GETTING CLOSER.........

Guess what this is!! So exciting! It came in the mail a few days ago, just like a large gift from Santa Clause! Only it is not from Santa. It's from Mayo Clinic.



Yes! It is the jug of shame!! To be used for her 24-hour pee test in preparation for our trip to Mayo Clinic on January 3rd.  They want her to pee ahead of time.  Just pee in the Jug of Shame, shake it up, pour some of it into a smaller container, mail the smaller container back.  They even included detailed instructions! The pee test will help the doctors to see what sort of nastiness is still in her system. Proteins primarily. I wonder if the mail lady even knows what she will be transporting............

Merry Christmas from Mayo Clinic! Pee in a jug!!

We felt that excitement warranted a blog post. (Yes, our mostly isolated/retired life can be this boring at times. We can't wait to get out more.)

Update:  Things are going well, except for one mostly minor mishap (see below).  Dr Gay, our local oncologist/hematologist, set her next appointment out three weeks instead of the usual two as her blood tests look pretty good.  (We'll get a clearer and more accurate idea when we go to Mayo, especially from the bone marrow biopsy. They'll actually drill into her hip to chase after any cancer cells.) Even with all the flu and cold bugs going around, we both have stayed healthy and we are grateful for that and appreciate all the "staying away" from us.

The minor mishap? It was painful. Hanna has been walking on the treadmill nearly daily in an attempt to learn how to walk again. Naturally, like most of us would, she kept bumping the speed up higher and higher the stronger she felt. Until both of her knees buckled at the same time. Those nice plugs you are supposed to attach to yourself that will turn off the machine if you fall? Nah. We're both too cool to use those. She held on to the handles while the track rubbed away at her knees. She realized her only way out was to let go, so she did and the machine threw her off the end of the belt and crammed her under the table.

It was kind of scary for me. I heard this large bang like things falling to the floor. I hollered "Hanna, you OK?" There was no response for a long few seconds during which time I thought she may be unconscious. But finally she squeaked "yes".

Both of her knees were bloodied fairly well and her shoulders are a bit sore. Her new platelets were put to the test and successfully clotted the blood with a little help from some bandages. And we were vigilant to prevent infection.

We learned several things. Those "turn off" plugs are important and now mandatory for her. (I'm still too cool........). Walking faster is not helping her to learn how to walk more effectively. Just walking and concentrating on not falling is sufficient. Her "balancing exercises" are more important than treadmilling. And, cardio is not necessary as the doctors want her to gain weight.

And so we go, learning new stuff every day. That's why we have challenges, right?

Our next blog will likely publish after we get back from Mayo Clinic in January. We're hoping they will say her immune system is strong enough for us to relax the isolation a bit and of course, that no cancer cells can be found anywhere in her body.

And finally, more good news. Here is a picture of her head. Notice the hair starting to grow back.


We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!


Hanna's Two Bits: 

Bit 1: A few weeks ago I had the thought "All I want for Christmas is my hair to grow", and look, it may be slow, but it IS growing! A Christmas wish come true!

Bit 2: This statement from Neal Maxwell, one of my favorite men of faith, is really resonating with me: "Faith in God includes faith in His timing." 

In spite of my trust in God I've done plenty of pondering why I've had this challenge now rather than years into the future. My conclusion is that I have learned much this year about choosing each day to live in line with what I value the most, so the remaining years that I have in this life will be much more joyous and peaceful. God in His wisdom knew this challenge would bring many blessings. He is so good.


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