Dec 30, 2011, almost new years eve

On Monday afternoon (26^th), Bob was ‘attacked’ by a huge dog…    Violet… was running around and would come right at him, very close and fast.  Bob moved the wrong way at the wrong time, and a 60 lb dog did a full block at knee level.  Put the old guy down hard and he stayed on the ground for about 4-5 minutes.  Knocked the wind out of him.  Some minor blood, a bruised rib cage, and a very sore arm..  Violet understood there was an issue and she stayed by him the whole time.  Good dog..  Just strong.  The old guy will be more careful in the future. 

Ok, off to Beaverton.  Bob packed us up on Wed afternoon, and had 13 bottles of Oxygen loaded.  We left early Thursday morning and stopped at the Tacoma Mall to meet our friends Bill and Mary from Gig Harbor.  They had offered to finish a quilt I had started over 10 years ago!  The top of the guilt was done but it needed backing, binding and quilting.  The work they did was fantastic!  I love the backing they picked out and they used their new computerized quilting machine to quilt fantastic woodsy shapes (trees, moose, elk, etc.) to go with the quilt theme.  It looks so awesome!!  Not only did I think I would never see it finished, I could not have imagined it turning out so wonderful.  Many thanks to them from the heart! 

On Friday morning, Bob relented on the rib pain and made a visit to the VA Emergency Room.  Xrays and dr visit…  nothing broken, but it may be very sore for a few months.  Portland VA Hosp was great, but I got there at 7:15 am.  Must have been a slow time. 

We had a great Christmas in Beaverton with Jim, Marci and Cassie.  They could not have done more to make this Christmas any better!  Lots of great food, decorations and a fire in the fireplace to enjoy, and quality time spent together (not necessarily in that order!).  Violet was so excited to see Cassie and of course spent hours harassing the cat. 
We also met our friends, Mike & Susie, at Olive Garden on Friday for lunch and had a nice visit with them.  They brought a bag of goodies that we are still enjoying! 

Cindy & Ron stopped by on Christmas afternoon on their way to the coast for a few days.  It was so nice to see them.
Now we are back in Bothell settling in.  Thinking positive thoughts about getting a lung soon and starting the recovery portion of this adventure…  I have been on the list over 8 months now and feel it is getting nearer to the time when we ‘get the call’…  Have an appointment with Dr. Raghu on the 11^th and continue to work at therapy.  It is a struggle but I do the best I can and try to keep at the same level as long as possible. 

Wishing a Happy New Year to all and hope it is a good one!  Hard to believe we are finally going into 2012 and it will be another interesting year I’m sure!

Dec 17

We have decided to drive to Beaverton for Christmas.  Plan to leave here on Thursday, Dec. 22, and drive back the following Monday or Tuesday.  I will be able to stay on the transplant list during that time and they will try to give us enough time to travel back if a lung becomes available.  Have to spend time with our granddaughter!!! 
Trying to stay healthy but sometimes it is difficult.  Felt like a cold coming on this week so didn’t go to therapy on Wednesday.  Felt better on Thursday so Terri came by and we spent time knitting and chatting.  It was great to visit….

On our way to Beaverton we will make a quick stop in Tacoma to meet with Mary and Bill.  They completed the quilt so we plan to pick it up. 

Tomorrow, Violet goes to the beauty parlor at PetSmart for a groom and then a pic with the Santa Claws guy.  They take donations for the local animal shelter.  Will try to post a picture if we get a good one! 

A few weeks ago I was thinking that I am living every woman’s nightmare!  Being in a place that has unlimited shopping with everything you could ever want just around the corner and I don’t have enough breath in me to shop!  Is that sad or what???  Of course we are saving money so there is a bright side I guess…  After surgery look out! 

I know we keep saying this but it is amazing how quickly the weeks fly by!!!  Soon it will be 2012 and I am counting on getting a lung early in the year!!!!  We just have to get going on this so we can come home. 

We probably won’t post a blog next week since we will be visiting in Beaverton.  Want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season and thanks again for your support and encouragement.  Couldn’t get through this without it!

Dec 9

Another busy week in Bothell….
Enjoyed a great dinner with Dan and Terri on Sunday evening.  On Monday Libby, Richard and Bell arrived in the afternoon.  We had a nice visit and played some Pegs & Jokes (the girl’s rule!!!). 

Monday during the night the concentrator was cutting out and both dogs alerted to something being wrong.  Bob was ready to call Lincare but decided to check out the circuit breaker first and discovered that was the problem.  He put me on an oxygen bottle while he investigated and temporarily plugged the concentrator into another circuit.  An hour later I woke up to no air!!!  He had forgotten to put me back on the concentrator and the oxygen bottle had gone empty.  Of course I accused him of trying to kill me again! 

Tuesday morning we went to the Maltby Café for breakfast and then Libby and Richard left for home.  Poor Violet whined and howled when they left, she was so sad.  She loves spending time with her friend Bell. 

Thursday, one of the transplant team nurses called to say the transplant committee had met to discuss my ‘case’ and that I am still listed.  They have a plan in place to start me on IV antibiotics as soon as I show up at the hospital for transplant.  This is due to the low level bacteria that they have been unable to treat.  The team went over all the tests and doctor reports from the past few months.  I will need to see Dr. Raghu again in January and schedule an echocardiogram too. 

Due to freezing fog in the Willamette Valley, Mike and Suzie canceled their visit on Thursday.  Hope to see them in the next few weeks though.  It is not worth taking chances with bad weather!!! 

Friday morning found us saying goodbye to Mark and Kathy as they leave for Wasilla, Alaska…  Mark is driving the motor coach up and Kathy is following in a new pickup.  Mark is post lung transplant 3+ years.  For those who have seen the UW video on transplants, they are the stars of the video.  We wish them a safe journey north…

Friday afternoon found Rick and Katie here for a quick visit.  Katie’s sister Betsy and family live in the area. 

Saturday we spent the day helping Santa by wrapping presents and finishing up this blog note. 

Dec 3

Good morning….  Bacon is on the Traeger smoking..   Started just before 6 this morning.  About 10ish, the flank steak will go on for dinner tonight.  It’s a slow cook BBQ day. 

Hard to believe that December is here and Christmas is just around the corner.  We have been in Bothell just shy of 8 months.  Still no lung yet, but UW is progressing at an average of one a week.  Finding donors that have undamaged lungs is the biggest issue.  For Bets, it is finding a shorter donor.  Just have to wait. 

Violet spent a morning in the beauty parlor for a bath and brushing.  On the 18^th of Dec, she has another appointment for grooming, then she gets in line to see Santa Claws and have some pictures.  We will post one of those eventually. 

Betsy here…  Managed to make it to therapy 3 days this week and felt good about that!  One of the women that I met at therapy got a ‘new’ lung last Sunday and is doing well.  Have to confess I went through many emotions when I heard she had her transplant.  She had only been on the list 7 weeks and using half the oxygen I do.  I am very happy for her but was feeling a bit sorry for myself for a day or two…  Managed to work through it though and back to my positive attitude once again.  What a roller coaster ride this has been!!! 

Invited to Dan and Terri’s for dinner on Sunday and we are looking forward to that.  Libby might visit next week and Mike and Susie (long time friends from Salem) are planning a visit on Thursday. 

Have a great week everyone!!!