My Third Birthday!

October 23 seems like an appropriate day to give an overdue update.  Three years ago I was given a second chance at life. Every day I appreciate the selflessness of my donor Tina, the love of my family and friends and the blessing of the true appreciation of life.

I had a wonderful summer, able to get things done, entertain friends and lots of family time.  It was a beautiful summer at Piatt Lake.  I wasn't sure I would ever get that kind of energy again.

My last trip to Ann Arbor was very encouraging.  Dr. Magineau is very pleased and I have full permission to return to a NORMAL life.  That means Den and I were able to travel to Washington D.C. and spent a wonderful 5 1/2 days there.  It also means lots of grandchildren time and back to officiating.  Our latest news is our new grandson, Decker William Cunningham.  He is 9 days old and what a little honey!

I am nearly back to normal.  For those of you who I "tortured" in HS, I have started a Barre Class and let me tell you I feel your pain every time.  Evidently 8 months of prednisone has really atrophied my muscles and it is a long slow and painful climb back.  I am determined to keep going even though I have a few days of pain after class, no more than what you had I am sure.

So the long and short of it is I am doing great!  Lots of energy and working on strength and stamina. For those who have not seen me lately I have gained 40lbs. and people seem to think I look better, hmmm I guess 100lbs. didn't look so good on me!  I wince when I see the pics.

I know many of you like pictures so I will make you happy once again.

The day of my transplant - three years ago

Eli's high school graduation open house

Piatt Lake 

Fun in Holland

IT's BEEN A LONG TIME!

To All My Friends and Family,

Sorry to have been AWOL for so long.  There hasn't been a lot to update on my physical condition.  I finished with steroids mid-April and had a few weeks of a downward spiral which was to be expected.  I, of course knew I would escape all the side effects of "withdrawal".  And I was wrong!  Extreme fatigue and body aches lasted for a few weeks but am doing much better.  I can tell I am much weaker than before the steroids, muscle atrophy according to my Dr. it is going to take some time to get back to normal---whatever that is!  I am well, don't worry, I just don't have the energy or strength that I want to have.

We had a wonderful Spring Break with the family in Florida and now are looking forward to summer at Piatt.  Den and I just spent 8 days there getting some repairs done and prepping for the summer fun.

Everybody's family is well.  Eli graduated High School yesterday.  18 years sure flew by!  He will be attending Aquinas College in Grand Rapids this fall.  We are very excited to have him on the West side.

Other noteworthy news is that Beth and Chad are expecting their third this October.  This will be #10 for Den and myself.

I am sitting here at Beth's dining room table listening to Luci and Mac playing. Tonight is Liam's baseball game.  So like most of our friends we stay busy attending as many of the grandkiddo's events as possible.  I have to admit I am a fair weather fan but tonight should be perfect, a rarity for Michigan spring.  Oh I guess it's summer!  Hard to tell sometimes here!

Love, Grace and Peace to all of you

Peggy

Merry Christmas!

The kiddos bring us so much joy.  As you can see from the picture below Mac was finished but we weren't.  As you can imagine getting a perfect picture of 9 kids can be quite a task!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone was here in Holland and it was a fun and crazy day.  On Thanksgiving night we had a "cousin sleepover".  Only Eli and Mac did not participate.  Good times for all and lots of memory making.

We are looking forward to the Christmas Holidays with everyone. 

My last labs were great and Dr. Magineau is very pleased with my progress.  I had a minor surgical procedure earlier this week and all the results (biopsies) were good.  So one more thing off my mind.

I so appreciate the encouragement and prayers that many of you have given me.  I am on a really good path now and just pray that I stay healthy this winter.

All of our family is well also.  It is a sweet time for all of us.

Merry Christmas to all of you.  I know full well how busy life can be but please take the time to enjoy the Christmas Season and love on your friends and family.  

Grace and Peace to each of you. 

Peggy

Liam (9), Thijs (7), Ella (8), Grey (5), Anna (15), Emma (10), Luci (3), Eli (17), Mac (16 months)

Second Anniversary

It seems appropriate to me that on this second anniversary of my transplant to thank all of you for the love, support and prayers from each of you.  It has been quite a journey to say the least.  Everyone, family and friends have lifted me so many times. I will be eternally grateful for all you have done for me.


We celebrated with a lunch today at Kate's.  We looked back to 2 years ago and remembering the weather was as beautiful on that day as it is today.  I am so appreciative of the healing I have been gifted with.  I must mention Tina (my donor) for the loving unselfish donation of her stem cells. What a blessing she has been to me and my family.  She was my one out of 13 million!


Speaking of that I want to encourage you again to join the Registry.  All you have to do is contact Be the Match.org and request a free swab kit. Two individuals from the two swabbing events held for me  have been called by the Registry as possible matches.  As of now  they have not been called as a donor.  Please encourage your husbands to join the Registry also.  Men do so much better with male stem cells in terms of less GVHD. If any of you are pregnant please consider donating the cord blood. One cord can save a life!  You need to ask for the paper work before you deliver. If you don't donate the cord and if you're not going to bank it, it simply goes into the trash. Please consider this carefully.


Again thank you from the bottom of my heart and please know how sweet life is for me. In many ways this has been a refining process for me. God's hand continues to work in my life.


Grace and Peace to each of you.  Peggy

Post Summer Update

Hello to Family and Friends,

First of all a big thank you to those of you who follow my blog.  You encourage me and your continued prayers lift me up.

My appointment with Dr. M went really well.  He was very impressed with my labs and overall condition.  I was beginning to experience some neuropothy in my feet due to the high levels of steroids he had me on.  We are tapering that and he suggested Vitamin B complex.  One or the other is working because my feet are fine now.  Truthfully I was a little worried as to where the pain/discomfort was going to.  My breathing is normal now, I can walk and talk even going uphill!

We had quite a discussion regarding my activities for this winter.  He in no uncertain terms was not in favor of me officiating the coming season.  He said he sees me as a long term survivor but I must stay healthy and let my lungs completely heal.  After 3 hospitalizations for pneumonia I am inclined to take his advice. It's a hard one to accept but I know that for my family's sake and mine it is the right choice for now.  Come late November I will be housebound.  Den and I have decided to go to Florida the end of Jan. for 2 weeks.  That will be a welcome break from what promises to be another harsh winter. I am so thankful for my home and for the opportunity to break away for a bit of time.

Now as a treat (I think) I am going to give you some pictures of our family.   I feel as though  
I give you medical reports only.  Please know that we have had some fun as a family and all of the grandkids bring us great joy.  Enjoy!


Beach fun at Piatt Lake

Late night shenanigans with these crazy cousins

Tent making at the cottage

Celebrating Mac's 1st birthday

Celebrating Dar's wedding 

 Lake Superior on Labor Day

 Playing "House"

 Splash Pad

 Having fun....no worries - not driving

 45 years

 Thankful for a nice end to summer

BACK FROM ANN ARBOR

Good Morning Everyone!


Just want to update you on my latest visit.  My labs were really good and I am well on my way to "normalcy", what ever that means to me!  I am still on a heavy dose of steroids and have gained 11lbs. and am not sleeping well at night which are pretty normal side effects. I have been walking and am doing so much better.


I have had a lot of time to think while in the hospital and recuperating at home. The question that comes to me is:  What did I ever do to receive such expert, loving care, clean and comfortable and concern from family, medical staff and all of you who are praying for me?  I turn on the TV and see the suffering of so many and wonder "Why them and not me?"  I don't know the answer to that and probably never will in this life.   What I can do is pray and so I do.  Just another mystery that someday we will understand. Just a little insight into my thoughts.


Dr. Magineau and I talked about my immunosuppressed system and what I need to do and not do for the foreseeable future.  After 3 hospital stays since late Jan. I have had to do some soul searching. It is hard on my family when I get so sick and I will admit it's a little scary to me.  Dr.M emphasized that I have to stay healthy. It is a real change for me that I am just starting to get.  After all I was the one who took care of others.  How many of you came to practice with all sorts of illnesses and I rarely got sick in spite of our proximity?
I am really rethinking where I go and what I expose myself to.  I have no intention of becoming a hermit but need to proceed more cautiously than I ever have in my life.  Again a time of processing for me.... I love company so if it works for you I would love to see you. 


Now I am off to the Farmer's Market, it's an outdoor venue so I think I am safe.
Have a great weekend, I intend to.  Grateful and appreciative for all of you and for a good recovery.


Grace and Peace, Peggy

Going Home!

Good Morning All,


Well we just met with my "team" composed of Dr.M, Terri the P.A., ? from Pharmacy, my day Nurse Joe, and a few others, Residents I assume.  I am going home today and am so looking forward to it.


My breathing is a little bit better today. They started me back on prednisone and that seems to be helping.  I hate taking it because it lowers my immune system but I guess breathing is a greater priority.


Since I was admitted last Thursday I have had a cat scan, ultrasound, bronchoscopy, tons of blood tests, inhalation treatments every 4hrs. and a skin biopsy. I also met with dermatology and the pulmonary Dr.  To say they have gone over me with a fine tooth comb would explain it nicely.  A few of my tests have not come back yet but everything else looks OK.  I cannot say enough praises about my care here.


I rest without anxiety, frustration yes, but not really anxiety. I know the Lord holds my future and all that  can be done for me is being done.


Not much else to say...the prednisone does perk up my appetite so am hoping to pick up a few pounds.  Now I am off to order lunch!


Grace and Peace,  Peggy