HELLO!

HI,
I'm off for a nap but before I do I want to share a pic my dear friend Silvia sent me. Sil is a big time photographer who has very pretty grey hair. I was telling her I was thinking of keeping my hair grey and she weighed in with her opinion. She's votong for the gray and wild look!
xoB

Hello!

Hi,
I just wanted to share a photo Bridget took of the kittens. They now live in the side yard.
xoB

Day 209

Hello All,
I went to the docs today- everything looks good and I don't have to go back for TWO WEEKS!!! I'm very excited. I had my lung treatment today (anti-pneumonia drugs) and a check up with labs. I have nothing to report!!!
The baby kittens haven't been around today. I think the mama moved them. I'm a little bummed. I bought a ton of organic chicken broth to flavor their food. Maybe I'll try eating it. (joke!)
I stopped by school tonight and poked around a little, wearing my mask, of course. I look very suspicious!!!
Let's all stay well!
Beryl

So many cute kittens!!!!

Hello,
Our feral Cat (who we call "Precious Kitty Girl") apparently had kittens a month ago. This evening she brought them out to show them off. There are 5 amazing and adorable kittens living in our vegetable garden. James said we could catch them all and let them sleep with us in our bed but, as you know, he's crazy!! I'm enjoying them from a distance and expressing my love through milk and food They are adorable! Katie shared the kitten love with me. She said they'll be ready for new homes in 2 more weeks so if you are looking for a precious kitty girl or boy of your own....let me know.
Meow!
Beryl

Day 202....snap!

Hi,
I just got my results from the bone marrow biopsy. Everything looks great- 100% donor and no chromosomal abnormalities. There's a little this and that with my blood still, but they say it's nothing to worry about. I'm feeling good- grateful and good!
xoB
PS I still look like George Clooney.

Monday May 9th Day 195!!!!!!

Hello! Happy Mothers Day!
I had a great day at HOME with my sons and their sig. others yesterday. We all ate and chatted and spent some quality time on the porch. I still haven't finished unpacking but I'm slowly getting through the boxes. My Richmond doc said the preliminary results of the bone marrow biopsy are good. He'll know all in a few weeks. He says I'm ahead of the curve but still need to be uber cautious etc. He DID say I could do laundry (not disgusting laundry- just normal) and light dish washing. I'm thrilled!!!! What a cheap date!!
James has been doing all of the heavy lifting in the house (apt) for 6 months and that's a lot o laundry and dishes etc etc. I will be cautious- wear my mask and gloves, and not go crazy. I swear!!!
I'm loving being home and feel so so so grateful. The semester is almost over and I'll be posting grades tomorrow (hopefully). I'm looking forward to a little quiet time.
oxoxB

Day 186

Hello!!!!
OMG I am home. My house is clean thanks to a hard working Tracy and all my stuff is here thanks to a long list of awesome friends (Barbara, Marion, Anna, Jennifer, Laura, Bridget, Lyle, katie, Sarah, Doug, Josh, Tom, Wayne, Diane, Betsy, Andy, Jim, Hope, Kate, Ted, Dottie Bird, Rob, Evan, Deborah, John Randall, and anyone else I've forgotten). What a bunch of generous and hard-working friends. I've been thinking about all my caregivers too. People are so kind and generous. I feel like I'm at a big milestone. I know it's not over, by any means, but it feels like a huge accomplishment to have been through the transplant and made it back home, still resembling myself. Of course James is my number one advocate and partner. Nothing would have been possible without him. I got so lucky! Who knew, so many years ago, that he was more than just a pretty face??

So I'm home, I slept like a baby and everything is beautiful. I'm slowly unpacking today while James, Katie and Lyle clean up the apartment. It was a wonderful place to stay and everyone was lovely to us. (although I did scare my neighbor's children with the mask....and maybe I shouldn't have tried to stuff them in my trunk, either. Well....live and learn.

My garden is beautiful, thanks to Bridget. It is in full flower and so green, it breaks your heart.

I go to the clinic tomorrow and it's time for another bone marrow biopsy. This is a big painful test but I'm going to float in, get tanked up on drugs, and float out. My ct scans last week looked good and my pulmonary tests went well too. I was at a 20% loss of lung function at the last test. I don't know how much I improved but the technician said there was definite improvement. (Thank you, mighty beast)

It's the end of the semester and I'll be grading like a wild thing. This has been a lot of work but I'm grateful for it. I needed to stay plugged into the world and my work and colleagues at PVCC have made that possible.

I'm going to go unpack some more boxes!!! I'm home!!!! I can't believe it. So happy, so grateful!!!!
xoBeryl
PS This is a pic of me and my God daughter, Dottie Tarbell (Dottie Bird). She came to help me move back in. The doc said I could hold her with some conditions (which we met) and she was delicious. OMG sweet sweet sweet! (I look GOOD with a baby...I'm just saying...)