I am posting a bit earlier today so I may still have some steps to go. In all reality I am resting for the evening.

Today was a positive day. We met with my clinical team and as I am on my last day of Prednisone and they were happy with my course. So happy, that today there was a discussion of scheduling my departure testing, as in bone marrow biopsy, dexa scan for bone density, pulmonary function tests and so on. This was the first day we discussed potentially planning events to allow me to return home. Smiles all around.

We walked home from the clinic and I ventured out, in high spirits for my walk. Oxygen in hand, and music in my ears I walked 3-miles at a 20:20 average per mile pace. A couple of my miles were at a 19:45 mile per minute pace. Even in my expectations it was a great hour out on the walking path. So total steps today so far = 9,700 steps and 4.3 total miles.

Given my workout, I decided to again take a pass on riding the stationary bike. I plan to get back to that tomorrow.

Also, tomorrow I will have my regular lab tests and can report on that.

Sharon had a special day today as she hosted our granddaughter Meira for activities and lunch. Tomorrow Sharon will have a date with Zahava after her camp which is located just a couple of blocks from our apartment.

So we move closer to recovery and heading to somewhat a more normal lifestyle. Yes, we still have hurdles to overcome and will continue to take this one hour and one day at a time.

Larry and Sharon

A red letter day as we have crossed into the 30 bottle threshold. I guess one day at a time either adds up or subtracts down and after some time it makes its mark.

A stable day today, although I could sense that I might have overdone my activity a bit yesterday. So I pursued my walking and took a break from the stationary bike. Temps are heating up a bit here, don’t cry for us, so I need to time my walks when it is not at peak temps and peak sunlight. Today I experienced some of both of those.

Yes, my day began with a clinic visit and my Magnesium IV infusion. Honestly, I don’t really know where all that stuff goes. I need to ask the science behind it.

For my scorecard today, no new lab data to report. Steps today were 9,100 over 3.9 miles of walking. My pace continues to accelerate with an average pace today of 22.5 minutes/mile with a short burst at the end of a 22.1 minutes per mile.

I know what you are thinking, I am experiencing a marathon and not a sprint, so I need to pace myself.

Tomorrow, we will have a visit with our team of attending physicians. I do need some guidance on how to manage my Oxygen needs. I still use that 24×7 and I need to understand how to wean off, at the right time, as I do not want to be dependent on it forever. Again, I know a marathon.

As I have now been out of the hospital for 10-days, it seems like I am settling into a good pattern. Fingers crossed it holds.

Take care,

Larry and Sharon

Hi. A very active day here in Seattle today. Of course, a visit to the clinic to check my lab results – pretty much the same as I reported yesterday, although my after breakfast blood glucose was elevated again. And I received my IV Magnesium. Between visits we were able to visit with Phillip, and at the end of the day, we saw his family here at South Lake Union as one of their daughters, Zahava, is doing a summer camp program just a few blocks from where we are staying. That was great and with an extended walk this morning and visiting this afternoon I set a new workout record for my days since transplant.

My exercise scorecard today shows 10,900 steps and 4.5 miles. Within those miles, during our 2+ mile walk late this morning, I was moving at a 22:59 mile per hour pace. Best so far. I also rode the stationary bike today for 30-minutes, elevating my heart rate to 130 beats/minute. I just feel that the aerobic training is speeding up my pace. Sharon is warning me that I can’t get it all back in a day, and that is true.

Here is another milestone. For those who have Apple watches they can set exercise and move goals. The move goals are essentially calorie expenditures during a day’s activity. My move goal has not changed in years, set as 500 cals/day. For the first time since we arrived in Seattle and started the transplant process I have not surpassed that. Today I did at 550 calories expended.

To celebrate Sharon ordered out Thai Vegan. I really built up an appetite and it was delicious. We also met with our nutritional consultant today who suggested my calorie intake is better although I need more Calcium and protein. Break out the nuts and trail mix.

So we march ahead counting up and counting down.

Larry and Sharon

A bit of a surprise today as when I arrived at my Magnesium infusion appointment they decided to check my labs before the infusion. That took an extra hour of time, but it turned out I did not need as much Magnesium as they had been giving me. Although my kidney function still showed that I am a bit on the dry/dehydrated side, so they pumped me up with an hour of IV saline.

It was good that the weather stayed reasonably cool today so after clinic in the early afternoon we did get out for our 2-mile walk. And a good walk it was, with a pace under a 25-minute mile. Although I have only been riding the stationary bike for 3-days now I think that is helping build my cardio endurance. Of course, using Oxygen does not hurt at all either.

Today on our walk we passed a fellow who was obviously disabled in a wheelchair being pushed by a caregiver or family member, and on our way back the caregiver said to us, so this is how it is going to look when we live on Mars, referring to my nasal Oxygen hose and my rolling tank. I guess when we are out, those of us who share some challenges see each other more than those who do not.

For my scorecard today, here are the stats. Hct/Hb: 10.7/33, WBC: 3.77, Platelets: 125,000, ANC: 1,550, Blood sugar:109 now approaching normal again as I am tapering my prednisone, Kidney BUN: 21, KIdney Creatinine: 1.42, total steps: 7,900, total walking miles: 3.25, 30-minute indoor stationary bike burned 201 calories – of which Sharon is preparing a delicious dinner for me.

We look forward to a good week ahead. Hope the same for you and again thanks for your support.

Larry and Sharon

A bit of slow start today. Perhaps resting on Shabbat as I did not have to be at the infusion clinic until just before 11am. A relatively efficient visit today I was out at 12:15. Walked the half-mile back to our apartment, resdressed, added sunscreen and went out for a 2-mile walk.

When we returned, Sharon cooked me a real comfort food lunch, scrambled eggs with fried salami and cheddar cheese. I know, not Kosher, however delicious. It seems my taste is coming back a bit. For a while, everything seemed to taste too salty. So I am eating better

Again, I visited our workout room and rode the upright stationary bicycle for about 25-minutes. Nothing terribly intense as I am using our Peloton program for some guidance and for “cool down” listening to some of my go to workout tunes. Scorecard to exercise today is 8,500 steps, 3.3 miles and my indoor cycle.

Tomorrow will be more of the same and on Monday I will have my blood tests and can report on that. And yes, my oxygen continues to be my constant companion.

Larry and Sharon