The first day of spring brought a some new grubs for Krista. I forgot to mention yesterday that Linda sent her some clothes that we sent off with our laundry to get them ready to wear. Krista is really sensitive to chemicals, so she always has to wash new clothes before wearing them. Jeanne was called off to help out her family in San Diego today, so she arranged for Gene to drop off our clean laundry on his way to work. It was nice to get to see him briefly. Krista looked great going out in her new grubs. Thanks Linda, Jeanne and Gene for making it all come together!
Yesterday's success with pushing Krista between the hospitality house and the hospital inspired us to do it again today. It's much faster than waiting for the shuttle, and it's a really good workout for my hamstrings. It's pretty amazing that she can do this because when Krista first came out of the hospital the sensory-overload would have made this impossible. Now she enjoys the change of scenery, even if it is a little colder than she likes. A winter jacket and two blankets wrapped around her legs make it tolerable, though.
Krista's platelets were at 19,000 today. She needed a transfusion, and as she got it (HLA-matched), she had a great chat with the chaplain, Chitra. They have become friends over the time she's been here, and today we learned that her husband, Roger Cairns, is a musician who just finished making his third "standards" CD. Chitra said that his favorite artist is Mel Torme, and Krista was so excited because she got to tell her story about how, when she was 18, she met him at a concert in a revolving restaurant in Washington D.C. -- and he kissed her on the cheek! Oooooh weeeee!
It feels nice to have an upcoming weekend free of appointments. We're still keeping an eye on the GVHD rash, which flares up from time-to-time. So far, I don't think it's making any significant changes. It still feels a little edgy; if it does change it could put our trip home next week in jeopardy. And we really want to go home.
We wait in hope for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
In Him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in His holy name.
May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in You.
(Psalm 33:20-22)
Hope Notes from Krista and Mike is a journal of encouragement as this Christian mom, and supportive husband and caregiver, face the ups and downs of a stem cell transplant after recurring leukemia. Start at the beginning by clicking September 2008 in the archives and reading forward. It's not always pretty, but it's real. We pray you will be blessed by these passages in some way.
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