A good use of a calendar

Calendars are great - every doctor appointment - added to the calendar (you can only imagine what our calendar looks like).

Tonight we were sitting talking about a doctor appointment I have scheduled tomorrow...........and Ron said, "Hey, I wonder when my PET scan appointment is?"........I joked and said, "Gosh, I hope you didn't miss it?" 

He checked THE CALENDAR - his PET scan is scheduled for TOMORROW @ 8:00am in Marietta (all the way across town in Atlanta rush hour traffic).

When Ron experienced pain 13 days after transplant - an MRI showed a bile duct leak and a mass on his lung.  A few days after the duct repair surgery; a biopsy showed a benign mass.  Due to all the anti-rejection drugs he's on - IF there's a  'seed' of cancer anywhere in his body - it will "sprout like flowers in the springtime" Dr. Johnson told us...............so, Ron is having a PET scan to verify there are NO OTHER growths in or on his lungs.  We'll get the results next Tuesday.

Thinking positive thoughts!

Happiness

I love the newest photo of Ron and our youngest grandson, Braylen..........Ron has a 'giggle' on his face.

A foot with a mind of it's own

Ron had an ultrasound on his lower leg and foot today -  (preliminary report) no blood clot - but they're not sure what's going on.

Ron is on a pretty high dose of Rapamune (6mg a day) - the doctor called today and said his blood is saturated - to reduce his daily dose of Rapamune to 5mg.

Tomorrow the doctors will go over the ultrasound report .....and give us a call.   We may be making another trip up to Piedmont Hospital in the near future.

Ron was extremely tired today.  We've had a lot going on - that may be the reason.

I'm scheduled for an MRI (w/contrast) Monday to rule out Sacroiliitis.

Slipper Day

Ron wore slippers to work today.  Several days ago he noticed his left foot was swollen - this happened several weeks ago - and it resolved itself.....not this time.

Ron spoke with his post transplant coordinator yesterday - they want him to come in Thursday for an ultrasound - hoping it's not a blood clot - but honestly, I can't imagine what else it could be.  

Ron is feeling good - I think he's a little worried.  He's told me several times - he doesn't want to go back in the hospital.  I don't blame him!

2 Months

Today is April 3rd.
Ron received his new liver February 3rd.

We are grateful.

Ron is an active guy - just 8 weeks since his transplant and 6 weeks since his bile leak surgery.

He's driving

Went back to work

Loading and emptying the dishwasher

Vacuuming the livingroom

Working on his car

Walking our dogs
Grocery shopping
Taking trash cans down to the street
Playing in the sandbox with Oliver

Takes Oliver to the Dwarf House (through the little door) in Fayetteville

Ron takes his vital signs twice a day - with the help of his three apprentices (Lady Belle, Trouble and Gen. Cornwall Beauregard, Beau)

Beau is double-checking Ron's entries

180 Degrees

He's come a long way; I've been reintroduced Ron Cook.  It's been years since Ron's had so much energy....he sees some little detail that needs doing and he takes care of it. 

Okay, maybe he has taken it a bit far - one night this past week he was up at 2:00am cleaning door knobs with Lysol wipes (when your immune system is all but missing - you tend to have germs on your mind).

Another night he was up cleaning bathrooms at 2:45am - a blessing yes, but is he getting enough rest?

He sleeps about 5 hours a night, keep in mind - pre-transplant he was up every 45 minutes running to the bathroom from all the fluid retention and diuretics.  Anyway, I don't think he's getting enough sleep - I mean, 5 hours used to be one of his afternoon naps before he'd wake up long enough to eat dinner - then back to bed for the night (or 45 minutes snoozes). 

Ron went back to work - weeks before released............  It is suggested 3-6 months before returning to work......Ron went back 7 weeks after surgery.  I must come to his defense on this one.  Ron is a salesman; he sits at his desk and sells all day long - so when he said he was ready to go back to work - he went.  He comes home every afternoon refreshed and excited about work.

With Ron's new found life, I have to be honest, it's not been easy - he's more sure of himself, looks to me less to do things for him; he wants to be in charge (I'm not used to that, it's a give and take, and I'm trying to let go more).

I'm proud of Ron, I'm proud he didn't give up and didn't let me give up.......at times (silently) we weren't sure he was going to make it.  He loves his family - and his family loved him through it all.

Clinic Visit

Not much new - this week's clinic visit:

The incision is healing great
They added medication to slow Ron's racing heartbeat
Ron gained a couple of pounds (YAY!)
He'll continue to come in weekly for blood draws........but he doesn't have another clinic visit for 6 weeks.
They will see him less and less for the first year - then once a year for the rest of his life.
Ron is doing wonderfully!

Ron needs several procedures: hernia repair, cataract surgery, colonoscopy and dental work - all that has to wait until after his 6 month post transplant date.

Here's a photo of Ron and our pre-transplant coordinator, Cindy Quinn - yes, she's our favorite person.  She was always there for us - talked me down off the ledge several times while we were waiting for 'the call'.  We love you Cindy!

Ron spent the afternoon with Oliver