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
