We are on our way, maybe...? Oh, you will get a kick out of this one.

We have been in our 2 week countdown and now the final two days to pack the car to go to see our North Carolina set of grandchildren.  Of course we will see their parents and Bonnie's son.  We are going to have a real Christmas this year.  Yea.

29 years ago my daughter Debrah was born.  3 years ago, her son was born on the very same day.  Let's just say, we do know how to celebrate the 18th of December. 

On the 16th of December Bonnie gave birth to her son, Ron.  And on the very same day, 2 years later Bonnie gave birth to her daughter. Jennifer.  The windup for Xmas is a double pump around our houses.

We kissed Debrah goodbye and drove to DFCI for our last doctors' visit before  our long stay at the beach.  Debrah works in a research lab upstairs from the clinic, in the Farber building.

We saw the Good Doctor Cutler today at 5:20 PM....all seemed to go well --

Bonnie is doing much better.  Bonnie's stomach and intestines and liver are all quiet.  She continues to make all components of her blood normally.  Cool. 

Bonnie's white blood count is high, which is normal for this stage recovery from GvHD.  High white counts are a known Prednisone-effect, as is Bonnie's ruddy skin and cradle-cap.   The Good Doctor is dropping Bonnie's Prednisone dose to 50mgs.  Very Cool. 

Bonnie is going to take some bone building medicine.  Cool. 

We were approved to go to NC in the morning. Bonnie recalled aloud, as we walked out, how 6 months ago she was being delivered to her weekly DFCI Doctor's appointment by ambulance, strapped to a gurney.  We leave DFCI with our fingers crossed that we will not get yanked back again.

We were scheduled to leave right after Bonnie's morning gathering, meditations and prayers at 10 AM, 'cuz Life is back to normal.....right?

Hugh and I were listening to music and hacking new Slim Devices hardware.  Oh normal is so wonderful.

Brrrrrrnnnnnnnnngggg. Brrrrrrnnnnnnnnngggg --- At 10:30 PM, Dr. Cutler calls to gently inform us  "Uummmm, your potassium levels are way too high... probably an anomoly.  But it would be good to test Bonnie again before you go....."

After Bonnie's morning meeting, we are going back to Dana Farber for more blood tests. Are you laughing with us yet?

The cosmos has a sense of humor; We keep getting the same "learn this lesson" - Life operates like a sine wave; First, life is better, and then "not-better", then better, then "not-so-much".  I think we will keep getting this lesson, Groundhog Day-like, until we truly get that "Life comes in waves"..... Life is like waves, right?   

Or maybe, life is more like particles.....??

I now think that life is like a particle, is because I still have two suitcases to pack full of more and more essential bits and trash cans filled with non-essential bits to empty. 

We hope to be on the road by noon or so.

Thanks for your kind wishes, notes and prayers. 

/Daniel for BanD

Comments

[Betsy Hall]

My only comment is that you'll be in my prayers tonight and I'll be eager to here what the next days hold for you all. If I'd heard that amazing story of birthdays before---I've forgotten and it is amazing.

Oh! And I hope you have good weather for the trip down. We've got high winds and tremendous rainfall up in Northern CA, tons of snow in mountains. May it be clear sailing for you guys---you deserve a very merry christmas. love, betts

[Ken]

Well I think that I am going to call. I hope that I catch you "On the Road" like a couple of aging hippies !! Love, Ken