A little under..

Christmas day was again wonderful..but Becky did attract a nasty cold. Took her down a bit.put her in bed..we, of course, have to keep out antennae up when colds and congestion make their presence known. Fortunately, Becky has not had too many cold viruses. Her immune system has been able to play defense.
The GVH (Graft vs. Host disease) is still playing offense..still a heavy player in the game. And as mentioned countless times before, will be around for quite some time.
Less than 2 days and 2010 will be rung out, toasted out, scorned out, loved out, cried out, praised out, *&*&%%&! out and more salutations. Upon reflection, we have many emotions, many like those I just stated. We simply want to do our best to enjoy each day, talk about each day..talk about the good, along the with the not-so-good..

May you and yours enjoy and talk about each day...

God Bless you all..
Much Love, Celebrate Life!

Bill, Becky and Abbey

A Christmas Day poem..

T'was the day of Christmas and all through our home
All the family was stirring and embracing a feel good tone
For here Becky was, health improved from this day of last year
We were happy, for even with the battles we still face, there was much to cheer!
We bowed our heads giving thanks for the story of stories..
And yes, the presents were all wonderful, Santa's way cool, but to God be the glory.
Becky would repeat more times than we can recall..
Just being home, no site of a hospital, was one of the greatest gifts of all..
Oh and the Christmas Eve service was a delight to her mind and soul
It was so nice she could go and sing songs, see friends and feel somewhat 'whole'..
Yes, this illness arose with such a monumental and life altering clatter..
We couldn't dash away from it's grip, every minute seemed to matter..
We are still on a path that has uncertainty and strife..
But we ask each of you as our motto has been, to please celebrate life!
Much Love to you..We know you all have your own uncertainties..
Stay faithful..Prayer works..reach out if you need others to help you in the journey..And if and when time permits..have some fun..no really, have some fun!


Bill, Becky and Abbey..

Regular visit.

Had a good regular hospital visit...lab tests were mostly good, the platelet count dropped, but no need for alarm.. Doctor Snyder liked what he saw.
It felt so good have a this report before Christmas. So in the wheelchair Becky goes..dash away, dash away..to home we go! She still needs the wheelchair for any walking that may last more than ten or so minutes..but hey, she's gettin around town, that's what matters.

Hope you all are getting around and embracing what matters.....Be safe while you are doing it. Be cool..

Much Love..CELEBRATE LIFE! Enjoy the miracle of Christmas..

Bill, Becky and Abbey

Gettin into the spirit..

Yes, Becky feeling that Christmas spirit. Baking some goodies, wrapping a few presents and watching the Hallmark specials. The tree is glowing with lights and shimmering ornaments of all colors and styles, and the ones that don't shimmer are those very special ones from those wonderful grade school projects..So real, so warm and fuzzy when reflected upon.
A few days ago, Becky needed a complex IV, which usually requires a hospital trip, BUT believe it or not there was NO room at the 'inn' this week for this 5 hour IV.. so a nurse was arranged to for an in-home administration of the medicine! We have done this with others meds, but with this med we weren't sure this could be realized...It took some doing, but it was worked out! Seriously, the hospital was having some trouble finding an opening for at least five or so days, so thank you very much, Becky got a most delightful nurse to oversee the IV. This is some kinda IV..gotta have benadryl and tylenol administered with it, making sure there are no reactions. All went splendidly. It was nice not going back to the hospital, again. We are still going once a week for the regular consultation..lab tests and more. Yes, Becky is still feeling the effects of the Graft vs. Host disease, though not as bothersome as was experienced a week or so ago.
We do give great thanks she is home! And again, feeling some pep..and loving she can be so involved with the decorating and other Christmas activities. Last Christmas, was one that well, even though we were so glad to see her discharged Christmas Eve after approx. 3 months in the hospital, there is no denying it was a very difficult 8 or so days. Yes, she was home for what seemed only like a few days.. Becky was readmitted just after the New Year..and the again 4 months later!
BUT here we are! Home Christmas 2010..Seeing some good days! Seeing some wonderful moments! She's eating well and shuffling around like an Elf the week before Christmas. Well OK, maybe not 'elfspeed' but she does have some good 'giddy-up' moments.

WE do wish you all a Merry Christmas. We are in awe that such a plan was put forth.
JOY TO THE WORLD! The Lord has come to earth. Adore Him..Gloria!

May you have great joy this Christmas. We know there can be some moments of tension, loneliness and more. We encourage you to let the little stuff go..
Instead of making sure all the gifts are properly wrapped, make sure you wrap around family and friends your arms of love..and put a little tape of kindness with it.
May your nog be tasty too..ha-ha..

Much Love to you all.. Celebrate life!

Bill, Becky and Abbey

Improvement..

Hospital visit on Friday revealed some really good lab results...platelets etc..
Becky still has signs of GVH, but some improvement in this area, though believe it or not, the GVH was 'attacking' her mouth, tongue. Some very sensitive areas. But now, these areas are less painful..plus a new med has helped! Yes, another med, but this one easy to administer, and will only be around as long as the mouth has issues. So, overall not bad. She feels pretty good, though she does tire easily. Her leg strength will increase upon the reduction of the darn steriod. But for now, the steriod must be our 'friend'. A spoonful of sugar helps this one go down.
Becky being home to celebrate Abbey's birthday was also a good way to help the medicince go down. Last year Becky was in the hospital during Abbey's Bday..So it was joyous to shop a bit, have a joyous meal at home, and watch Abbey blow out the candles! We embrace these small life triumphs! We give thanks for these postcard moments.
Hope you are seeing life triumphs and postcard moments...Don't let the Grinch rob you of joy and peace.
Take a breath, say a prayer, Thank God, and go forth.

Much Love, celebrate life.

Bill, Becky and Abbey

PS. Watched "It's A Wonderful Life" for the 100th time..man, still gets us.
What would life really be like if you weren't born? Wow...yes, 'Hark the Herald angels sing'..

We will deal with it..

Had the weekly hospital visit. Looks like GVH (Graft versus Host) may want make it's presence known again, again. The issues/symptoms seem to point toward this diagnosis. But this time the GVH seems to be a kinder-gentler version, though we never really know. But again, the Doctor seems to think this is the cause of her latest issues. But here's some good stuff..Becky baked some goodies this weekend. They were delicious. She felt pretty good, though again, some of the GVH issues do make for some down moments. We went out shopping Friday night..she had great stamina for a few hours. She, of course, enjoyed being out. We also went to a small gathering this afternoon..She did great..Thanks to our friends for the wonderful hospitality.
So all in all not too bad, but yes, disappointed the GVH (see mayoclinic.com for more info on Graft versus Host disease) may be our friend for awhile. But it's Ok if it stays in the 'lite-chronic' mode according to the Doctor. If I understood his medical speak correctly, the body can fight a good fight at this level, it can hold course and maintain some normalcy, versus the big time onslaught of GVH which isn't pleasant. And yes, eventually GVH will make it's exit..
Becky is indeed a fighter, she's holding course and having some great days.
We do thank you all for your prayers. We honestly know there are many who do bow heads and bend knees for Becky, Abbey and me. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Hope, yes HOPE in the Lord..Stay focused. Stay positive and prayerful.

Much Love, Celebrate life!

Bill, Becky and Abbey..