Lungs for Mandy

Dad’s not feeling good today and we’ve been sitting around all day watching tv. I wish it were nice out so we could sit out on the porch but instead it is rainy and cold. I wish we had southern California weather here now. Sun and warmth. But it just doesn’t work that way in the Midwest. I am so bored and I don’t know what to do with myself. Rehab and docs keep me busy during the week but the weekends just drag on. Last night I went to eat Thai food with Jeff and walk around the Loop. That kept me busy even though most of the shops were closed up and the wind was killer. Listen to me complain – I should be the happiest person ever and it just isn’t like that. I need to get out of this mood and be happy. Ahh tomorrow will be better.

I feel good physically. I think all of my parts are getting along good. I took my IV out yesterday because the steroid was completed. I don’t feel any different other than my arm feels great without the IV at the bend. Another long morning at the hospital for lab work xray and rehab, I’m sure I will feel better after that.

Saturday @ 6:12 PM

It’s been a nice weekend. On Friday Mandy had an X-Ray, Labs and Re-hab. Her prograf level is still down a little so they’ve upped her daily intake. It is an anti-rejection drug, and they want to keep her levels at a certain level. The CMV virus is almost gone. CMV is a virus that everyone has but when you are immune suppressed it moves to the forefront.

Today was her last IV to treat the acute rejection, which if you’re going to have rejection is better than chronic rejection. AA removed her own IV and Fee Fee (Sophia) watched very closely. Maybe she’ll become a nurse like her mommy.

Mandy and her lifelong friends got together last night and took down her Christmas decorations and helped clean the place up. She is so fortunate to have friends from Junior High. Thanks Girls for all your help and support. Funny how an apartment can get dirty when no one lives there for over 4 months.

Tonight it’s a home night for Laurie and I after having Alex, Jake and Sophia staying one night each. They are getting so big, I can’t wait for summer and seeing them more often in the pool. Of course Alex is getting a little old to hang out with Gramps and Grams, but maybe we’ll get another summer. Oh by the way since Sophia turns 5 this year she gets to learn how to drive the golf cart.

While Laurie and I are spending a quiet night at home alone, Mandy went out to eat Ti food. I don’t know why they call it Ti food, it’s just Chinese with a little hot sauce, I think. She’s actually driving her own car for the second time in about 5 months. Time for a funny story?????

When Mandy was 16 and got through the driving instructions and started driving by herself. On her first outing in her own little Cavalier that she had, she hit the drive thru at McDonalds and got a flat tire. Imagine the amazement when we came around the corner  and here is her car with not only a flat tire but a bent rim. I guess she never realized you had to stay under 50 miles an hour in the drive thru. Of course Mighty Z will comment on this one, because he hadn’t learned how to change a tire at that age. I don’t think I ever got the full story on that one, but I and everyone else would appreciate all the facts.

Dad

As Alex calls him. (Grandpa Bob) got home to Atlanta yesterday. After spending 6 days in his hometown of St Louis. He stayed with Mandy, Laurie and I for a few nights and then stayed with brother Kevin for a couple of nights. It was a good visit. He and Mandy got to hang out, talk about the old days and shared funny stories. Some which have already been posted here. The funniest thing that happened during his visit; My brother Kenny had been planning a covert undercover trip to the Philippines and swore G-BOB to secrecy. While brother Kevin and I knew something was up but we couldn’t shake it out of G-BOB ,so we came up with an elaborate plan to get the details, which failed miserbly. So while G-BOB and I were waiting for Mandy to finish re-hab brother Kenny called and they started speaking in code, you know real low, uhh uhh yes, no, it was very obvious something was up. G-BOB hung up the phone with a real gleam in his eye I began quizzing him on what was going on he desperately searched for an explanation, while not telling me much and without telling me a flat out lie. Now, remember we had an idea something was going on so I waited a little bit and asked G-BOB, ” I wonder why the ITS (International Traveling Service) would call me at home. You should of seen his eyes start spinning, trying to not show how concerned he really was. I made up a great story about this phone call and how I felt they were checking out brother Kenny and on and on I went until, he blurted out, “He’s in the Philippines!!” So once he started I managed to get the whole story. Once I had all the info I  called brother Kevin and we solved the mystery. Had he been anywhere else but sitting right across from me when Kenny called it would of been still a secret.

Mandy and I took Max to the vet the other day, he has been having some problems with his ears. So while we’re waiting to go in to see the vet Max decides to relieve himself by going number 2. Anyone who knows Max knows to stay downwind of him. Phewee it stunk, in such a small area, Mandy got a Kleenex and picked it up while I hid my face in embarrassment. No one else saw it as we were the only ones waiting and all the girls were behind the counter. Anyway Mandy picks it up and instead of disposing it outside in the container she plopped it in the trash can, sitting on the floor in front of the counter where no one could see it. The aroma in the room quickly started to overtake all the other smells in the room. About that time they called us into the examination room, as we were closing the door one of the techs behind the counter was spraying a deodorizer. After 20 minutes or so, Max was complete and we walked back into the waiting room. Oh the aroma was soooo strong and another Tech was spraying the deodorizer again. Hopefully they emptied the trashcan before the close of business. If I had thrown it in the trashcan I would of been so yelled at. Hopefully she doesn’t start being a litterbug next.

The nurse just showed up and is instructing Nurse Laurie and Mandy on working an IV pump. I think they are going to try and put an IV in her today. I feel so sorry for this nurse because if she misses twice she may get slapped around a little, since Mandy is such a hard stick.

Dad

I received both good and bad news today.

Good news: Lung function has increased. I drove for the first  time in months and the car smells like my former dog Sosa. It felt strange driving. I got to see my girls on 13 last night for a while and Micheal gets to go home soon. WOOHOO

Bad News: Bronch showed rejection stage 1 — easily treated with three days of steriods at home. Another IV and three days with another IV that stinks. I also have CMV which is a virus everyone carries and supposedly you get it from your donor. All I know is it is making me have diaherra and putting me in a sad mood.

I can not go back to my place just yet because I shouldn’t be home alone yet. Doctor’s orders

I’ve decided I want to marry the Gordman’s fisherman while he is wearing his yellow rain coat and hat.