Feeling better all the time

Day 75 post transplant. My eyebrows are growing back. I'm shaving again. Not much signs of hair, but I'm hoping that it will forgive me for all of the indignities I've forced upon it and make an appearance. Water is losing its bad taste and I'm able to drink more. My taste buds are coming back, along with my appetite and I don't feel as picky as a 3 year old when it comes to dinner.

My blood counts, white blood cells, platelets, and neutrophils are starting to stabilize. It's been almost two weeks since I've needed a shot to stimulate my neutrophils and about a week since I've had a blood transfusion.

I had another spinal tap yesterday (I think that makes around 15, but I've lost track) in which I received a precautionary dose of chemotherapy. It was pretty rough, it took three different people to finally get the needle into my spinal fluid. I had a headache afterward and threw up on the way home. But other than that, it went great because we got the results back AND ITS STILL CANCER FREE! Which is what we expected at this point, but I do not tire of hearing good news! Today I've been resting and feeling better, I don't think I'll have a long term headache from the spinal tap, just a sore back for a few days. We've got three more planned, every two weeks.

I can taste food again! I know I mentioned it already, but it came just in time for Thanksgiving, which we spent with a wonderful family. We met the Walkers through church and they invited us for dinner and then out to see Disney's Frozen with them. It was a wonderful day. I very much appreciate their generosity in sharing their time, family and delicious food with us.

We had our boys Michael (15) and Derek (8) with us for the week and they had a great time as well. Derek's birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year and he was excited to spend it with us. We also got to visit the Museum of Flight last Tuesday, which was AWESOME! I can't believe how many neat airplanes they had stuffed into that place. Some favorites were the SR-71 blackbird, all of the WW1 and WW2 planes, and the real Air Force 1 that president Kennedy used and we were able to walk through.

I have a good friend who came to pick up our boys and bring them home for us.We talked for a bit about people who inspire us. I've thought a lot about this recently and what inspires me is people who do service for others without being asked. Frankly I feel like this has been one of my weaknesses. I'm usually happy to help others out, but I usually have to be asked first. I don't volunteer a lot. But I've seen a lot of others do this and I appreciate your example!

If all continues to go well, we'll be home in about three weeks, just in time for Christmas. We've really enjoyed having kids up to visit the last few weeks, I'm going to miss being with them for the next little while. But it will be a short time and then we'll be together again! And for the most wonderful time of the year!