missing events like these does get to you.
I will not miss Christmas Eve, however...
Bob
All that snow that they were predicting for us to get today turned out to be an inch at best. It always seems that when the predict a lot - we get a little - and vice versa. Ah, but weatherman failure leads only to the next day when they can try again. What a job!
Sunday once more. Only a special Sunday that will require a year to recover from. This is the night when they have lessons and carols at church. There is a lot of preparation put in by the choir and it is a nice way to focus on the real reason for the season as they say. It is then followed by a gathering at a parishioner's house to celebrate all that is good about the season. An enjoyable and fun evening on several levels and a part of the Christmas season that I have now missed for the past 2 years. I know that I shouldn't complain but I do know what I am missing and it missing events like these does get to you.
I will not miss Christmas Eve, however...
Bob
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