We had been looking forward to meeting Joan, Joy, and Jade in Monterey last Sunday, but little Jade came down with hand, foot and mouth illness which she picked up at the day care center. This is a viral infection mainly affecting children under 10 but very contagious. Pete and I ended up visiting the Hakone Gardens and estate in Saratoga, originally built in 1915 by San Francisco philanthropists Oliver and Isabel Stine as a mountainside family retreat on 18 acres. In 1966, the city of Saratoga purchased Hakone and it's currently operated by the Hakone Foundation. Hakone is the oldest Japanese estate garden and Asian Retreat Center in the Western Hemisphere. This hill and pond style garden emphasizes the harmonious placement of plants, stones, and water, with steps and terraces ending with a moon viewing house on top overlooking the garden and koi pond in the middle. Hakone was one of the major film sites for the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha." We ended our visit with a picnic on the lower terrace. Such a serene and tranquil way to spend part of our Sunday.

We had an enjoyable visit to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco on Tuesday. It was impressive and state of the art, and beautiful. All the exhibits and shows were featured in such a way you can take your time and enjoy them leisurely. We especially enjoyed the planetarium show and going up to the the living roof where the entire roof tops are covered with plants and solar panels, not mentioning the view. Needless to say, Pete had to wheelchair me around most of the time. What an experience!

My sister, cousin, and brother and his family came to visit us on Wednesday on their way to San Fransisco. My niece took all of us old folks to a Chinese dinner and treated us to Peking duck, crispy crabs, whole fish in sweet and sour sauce, etc. We then walked over to the used books store and we all ended up with all kinds of books. My sister-in-law, Doreen, got the best deal - 10 books for $5. Then my cousin Sophia treated us to Cold Stone ice cream on our walk home. My sister bought us all kinds of vegetables from our home garden - tomatoes, corn, green beans, and strawberries. It was a fun time for all!

Thursday, Pete and I took the motor home to Thousand Trails at Yosemite Lake and planned to spend some time at Yosemite area for a couple of days. It was perfect the day we arrived - excellent weather, beautiful campground with all the conveniences, and a stream running on one side of the campground. Unfortunately, there was a fire that was actually a controlled burn that got out of hand and we woke up the next morning to ashes and smoke and they closed down most of Yosemite, so we ended up driving back down to the Thousand Trails campground in Morgan Hill for the weekend. Pete and I managed to dance a few slow and slow-paced swing steps to the music entertainment at the campground on Saturday night.

Today is Sunday. Joan is arriving in San Jose by Greyhound bus this afternoon. She will drive my car home tomorrow since I can't drive yet. I will see my doctor on Monday, my last weekly visit, and hope to head for home on Tuesday. I've had a low grade fever up to 100.5 temperature for three days and nights off and on, along with fatigue and achiness, but now, I'm feeling pretty good again.

We're looking forward to going home even though we have enjoyed ourselves in spite of the ups and downs of post op.

As we wind down phase two of my recovery and prepare for the 3rd phase, we hope to continue our conversations with you through the blog and email. I'm trying to minimize my activities since I'm still in my critical stage of my recovery. I hope to go back to work by the middle of October. Meanwhile, I will continue my visits to Stanford at least two times during my 3rd month. I'm sure Pete and I will be having some catching up to do upon our return to Morro Bay and will ease back into the routines of normal living. We can't wait to see little Jade!

Muchas Gracias for all your support and prayers. We hope all of you have had a wonderful and enjoyable summer. Live well physically, emotionally and spiritually! Be good to yourself and take care!

Adios and sayonara!

Love, Addie

8/22/09 A Wonderful Week

It has been an interesting week and everything is looking better each day now that my pain has subsided to a 2-3 on a scale of 10.

We had a leisurely Sunday morning at Elizabeth Gamble gardens on 2.5 acres – very accessible for me. We then visited the Artist Guild Village run by Stanford Packard Children’s Hospital and had a simple lunch there.

Monday is now clinic day and catch up day for us (laundry, grocery shopping, etc.).

Tuesday and Wednesday we decided to try camping in our motor home at our Thousand Trails Morgan Hill campground, only one hour from here. We were surprised how quiet and relaxing it was. It was wonderful to be outdoors just enjoying the nice weather and nature. We took a few walks, read, Pete biked and swam, cooked and BBQed. It’s nice to have a king size bed in the motor home so we slept very well after all that fresh air.

It was nice to come back to the Marriott, our home away from home and dinner was served by the inn. We’ve gotten to know the staff, the general manager and the owner of this inn. The maid brought me a bouquet of flowers from her garden, the boss asked if I needed cranberry juice or anything special his staff can do for us. We’re getting spoiled and pampered.

Today, George Janeway, our good friend and dentist came to ride his bike with Pete. They rode to Stanford from here and he also treated us to Thai food for lunch. We’re so blessed with good friends and so thankful that we always find people we enjoy getting to know, especially the couple from Green Lake, Wisconsin who have been here the whole time we are here (The husband came for radiation treatment for some rare and unusual lymphoma.) They’re glad they can go home tomorrow. We’re hoping that we can go home in about two weeks if all goes well.

One of the activities we’ve enjoyed when we need a quiet activity is watching some old movies through our Netflix subscription. This week we saw “Bridges of Madison County” and “Steel Magnolias.” I remember seeing “Steel Magnolias” when it first came out in 1989 – other than the sad ending, I didn’t relate to it at the same level as I did this time. What I’ve personally experienced recently with my transplant and at this stage in our lives now that we have a granddaughter really put a different meaning to this movie.

Thanks again for the emails and cards that continue to arrive. We really enjoy hearing from all of you. Don’t forget to stop and “smell the roses" while you’re enjoying your summer. We’re going to miss this wonderful weather when we leave this area. We’re taking full advantage of what we find here that’s different from home. Now I realize how much Pete and I missed in the past three years since we had cut down on our travels. I can’t wait until we can resume our travelling again.

We will remain in touch until we get home or whenever we see you again. God speed! Addie

The Worst is Over

8/15/09 -

The worst is over and I am ready to face the 2^nd phase (2^nd month) of recovery. Pete and I celebrated yesterday by going out in our motor home and spent all day at the Filoli gardens and estate in Woodside (where the TV series “Dynasty” was filmed). It’s only 10 miles north of Los Altos and we recommend it to those who enjoy visiting botanical gardens. The mansion of 40+ rooms sits on 650 acres. The surroundings, the sunken garden, the rose garden, etc. are so beautiful, relaxing, and inspiring. We had lunch at the café – no matter where you sit you look out to the gardens and trees. There were a lot of volunteers who are there to help and answer all kinds of questions. I had my Mom’s wheelchair, so Pete wheeled me around part of the time. After lunch, I took a rest in the motor home while Pete went back to take pictures and walk the trail. What an enjoyable day!

Since my last blog, I had a slight set-back but am now back on track. First, I discovered I was taking lot less than the dose of the prednisone, a steroid hormone to prevent rejection by lowering the inflammatory response of the body. This was going on for more than two weeks since I was discharged from the hospital. I’m now on the correct dose. Sunday night, I had fever of over 100^o F and had flu-like symptoms (achiness throughout). My patient manual said these are some of the symptoms of rejection. Thank goodness I had an appointment with my doctors Monday morning. They immediately said I had an infection on my exit site where my dialysis catheter was placed through a hole in my abdominal area. During transplant, the surgeon had removed the dialysis catheter and closed up my exit site. It turned out that my scab came off too soon and I ended up with pus beneath the surface. The doctor had to squeeze out all that pus (no fun but better than cutting it open to remove the pus). Now, I’m on an antibiotic for a week. All in all, I survived the setbacks and feel a lot better.

Harry and Arline Fierstine from San Luis Obispo came up to have lunch with us on Wednesday. We had a nice visit and it’s good to see some familiar faces. I have received more cards and emails from many of you and they continue to give encouragement and support and cheer us up each day. We even received words of kindness and prayers from people we have never met, but those who have followed the blog. Our world is full of good, positive people even though there is so much negative energy around us.

Pete and I are starting to like this Los Altos community and its surroundings – the temperature is in the 70’s and 80’s every day, sunshine, and wonderful restaurants with reasonable prices. Within a few blocks, we have Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s plus all the international cuisine you might want to try. We also discovered the 150 shops downtown, but we only walked a few blocks.

Life without stress is the way to live. Since we haven’t had to deal with work, house chores, paying bills, constant phone calls, entertaining, etc., we’re adjusting to a routine of one-day-at-a-time. Other than hospital appointments, we have no obligations whatsoever. That’s what I need to have a speedy recovery, so thanks to all of you back home who are doing all that and more and taking all the stress from me. I owe you BIG TIME!

We will continue to use the Marriott Residence Inn as our home base, but we hope to take a couple nights here and there in our motor home to get away a little bit. It’s amazing how simple our lives have been and yet how happy and content we are – “less is more”.

Simplify and have less stress. Enjoy life each day!

Aloha, Addie

From Addie

Joan has been home for one week and we’re both counting the days to August 14^th which will be the magical time period for us to say “the worst is behind us,” so we’re told. Joan has been going into the office a couple hours a day, but is still recovering and requiring healing time. The healing process takes up a lot of energy and drains you very quickly. Everything you do is an effort and in slow motion. Before we know it we will be just as good as new, I’m sure. My doctor told me I’ll be “better than new.” Can’t wait!

This last week has been exhausting including two days in the hospital for the IVIG.I was there from 10am to 6pm. The other two days were blood tests and clinic days. I was so glad when Friday was here so Pete and I took off in our motor home for a long ride. We met our friends David and Julee Krause from Cambria for a brief visit while we were in Scotts Valley. We then drove to Capitola and then headed up Hwy 1 to Half Moon Bay. We made several stops and enjoyed our picnic lunch in our motor home and a rest stop at Greyhound State Beach. Pete took a little hike down to the beach and scouted around and I had a nice nap in the motor home. We walked briefly around the marina at Half Moon Bay and then drove home.

Today, we decided to spend a day at our Thousand Trails campground in Morgan Hill where we used to bring the girls and their friends camping when they were little and into their teens. We stopped by Camping World on the way to pick up a few things for the motor home. It was perfect weather and we had a very relaxing day. Pete decided to cook lunch and I enjoyed eating outside under the shade of all the trees.

Tomorrow, we might go north to find a bike trail for Pete while I rest and read in the motor home. We’re so glad we brought the motor home with us. We wouldn’t have been able to get out for these little trips here and there without it. We’re getting to know this area and are enjoying the change in pace in spite of the circumstances.

Next week, hopefully, will be the last week of my twice-a-week visits to the hospital. I look forward to some good news when all my test results come back. We have made the most of our stay here. We enjoy hearing from all of you through the email, blog, cards, flowers, and the short visits of a few friends and relatives who stopped by. We really feel everyone’s love and best wishes. For those who have helped at home, especially my sister Maylin from Maui and our cousin Sophia from Singapore, my associates who keep the office running, and those who visited Mom at the nursing home I say “ A BIG THANK YOU!” We’re still not sure where we’ll be after next week, but will keep you posted.

I miss my granddaughter Jade and look forward to being able to pick her up and hold her in my arms. I can’t wait until the doctor tells me I can lift over 10 lbs again. So far, I haven’t been able to drive and thank goodness Pete doesn’t mind doing all the driving and taking me back and forth to the hospital. How we take so much for granted when we’re well. Life is precious – live each day to the fullest and count your blessings.

Until the next blog, take care and enjoy your summer!

Addie

Home Sweet Home (from Joan)

Hello friends and family! I just returned home to Morro Bay this evening and am enjoying a bit of peace and quiet with my cat Bart. There hasn't been a whole lot of action since my mom added to the blog on Tuesday. She had another appointment at Stanford on Thursday and the doctors told her that she's free to go out and about as long as she feels up to it. She's still dealing with pain from the surgery, but she's in great spirits and ready to explore the area a bit. We took a day trip out to Half Moon Bay (I think we headed out within minutes of her returning with the good news from her doctors. She was ready to hit the road!) It was a mellow trip: just a drive and lunch at a nice restaurant by the water. My friend Julianna was with us. She came up on Wednesday to help me out and keep me company. Everyone should have a professional physical therapist taking care of them!

Julianna drove me home today and helped me get unpacked. Joy had the house all stocked with food and fresh flowers. How spoiled I am and how very blessed! I will continue to take it easy and ease my way back into "normal" life over the next couple weeks. I'm not driving yet, but that's OK because I don't have anywhere I need to be in the near future!

My parents are still enjoying their "home" in Palo Alto. Dad spends a lot of time walking, using the computer, swimming in the pool, shopping and doing laundry. I suspect he'll go out for his weekly bike ride on Sunday morning again. He continues to discover all kinds of new things in the area. Mom is doing a lot of reading, listening to music, and watching TV and movies. She gets out to walk a bit each day and is now going out with my dad in the car to run errands and explore. We had a nice dinner out at the Cheesecake Factory last night to celebrate my last night there.

That's all for now. I didn't get a nap today, so am off to bed early. Blessings and love to you all!

Joan