Dr. Bobs Adventure

We've created this blog for several reasons. First is to keep family and friends(including Bobs' pts.)informed of Bobs' condition while he undergoes treatment for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia(AML) at HUP. You may also write to Bob by posting a comment, which I'll print for him to read. Please feel free to pass this blog site on to anyone you think may want to join us.Instructions to blog are listed under day 12, and bobs' address etc are under day 14. Click on April Archives to find both.

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Checking in

Hello everyone,

Please forgive us(once again), for not writing in so long. We have been very busy. First of all we got to the shore for a long weekend, last Thursday to Monday. Our friends Deb and Joe generously offered us the use of their home in OC, NJ. It was wonderful. Bob couldn't go on the beach, but sat on their deck under an awning, read a lot, and also had his laptop for play. We ate out every night and visited all of our favorite restaurants. Only missed A la mode and a hot fudge sundae, but Lord knows I can do w/o that. We watched some movies(you can skip Syriana and Cache, in my humble opinion), and just enjoyed the change in scenery.

We have both been going to PT 2x's a week. I get measured next Tuesday, but my therapist thinks my shoulders' improving in leaps and bounds. Have lots of exercises to do 2x/day now, and it takes about 45 mins to get thru them all once. Bob also has benefitted, although he still has problems with tightness and stiffening, he can almost lie flat, and can comfortably lay on one pillow. Bev,our therapist also got him to raise his cane so he walks taller, and some people have noticed this(hey km).

I also, finally, talked Bob into applying for a handicapped parking sign. He's always been loathe to do that, and for the most part, I'll still drop him off and park in a regular spot when I'm driving, but there are times when that's just not possible, plus he's still driving himself. And when his knee locks, which still happens a few x's a day, Bob literally cannot take a step w/o excruciating pain.

So, other than the orthopedic pains, Bob's feeling okay. His counts have been stable, and they're still done twice a week. Oh he was having a reaction to the dressing on the PICC line. Tried 3 different ones and he finally seems to be tolerating this last one, but he has terrible raised, red areas under the dressing...Bob says they're first degree burns....and a generalized rash along his arms. So, other than the neck pain, knee pain, rashes and itching, Bob is great...sigh.
Seriously though, the poor guy really tries to make the best of it. We also found out this week that Bobs brother Bill is not a match for stem cells, so Bobs info has been put into the national bone marrow registry(aside to Anne Mazzola, I'm not sure how you go about signing up for that. They probably have a website, but I can call Dr.Ls office and find out for you). Which means that Bob will probably not be going in for his stem cell transplant until Oct. or Nov. While we're on the sct subject I just wanted to tell you that our friend Deb is doing well. She's hit a rough patch, having pneumonia and was in ICU for 3 days, but is back on the floor now. It was 2 weeks yesterday that she had her sct. Please remember her in your prayers. We certainly are great believers in the power of prayer, as we have witnessed it firsthand w/ Deb and Bob.

And speaking of prayer segues into our next bit of news...something we hadn't planned on publishing, but it's brought such peace and joy to us both, and you all have been so supportive thru our down times, I thought it would be nice to share some happy news. As many of you know, 15 years ago, Bob and I were married by his brother Bill, who is a Judge. On Monday Sept. 4th we are going to receive the Sacrament of marriage at Corpus Christi Church. It will just be a small cermony w/ our immediate families attending, and than a little luncheon at the Wm.Penn afterwards. So this has kept us busy over the past few weeks also.

I also wanted to tell BKH that we had a wonderful time at her party, and thank Bev for putting it all together.Bob really enjoyed himself and kept remarking how great it was to see everyone. Also wanted to thank J&C for the pizza dinner...that was a lovely night. How was the B-17? Sorry we missed it. Aniko, thank you again for a wonderful dinner...I have to tell everyone, that Aniko brings soup to nuts when she drops off her famous Hungarian dishes. I can also strongly recommend the chocolate ganache cake from Trader Joes. Thanks also to my cousin Nancy for the photos. They came out great, and thank your Dad too.

Well, that's all for now. Hope you're all enjoying these last days of summer. Wish this darn humidity would abate. Take care everyone. As always please keep us in your prayers.

All our love,
Bob and Mo

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

wow what a chock full post. every time i read your blogs i get hungry! and i want to watch a movie. i will attest that our bob is holding his head higher these days, methinks it's b/c he is going to the chapel and he's gonna get married! thanks for the great blog, it does our hearts good. hey mo, tell me the name of that pizza joint in scranton again, i have a connection that can hook me up with it and then i can see if it is the best or if you are just biased to hometown flavor! xokm

August 28, 2006 9:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wait a minute...you guys will now have 2 anniversarys to celebrate, 2 special days of the year, 2 creme brulee nights, 2 reasons to take off for the weekend. what a deal! good thing you are both thoughtful and attentive people b/c that could also be 2 occasions to get into the dog house!

August 29, 2006 8:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great blog,, you really do write well mo..happy for your upcoming ceremony..it's an easy day to remember also.. sorry that bill wasnt a match, but im sure they'll find someone soon..maybe that strong hunk that deb was searching for(ha). Hope the rash goes away soon, they are soooo uncomfortable.. take care.. and mo, i've never stopped the prayers..love,..mdf

August 30, 2006 4:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bob,
It was great seeing you at Bonnie's party. You looked good with all you have gone through...a little thinner but nothing that some good pasta wouldnt fix.Keep walking and working on getting stronger.Congrats on your reaffirming of your vows...sounds like a wonderful idea.
I miss having you around the hospital, even if just for meetings. When I deal with internal medicine non nephrology issues, i find myself thinking "How would Bob have done it"? You have certainly left your mark on many of us. Thanks for that, and am looking forward to having you back in the game.
Our prayers, to both testaments in our house, are with you.
all our best,
Rich & Deb Friedman

August 31, 2006 11:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You both are in our prayers. We have great faith in praying to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Dr.Vince Mandato - Greg's partner - was baptized by him in Italy).

We miss you more than you'll ever know, Doctor. Alfred is doing okay and Dr. Sag is taking good care of us and, of course, Dr. Kraynack.

Hoping that one of these days we will meet at church or better still at one of your favorite restaurants. To us, you are the greatest. Thanks so much for all
you have done. God bless you both.

Fondly,
Leonore Caringi

September 02, 2006 4:43 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HERE'S A FIRST RATE OPPORTUNITY
TO GET MARRIED WITH IMPUNITY
AND INDULGE IN THE FELICITY
OF UNBOUNDED DOMESTICITY
YOU SHALL QUICKLY BE PARSONIFIED
CONJUGALLY MATRIMONIFIED
BY A DOCTOR OF DIVINITY
WHO RESIDES IN THE VICINITY!

CONGRATULATIONS
BEST WISHES
AND MAY YOU BE BLESSED WITH
15 + 15 MORE
SJS

September 04, 2006 12:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Bob and Mo,

Congrats on the wedding. A second honeymoon and so many more memories. I think of you both everyday. Even more so that I drive past your house almost daily now with all of the construction by the turnpike. Keep strong. Julie Jourdan asks often how you all are doing. She sends her prayers along.
jean

September 12, 2006 10:59 PM  

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