It's cold in Texas. Right now my computer says it is 27 degrees. I know some of you live where it's a lot colder, but we aren't wired for this kind of weather! Brrrrr....
Tomorrow (Tuesday) the appointment is at noon at Baylor in Dallas, so I hope we don't get any of that icy weather that us Texans find it impossible to drive in!
The books came today! Yeah! I am mailing them out tomorrow morning to Dawn, Lori, Kat, Beverly, and Barb (2 ... give one to Mom, since she's in Austin now). Helen/Julie picked one up already. Missy, Laura, Carolynn and Kim, I will deliver yours. Who else? If I forgot you, please let me know. (Janet, did you want one?)
Until tomorrow ... Stay warm!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Mit tiefer Dankbarkeit!
Hans is the name we have given to Ted's donor. Because of privacy laws, we are not allowed to know anything more about him other than he is a 34-year old European male. Ted chose the name Hans because since Ted is of German descent and ancestory normally plays a big part in who is your perfect match, he is convinced that Hans is German.
Ted thinks Hans is also an Olympian. I am going along with him, but I think the chemo is affecting him on that one! (Tina)
"At the end of six months, if I find out he is of Italian descent, I am changing my name to Guido." (Ted)
At this point, we know that Hans went for the physical a week ago, passed, and has and agreed to be the donor. According to what we have been told, we are allowed to contact him six months after the transplant by letter (delivered by the transplant center). After one year, if the donor agrees, we are allowed to contact him and request to meet him.
Today Ted went to the transplant center for a PET scan and radiological consultation. They are working up a calendar of when everything will take place. We were hoping for more definite news today about the schedule, but they made an appointment for next Tuesday to get the specific dates on when the process will begin. Of course, I will post on Tuesday as soon as we find out.
Since the process of a stem cell transplant takes place over several days, things are shaping up to look like Ted will be receiving stem cells for Christmas this year ... the best present ever!
Thank you Hans! We love you wherever, whoever you are!
Mit tiefer Dankbarkeit! (look it up, it's German)
Ted thinks Hans is also an Olympian. I am going along with him, but I think the chemo is affecting him on that one! (Tina)
"At the end of six months, if I find out he is of Italian descent, I am changing my name to Guido." (Ted)
At this point, we know that Hans went for the physical a week ago, passed, and has and agreed to be the donor. According to what we have been told, we are allowed to contact him six months after the transplant by letter (delivered by the transplant center). After one year, if the donor agrees, we are allowed to contact him and request to meet him.
Today Ted went to the transplant center for a PET scan and radiological consultation. They are working up a calendar of when everything will take place. We were hoping for more definite news today about the schedule, but they made an appointment for next Tuesday to get the specific dates on when the process will begin. Of course, I will post on Tuesday as soon as we find out.
Since the process of a stem cell transplant takes place over several days, things are shaping up to look like Ted will be receiving stem cells for Christmas this year ... the best present ever!
Thank you Hans! We love you wherever, whoever you are!
Mit tiefer Dankbarkeit! (look it up, it's German)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH
A few years ago, Ted and I went to a seminar about lymphoma. One of the speakers was a woman named Meg Brown. She had had a transplant with the same group of doctors and at the same hospital that Ted will be going to.
After hearing her inspirational story, I bought her book. The book is written in a diary format, chronicling her stem cell transplant journey. I find her story amazing! The book is titled "Dancing With The Enemy...Letting The Good Outweigh
The Bad."
I think anyone that reads the book will gain insight and understanding about the process that Ted will be going through. It has been so long since I read it that I will be reading it again. This time I will be reading it with a different perspective, since the first time I read it, I didn't know Ted would be getting a
transplant.
Soooooo .... drum roll ..... here's the deal .... I have a few "extra copies" that I would like to send out! To you and only you, today and only today, for the low, low price of .... FREE!!! So if you would like one, comment to this post, or email me and let me know if you would like a copy ... and I will send it to you!
Ted says there's no such thing as a free lunch. While that may be true, there is such a thing as A FREE BOOK ... right here on our blog!
Click here to check out Meg Brown's website.
(A special shout out to Susie for help with the books and talking to me for a very long time today!) Tina
After hearing her inspirational story, I bought her book. The book is written in a diary format, chronicling her stem cell transplant journey. I find her story amazing! The book is titled "Dancing With The Enemy...Letting The Good Outweigh
The Bad."
I think anyone that reads the book will gain insight and understanding about the process that Ted will be going through. It has been so long since I read it that I will be reading it again. This time I will be reading it with a different perspective, since the first time I read it, I didn't know Ted would be getting a
transplant.
Soooooo .... drum roll ..... here's the deal .... I have a few "extra copies" that I would like to send out! To you and only you, today and only today, for the low, low price of .... FREE!!! So if you would like one, comment to this post, or email me and let me know if you would like a copy ... and I will send it to you!
Ted says there's no such thing as a free lunch. While that may be true, there is such a thing as A FREE BOOK ... right here on our blog!
Click here to check out Meg Brown's website.
(A special shout out to Susie for help with the books and talking to me for a very long time today!) Tina
Monday, December 8, 2008
No News Is Good News
Ted is feeling okay, but very tired. He has an appointment on Friday at Baylor, so hopefully we will know more then and have information to share!
I posted a slideshow below of the Polar Express train ride in Grapevine that I took on Saturday with some family and friends. The beginning pictures are from the Teddy Bear Factory where Channing and Campbell made a reindeer to take along on the train. Ted wasn't able to go with us ... we missed you Petts!
I posted a slideshow below of the Polar Express train ride in Grapevine that I took on Saturday with some family and friends. The beginning pictures are from the Teddy Bear Factory where Channing and Campbell made a reindeer to take along on the train. Ted wasn't able to go with us ... we missed you Petts!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LORI & TJ
If you haven't checked it out yet, click here to see Lori & TJ's blog. It is such a sweet video and really brought a smile to Ted's face today!
fettsrus
Ted finished the chemo and is feeling pretty good! He doesn't have any appointments scheduled until next week, when he goes in on Friday to have blood work. Right now we are enjoying a quiet evening at home, ahhh!
fettsrus
Ted finished the chemo and is feeling pretty good! He doesn't have any appointments scheduled until next week, when he goes in on Friday to have blood work. Right now we are enjoying a quiet evening at home, ahhh!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thanksgiving weekend
We had a visit from Ted's sister and husband and niece over the Thanksgiving weekend. Here is a picture of them in Canton on Friday ... (Dawn and Charley and Nicole.) They laughed when I pulled out the cart ... but it was full when we left. We came back to our house and had dinner (I can't believe I didn't get a picture of all of us!) Then on Saturday we all went to church and out to dinner. Thanks for making the trip! It was great to see y'all!
Today Ted had his first round of Treanda chemo and will have it again tomorrow. He seems to be tolerating it pretty well. We still don't know when the transplant will take place, but will let you all know as soon as we know more.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! (Tina)
Today Ted had his first round of Treanda chemo and will have it again tomorrow. He seems to be tolerating it pretty well. We still don't know when the transplant will take place, but will let you all know as soon as we know more.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! (Tina)
