Happy Academy Awards Day!!!

Hey Everyone,

Well, the snow has just started and we are in for the day...the perfect time to catch you up. We've had a crazy busy week. We saw Dr. L at Penn on Monday and she was "cautiously optimistic" about the bone marrow. She said it did trend downward, but she wants it lower before Bob can have the SCT and probably will have him do a 5th round of chemo. She wants a bone marrow biopsy at the end of March, after the 4th round. Depending on those results and the donors' availability, she will make a decision then on the transplant. So it's looking like late April for the earliest that Bob will be admitted. The good news is that he will be home for the blood drive, and also should be in the recovery(high blood counts) phase of the 4th round of chemo at that time, so we are cautiously planning on him being there.
I wanted to thank everyone who has gotten in touch about donating.....Barb M, Lisa P, Brenda, Jean, Sally, Kim, Lee, Ann M, Joyce, Arlene, Donna D, Santa, Nancy, and Meg & friends. Also thank you to Suzanne for your offer of help. Bonnie said the Red Cross will be sending volunteers to do the paperwork, juice pouring etc., but she is not turning down any offers of assistance, plus even if people can't donate, you're welcome to come socialize and see Deb and Bob. There will be food and drinks....though NO Alcohol before you've donated and even once you've given blood, you will need to rehydrate before you can think about imbibing.
I just got off the phone w/ Bonnie and the plan for signing up is simply going to be calling Bonnies cell phone. She is going to carry the sign-up spread sheets w/ her and will immediately pencil people in as she speaks to them. This way there won't be "too many cooks". We were afraid if we both take names there would be duplications. I'm not going to publish Bons' cell number yet. She should get the sheets this week, probably Thursday, and I will blog her phone number then. There are also posters going up this week, so you may see them around town...me thinks we are definitely going to have to have a second drive...time will tell.
Also wanted to tell you that Bob needed platelets this week, but otherwise is feeling prettty good. The sneezing-head cold thing has quieted down(as I knock a hole through this wooden desk for even thinking that, letting alone writing it), thank you God. Doesn't the snow look pretty coming down?(just watching it as I'm writing).
Also had a topsy-turvy house this week as we had the master bathroom remodeled. We have been working on this since last Sept. We've been in our home for 17 years now, and everythings starting to look a little worn...plus they scare the bejeezus out of you with all the possibilities of infections after the stem-cell transplant...and I figured there was mold etc. that needed to be gotten rid-of. So after many snafus w/ the shower door order it was finally done this week and turned out great. Now we need it painted....ugh. It never ends. Also needing new carpeting, kitchen floor, repainting...blah, blah, blah. I also hate doing this stuff. I worry so much over how everything is going to turn out. Oh well, enuf of that.
I'm going to take advantage of the blog to catch up a little.
Mussie, did you cruise thru the canal? Was this a pleasure trip? Or were you building schools or hospitals or something very charitable like that, which I would totally expect from you!
Kim, thank you for the wonderful e-mail...it would've taken me even longer than an hour...you should have called instead. Tell all your family that we say hello, esp. your Mom and "Stent" as your Dad seems to be calling himself these days. They always send cards and we reallly appreciate it. Also keeping Lynne in our prayers, and hope your h/a's are better lately.
May Day, hope you're feeling better post transfusion. What happened after that? Write and let me know.
Jean, thanks for taking care of the picture. Stop in anytime. We're home most evenings.
Lisa, it was great to hear from you. Did Joe tell you that his friend TLC worked on our bathroom? We told him you guys were "very old" friends. The guys did a great job though...quick, neat and efficient...I highly recommend Z's Home Improvement if anyone needs any work done.
Well, I'm gonna wrap it up. Can't wait for the Oscars. Oh, which reminds me to ask all of you to remember our gal Deb w/ an extra prayer this week. She is scheduled to have her gallbladder out at HUP this Wed., hopefully by laparoscope. Deb, we're praying it goes smoothly and you're home by Thursday.

Thank you as always for the prayers, blogs, cards...and of course all your support w/ the blood drive. We remember you all in our prayers too, and thank God for all the wonderful people we have in our lives.

All our love,
Bob and Mo

P.S. All you fil-um buffs, have fun tonight. This is one of my favorite nights of the year, usually spent w/ Miss Deb, but we decided to go solo b/c of the weather. I'll miss you Deb.
And I'll be back w/ Bonnies cell phone number this week.