Author: Greek Fighting Orange

Hi All!

We are heading back to Columbus for our consultation meeting with the transplant doctor. Chris’ sisters Kelly and Elaine were a potential match for Chris!! There is still more tests that have to be completed with their blood first though. This adds a whole new dimension to sibling love. To me it’s the ultimate sacrifice, not only for Chris but for me as well! I know families give each other kidneys but I never knew about stem cells. I’m hoping to learn more tomorrow, so I’ll let you know.

Chris also meet with his Toledo Oncologist today. He asked Chris if he was a gambler, lol! He asked if he was a praying man! He said that The James in Columbus was the best place for Chris. It’s a good thing Chris really likes this doctor, we had to wait over a hour to see him!

This beautiful SPRING day made Chris get the golfing itch! So if you aren’t quite up to golfing, the next best thing is to ride in the golf cart and watch others golf!! Against my better judgment, our friend Jeff, took Chris and they did just that! Chris said the only bad part was wearing his mask the whole time. He must have REALLY wanted to go to wear his mask that long.

It is kind of weird being home, at times it feels like things are normal, but of course they are far from that. There are times when I can almost pretend that Chris is the healthy man that he was, and then a simple hug reminds me. We chat, and he sounds the same, but then he starts to be short of breath. I think we should go out  to dinner, then I remember he can’t be around crowds. He would go to the grocery store for us but now the risks are not worth it. I guess this is our new normal. I’m thankful that I have my honey to hug, to talk to, to have dinner with at home and I’m thankful I can go to the store for US!

Have a beautiful day and please be thankful for the life that you have because you just never know!

 

We are enjoying being home! Chris has walked around our yard and our home several times. He is enjoying the flowers and the Spring sights and sounds. He has found a couple jobs for Randy and/or Spiros to do. (Lucky guys) He wants them to cut up and burn a BIG branch and we have several old bails of hay that he would like them to throw in the back of our yard. We had a new front door and side door installed when he was in the hospital that he hadn’t seen till we got home Sunday. The best part of all of this is that he is home.

We have only been home for two days but I swear Chris looks better. He is definitely getting more rest. I think our kids and grandkids are great medicine too! We are having foods that he has missed. Nothing quite tastes the same but he says it’s getting better. His clothes don’t fit good but he can wear normal clothes instead of a hospital gown. When he walks, he can walk to get the mail or walk around the yard, instead of the hospital hallway.

Chris has to be very careful about airborne anything, due to his low white blood count and the risk of infection. If someone even thinks they are sick he shouldn’t be near them.  Chris hasn’t been able to see his Mom till today because she has been sick. When we go out he has to wear a mask 😷 to protect himself. We can’t have flowers in our home. He was told to stay away from crowds. All of his food has to be cleaned and cooked well. We are trying to make sure Chris has a fighting chance!

Love to all!

Hi Everyone!

We got to come home!!! You know how it feels when you’ve been away and you come home? For us this is the sweetest of sweet home comings! Whenever we have been gone, for whatever reason, we always come home and say “Home Sweet Home” or “Bed Sweet Bed”! Chris slept 12 hours last night! Only 4 potty breaks woke him. No nurses, no doctors, no dietitians, no cleaning people, etc.

We are getting our schedule figured out. Blood draw tomorrow, doctor appointment in Toledo on Thursday and heading to Columbus on Friday to see the transplant doctor. Chris is resting once or twice a day right now. This is the time for him to regroup, get plenty of rest, maybe gain a pound or ten! 😊

It must feel like he has been gone a long time because he keeps walking around our house, inside and outside, checking things out. There have been some angels that have came and worked in our yard. I won’t mention any names but thank you Elaine, Liz, Jan, Jaime, Joe, & Taylor! Our yard is looking amazing! This beautiful spring weather is helping everything pop! Our grass is so green, the trees are flowering and budding. Our fig trees, I spoke of before, have buds on them. They are still bent over a bit but we are trying to pull them up. My honey walks a little bent over too.