Who did we run into

Love is... Being free

Thursday
Small jobs turn into an all day affair.  Well we were supposed to be home by lunchtime.  Now Colin is retired life has really changed for both of us.
Run into Maggie from the Cossie club in Pak n Save. Then see Di And Phil so we decide to go for casual lunch in Botany. 
Nice one.

Saturday
I have been flat out this week
*washed 2 cars
*lawns,  weeds and clearing branches and wood off the bank
*3 loads of washing cos weather is fine
*cleaned cat area in laundry,  yuk and rubbish tins.
*gardening
*Vacuumed

Dreamy patisserie cream puffs

We've come a long way

Love is....  Living life again

Monday
Colin has had his groshon chest vein access removed. No dramas and all over in 10 seconds.  He didnt want to give it up as taking blood was so easy.  Time to be brave and cut ties. 

Groshon

My favourite Beard Papa Puffs yummy

In training by the shopping  queen,  me! 

Out and about, everywhere

Love is.... A life worth living

Saturday
I  realised yesterday that I was no longer looking for close carparks and worrying about how far to walk to a place.  Colin can walk longer distances and is no longer taking cat naps in the afternoon since a week ago. What a difference.  Sometimes he still waits in the car as it is not ideal for him to enter a place.  Tomorrow will be the first day in about 4-5 months where I need him to drive down the road for an errand as I am busy all day at a concert.
We have lunched this week and now dinnered with dance group friends.  I almost feel normal.
So nice to catch up on news and socialise while we can.
Probably taking a few risks but we are  still being careful with what is being eaten and where we go.

First yum char meal out since transplant 

First dinner out.  My night off cooking. 

Making a break for it

Wednesday

 Consultant visit this morning and Colin is making very good progress.  I hesitate to say he is doing great because anything can change in a blink of an eye.

*  Recently dropped taking 7 doses of tablets

*  Tomorrow to start titrating down immuno suppressants. Will be finished in 3 months if all goes to plan.

*  Well and fit, no temperatures or rashes or diarrhea.

*   Recent changes in blood test are not a worry says specialist

*   Food rules: we have relaxed a bit

*   Cleaning rules: I have relaxed a bit (kind of couldn't keep it up) Neutrophils are good anyway.

*   Removal of central line (Groshon) from his chest hopefully next week

*   Hospital visits down to fortnightly when Groshon is removed. Get our life back.

*   Still no travel overseas is on the cards till June 2016. Dependent on health

Problem with going off immuno suppressants is that there is a chance of getting Graft versus Host disease.  As this states it is kind of a fight between the donor cells and Colin's own bone marrow cells that are left. If it goes into a full blown fisticuffs then we have a problem. It is more likely to happen at this stage!

Colin has cut out his afternoon sleep. He is growing hair.  He is walking 2 km every fine day. He is doing office work, dishes and jobs around the house. He is stronger and well. He is enjoying retirement. He is eating well and maintaining his weight.

Pray:

That it all stays on the up and up. That the transplant will continue to work for a LONG time.

We just don't know how long it will continue.

 

Domain greenhouse

Sandra D and me on our walk

Tuesday a visit and uke jam with Sandra

Hair today

Love is... A warm head of hair

Saturday  Day 99
We are really over this NZ winter weather.  Some warm sunshine would be wonderful.
Off shopping with 2 sons to dressmart and they have procured themselves suits on sale.  Looking really dapper though mum has a job to take up hems again.  Barkers were wonderful help.
I can't believe what a year it has been for us.  It is scary to think ahead of what our next year will bring.  Can't make plans either.  Just enjoying time together. It will be Christmas soon enough. January will be a year of illness and recovery for Colin. 

Colin has been good this week.  Just look at his hair finally growing and showing.

Monday DAY 100

A milestone but still can't be too complacent. A good day at clinic with a catch up with friends and a visit to others. Enjoyed a late lunch and home later.  Tiring sometimes. 

Tuesday 

We are out at  Sanda and Kevins a change in scenery and a jam on  out ukelele with Sandra and Vanessa was great.  I need to start practicing again. 

Dinner,  filo wrapped chicken mushroom and cheese with parsley pesto. Medley of roast veges. 

Diabetic and transplant friendly

Happy Father's day Honey

Love is.... Memories of us becoming parents of 3 boys to men.

Sunday
Oaty pancakes for Father's day breakfast .  Yumo.  Too bad! you just have to have maple syrup now and again. Unfortunately by lunchtime the food didnt stay down.  Colin's scopoderm patch must have come off and he was feeling ill again.  Loaded up with medications he was packed off to bed but was much improved by dinner time.

Nick is off overseas for work but away a month.   LA,  Paris, London and Germany.  Parents last minute instructions about safety,  what to watch out for and what to see. Probably isn't sinking in. 

Monday

Clinic is so frustrating we didnt clear till 3 and waited 50 minutes in the pharmacy. Started to get edgy as had to get home to take Nick to the airport before 5pm. Thank goodness the traffic was clear.  Usually unheard of at 4 pm. It all about waiting for Dr Will who was late today.  Nick got away and lucky him being flown business. 

Colin is able to stop taking  one tablet from today.  Actually involves 4 less capsules each day.  Yayy. His own titration on the magnesium liquid has worked. Was afraid halving the dose might not work but it has. Mini progress.  Next week he sees the consultant so lets hope he is pleased with progress too. 

Wednesday

YesterdayI had a time out day.  Colin is always on my mind.  My massage day and lunch and lovely catch up with  Faye.  Today we are stay at homes.  Trying to get on top of clean up and the garden.  Time to plant my lettuce,  snowpeas and spinach.  Had to weed and feed first so hope I can get the seedlings going well. 

  

Yes mum cooked again

Farewells 

Tomorrow tomorrow, I love you (Gin Wigmore)

Love is..... Having a tomorrow to share

Tuesday week 12
Clinic yesterday and all is great so far with Colin.  Left by 12.30 which is almost a record. Popped in to see Daphne and  Colin and bonus Julie and Pete were there.  Had afternoon tea. Amazing to begin getting back to socialising just a little.  Colin's sisters visited Thursday.  Sandra and Kevin,  Viv and Steve visited on Friday. Crystal and Sam visited on Sunday.  A whirlwind of visitors.

Colin is walking 2 km and we are managing most days now weather is warmer and there is a Window of clear sky. 
Hair
Can't believe it had taken 3 months for even a show of hair growth on his head .  That last round of chemo was really toxic. I can just barely see the growth but you can feel it. It is growing back a different texture this time almost like a five o'clock shadow. Still grey.  I wondered why my hair is so grey but saw on tv that it is due to stress.  That is why it increased this year then. Damn.

Thursday
I have a grasp on what to cook given the restrictions for transplant and diabetes.  I have loosened up on the transplant lists as Colin's blood levels are  so good.  Basically cutting out added sugar and lowering Glycemic index.  (but I ate some lemon cake for breakfast - it was so oo good)  Friend has recommended a cancer recovering book which recommends more foods and supplements. Barry Thomson Defeat Cancer Twice. Colin is not keen and I have heaps more reading and research. Not introducing anything yet due to the transplant and he can't stomach any more tablets at present.  A work in progress.
Colin was feeling sick after lunch because we are playing with the anti nausea drugs.  Got it sorted now but don't want what happened last time

Afternoon tea

Out and about with Mary up to our shopping tricks again