More Family TLC

Since my aunts and uncle arrived, I have been treated to more loving family attention.  They have cooked for me, done my laundry, accompanied me to my appointments, and walked Sherman; just to name a few things!  I am getting spoiled!

On Monday after rehab, we went to the Cathedral Basilica.  I love mosaic tile work, so I was in awe of the intricate mosaic scenes throughout the church.  Unfortunately, my camera batteries died right after we arrived there, so I got no pics.  My uncle Vic got a few he may have to share with me if I don't get a chance to go back.  After that, we needed a snack, so we headed to Ted Drewes (would you expect anything else at this point?).

Yesterday, I got the word that my infection had cleared, so the nurse came and removed my picc line!  What a relief!  I kind of had a lazy day while my family did a little sight-seeing on their own.  Last night, my aunts cooked a wonderful supper for us!

Cole slaw, cornbread, salmon patties, macaroni & cheese - Yummy!

Today, I had a PFT test and an appointment with the pulmonologist.  Both went great!  My PFT's were up from last week and my doctor was pleased with my progress.  They are reducing my dosage of prednisone which is fine with me.  That stuff messes with me!  I was also told it was fine for me to go home for the long holiday weekend (Yippee!) and it does still look like I am on track to come home for good around mid-July.  I have another bronchoscopy scheduled for July 12th, so once we get the results from that, I will know for sure.

This afternoon we went to the Missouri Botanical Gardens.  It is so large, we did not see everything, but what we did see was beautiful.  I would love to try and go back again.  We had lunch on The Hill at Adrianna's which was very good.  Then we went and bought a gooey butter cake and came back to the room and crashed!

Trish, Vic, and Margie

Lisa in the sunshine!

Trish, me, and Margie

I loved this struttin' statue!

So, after rehab in the morning, we are heading for Kentucky!!!  I will be home tomorrow evening until Monday around midday.  I hope to see as many people as possible while home, but I don't want to push it too hard.  It will be so great to go back to my house and see my kitties again.  Sherman won't know what to think!

More Family Fun!

My brother Michael and his kids left this morning, and although their visit was short, we had a good time! Yesterday we went to Grant's Farm. The weather was perfect and I think everyone had fun. Taylor and Abbi said their favorite part was the Clydesdales, and Braydon said his was "Everything!". HA! After that we went to Ted Drewes for custard (of course!). The kids swam in the hotel pool when we got back and we spent the evening relaxing in the room. It was so nice having them here!

Taylor, Abbi (background), Braydon, and Michael feeding the babies

I love this pic - look at that camel!  LOL!

Sno-cone time!

Abbi, me, Braydon, and Taylor

Sherman enjoyed seeing his cousins!

Two of my aunts, Trish and Margie, and uncle Vic arrived this afternoon and will be staying until Thursday. They brought a bunch of food and we just had a great meal! Aaah, home cooking!! The plan is that they will bring me and Sherman back with them Thursday so we can visit for the weekend. I am very excited to go home for a few days and see some of my family, friends, and kitties!

I know many of you have tried but have been unable to comment here on the blog. I am not sure why that is, but I apologize if it has happened to you. I do know there are many of you reading my posts and your support has helped me so much!

A Good Day!!

Shannon and Ava definitely accepted the challenge to keep me active while they were visiting! We had a terrific day yesterday at the zoo! It was very crowded, and I was worried when it took awhile to find a parking spot. I even said "I hope this is worth it."  And it was! St. Louis really has a top notch zoo and there were surprises at every turn. We were there for a total of FIVE hours!! We took the train between some exhibits, but I did some major walking. It was so empowering! Shannon would ask me periodically if I was ok, and I would happily say "Yes!". As we were preparing to leave, I got a bit emotional thinking that just a few months ago, this experience would have been extremely difficult for me or pretty much impossible without a wheelchair. Plus, Shannon and Ava had a great time too! The highlights for me were the primate house, the stingray petting exhibit, and the penguin/puffin exhibit.

PUFFINS!!!

Sadly, Shannon and Ava had to leave this morning. Today was my first day on my own going to the hospital for my appointments. Since I am not driving yet, I took the shuttle and everything went fine. Rehab, labs, and X-ray all turned out okay today. I took a big nap this afternoon and have been keeping myself busy tonight with phone calls and texts so I wouldn't get too puny about being alone. Sherman has been good company for me too!

Tomorrow afternoon my brother Michael and his kids will arrive. More fun family time!

Hangin' with the Duvall's

Well, so far Shannon hasn't been TOO hard on me, but we have been fairly busy.  Yesterday, she and Ava accompanied me to my rehab and lab appointments, then we headed to the science center and planetarium. We had a little snafu with our shuttle drop-off point at the planetarium and ended up having to walk a long way to the entrance, up an incline, and it was hot!!  I struggled a bit, but we eventually made it!  It was not my lungs as much as my legs still being pretty weak.  Got to build up those muscles!  Once inside the planetarium, we were able to relax at a cool show about constellations and the night sky.  Then we explored the rest of the science center and had a good time.  When it was time to leave, we made sure the shuttle picked us up at a different location!

Ava at the science center

After a nice long rest in the room, Shannon convinced me to go out for dinner rather than eat at the hotel.  We went to Lafayette Square and ate at Square One Brewery which was very good, so I was glad she got my lazy rear out of the room!

Today, all I had was rehab at the hospital (I walked one mile today!) and the home health nurse came and changed the dressing on my picc line.  After that, we headed back to Lafayette Square for a little shopping and had lunch at Rue Lafayette, a little French bistro/shop.  We had a wonderful lunch prepared by a sweet French chef.  Shannon and Ava dropped me off at the hotel (where I took a little siesta) and they made a run to Target and a few other stores.  We had dinner here at the hotel (they had baked potato/salad fixins tonight) and have enjoyed a relaxing evening.  Tomorrow's plan after rehab and PFT's is to go to the zoo.  That will be a big test for me; probably lots of walking, but they do have a train (I want to try and not use a wheelchair if at all possible).  I am looking forward to it; I know Ava will like it and I want to see the puffins!  :-)

Ava and Shannon at Rue Lafayette

A Fun and Busy Weekend!

Whew!  The Kaminski family has worn me out!  I can honestly say I wasn't a couch or bed potato this weekend!  Friday we made the must-do the trip to Ted Drewes for custard (a hit for everyone) and then went to the Cardinals game that night.  Paul and Kristi met us at the hotel before the game and we happy to see Sherman again, as he was them.

Although we parked in handicapped parking in a garage across from the stadium, there was still a lot of walking for me.  We did use a wheelchair service once we got inside to get me closer to our seats, which did save me several steps.  But, afterwards, I hoofed it all and was whooped!  Everyone was encouraging me though!  We really enjoyed the game.  Unfortunately, the Cards lost 5-4, but it was exciting up until the bottom of the ninth.  I think everyone enjoyed the evening!

Custard - yummy!!

Me, Will, and Nicholas before the game

On Saturday morning, we all slept in.  (I got up to do my 6:00am IV, but promptly went back to bed after it was finished.)  After breakfast, we headed to Grant's Farm.  We had a really good time, observing and interacting with all the critters they have there.  Although there is a tram ride through parts of the farm, I got my fair share of walking again!  One particularly funny part of our visit was Mike and Nicholas feeding the baby goats bottles.  The goats were all over Nicholas from the moment he walked through the gate!  Some were pretty aggressive is their quest for milk!

We were all tired after that, so naps were in order (at least for the adults!).  Then we ordered Chinese food and had a relaxing night in the room.  Before they left today, we went to Lafayette Square and Renee got a gooey butter cake for Mike for Father's Day and we shopped a little.  They left early afternoon and I was sad again!  It is so hard when people leave!  But Shannon and Ava arrived this evening, so here I go with new company!  More about their visit to come...maybe they won't run me ragged!  HA!

Mike and Nicholas were popular!

Will is all "I am not even going to ACT like I have a bottle"

Me and the Clydesdale 'tocks!

Will petting the sweet Clydesdale mare

The Boys Are Here!!

My happy boy!!

A good day today!  It started out a bit slow for me; I didn't sleep well and my blood pressure was low this morning, so I was moving like a snail for the first half of the day.  The pulmo rehab staff was a bit concerned for me, but I talked with the transplant team this afternoon and they told me that my labs and x-ray were all good and they just think my body is fighting the little bit of infection left in it.  That phone call from them made me feel much better!

PLUS, Mike, the boys, and Sherman arrived this afternoon!!  Renee and I waited outside to meet them and it was quite exciting!  Everyone has settled in and Sherman already acts like he owns the place.  (He is sitting in my lap as I type this.)  Renee and the boys just went swimming in the hotel pool and everyone is having a bedtime snack.  Speaking of snacks, my aunt Jane sent one of her wonderful oatmeal cakes with Mike and the boys, so I am getting ready to have a piece.  Yum!  Thank you Jane!

Tomorrow all I have is rehab, so I hope to get out and about a little after that.  We also have tickets to watch the St. Louis Cardinals play the Kansas City Royals tomorrow night, so we are all looking forward to that.  Paul and Kristi will be joining us, so it should be fun!

Until the next update, enjoy these pics:

Scratching to get out!

Rolled over for a belly rub

Together again!

It was a long trip!

Will, Renee, Mike, and Nicholas

Fighting the Gloomies...

Hi everyone, thanks for continuing to check out my blog. I am so moved by your support and it has really helped me in my recovery. I have been enjoying Renee's company since Sunday and we have actually been pretty busy. Today, for example, we went over to the hospital for my pulmonary rehab, PFT's, and a support group meeting for pre- and post-transplant patients. I am glad we went to the meeting because I got to interact with transplant patients in various stages of the process and of ages 25 to 60's. Everyone's story is different and it helps me to realize I am not alone in the ways I am feeling. That is particularly helpful right now since I am kind of feeling like a Gloomy Gus. I think a lot of it is probably the meds I am on, but it is still frustrating. I usually have a very positive outlook on things, but many negative thoughts try to crash my party. From what everyone tells me, this too shall pass. :-)

Another bummer this week is that I found out Monday that I still have some infection lingering in my lungs so I have to do home IV's for another 2 week course. Blah! Another PICC line! We were actually in Target when I got the call to come back to hospital to get the line placed. Not what I was hoping for, but I know it could be worse. I don't feel any worse, my PFT's today were the same as last week, and my rehab is still going well. So, hopefully, it's just a teeny bump in the road!

On a much brighter note, things will be looking up tomorrow because the boys are coming to town! Renee's husband Mike, her two boys Nicholas and Will, and my boy Sherman will be arriving tomorrow afternoon! I haven't seen Sherman (or Mike and the boys!) since my transplant so this is a big deal! And tomorrow is my two month anniversary! My next post should definitely be more upbeat!

Belmont Day

Well, I have made it through another week of recovery and rehab! Greta has been here with me since Wednesday and I have enjoyed hanging out with her. After a lazy day on Wednesday, we had a busy day on Thursday. After my blood work, X-ray, and rehab that morning, we went out exploring and shopping. I was on the search for Park Avenue Coffee, which was crowned the maker of the best gooey butter cake in St. Louis by the Food Network. We didn't have to go far since it located near the hotel in the Lafayette Square neighborhood. After buying two slices of cake (which I enjoyed last night before bed), we went to a cute boutique next door that had many unique items. It felt great to buy some gifts! After that we went for frozen custard! (Of course we did!) Greta is now on board as a fan! After that, Greta twisted my arm and made me go to Archivers, a store for scrap bookers. I have resisted the scrap booking temptation for years, knowing that I would probably like it and spend too much money. But I really think I should create a book to mark this event, so Greta was more than happy to get me started!  (Aunt Nancy will be proud of me!)  All in all, a busy day for me!

Picking out cake slices!

Greta enjoyed her banana split from Ted Drewes!

Yesterday was a big day for me; I had my first bronchoscopy since leaving the hospital. A bronch is a procedure where I am under light sedation and the doctor uses a scope to inspect my lungs and also take a small piece of tissue for a biopsy. They are looking for any signs of infection or rejection in my new lungs. I should know the results on Monday. My bronch started at about 10:30am and took about an hour or so and then I had to get fully awake before we could leave. We didn't get back to the hotel until about 3:30; Greta had to wait awhile for me! I was pretty groggy and once back in my room, I slept until 8:15! I got up briefly, ate a little supper and went back to bed! I wasn't the best company yesterday!

Today I have had a bit of a Versed hangover, but I have willed myself to get up and do some things. We enjoyed breakfast here at the hotel, then for lunch we went to Zia's in the Italian neighborhood, The Hill. It was very good, and we brought home leftovers!

So, settled in for the evening, we just watched the Belmont Stakes. I was disappointed for Animal Kingdom and his connections, but what a pay-off for some lucky people! Greta will be here until tomorrow afternoon, then my sister Renee takes another turn as my companion. This time with Greta has also flown by!

Pretty flowers at the hotel entrance

Good Appointment Day

Along with rehab today, I also had another pulmonary function test and a clinic appointment with my pulmonologist.  For my PFT, I improved 2% from last week, so I am happy with that!  At my clinic appointment, everything from the doctors/nurses was positive.  They thought that I am right where I should be considering the multiple surgeries I had and the time frame.  We went over all my medications, rehab progress, and any concerns I had.  They did tell me I could drive again in about 2 1/2 weeks.  That's fine; because I really don't feel ready yet as I am still pretty sore and stiff.  But the biggest news was two-fold:  they do think, barring any complications, that I should be ready to go home in mid-July (just in time for Harry Potter, girls!!)!  Secondly, they told me I that I could go home for a weekend visit between now and then if I would like!  Sooo, since Monday, July 4 is a holiday and all of my appointments will be postponed until Tuesday, I may consider coming home for the long weekend, IF I can work out the transportation.  I will be working on that!

The past couple of days Paul and Kristi have been taking turns staying with me and accompanying me to my appointments.  I continue to be so appreciative of them taking their time to be with me and help me during my recovery.  I am so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family!  Tomorrow, my friend Greta arrives and will be staying until Sunday.  I am really looking forward to seeing her!  A new person with whom to hunt for treats!

Rocking the Bjorn Borg look at rehab (Ann took this pic last week)

Girlfriend Time!

This weekend capped off a great week of quality girlfriend time. After Ann left Saturday afternoon, Andrea, Robin, and I went to get pedicures. What a nice indulgence shared with friends! After that we went to Target to get me a few clothing and grocery items. I know, another trip to Target! That evening we ordered food from Vito's, which was outstanding once again.

On Sunday morning, we enjoyed sleeping in late, had some breakfast, and I caught up on the latest news from my hometown. Then we headed out for frozen custard! I think everyone that visits me is going to get a trip there! After that treat, we just hung out at the hotel until they left around 3:00pm. Of course I was sad to see them leave!

Having girlfriends visit has brought another sense of normalcy to my life here in St. Louis. So many different things have happened and are happening to me, just having people and things from home here really brings me back to myself. Not sure if that makes sense, but it does to me!

Robin, me, and Andrea (1/2 of the dumplins!)

More Milestones and Treats

Is it Saturday already?! I knew this week with Ann here would fly by! We have stayed pretty busy. On Wednesday I had rehab and then my second Pulmonary function test post transplant. My test went up 3 percentage points from last week so I was happy! I will take any improvement! For the week, my rehab went well each day and all of my blood work and X-rays looked good. I am still walking 30 minutes on the treadmill each day, but I have upped my speed to 1.4mph.  Baby steps!

Ann indulged me this week in my search for yummy things to eat. :-). Of course I had to take her for frozen custard, so we went there on Thursday and had hot fudge sundaes. Very good! Later that day, we ordered food from a local restaurant called Vito's and it was quite tasty.

A popular place!

Salad, bread, and seafood ravioli from Vito's - Dee-lish!

Yesterday we made our way to a bakery called Sweet Art in the Shaw neighborhood. It had been named one of the top bakeries in the city, known for their cupcakes. So we had to have one! I got "Come Hither" carrot cake and Ann's was called Mudslide. They were very moist and the icing so good! After that we went to nearby Tower Grove Park and explored some. It was hot, but we did walk around a little and take some pics. It is a very nice, well-kept park. Plus, the Shaw neighborhood has some beautiful homes.

Cupcakes!!!

Tower Grove Park

Having Ann here has been such a comfort. We spent a lot of time doing nothing and just relaxing, but that has been just fine with me. Being friends for this long, we definitely don't have to entertain each other every minute. :-). Ann headed back home this afternoon. I know she and her family have missed each other!

Me and Ann!

Next in the rotation of visitors are two of my Dumplin friends, Robin and Andrea. They arrived last night and will be here until tomorrow. I will post about their visit in a day or two.