Busy week!

Good Evening Family and Friends. This week has been full of surprises and adjustments, mostly good and wonderful, some adjustments nevertheless.
Monday morning my cousins Frankie and Sandy told us they had been taking care of their 7 year old granddaughter who was sick with a sore throat, cough and fever and had not recuperated yet. Together we decided it was not a good idea for them to be in contact with me and we sadly canceled our fun 4 days together. They won’t get gipped though, they’ll be visiting in Sarasota as soon as they can!
Daniel was with me and in the afternoon during our appointment with the P.A. I asked if I could go home for a few days due to the circumstance and was granted permission since all was going so well! I could have left Monday afternoon, but didn’t want to miss my very special 5:00PM yoga class or my Tuesday midday class. Jaime came up to take me back on Tuesday afternoon since Daniel had plans in Tampa, and home to Sarasota we went! Upon arrival my Dad and Joyce invited us out to one of our favorite restaurants, Veg, in Gulf Gate. All of our dinners were delicious and such a treat being out in good company.
Wednesday morning I took a wonderful walk with Daniel, the air and the breezes were wonderful, even through my mask, and as always Daniel’s long legs gave me a good workout. Upon arrival back home, my precious friend, Chris, pulled up laden with gluten free bread and scones so it was an automatic mid morning tea/coffee time with lots of good chat time and hugs.
Being at home, my own shower, having slept in our own bed and just enjoying being in our home was sweeter than I had imagined. Later that evening I made a big yummy soup and we got to share that with yet another precious friend, Jeri. Again, lots of long overdue hugs and good conversation.
Thursday morning was my first time on my bicycle since June and …you guessed it, just like getting back on your bike! I rode around the neighborhood a little and to my parent’s house, “picked up” my Dad and off we went for a beautiful walk! After my return and good shower…you guessed it…another precious friend, Mimi came for lunch and brought the most yummy zucchini muffins made with the most delicious and healthy ingredients…still being enjoyed! Conversation with Mimi is always good, fun and in Spanish since she is from Colombia and she doesn’t even realize what a treat that is for me!!
In the meantime, Daniel found out he is being promoted again, this time to manager and will be working at a Radio Shack out of the mall on the north side of Tamiami …for those of you who know Sarasota. Great job Daniel! We will have to make some caregiving adjustments as his days off will change and I will be missing one of my favorite caregivers and game players! Luckily, not for much longer.
Ok, one more evening plan, one more precious friend, Donna, and yes, more food since our “yoga on the beach” plan got washed away with the rain. Another cup of tea (my doctor is going to be so happy that I’m drinking and eating enough!) and given the time, Jaime, Donna and I went right into dinner with three way conversation in between bites and spoonfuls.
This morning, Friday, we packed up and were back in Tampa for our appointments at the clinic for blood work, dressing change and doctor’s visit. All went well and a few questions were answered. I am allowed to drive with someone in the car for now…what’s the point…and by myself once home and will not need a caregiver 27/7 anymore! I need to be very careful not to come into contact with people who have had the live flu vaccination and out in public where I won’t know who has had that one, continue wearing a mask and being super anal about washing hands and not touching things and then washing some more. I will be vaccinated before I’m discharged, which brings me to the next answer we got. Assuming my bone morrow biopsy results are as good as my last one, and everything else continues to go well, I will see my doctor on Monday October 11th and she will bid me adieu. My cousin Freddie will be my caregiver at the time and leaving on Tuesday Oct. 12th, so we will enjoy one more day together and when she packs, I will do the same. My suitcase will be bigger!
So will soon ends my long stay in Tampa and on Friday, my 100th day since my transplant, my sis, Susan will be my celebration as she comes for a whirlwind weekend. Catch us if you can!
Looking forward to seeing Cathy tomorrow driving from SRQ, and my sis-in-law, Sherry on Monday flying in from PHL to TPA!

Thank you for bearing with me during this long story and for all of your sweet calls, emails, cards and visits! I really love reading your comments on the blog too!!
Much love,
Carol