AHHHH some GOOD NEWS

Last Monday Rich had blood work and his platelets and white count were down. So up to Duarate and the City of Hope we went, he got his Nupagen shot and some platelets. Today he went for blood work and GOOD NEWS.... he did not need platelets and the white count was up to the lowest end of the NORMAL range... what good news. He is trying to keep to a routine and still needs to take it easy and not get to tired or be around sick people. Thank you, LORD, for that great news today. I must admit having him home I think we are saving money since I don't go out and do any shopping. I am actually getting some scrapbooking done. I thought I might do some spring cleaning (that must be a gene I got from my Grandma Carr) but WHY? It makes life more exciting when you open a cupboard and things fall on your head, thank goodness it was just Tupperware and some chips, that fell out. The Newport Beach Brown's came over tonight and brought soup and salad and stayed to visit. Those two people keep me rolling on the ground with laughter. Paul has more one liner jokes than Jay Leno. AHHH life just feels better right this moment than it did yesterday. Everyday should be better and better.

Jeff, is somewhere in Texas on his ride and we called and left messages for him and we are waiting for a call back. His latest blog on his web site with the cowboy is really really good. Check it out at
http://www.southern-tier.net/Southern_Tier/Welcome.html click on recently at the top and then click on his most recent blog information it will take a couple of minutes for the video to down load but it is worth the wait... Happy day everyone.

LIFE

Life, seems to be getting a little more back to normal each day Rich is home. His strength is returning and he is getting a little cling "e". After being married for 33 years this is not something I am used to since we both appreciate our own space! The support from friends, family and neighbors has been such a HUGE blessing. My neighbor Barb and Happy Hour friend Jennifer planted flowers in our front yard while Rich was at the City of Hope. How nice to drive up and have all these happy flowers smiling at us last Monday. That is just one of the many blessings. Cards, phone calls, meals, love, blood, platelets and prayers.

Friends from San Diego will be coming by today and we heard from Meghan. She and her mother are in town and they are doing the Disneyland thing in Anaheim and are supposed to come see us this afternoon. This is exciting and I am a little jealous, I would love to be doing the Disney thing with them too. I love that Meghan! I probably should go pick up the scrappy room floor, I know Meghan will want to show her mom all my )@%^- (stuff) and I will be embarassed it is such a mess. DISCLAIMER:. the spell check is not working on blogger so you might find several misspellings. Something is funny with our computer these last couple of days... Love to all

There is No Place Like HOME

Just wanted to send a quick e-mail/Blog Post for those that don't already know.... but Rich's white count was at 1000 yesterday and he worked his doctor (just a little) that he would be fine and recover better at home.... She agreed and sent him packing. I am happy to report he is back home and a much happier man, sleeping in his own bed, giving Gracie pets and already his appetite is returning. He is quite sure he did receive female platelets and blood in the hospital since he was feeling emotional and a little weepy.

We still have lots of trips on the calendar for return visits to the City of Hope, but they will be day trips. Including today at 11:00 the good news is they are DAY TRIPS and he does not have to stay.

Your prayers, love, cards, phone calls and good thoughts have worked. They are telling us the transplant cells are starting to mature and do their job! Praise GOD what great news.

Thank you all so much for everything. Please continue to keep us in your prayers for continued healing and success. Love to all of you and have a wonderful day.

Wally, Rich and the Dodgers

Rich has named his IV pole that he is for the most part permanently attached to "WALLY".... Today the Dodgers just happened to be in the building and came to Rich's room for a little one on one time - visit. The above picture is Rich, Wally (he could not get rid of Wally although he tried) and some of the Dodgers. Now that is something that just does not happen all the time 5 Dodgers in your room. I would give you names but it is late and after a 10 hour day in Duarte my mind is mush. Tomorrow I will get their names. I now have some very favorite, special, Dodger players I will be cheering for for all year. Rich is feeling better and it shows. No where close to where he needs to be but a little better all the same, he received some blood and platelets today. The other picture is of the nurses and assistants that did his bone marrow transplant. SOME AMAZING WOMEN. The one on the far right I have chosen as my other future daughter-in law (don't tell Jeff) but she has a boyfriend. You may think that blue cooler is full of beer like most ice chest but it was full of the 14 packages of cells they transplanted back into him over those two days last week (the ice chest - beer line was supposed to be funny, but it just didn't come out right, to tired to change it). I understand next week more "celebs" will be stopping in for a visit... the famous "SISTAS" !GOD BLESS and keep those prayers coming, I know they are giving us strength and healing...

Waiting

All the new cells are in! and Rich's Bone Marrow Transplant is complete. Day 2 which was Thursday went smoother than Day 1 probably because Rich was less anxious and new what to expect. He is pretty tired and the white count has dropped as it was supposed to and today he is receiving platelets. We watched the super bowl together yesterday for the most part. I left before the begining of the 4th before all the party goers started home on the freeway. Waking up with an empty bed (no human) is getting old so glad that Gracie is there and to give me a giant dog lick when I open my eyes... there are alot of things which are getting old and I want our life back. God willing it won't be to much longer. The continued support of friends, family and the staff at City of Hope is amazing and wonderful. Rich and I both have those times we just want to crawl under a rock and wait it out. But somehow the phone always rings and someone is there to give us support and love and incouragment. Jeff is someplace in New Mexico on his ride and Mike moved into his new place this week which Megahan is mostly furnishing with her stuff from storage. Meghan starts her chemo again this week, so prayers for her. May you day be filled with lots of SUNSHINE and the breeze on your face.