The Light the Night Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual walk is 2 weeks away. Our team, Team Bump in the Road, is actively raising money to support the cause. We hosted a kick off party 2 months ago and have recently hosted a bake sale at one of the local grocery stores. We would like to thank all those who helped make the bake sale a success through baking, donating and purchasing goods.
If you would like to celebrate with us as part of Team Bump in the Road or if you are unable to join us on the night of the walk, we would love for you to visit the Team Bump in the Road Homepage. Every walker is encouraged to raise $100 as an active team member. We look forward to reaching our team goal of $1,500 for the 2011 walk. We look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance for all your support!
Two months ago Bryan mentioned that he needed to have a goal. In the past year we have had many goals with regards to Bryan’s health status, yet he intended this goal to be geared toward getting his physical strength back to what it once was. To begin this process, Bryan decided he needed a specific goal. On the third day of the heat wave, of all days, he decided this was the day to start training. He declared we were going to sign up for a race.
This past Saturday Bryan and I ran the 5K Nun Run! That’s right…we RAN! It was a perfect day to put on the running shoes and enjoy the cool air and excitement of accomplishing a goal that has been 2 months in the making. We finished 3.1 miles in under 40 minutes! (Bryan’s other “goal” was to finish in under 45 minutes!) Saturday was a Very Good Day.
Moments ago, with cooler in hand, messenger bag secure and freshly pressed dress shirt and slacks, Bryan headed to Alvernia University for his first day of school. His day begins with a new job as a Graduate Assistant in the Campus Ministry Office and will end with a grad class this evening. He bought a new planner to document all the upcoming events and class assignments that he’s so eagerly been awaiting. As the 2011/2012 school year begins, he couldn’t be happier to be back in the game!
Today we officially began our Light the Night quest. Ten weeks from today we will be participating in the Light the Night Leukemia and Lymphoma Society walk in Lehigh Valley. From now until October 15th we will be raising money and awareness about the walk as well as thewonderful things that come from such a great event! Our team, Team Bump in the Road, has a goal to raise $1,500. With such a great turn out at our KickOff Party today, even with the rainy weather, I think we’re headed in the right direction. Stay tuned for more details about participating/contributing!
P.S. Today is day 129 post transplant.
Went for another check up today with the Doc and things are continuing to go well. Bryan is slowly gaining weight back and his hair is beginning to return as well in the form of peach fuzz. He has a bit of a five o’clock shadow under his current thinned eye brows and his mustache is catching up. He has an interesting manicure that is called “bows lines”. Bryan says it’s like the rings on a tree. These white lines will grow out and soon be gone. Bryan has been encouraged by the Doc to participate and be active in the things he wants to do. He’s also been told to eat anything he wants to eat…this means no dietary restrictions! Bryan couldn’t be happier.
It’s been a while since the last blog, but all is continuing as it should. We returned home last Friday on Day 30. The appointment with Doc went well last Thursday. Everything is “par for the course” and Doc was very pleased with Bryan’s progress. He was so pleased with the progress being made that Bryan doesn’t have to return for a check up for 2 weeks. Bryan gets blood work every week, but no longer through his line – Doc removed Bryan’s Hohn catheter in the office, at the bedside, that day and Bryan couldn’t be happier! I guess that answers the question “Is that an out-patient procedure?”
Small steps seem to be key. This past week we’ve taken a few short walks around the block (or half the block), worked on increasing calorie intake, caught up on some Mario playing time, and are generally enjoying being home. Things aren’t quite “back to normal” but we’re defining a new “normal” these days. We’ve passed the 30 day hurdle and the next hurdle is 100 days and we’re cautiously opptomistic.
Being home for Easter this past weekend was nice. It was good to be home and see the family again. We are now back at the Hope Lodge for how long we don’t know just yet. Bryan has an appointment with the Doc tomorrow. If all looks good and everyhting is going “par the course,” as the Doc says, we’ll be able to go home soon and come back to Hershey less often. Bryan’s numbers looked good yesterday and today was a day off. Hopefully tomorrow will go smoothly.
Today was another day off. Still trying to gain strength, increase the calorie count, and keep spirits up. Bryan has been doing a bit of walking up and down the halls of the Hope Lodge, eating on a more regular basis (every 2 hours or so) and he’s been doing a lot of reading too. Things are going well and we should be able to make it home for a short visit this weekend for Easter.
Yesterday was a “day off” from going to the Medical Center for lab work. This was a very welcomed day to sleep in a bit and relax. Bryan is now scheduled to go to the hospital for appointments every other day instead of daily. His counts are holding steady! With that being said, Bryan and I will be heading home this evening!!! Bryan has not been home since before his transplant. We will return to the Hope Lodge Wednesday night in preparation for his early appointment at 8AM Thursday morning. It will be nice to get home even if just for a short while.
After we arrived at the Hope Lodge yesterday, Bryan had a much needed nap. He slept for a few good hours and then woke to eat a bit of dinner, then back to bed. He had a very restful evening without an IV machine beeping at him, someone asking him to lift his arm to check his blood pressure or the surprising feeling of someone sticking a thermometer in his ear every few hours. He still felt like he could have slept 8 more hours if we didn’t have to go to his first follow up appointment this morning. Typically we arrive an hour early to get his labs drawn and then wait an hour for the labs to be ready for his appointment. We soon found out that when you have the first appointment of the day, you can not go early to get your labs drawn. His numbers are still looking good and he’s still trying to eat and drink more. He’s very tired most of the time, but that’s his body telling him he needs to rest, so he does.
The Bump In The Road 