We are halfway to our "new" home in Jacksonville. We've stopped in Clanton, Alabama for the night. It's between Birmingham and Montgomery.

It was a very easy drive. Weather was good and traffic was light, until Birmingham. We both agree that Alabama drivers are about the worst in the world! And if any of you are from Alabama, I'm sorry it I offended you, but y'all are crazy drivers as my granddaughter McKenna would say!

Tomorrow we meet our landlady Kristin and do all of the necessary paperwork to move in. At least we don't have any appointments until next Wednesday so we have plenty of time to unpack and get settled in.

Bill has eaten pretty well today. Didn't do much for breakfast but had chicken nuggets and a milkshake for lunch. Went to Waffle House for supper and he ate a waffle and some sausage. He wolfed it down and ate every bit. I think he's finally decided to quit thinking about his teeth and just eat. The teeth can be dealt with after he finishes instead of worrying about them coming loose. I was very glad to see him eat well. He was down to 160 this morning and I know that a lot of his lack of energy is because he's not getting enough to eat. But, hopefully he's turning a corner now. There's a peach market next to our hotel. If it's open when we leave in the morning we're going to stop and get some produce to take with us.

All for tonight. I'll post tomorrow night after we get settled.

Today's the day!!! We are heading into the next phase of this journey! Today is moving day to Jacksonville. Appointments have been set for the 7th, 8th,and 13th. Julie called yesterday and told Bill to stop taking his Coumadin and to increase his aspirin, so they must have a tentative date for the surgery.

Bill is not nervous about the surgery, and I'm not nervous about the surgery, I'm nervous about the after care. It's also been stressful telling the grandkids good-bye and co-workers and our church family. And I know we're coming back home but it was still hard to do.

But, our bags are packed, now if we can just get them all into the car! The rent has been paid for the month at the condo and all that's left is to get there!

All for now, will let everyone know when we arrive!

Bill had his last appointment with Dr. Burnett for awhile. He only made a minor adjustment to his meds and it wasn't to the meds at all. He adjusted the break-point for taking the Coreg. Now, if his bp is under 90 we're to hold the Coreg, but still take the Inspra.

His device check showed that he has been having several episodes of the bottom of his heart speeding up. But, the device is set to "pace" him out of it and it was been doing that. The episodes are only lasting 30-60 seconds and he doesn't even feel when his heart speeds up, or when he's paced back down. At least the pacing is working and he's not getting any shocks.

We're still concerned about his weight. He's maintaining at about 162 which is 15 pounds under where he should be. No matter what we try the weight still won't come back...I should be so lucky! The only thing we haven't done is actually count calories but it's probably going to come to that. Part of it is still getting used to the dentures, although he's doing quite well with them now. It's still hard for him to bite but he's chewing things that have a little more substance to them.

We're trying to get all the last minute lists made so that we can start packing to leave. We only have about 10 days left before we hit the road. There is sooo much to think of!

All for today...have a great week-end everyone!

It's official! We are temporarily relocating to Florida! Bill has appointments scheduled starting Sept 7th and the surgery for the implant will be scheduled after that. We've leased a condo that is within 10 minutes of the clinic and is fully furnished including utilities. We will need to stay in Florida for 2-4 months depending on how he does through the surgery and rehab afterwards. We also both have to go through a class on the device itself and learn how to maintain it and everything.

There are now lots of details to take care of regarding closing this house and making arrangements with my job. Hopefully I'll be back for tax season, but if I'm not, I'm not. We would just like to be home for Christmas!

Bill is doing better with his teeth now. Able to eat more things. But he is still losing weight and we are both getting concerned about that. No matter what we try he's just not gaining. We may have to see the dr to see if there's something new happening!

All for now. Just spent the week-end in Illinois with the family for my mom's 80th birthday. Had a really good time but it was tiring for both of us. Maybe we can get a little rest before leaving for Florida.

We've spent a pretty quiet week-end. Bill's having some problems eating still. There's 1 really sore spot in his mouth and it's where he's supposed to bite. We're both getting a little concerned about his weight loss. He's losing about a pound a day and no matter what we've tried, he's still losing. He's eating 3 meals, having snacks, and drinking Ensure high protein drinks. He started to stabilize with his blood pressure, but yesterday it went crazy again, dropping really low. We didn't make it to church this morning, but did make it tonight. Bill drove for the first time in more than a month.

Several people have asked me how I do what I do with taking care of Bill. I don't even think about it, I just do what has to be done. To me it was never an option to NOT do this. I didn't consider that our marriage vows were for better or worse...well, most of you know the standard vows. That never played into it and I didn't make a conscience decision to do this. I just took it for granted that this was my husband and I would do whatever it took to keep him alive. Yes, it's tiring, yes, it's frustrating, yes, I hide in the bathroom and cry. I made a rule early on to myself that Bill would not see me cry if I could help it. I don't want him to blame himself for hurting me. So, I cry where he can't see me. The girls at the office are getting used to my tears I think, but they all understand. I also don't keep everything bottled up inside. I have kept a journal for years and that's where all of my frustrations and fears go, along with lots of praying.

So, that's your answer. It's probably left you just as puzzled as you were. I can't give any better answer...it is what it is. I don't begrudge a minute of it but sometimes I wish there was something more I could do to help when he's having a bad time. But, that's something I can't do so I don't dwell on that.

I've rambled on long enough for tonight. We didn't hear anything from Julie Friday so maybe we will hear something tomorrow. When we know, you'll know.

Today was a big day! Up at 5:30 and on the road a little after 6 to head to the denture clinic in Memphis. Got there just as they opened and had to stand in line! But, the wait wasn't too long. Got Bill's impressions made and after they made sure that they were good we were told to come back at 1. So, about 9 we drove across the parking lot to Perkins and had breakfast. We then drove to see if we could find Dr. Peck's office for his appointment at 3. Finally found it, the navigator was no help at all and took us to the wrong end of the road, but we got there. Went back to the denture clinic about 10:30 and told them we were just going to sit there. We each had something to do to pass the time so it wasn't too bad.

His dentures were ready early and the dentist came back from lunch early so he was getting the final fitting about an hour early. After much grinding and refitting, he was ready to go. The teeth look really good! He's not having too much trouble with them. Ate a sandwich when we got home. Took a little while but he got it down.

Anyway, we decided to go to Dr. Peck's office early and, surprisingly he got right in. He was only in about 5 minutes and was done. Dr. Peck said that he apparently was healing just fine if he could tolerate the dentures. Bill said he didn't even have to remove them! So, we were home by the original appointment time.

It hasn't been quite as hot today as yesterday. The actual temp yesterday was 106 with a heat index of 123. Today I don't think it hit 100 and there was a breeze. Also had a little rain on the way home.

We haven't had anything to eat tonight yet, and I don't think either of us is really hungry. But, as Brianna wanted to know, Bill looks "normal" again!

He talked to Julie today and will probably talk to her again tomorrow. Dr. Yip was talking to the surgeons. I don't think Dr. Agnew wants to do the implant. I got that impression when we met with him. He told Bill he could almost guarantee that he would be around another 10 years with the transplant. Of course, it could take 5 miserable years before he got it, so I don't know what kind of trade-off that would be. So, Dr. Yip was talking to another surgeon. Will let you all know when we hear something.

All for now...

Good Morning, although it's almost afternoon! Sorry I didn't update again last night.

Bill did make it to church last night and everyone was really glad to see him. But, he was really tired when we got home. It was the first time he had been out since we came home Wednesday.

Neither of us slept well last night. Bill finally got up about 6:30 and I slept until 7:30. When I got up he had made coffee, just taking his time doing everything.

He doesn't seem to be as winded today moving around so maybe he's finally getting regulated. Now if his bp would settle down.

We've both just kind of piddled around today, little chores, making lists of things that need done before we take off again. Other than that, no real news. May not have another post until after the dentist on Thursday. We're going to go to the denture clinic first to see if we can get them made and then see Dr. Peck. Some of his stitches have started to come out, but he still has a really sore spot and a little swelling.

All for now, have a great day!