Good News Galore

To start, let us begin with Tom's health.  He's been doing really well.  Counts seem to be pretty good, the doctor is really pleased with him.  Tom has successfully driven to Salinas and back last week as well as Jackson and back on Saturday.  Granted he was rather exhausted the following days, but that's a long haul.  He's not feeling constantly nauseas though from time to time he does experience it, but it's just one of those things.

He was allowed from every day doctor's visits down to twice a week visits (Monday and Thursday) for the last two weeks.  They've also been lowering his dosage of anti rejection meds (which is partially responsible for his lower magnesium levels) so with his magnesium levels doing better with him taking them at home, plus his overall wellness, the doctor says that he may be able to cut down to one visit per week! We find out on Thursday.

I should clarify that the following sentence is not categorized as "good news" per say:
Uncle Philip will be leaving us on Thursday and will be replaced by David who is arriving Friday for a four day weekend (though by "replace" we don't mean replaced of course).  Tonight he'll be making dinner, garlic mashed potatoes and sirloin is what I'm told is on the menu. A little jealousy is encouraged.

It's been nearly 90 degrees almost all week and I think I was actually 90 yesterday.  It's to be in the mid-high 80s all week... might make Tom not so sad about being stuck indoors (in air conditioning).

A large thank you and appreciation goes out to the runners of the Leeds half marathon (if I have the title of the event wrong, blame Tom).  Will Goodrum, Michael Whitwam, and Jonny Henshaw you guys are amazing! Also to Auntie Marcia and the Brighouse Echo for the article in the paper about Tom and the UK Medical Fund's School Reunion event this coming Friday (May 17th).

Next on the list of good news:

Tom had purchased a "long term disability insurance" plan when he was obviously employed.  Of which we'd been receiving $100 a month.  Well I contacted them when our ship was sinking and after some digging, they are now going to be covering what the State Disability was doing going forward. Hooray! So while we were recently denied IHO and IHSS assistance... something came through to take the weight of worry off of our shoulders!

That said, from the absolute bottom of our hearts, we wanted to say thank you though we sincerely cannot thank everyone enough for the incredible love and support that we've had.  Truly we are so incredibly grateful for the outpour of love and support we had through what could have easily been incredibly devastating and difficult, but we have everyone to thank for keeping us going and afloat. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Please know that it has been a most humbling experience and in the future should anyone know anyone in a similar situation, please let us know as we will always do what we can to help because if it weren't for so many people giving to us, I truly don't know what would have happened.  Our eternal gratitude to you all! Please pass on the memo to anyone you may know who doesn't particularly follow our blog but may have attended our fundraiser or thrown in a donation.

Well, that's it for now!!! On those happy notes ... I shall leave you to the rest of your week! :)

-Tom and Laura