A Week of Celebrations

Pete is back from a trip to Colorado Springs to celebrate his sister's 60th birthday. The rest of us stayed home to celebrate my mother's 89th birthday. I'm celebrating my going back to work a few hours a day and getting back to the "swing of things." It's good to see everyone.

It was nice to have a two-month vacation even under the circumstance. Pete and I have never spent so much time together day in and out. It's good to know that we enjoy each other's company even under the situation - "in sickness or in health." Guess we will survive our retirement years when I decide to "hang up my hat."

I mentioned in my last blog that I was catching up on paying bills. I am thankful that most of those bills had nothing to do with my medical expenses. Thank goodness for our good health insurance. Based on my personal experience starting over three years ago when I was diagnosed with renal failure, my medical bills had increased drastically. I would have had to pay about $500/day for over a year for my home dialysis supplies and equipment if I didn't have good insurance coverage. Some of my meds cost up to $600 per month but because of my co-pay through my insurance I was able to take them as prescribed, sometimes having to change meds due to side effects. One of the anti-viral pills I am taking (thank goodness I won't need it after October 15!) would have cost me $60 a pill without insurance. How can we afford such high medical expenses and prescription drug costs if it hadn't been for the health insurance we have? I haven't seen the bills from Stanford Hospital and can't imagine the figures on those bills. All I've heard is if it hasn't been for my insurance coverage my immuno-supressant meds which most likely I will have to take for life could run into thousands of dollars per year. The question remains "how much health care reform do we need in this country?" I can only speak for myself as to where I'd be if it hadn't been for my insurance coverage. So far, I have the peace of mind knowing that as long as I pay my premium, the insurance company can not cancel me. One never knows when your health can take a turn in your life. If and when it happens, it affects you and your family emotionally, physically and financially. I've been fortunate that I have a wonderful family and many friends who have been there for me and continue to do so. We have been blessed with very few illnesses in our family and never had to face what some people go through in their lives. I have greater compassion for those who try to overcome their health issues, some long term, some terminal, some with pain and suffering, some with complications from meds, some with major depression, etc. etc. As much as I have great support and could continue to work, the last three years were a challenge in different ways. I've learned to become a more positive, compassionate, tolerant, disciplined, and hopefully patient person. I've grown in ways I never knew I could. I've learned to appreciate people and things I sometimes took for granted. I've learned to look at the bigger picture in life and value the special moments of each day.

Joan and I will have our last follow-up appointments at Stanford Hospital next week. We both hope to get "flying colors" reports from our doctors. Joan has been working full time for the last month taking care of the office. Not only did she give me her kidney, she came home to take care of many things for my business and at home while I was in Palo Alto. How lucky I am!

I'm glad Joan and Joy live so close by and we get to see little Jade several times a week. With the Cal Poly students back on campus this week, Joy is keeping busy at work. SLO is "alive" again.

So life goes on and my 3rd phase of recovery will soon be behind me. Pete has helped me so much with his 24/7 care-giving, driving, cooking, and his amazing patience during my recovery. Yes, I am blessed and that calls for the biggest celebration!

What are you celebrating this week?

Addie

My Bosom Buddy

We've just returned from Stanford (3 appointments in two hours, including the removal of the stent from my ureter which was placed during the transplant). We managed to get some walking in by visiting IKEA and even had open-faced sandwich and Swedish meatballs for lunch there.

I'm glad to be home again and will be going in to my office for the first time in two months starting with a few hours each day and eventually full time by October.

On Friday after work Joan had the office associates over in her home for a TGIF. Pete made pizza and baked cookies and Joan gave a nice buffet as usual. It was good to see everyone and to do a little catching up and visiting. That's when I decided I'm ready to go back and face my work.

I was pleasantly surprised by a visit from my cousin from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, whom I haven't seen for over 40 years and his son from Sydney, Australia whom I've never met. My brother Baru drove them and they stayed with us for two days (our first house guests since our coming home). We enjoyed their visit and hope to visit them when we're ready to travel again.

I've had a bosom buddy for the last two months since I was discharged from the hospital. Like the heart patients who get a red heart-shaped pillow, I received a baby blue one instead. My initial reaction was what would I do with it? Little did I know that this pillow would become my bosom buddy and I've carried it day and night from the car to the couch and to my bed. It serves as a cushion between the seat belt and my abdominal area when traveling in the car or motor home. I use it to rest my arms and as a prop wherever needed. It's like having a teddy bear all over again. It's amazing how something so insignificant has become my constant companion all these weeks.

Pete and I have enjoyed cooking at home and going on walks a couple times a day. I am allowed to carry over 10 lbs. now so I can pick up and hold little Jade again. It's also nice to be able to drive. It's great just to feel good and not have to do my dialysis every day and nine hours every night. Just imagine how much more time I have now to just do as I wish.

I'm slowly getting around to "thank you" notes, returning phone calls, paying bills, and seeing a few people as opportunity presents itself. I hope to catch up with more of you as time dictates. It's still wonderful to hear from those of you who have kept in touch. Your thoughts and friendship are always appreciated.

Stay healthy and live each day to the fullest!

Until my next blog,

Addie

Home Sweet Home

There's no place like home. We came home on Tuesday and have been busy unpacking and getting back to the routines of "normal living." It was nice to come home to a clean house (thanks to my friend and faithful cleaning lady, Frauke, who also did double duty in our absence visiting Mom at the nursing home every day). Everyone did a fabulous job keeping the house, plants, and garden in good shape. We've been harvesting our vegetables, and have been enjoying our organic produce. I felt so much better the very day I came home - all my pain is gone and its nice to be able to bend down, take two walks a day, cook, sleep on my sides instead of just on my back, and finally drove myself to get a hair cut.

It was so exciting to see little Jade and she was so happy to see us. What a precious moment when she reached out her arms to me and wouldn't stop hugging me, putting her head on my shoulder and looking at my face now and then to make sure I'm really here. What pure joy! She was happy just to sit next to Grandma and to find all her toys and books she hasn't seen for a while. That smile of hers always warms our hearts.

With the exception of the meds schedule (my meds have been lessened to 2/3 of what they were) and having to rest now and then throughout the day I feel like I might be able to work at the office on a limited basis soon. We'll see! I do have two more triips to Stanford this month for follow-ups.

We've been enjoying the garden, home cooking and even got to see "The Producers" yesterday at Clark Center. Frauke made a ratatouille from our eggplants from the garden plus a fresh peach pie and came by Friday evening to have pizza that Pete made. Life is pretty good as long as we don't have any more heat waves. Pete is out on his bike, enjoying his gardening, has done some planting, and will resume at the gym and volunteering at the botanical garden.

The Central Coast is definitely the best place to live. We enjoyed the Los Altos/ Palo Alto area but as soon as we saw the Pacific Ocean and no traffic we know we've come back to "Paradise."

It's the little things in life that sometimes make such a difference. I'm counting my blessings and grateful to be back to home, sweet home.

Cheers!

Addie