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

Greetings from Ann Arbor

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update, mom has been admitted back into the hospital.  She has been struggling with her breathing for the past 2 weeks, not really being able to do much more than sit.  She understands that her health can quickly spiral and did not want a relapse like this winter so she called Ann Arbor.  The doctors had her come in and ordered a CT scan which showed her lungs look much worse today than they did in May.  They admitted her yesterday (Thursday) and today she had a battery of tests including a "bronchoscopy" which is when they push fluid into the lungs and extract the fluid back out to culture. Currently we are waiting for all of the results to come back probably tomorrow or Sunday.  At this point, the doctors are going through a process of elimination and ruling out various infections, this may be GVHD in the lungs.  Mom is receiving the best care possible and the good thing is when the doctors figure out what is going on in her lungs they will be able to treat her. Once we have a diagnosis from the doctor we will update the blog.

That is all for now.

Sarah

July

Dear Friends and Family,


Sorry I have been an absentee blogger this month.  July started out well for me.  I was feeling good, I had much more energy and stamina.  That is until I caught a terrible cold that went right to my lungs!  I spent most of the next 3 weeks trying to recuperate.  I feel OK now but am having breathing issues meaning, breathing is hard!  I had a chest x-ray last week and the radiologist said no pneumonia.  So I don't know what is going on with my lungs.  I go back to Ann Arbor, August 20 so we will see.  If it gets any worse I will go sooner.  I'm not sure what that means for this winter during cold and flu  season, time will tell.


So other than that this has been an interesting month.  We had basement flooding issues at the cottage and now Den has the boat into the Sault to have it fixed, something about head gasket.  I think our neighbors with out boats, ATVs etc. have the right idea.
 
I am laughing right now thinking about all of this.  Really we are fine we have just had one of "those" streaks.  I am sitting in my living room (at Piatt) with beautiful sunshine and a beautiful lake.  Life with it's bumps and bruise is still pretty good.


Reeds are here. They are making a college visit up here then heading home Weds.  Eli has Senior Pictures on Friday!  Time really does fly.  Anna will be a Freshman this year!


Kate and the boys are coming to the cottage Tuesday night.  Ready for this?  Luci starts pre-school tomorrow!  Hopefully it will go smoothly not just for her sake but for Beth's too.  Simpsons are in their normal beyond busy mode, no big change for them, this month at least.


Here's hoping August goes more smoothly.  I will let you all know what Dr. M says.


Grace and Peace, Peggy

Wonderful Weekend

What a great weekend!  Tina, my donor, her mother Carol and her twin Gina came to Holland to meet our family.  All of them fell in love with each other.  It was a wonderful time of "Getting to Know You".  Our families are similar in how we relate to each other and care for each other.  Other than we don't speak with a southern drawl we have more in common than we have differences.  What a miracle this has been.

Tina joined the Registry over 20 years ago when it was blood work to register and bone marrow to donate.  There were no stem cell transplants only bone marrow.  Now there are more stem cell transplants than bone marrow. She said she would do it again in a heartbeat. If only more people would register.  She was my one in 13 million!  There are no words to express what I feel towards her. I read once that a true blessing is satisfying a desire of your heart that you did not even know that you had.  Tina is my blessing.

I am doing well as you can see from the pictures. I am gaining strength and stamina every day.  It feels good to feel more like myself.  I am deeply grateful for this.  Everyone else in the family is doing well also. Just thought you would like to know.

If you have not joined the Registry yet, please do as soon as possible.  Tina kept saying over and over what a blessing it has been to her, saving a life!  Just contact Be The Match for a free swab kit and save someone's life.  If you are pregnant please ask your doctor for the forms to donate the cord blood when you deliver.  Otherwise it is just thrown away.  One cord can save a life.

Grace and Peace,
Peggy

ALL IS WELL

Good Tuesday Morning!


I thought I would check in as I have been getting questions lately.  I am doing so much better.  My last labs were good and everyone is satisfied with my progress.  I'm not as good as I was over the holidays but so much better than Jan. and Feb.! And best of all I have not been sick since my last posting.


Dr. Magineau is slowly weaning me off the immunosuppression drugs, so far my body seems to be cooperating for which I am very grateful....please pray it continues.


Family is great. It's the end of the school year rush so most of you know how that goes. Everyone is beyond busy!


Tina (my donor) and I have been in contact and she is planning a trip to Michigan. I am excited to have her meet my family and show her around Holland.


Not much more to say....and that is OK with me! I try to do a few projects every day, it helps to feel productive and now that the weather is decent I am walking more. It feels so good to not be as cold as I have been all winter and spring, not that we had a spring, seems as though we went straight from winter to summer!


Take care, thank you again for your kind thoughts and prayers. I will update again after Tina's visit with pictures too.


Grace and Peace, Peggy

Florida and post vacation blues

Dear Friends and Family,
 
As you have probably figured out our meeting with Tina was on our annual trip South.  She is a Georgia girl so meeting in Atlanta was arranged. Again she is so sweet that I am really looking forward to introducing her to my family.  She is a Middle School Counselor and coached the 8th grade girl's basket ball team so I am not too worried about overwhelming her with our crew!  By the way her team had a very successful season and a lot of fun.  So one more thing we have in common!


Our first week in Florida I was in definite "slow mode".  The second week I felt much better. My coughing diminished. I was waited on pretty much...my family again taking such good care of me.  I could not get on top of my nausea though so I knew I was losing more weight. Not eating was not helping my energy level so I really forced myself to eat.


Den drove home with Sarah, Ella and Grey.  Kate and the boys were my ticket home.  The boys are amazing travelers. It was a nice trip home.  We got back to Holland Saturday evening.


I was pretty tired on Sunday which I blamed on traveling.  Monday I woke up with the "sniffles", or so I thought. To make a long story short I called UofM, they wanted me to get tested for flu and to see if the RSV was out of my body. Tests results were positive for Influenza B.  I was told to go home rest and stay away from people.  I slept for at least 18 hours a day for the next 5 days!  This week has been better each day. I was retested on Weds. and am currently "flu free".


I had an appointment with Dr. Magineau on Monday.  He is not happy about me constantly getting all of  these infections. He believes I may have an Adrenal Insufficiency mainly due to all the steroids, so he took me completely off the prednisone and put me on hydrocortisone and took me off one of my immunosuppression pills.  His hope is that my  body would start making it's own steroids. Of course if the GVHD rears it's ugly head it's back to the steroids. He wants to try and I really appreciate his concern and understanding.  We both want to get me off of all these meds.  My body needs to kick in and start doing what it is supposed to do!  So that would be my prayer request if you would like to know.


The good news is even though my lungs are far from perfect they have vastly improved since January.  He said a year or two from now I would look back at this as a "bump in the road".  I found that to be VERY encouraging, and Dr. M does not want me to be a prisoner in my house.  I am under strict orders of: no breathing any dust, I cannot pull a weed, no breathing in any household cleaners.  He said I need to protect my lungs so they can heal. I am not to stay in the house, just being very careful about what I inhale. I can live with that.  Also more positive developments, my nausea has really been better.  I have gained three lbs. this week!  I feel so much better when I am eating more.  How anyone functions with anorexia is beyond me.


Den and I are eating out tonight for the first night in looong time. I think the last time was with Tina and her family.


So that's it folks. One of the things that has helped with my sanity is realizing how many people have gone through tough times.  One of my former athletes had her baby girl very prematurely. She was having her 4th surgery today, at 77 days old.  Please pray for that young family.  So many others too.  It takes my mind off myself which is a good thing.


Well we are off to dinner, the sun is shining.  Tomorrow I am going to Midland.  Ella has her State Finals on Sat. then I am staying for a few days to cover for the kids. Sarah has some days where she has to leave by 6am and Seth has his last week of classes so he will be in East Lansing all week.  It's time to get back to "normal" and do something productive.


Thank you for your prayers and concerns.  It touches me so when the girls are asked about me  and I start hearing, "when are you posting".  I have received blessings I never knew I would need. I am back into "fighting" mode!


Grace and Peace,  Peggy

LET'S GET UPDATED

I don't know why I have taken so long to bring all of you up-to-date.  Everyone has been asking for what the latest news is so.....here we go.

My last appointment at UofM was with Dr. Kitco who is a Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD) specialist.  I had a lung CT scan the day before and it showed either significant damage or GVHD of my lungs. She leaned toward the GVHD diagnosis.  She tweaked some of my meds and I am using two inhalers now. I think they are helping because I feel as though I can inhale more deeply now.  It was not exactly what I wanted to hear but I am determined to make the best of it.  She encouraged lots of exercise. I asked her if it winded me to go up and down stairs should I go again? Her answer was yes.  Good exercise will help with lung expansion and make the best of the capacity that I have.  Again I will follow Drs. orders. It is a bit challenging because the two inhalers make me so shaky and off balance.  Sometimes my gait is a little crooked!

Feb. and March were pretty boring months as I stayed in the house for the most part.  Den came back from a business trip with a terrible cold, which of course is what I worked so hard to avoid. I moved into Beth and Chad's place for 5 days or so, until Den was feeling much better. The temperature has been SO cold that just walking out to the car could induce a lot of coughing.  Staying home seemed the best option.

HOWEVER I DO HAVE EXCITING NEWS!  Meet Tina!

Tina is the donor who gave me life and hope.  She is a beautiful person inside and out. We met for dinner on our way South.  Her husband, David, and her son, Peyton and daughter in law Meg also joined us.  They are a wonderful family and it was fun to start to get to know each other.  Tina and I spent most of our time sharing stories. She registered for Be The Match 20 years ago, back when it was bone marrow only, no stem cells. After all these years she got the call and immediately went in for her blood work.She was chosen by my transplant coordinator and really she not only was my best choice but my only.  If she had not registered 20 years ago I would not be here today. If she had not responded so quickly it might have been too late judging by how I felt. The Lord knew what I needed long before I needed it and the medical technology was not even a reality. How amazing!


Again my plea for young (18-44 years) adults to register with Be The Match.  You may be the only one who can give life and hope to someone desperately in need.  A young man who registered at the LMCCOA swabbing event was called in for blood work and is waiting to hear if he will be the donor. I am so proud of my officiating friends and the effort they put forth to host the event.  If we can help one person it would feel awesome.


Tina and I look forward to seeing each other again.  I invited them to Michigan this summer so she can meet our family, which she very much wants to do.


So to all my prayer warriors, our prayers have been abundantly answered. Tina and her church family have been praying for me long before she had any idea who I might be.  All she knew was someone needed her and she considered it a blessing and an honor to donate.  What a beautiful heart and attitude!


To say this has been an emotional time for me would be an understatement. 
Yet like many other difficult times it has produced a harvest of good experiences with opportunities for growth. Sometimes I lose sight of that. Meeting Tina has really given me encouragement.


So after a very long Feb. and March I was able to experience something wonderful. My heart is filled with gratitude. How many times do you thank someone for saving your life? That is the thought and question I leave you with.


Grace and Peace To All Of Us......Peggy

HOME AGAIN

Good Sunday Evening,


Den was able to bring me home Friday evening.  My house looked wonderful to me and my bed was sheer Heaven!  My sleep has been so interrupted by labs, treatments etc. that I wasn't sleeping well at all, maybe an hour at a time.  Once home and in my own bed sleep has not been an issue.


I need to be very careful for the next month or so.  Dr.M warned me that I need to stay as healthy as possible so that another bout of pneumonia does not happen.  He warned me that repeated bouts could result in permanent lung damage and I surely do not want that to happen.  I had to give up the last 3 weeks of the regular season (Competitive Cheer) and my tournament assignments.  Those of you who know me well know how disappointed I was not to finish the season. Everyone has been understanding and helpful in finding replacements for me. Thank you to all of my cheer friends. Next year hopefully I will be off the immunosuppression meds and my own immune system will be working more efficiently.


Jen and her girls, Anna, Emma and the Simpson Family came to Holland on Sat. Ella and Luci had a joint birthday party Sat. evening. Chad's family were in town also and Den, Kate, Thijs and Liam were there also.  I stayed home and stayed a little more quiet. This  morning Mac was dedicated and all the families were there for that.  Again I stayed home and stayed quiet.


Saturday was a shaky day for me but today I have felt much better. My breathing is deeper and not labored at all.  When I think how sick I was 11 short days ago I am amazed at how well I am doing. I could not walk alone 6-7 steps and was gasping for air the entire time. Here at home I can walk about and start gaining back some stamina.  I do return to U of M on Weds. to see Dr. Magineau and he will give me a plan as to how he wants me to proceed.  He will make a decision as to when I can get back to my ECP treatments. 


That's pretty much all the news I have for you right now. I am laying low and taking it easy per Drs. orders.  I need time for my lungs to heal, hopefully this spring I can start pushing it and my hope is to do a little running yet this summer. Time will tell on that.


Take care my friends, stay warm and healthy.


Grace and Peace,  Peggy

Be The Match Registry Event

Quick update

Mom is doing very well…she has definitely has turned a corner.  I just spoke with her and she had just finished her last tent treatment!  She is completely off oxygen and at this point she will continue to be monitored by her medical team.  Thank you for your prayers friends!

I also want to spread the word about an awesome opportunity to potentially save a life!!  A Be The Match event is taking place this Friday, February 7th at Hudsonville High School.  Hudsonville High School will be hosting a "Hoops for Hope, Cancer Awareness Game" to honor and support all of those dealing with cancer in our community and across the nation.  The registry event will take place in the high school veranda from 5 pm-8 pm.  Registration will be offered free of charge to the first 200 people thanks to a generous donation from Autocam!!  Getting registered is so simple and will only take you ten minutes (this includes paperwork and a cheek swab).  Please recruit your friends and family ages 18 - 44 year old.

If you have any questions about being a potential donor please ask!  Our family is so thankful for mom's donor and the gift of life she gave.  I hope that I or someone I know will get a call one day to be a donor.  The cure for blood cancer is in the hands of people like you and me!!

Love,
Beth

CHOOSING JOY!

Hello Again Family and Friends,


After re-reading my last post I kind of cringed.  It seemed to me that I was taking full credit for "mental toughness".  I want all of you to know that simply is not the case.


All of us at some point in our lives are given opportunities and challenges.  Some are enjoyable, some are not. Some situations are simply inexplicable to us.  There have been many questions in my life that have no answer and I expect everyone of you could say the same thing.  At some point in my life I had to accept that hard fact and either I had a Creator, Redeemer Lord or I did not. I chose faith. 


It took many more years for me to realize that my faith was meant to be lived in a joyful manner.


"And do not be grieved for the joy of The Lord is your strength" Nehemiah 8:10


That is where I get my strength.  Throughout my life my choices were not always from a place of joy.  It took a long time and maturation to know how I was to perceive an Omnipotent God and how he perceived me.


Over and over again through raising my family and coaching so many of you that I have learned some of life's deepest lessons. I am so grateful for each one of you and the impact you have had on my life.  That you choose to maintain contact with me is a blessing . Your support helps give me strength.  My family has given me strength through their love.  My friends, oh how you have helped me with your prayers, meals, cards and someone to laugh with.


Simply put: "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."


And I do!


Thanks for letting me share my heart. P

What's happening now

On Friday evening mom's breathing became much more difficult and she is now on oxygen.  Everyone was shocked that she didn't need it sooner but now she does.  We are so thankful that she had very healthy lungs to begin with …even before her initial diagnosis. She is able to rest much better with the oxygen and her coughing is under control.

Mom started a new treatment on Saturday evening.  We call it the "tent" treatment also known as Ribavirin Inhalation.  The medication is designed to stop the replication of the RSV virus.  So far the results of the lunch lavage show only RSV.  The treatment it quite interesting.  It will take anywhere from 3 to 7 days and once started each treatment must happen every 8 hours around the clock.  Mom must wear a face mask and a plastic tent is placed around her bed.  It takes a total of two hours each time and during this time no one may enter the room.  During this time the medication goes in through her face mask and she can rest or watch TV.  Because of the medication risks, women are unable to come into mom's room.  She has male nurses and dad has to leave the room 3 1/2 hours during and after treatment.  The studies show that when a woman is exposed to this medication they may have fertility issues as well causing birth defects.  (Obviously mom is not worried about that :)  So as of now mom has had four treatments.

Dad's stay is looking much different this time around.  Because mom is in isolation dad has to stay three feet away from her unless he is fully masked and gowned.  When he leaves the room he cannot go into any common areas of BMT unit.  Last night he found a love seat in the hospital and was able to rest there from midnight until four this morning.  Tonight he is going to head to Juliet's to get a good night sleep.  Sleeping in a reclining chair can only be done so many nights in a row.

So now we wait and pray that the medication is able to do its job and heal mom's lungs.  Continue to lift mom and dad up in your prayers as well as the medical team making daily decisions about her treatment.

Love,
B

I'M GOING TO BE HERE FOR A WHILE (January 31)

Good Afternoon Everyone,

As Beth told you I have been re-admitted to the hospital at UofM.  I finished all my meds a week ago today and by Sunday I felt myself sliding down hill. I be came extremely short of breath.  Just walking to the kitchen felt like a marathon, and I was gasping for air.  Long story short I was asked to come in.  I did and they (medical staff) did not like what they saw.  So here I am!

The cat scan of my lungs showed a more severe pneumonia than before. My lung capacity is REALLY low. Dr M and the nurses could not believe that I did not have the need for oxygen. I must have really efficient lungs.  Of course I have had many tests, blood work x-rays and a bronco scope with a lung lavage. So far all that is showing up is the RSV virus. We will wait for more results. Dr. M will not let me go home until we know exactly what is in my lungs and I significantly improve. I am in complete agreement with him. I am receiving such a high level of care. I am relaxed here because of the quality of care for me.

So my friends I accept that I may be here for a week or more. I am in a locked down mode.  You have to go through 2 doors just to get to my room! I am completely isolated.

One little side note to the women who were on one of my teams.  I don't know if you remember "your body will do exactly what your mind tells it to do".  That came back to me yesterday as I was being prepped for the scope going down my throat to my lungs. They started the procedure and had me inhaling lidocaine. To say it was vile barely scratches the surface.  I told myself, my mind will control my body so starting now, don't think about what it tastes like, think about inhaling deeply and my lungs etc. becoming relaxed. Don't let yourself think about choking and work with the test, don't resist.  The procedure itself was not bad at all and was over very quickly. My body cooperated and obeyed my mind. It turned into an amazing experience.

When you pray please lift up my family. This is really hard for them, it takes a toll on them emotionally and physically.  They are in the busiest years of their lives with work demands and raising their very active families. The girls are on the go and make it look easy. Those of us who raised families know exactly what I mean. So please keep them in your prayers.


Could I ever thank all of you enough for your friendship, love and concern?  I am humbled by my family and friends. I never dreamed of what a caring and loving support system I would have someday.

Grace and Peace,  Peggy

Back in Ann Arbor

Hey everyone,

I wish this weren't the case but mom has been re-admitted.  She began having difficulty breathing and called her doctor on Tuesday.  To play it safe they wanted her to head over first thing this morning.  Kate is with her and the initial chest X-ray is showing that her pneumonia is worse than before.  Her blood pressure was also extremely low and she was dehydrated.

She is back in the bone marrow unit and received three liters to help hydrate her again and that also helped her blood pressure go up a bit.  This evening they did a cat scan and we will have those results tomorrow.  They are trying to figure out exactly what type of pneumonia she has so that they can treat it correctly.  She told me that they waved their magic wand and she is feeling better already.

Please pray that the cat scan will provide answers for the doctors to determine what to do next.  Thank you for keeping mom in your prayers.....

Beth

Pneumonia is not much fun!

Friends and Family,


There are always a few bumps in the road aren't there?  Beth did a great job filling out the details of the last week.  I have to admit pneumonia is not a lot of fun.  I am doing much better, no fever, I can breathe.  I am coming close to being able to take a deep breath!  Once again the Drs. and nurses at UofM were amazing. I don't know quite how they (meaning whoever does the hiring) attain such a body of employees with high levels of people skills.  Everyone and I do mean everyone from techs, respiratory personal  and the woman who cleaned my room every day were so compassionate and helpful. It really helps with the healing process to be able to relax about who is caring for you when they are so on top of things.  Just one example, my labs from Sat. morning came back that I was extremely anemic and needed a blood transfusion.  Annie, my nurse. was concerned that with a transfusion it could result in excess fluid in my lungs which certainly would not a good thing at that point.  She stood by my bed thinking and finally said "I don't believe it. It just does not make sense. We are going to redo the labs because my gut is telling me this is not right".  And right she was! My next labs came back and my hemoglobin was much higher than the first one done 4hrs. earlier. We thanked her profusely for her action and she responded." it's called critical thinking and common sense" and that my friends is the kind of care I have been receiving.


As Beth told you my last trip was nothing but good news, as was the trip before that.  I will tell you something happened after Thanksgiving and I was hungry, eating well and lots of energy.  I was able to do all my Christmas shopping, even made one power shopping trip by myself.  I had to laugh, I had at least 8 good sized bags and was able to handle it. When I think about a year ago and I could not hold up a sheet to make my bed!  I was able to grocery shop, wrap gifts and prepare meals on Christmas Day.  Of course the girls helped with everything. Kate came over one afternoon and finished my downstairs tree and also helped me with the wrapping.  I just want you to know I had so much fun doing all the things that sometimes I would complain about (to myself, of course).  Groceries at Meijer, pushing my cart in the parking lot in snow and slush, in quite a snow storm.  I tell you I was beaming.  Pretty sure anyone who looked at me must have wondered, "what on earth is she so happy about?'  What a true joy to be able to return to what I considered normal! It was a wonderful Christmas, one of our best because everyone was appreciating everything.  


So this little setback will take a few more days/weeks to get my strength back.  The promise is there for a normal future. 


One last piece of information, I know my donor's identity!  I am waiting to call her when I know I won't have a coughing fit. She seems wonderful, a MS counselor, basketball coach and very active in her church.  Once I speak with her, with her permission, I will tell you more about her. Oh yes she lives in Northeast Georgia. She has been on the registry for 20 years and I was her first and only recipient. I know she gave me some awesome cells.


Well that about sums it up. What a journey this has been and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  No matter what happens or when it happens it has been so worthwhile. I think the best part is that I have learned to be a better listener.  When you listen and not chime in it's amazing how much more you hear when you are not formulating in your head as to what you are going to say. 


My heart is full. I am beyond blessed by all of you.  I know I have not even met many of you who read this but you know one of my daughters and you are there to comfort and encourage them.


Speaking of family all are doing great.  Jen keeps telling me how hard it is to raise  teenagers and I just think," Oh really?"  Now that's funny! Four daughters through their teen years and 20years of coaching. I do laugh sometimes at how much all of you love and appreciate your Mom and Dad, because back in the day they were such a pain to you!


  Yes indeed, life does have it's challenges every step of the way. Our purpose is to meet that challenge, learn the lessons that we are supposed to learn, help and love each other. It is very difficult for me to put into words the blessings of my heart.


Now off to a delish dinner of lasagna my friend Cheryl prepared for us.  See what I mean ?  What great family and friends we have, our richest blessing, other than God's grace which is sufficient for me and for each of you.


Grace and Peace,  Peggy

Home

Thank you for all the sweet messages everyone.  Mom is home and resting.  Please continue to pray that her body will recover quickly.

back in the BMT

Hello friends and happy new year.  Mom has had a pretty eventful week and we wanted to let everyone know what was going on....

Last Saturday mom began having some cold like symptoms but nothing that was too worrisome.  Monday and Tuesday were a normal Ann Arbor visit with doctors appointments and ECP.  Mom can fill you in on the details of that appointment when she feels up to it.  Overall, another good report.

Wednesday she was really quite sick and spent the day resting.  The symptoms she was having led us to call U of M and on Thursday we were advised to head to Spectrum to get her checked out.  Her doctors in Ann Arbor faxed a thorough list of tests for the staff at Spectrum to complete...EKG, MRI, chest scan, nose swab, blood draw.  They sent her home Thursday evening with a diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection along with an antibiotic and an inhaler.

Friday mom was quite weak and exhibiting the same symptoms as the day before.  That afternoon we received a call from U of M that she tested positive for RSV and she needed to get to U of M immediately.

She was admitted to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit in an isolation room in the wee hours of Saturday morning.  They are treating her for viral atypical pneumonia.  On Saturday she received steroid breathing treatments along with other heavy duty concoctions to help relieve her.  She responded very well to this treatment on Saturday and by that evening was sending humorous texts and was able to talk to us when we called.

Last night however, she spiked a fever and the coughing picked up.  She remains pretty uncomfortable and will continue to stay in isolation until her fever is gone for 24 hours and the doctors feel her symptoms are under control.

She is in great care and the staff at U of M is going above and beyond to help her gain strength.

Please pray that she is able to rest tonight and that she responds well to all of her treatments.  Once again, she is in isolation, so no visitors are allowed at this time (Dad is the only person allowed to be with her).  Her main focus right now is to rest and get healthy.  At this time it's best to keep her conversations limited.

Thank you for your prayers,
B.