If this is your first visit to the BLOG, welcome. The message below (A transplant in my future) has some good context material including some details of the stem cell transplant I'm hoping for in January.
I'm using the "What's Happening?" category for posting about my medical condition and generally, well, what is happening with me. To find out the lastest info, check the latest post in this category (which will be the first one listed).
Today (12-14-05) I saw Dr. Richard Stone, the hematologist at Dana Farber. He said it would be OK for us to go to North Carolina for two weeks. We are thrilled with the news that we will be with Jennifer, Scott, Zac, and Lucas for Christmas. Looks like a No Snow Christmas for us.
We will return right after Christmas. We are waiting until the 29th for that marrow biopsy. Hopefully by that time we will have identified a "live" bone marrow donor. My blood levels continue to drop slowly, but my energy level is good and I have no other symptoms.
Now that my classes are complete, I am turning to full time prayer and family. This is a proven remedy for whatever ails me.
On a lighter note, here are some of my joys this week:
Our Jackson Rud (aka the "Cambridge Grandson") will celebrate his first birthday on his Mom-Debrah's 27th birthday this Sunday (12-18). Because we will be gone, we got to celebrate with them last night. Jack is taking his mom and dad to California for Christmas. Note Jack's first haircut in these pictures.
Last weekend my EDS friend Sue Crommelin and I 
went on retreat at Emery House, the rural retreat center of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist. It was a weekend of praying with Isaiah and Psalms relevant to Advent; mostly it was a silent retreat. I felt that I was making an important transition to deeper prayer in that wonderful setting. The "Cowley Brothers," as some of you know them because they are Cowley Publications, provide exquisite hospitality and a unique invitation to closeness with God. Here is a picture of me showing six of the hermitages available to guests who can enjoy there a cozy stove while they are hermits.
Love to you; thanks for journeying along with us,
Bonnie and Daniel
Dear Bonnie and Daniel,
Thank you so much for your message and the link to your blog. I'm going to bookmark it so I can follow what's going on with you. I am praying for you as you wait and prepare for the transplant.... With love, Heather
PS If you like British thrillers, there's a fun book by Barbara Vine in which bone-marrow donation is a central element of the plot... it's called "The Keys to the Street." A little light reading for the holidays? xoxo
Posted by: Heather Hadlock | December 15, 2005 at 08:32 AM
Thanks, Heather
I'll order it.
Bonnie
Posted by: Bonnie | December 20, 2005 at 07:42 AM