Getting Out and Moving

Michael continues to do well! He is feeling better and stronger each day. He has started doing small numbers of squats and incline push-ups to strengthen his muscles that had weakened due to the period of inactivity and rapid weight loss. Michael is also eating better and has gained about 4 pounds. Though food still doesn't taste "good" to him, he does the very best he can to eat as much as possible. I don't think I have ever used so much cheese and butter in my cooking but I'm doing my best to make each bite of food he takes FATTENING! For Valentines, Michael made reservations at our favorite restaurant and I was happily impressed when he ate a cup of rich and buttery lobster bisque, hot crusty bread, 1/2 of a heavenly salmon filet  and some smashed potatoes with garlic. To make a perfect evening more YUMMY, we shared a Creme Brulee that made our taste buds sing!  It felt wonderful doing something as ordinary as having a dinner out, but we have learned to appreciate ordinary more and more each day! Michael's 2nd Chimerism test came back two weeks ago and its rockin n' rolling at 98%! It's super that things are still working as they should! His Neuropathy seems to be saying "adios"! And that "adios" comes along with the fact that he is no longer taking any medications for Neuropathy! Oh yeah, way to go Michael! He is sleeping much better with little to no help from Ambien, he is now able to tolerate colder temperatures and his body is not aching anywhere close to how it was. He is also getting weekly hour massages that seem to be helping out by relaxing his muscles and working out the knots. Michael's resting heart rate still seems on the high side though, in the low 100's. He was told to drink more fluids and he has but how much fluid can one drink and still eat enough to gain weight? This will be something he will be talking to Dr. Leventhal about when he sees him this coming week! Michael will be going back to Chicago for his 3 month check-up with Dr. Leventhal on February 29th. Can you believe its been 3 months already?  We sure can't! He has already purchased his plane tickets and plans to fly back home that same day. It will be an extremely long day for him but he sees it as a practice run for his seven shows that are coming up in March. Michael will start back on the road, performing his show as soon as March 6th. He is focused and looking forward to returning to some normalcy and one of those is entertaining. He loves what he does and is ready to get back on the road. Will I be worried out of my mind those first few shows? You betcha! But I also realize that Michael knows his body better than anyone and he would never do anything to jeopardize his health, I believe that his excitement to get back on the stage is a clear indicator that he is feeling better and that he has a good goal set for himself, I trust in him and his judgment. Last week, we were delighted to see some of Michael's oldest friends! His childhood friend, Neal came from Canada to visit with us for a few days. Michael and him caught up and shared some laughs. Neal is a policeman in Canada and is an amazing dad to 4 children that he promises to bring with him next time he visits. Mike, Amy and their precious children also came to visit for a couple of days from North Carolina! Mike is a wonderful friend and has the best sense a humor! He keeps Amy and all those around him laughing, including their 4 kids! Amy laughs easily, is intelligent, thoughtful and has the sweetest spirit, she is such an awesome mom. It has been really nice to have friends over who love and care for Michael. It gives us the opportunity to forget for a while that Michael is still recovering from a very serious surgery, recovering from a study that still has lots of unknowns. 

Valentines Day

Michael, looking like a "Maltador" (quote from his friend Charlie).

Our friends Mike, Amy and the most amazing bunch of kids on the universe!

87 Days Post Transplant!!!!  We are blessed to have such amazing friends, neighbors, family ~ You are not alone, and neither are we.


God's Blessings ~ Lilly :)

Undaunted and Steady

As I write this post, I'm smiling. Michael is doing so much better! He is actually SLEEPING!  Can I hear a roar of "Bravo's"!  He has consistently been getting anywhere from 4-6 hours each night and taking a nap or two during the day. The beneficial sleep has unquestionably been evident during Michael's waking hours. He has been walking about 3/4 of a mile most days, sleeping less during the day and in general appears more rested. Along with the additional rest his body is receiving from a more normal sleep pattern, Michael's Neuropathy seems to be working itself out. He is no longer freezing most of the time and has actually brought down the temperature in the house to 78. His body is no longer aching the way it had previously been and he is able to rest without severe pain. He still experiences muscle pain but massages and warm baths give him relief. His appetite is still not what it use to be and he has not gained any weight back, I'm positive that will come along with time. My dear friend Suzanne once told me "Time is the healer of all things", I have gone back to that saying many times in my life, it does bear some truth, right? Dr. Leventhal has now decreased the frequency in which Michael has to visit the lab for blood work from 3 times a week to twice a week. Eventually the lab visits will decrease to once per month, and that will be for the rest of his life. Michael had his second Chimerism test on Monday, we should be getting those results this coming week. A successfully chimerized immune system recognizes both the donor organ as well as the recipient's native tissues as self. Therefore there is no need for antirejection therapy and also no danger of graft-versus-host disease. Michael will get ongoing Chimerism tests to make sure that his body hasn't "lost" Chimerism. On Saturday we had our longest excursion yet! We visited a town just East of us called Dade city. Its a fabulous little town where time stopped in the 1900's and immediately forgot about it.  The red brick streets are lined with antique shops, Tea Rooms, quaint shops and fabulous family owned restaurants. Michael and I had lunch at a wonderful restaurant with an old Florida ambience that was uniquely decorated called Kafe Kokopelli. My friend Angie had told me about it and I immediately thought it would be a great place to visit when Michael was better. That same day there was an antique car show and craft fair going on, lots of things to do with that nostalgic home town feel. A perfect and relaxing Saturday afternoon. Things are improving, daily and steadily. Now, that's something to really smile about. 

Lunch at Kafe Kokopelli in Dade City, FL

66 Days Post Transplant. Thanking God for healing. You are not alone, and neither are we.

God's blessings, Lilly