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