We still haven't heard from the dr. about any appointment with the hematologist, so we're just kind of stuck in limbo again. Bill isn't concerned about it, but I don't think he realizes how serious this could be. And of course, I've read too much about it, so I'm getting more worried. The problem could be anything from an infection somewhere to cancer. Bill is not showing any signs of anything, except for an off and on cough, but it also has some sinus drainage with it. Sometimes I think the cough stems from the scar tissue in his throat from being on the vent for so long. He has a hard time clearing his throat now and the cough could be from that. But, he's not had any fever, his vital signs are good, his appetite is good, mind has its good days and bad days as usual, so it's hard to pinpoint something.

This is just one of the drawbacks of not living near your (our) transplant center. If we were still in Jacksonville I'm sure Stephanie would have already gotten us an appointment with the hematology clinic. Oh well, it was a decision we made together about coming home.

We both had eye appointments this week. Last year Bill needed new glasses but I didn't. This year I need them but he doesn't. I also could have gotten by without getting them because just my left eye has changed, but I decided to go ahead and get them. My left eye is the one that I have more trouble with, as far as watering or not wanting to focus. It's also the one that the retina tried to detach a few years ago.

Our ice is finally melting. It's supposed to be in the 40s today and warmer yet the next few days, but rainy. We've had some sunshine which has perked us both up some. We do have a chance to for a little more winter weather next week so we'll have to see.

I've been doing my usual "tax season" sleeping, which means I don't really sleep deeply until 4 or 5 in the morning. Then when it's time to get up I'm still tired. I'm pretty sure it's from the stress of not knowing about what it going on with Bill.

That's about all for this time. I'm going to have to make a Walmart run. I'm just about out of laundry soap. I'm hoping I can get the next 2 loads done and not have to go until later, but I'm not very hopeful. Luckily we don't get really dirty so I can use a little less. At least the whites are done. So this is it until next time. There may be another midweek post if we hear from the drs, so check back often.

Rare midweek post and it will be pretty short. Bill had his labwork repeated this morning and most of the numbers were about the same. But, this lab doesn't do absolute value tests, which are the numbers that Mayo is interested in. In their defense, there was some miscommunication between Mayo and our doctor and it wasn't specified that the absolute values were the ones they were needing. So, we are being set up with a hematologist just to be sure.

It's getting difficult to get seen by a "regular" doctor in our area. Our doctor and his nurse are both intimidated by Bill and his recent history (transplant and stroke). The nurse told me as we were leaving that she wasn't even sure this hematologist would want to see him because he has so much going on. If that turns out to be the case I'll just tell Stephanie to set us up with one at Mayo, just to give us 2 days drive time. I understand that Bill is a special case medically, but we need someone who can see him for general health. I think we're going to switch to the nurse practitioner. She's already said it doesn't scare her to deal with his medical problems and medications.

So, more to come when we see if we can get the consult.

Good Friday afternoon! I decided to go ahead and post today. It's a kind of "blah" day. I'm tired and just don't feel good. I'm sure it's all the aftermath of our trip and I'll feel better tomorrow.

We had a great trip to Oklahoma. William has gotten so big and speaks so plainly you can't believe he's not quite 3. Petra is very tiny, but she was about 6 weeks early. We had a good time getting to know her and playing with William.

We did miss all of the bad weather of last week-end. We got a little ice Sunday night/Monday morning and we didn't leave the hotel until the afternoon. The roads weren't bad at all where we were.

Coming home yesterday there was only 1 spot on the road that was icy and it was a back road that was shaded. The rest of the roads were pretty clear. But, when we got home things were terrible. Our town doesn't do anything to clear the roads in town. The only places treated are major intersections and in front of the police station. Because of the lack of maintenance, school has been out all week. This happens every time and I just wonder when we are going to say enough is enough. Last year when we had so much ice the city hired the crews that take care of our lawn to clear roads, but I guess they didn't want to do that again this year. And, as I type, we are getting freezing rain. We started with snow and sleet this morning, we're to get freezing rain throughout the rest of the day and evening, and then change to all rain. There is supposed to be about a 40 degree temperature increase and we could get thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon! Then, more snow/winter weather next Saturday. Bill is really ready to go to Florida, but Jacksonville set a record low this morning. So, we'll just stay in where it's warm. I've got a crockpot of potato soup going and enough supplies for a few days so we're all set.

Stephanie called yesterday and said that Bill's CBC (part of his bloodwork) showed some abnormalities so they want him to follow up with our dr. here. But, our dr. is balking at seeing him. He's afraid of the meds he's on, but all they have to do is consult with Mayo and they can be reached 24/7. Emily showed the lab result to the nurse practitioner at the office and she said it's most likely an infection starting somewhere. So, next week we will need to get the test repeated and then they will decide if he needs to see a hematologist. So, added stress for me! We both have eye appointments Wednesday morning and Monday is Bill's 72nd birthday. We don't have anything planned yet, just have to see what the weather is doing.

When we stopped for breakfast yesterday morning, a motel across the street from the restaurant had burned earlier in the morning. It was a total loss but our waitress said that as far as they knew, there were no injuries. It will just hurt the area economically for awhile. They were already starting to demolish it as we were getting back on the highway.

Again, I can't get the pictures to download. I'll keep working on it and maybe I'll get them posted in a couple of days. For now, see you next week. Stay warm and dry!

Posting a little later today, but I've been busy. Already filled the car, made a Walmart run, have a load of laundry going.

We had a good week. Bill has returned to a pre-depressive state. That doesn't mean that I'm not still very watchful, just that he's mellowed again. I think I'm going to cut back the Xanax and see what happens.

Having the schedule made for him has made a world of difference! It seems he really needs the structure. We've made a couple of tweaks to it, and of course nothing is set in stone, except for medication times, so things can be moved around. It will be interesting to see if he wants to use the exercise room at the hotel while we are in Oklahoma.

We went to Jonesboro Wednesday for his labs and did some shopping. Didn't find a lot there, I got some books and yarn. But, we had a nice breakfast out at Ihop and the weather was nice, cold but not too bad. We went shopping here and got Bill some more pants. He really like the Dockers we got before, so got some more of them. I still haven't found much for me as far as clothes go, but that's always been the way I am. I hate shopping for clothes and want to be alone when I do shop, but I just haven't found anything that fits the way I want it to fit, or I just don't like anything!

We're heading out in the morning to Oklahoma for a few days to see the new baby, and of course her big brother. He'll be 3 next month so we're taking birthday presents to him. I'm hoping we'll remember to take some pictures of them. There's a winter storm watch here for Sunday night into Monday and they're predicting anywhere from 1-4 inches of snow. Hopefully we'll be snuggled into our hotel by then, although I don't think OK is supposed to get anything. It's also going to be super cold in the morning with wind chills below zero. Thank goodness for heated seats and a heated steering wheel, also remote start!

I got some beautiful roses for Valentine's Day. There were yellow one, and red ones, coral ones, and pink ones. I tried to post the picture of them, but it kept turning on it's side and I don't want it that way. I also got a silver medallion necklace that has "I love you" etched on it. So, he did good!

All I can think of today, and I just heard the washer shut off, so it's time to swap clothes. I hope everyone has a good week and that you all have valentines, even if it's only a lick from a pet. See you next week!

As cloudy and dreary as last Saturday morning was, today is a beautiful sunshiny morning and it is supposed to be in the low 60s today. Bill said it is very windy, so the flag will probably be beating against the house. But, the warmth will be a very nice change!

Our week started badly. Saturday was an day where he was very secretive with everything he was doing. When he finally went to walk on the treadmill I added Xanax to his meds. I know those work for him even though he didn't want to take them.

Things were a little better Sunday until it was time for bed and Monday was the worst day we've had so far. It's not so much the melancholy that so often goes with depression. It's the personality changes and secretive behavior that are so hard to deal with. It's like he knows what he's doing is wrong, but he's going to do it no matter what. Anyway, Bill was so sullen when I took him his meds that if I hadn't been standing at the bedroom door, I don't think he would have taken them. He did turn to see if I had left the room and was not happy when he saw I was standing there. He was just flat out angry most of the day...and then it was over by late afternoon/early evening.

I still haven't found a new doctor for him. The clinic I was hoping for isn't taking any new patients. I've gotten a couple of names, but can't find any contact information for them. So, still working on that.

The rest of the week has been almost back to normal. The Xanax has finally kicked in. The only problem with sneaking it in with his others is that he takes it too early in the evening so he wants to go to bed really early. So, I've been trying to keep him up longer. But, he's sleeping better, hasn't gotten up in the night for the last couple of nights. That also lets me sleep better.

We finally sat down and made his schedule and that seems to have helped greatly. He's decided that he wants to use his treadmill 2 hours a day instead of 1. So, he's been doing an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. That could also be why he's so tired in the evenings. He did say his legs were sore last night.

I finally managed to get a haircut this week and it feels so good! It's short enough that I can finger comb it and let it go, or I can dry and style. But, I've never been one to style it. I let my hairdresser "do it" after she cuts it, but usually I go right home and brush it out!

I got our taxes filed last Sunday and we've already gotten the state refund. Arkansas is on the ball this year. Last year our federal was pulled for a paper audit and it was delayed. Hopefully it won't be this year.

We have to go to Jonesboro this coming week to have Bill's 3 month labs done. I think I said they were 6 month ones last week. But, it's every 3 months. We just go to Jonesboro every 6 months since we do the other ones at Mayo. I think we're going to go on Wednesday. We have to have them done between the 11th and 13th. Bill ruled out the 13th since it's a Friday (no sense in tempting fate). Since Thursday is the day for his Fosamax and he has to hold all of his meds, it would be too difficult by the time he takes the Fosamax and then waits 30 more minutes to take the other meds. He also can't have anything but water for that 30 minutes so we wouldn't be able to go straight to breakfast. So, Wednesday it is. Then, we're going to Oklahoma next Sunday to see the new grandbaby. I made out reservations yesterday afternoon.

I think that's about it for this week. Hopefully the coming week will be smoother than this one.