2012 Review

Wow - another year ends. Time really does pass quickly. We had a few medical adventures in 2012 but all in all, it was a good year.

Here are the highlights:

• Doug achieved a second remission
• We sold our 5th wheel in Texas
• Doug's endoscopic ultrasound was negative for pancreatic problems
• Doug went on maintenance chemo
• We moved to a new house
• Our buyers for the old house broke their contract (we still are trying to sell it.)
• Doug had radiation therapy twice for hip pain
• Hip pain finally resolved
• Doug had a heart stent put in
• We sold our Texas RV lot
• White blood counts wavered a lot - seem to be finally stabilizing at a 'new normal'
• He caught a cold and recovered from it - yeah, a working immune system!
• Doug had successful eye surgery for glaucoma
• We sold our truck camper

We had a wonderful Christmas in Denver with lots of extended family. All five grandchildren were home - a precious time as they grow older. The oldest grandson has already flown the nest - he is in the Air Force and studying Farsi at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey CA. The next oldest is in his first year of college. The youngest three are still in high school.
We enjoyed great food; our daughter in law is a terrific cook. Then most of us gathered to play a fun game called "Bubble Talk". It was a really good time - we were so glad to be there.

We are staying home tonight on New Years Eve. We'll have a nice relaxing time and doubt we will stay up until midnight!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all, and Peace for the coming year!

"Fulfillment cannot be attained by seeking and grasping, but by surrendering and breathing right now, in the present."       Karen M. Wyatt, M.D. from WHAT REALLY MATTERS

ANC up a bit

Doug has an upper respiratory infection with bad cough. It came on over the weekend. Thankfully, he got a spot on the clinic schedule yesterday. Our favorite nurse practitioner  started him on antibiotics and a strong cough syrup. He does not have a fever and his lungs are clear. Could be a lot worse.

We went today for Doug's CBC. Results are good - his ANC is up to 1.7 (last time was 1.4). Looks like his body is mounting a response to the cold. Very encouraging. And his next blood draw will be in four weeks instead of two - yea!

Our weather has been very cold with some high winds, so we have mostly been homebodies lately. We have not got much snow at all - just enough to broom off the walks. If we do get snow, I doubt anyone will complain - we sure need the moisture.

Love to all.