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