Christmas 2009

Well in many ways this year will be one to remember. Our grandkids continue to grow and get older. The oldest being 10 and the youngest born in September. Now with seven to keep track of and their interests it has been a little hard. Thank goodness for the internet where we can track these things that families post on blogs or through Skype (video conference). Thanks to parents who work to keep their postings timely and keep Rosaline and I and other family members and friends entertained.


This has not been a travel year for us. We generally get away for a few weeks either in the spring or the summer. Instead my health has become the major issue for us. In February, I was diagnosed with Cardiac Amylodosis, a rare heart disease that is fatal. The fix is to get a heart transplant followed with a bone marrow transplant; the area the disease is originating from. After May I was no longer well enough to work. I spent longer periods of time in the hospital. Finally I was put in the hospital in mid-July. A heart became available for me and I was transplanted on September 11 at the University of Washington Hospital. Since that time I have been recovering from the first stage of my treatment.


The second part of the treatment is starting now. The work on my bone marrow will occur at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), right in downtown Seattle. I have already started a series of chemotherapy drugs to prepare me for transplant. My immune system is weak from the heart work and now with the bone marrow preparation, I am set back just a little more. We have to be extra careful going out, as I can very easily get sick right now. We are taking the doctors recommendation to limit all visits at this point. This has been hard as we would love to see grandkids, family and friends. For Christmas, it will be just the two of us. We have an apartment in Seattle that we stay at during the doctor appointments. We are now driving back and forth so Rose can be at work and I can be at the doctors. Some weeks are pretty full. The medication has been making me tired and I take a few naps during the day. We expect that around March 2010, life should begin to look more normal.


In 2009, we have seen friends step out to help us how ever they can. Our yard and sprinklers have been taken care of, the mail is collected and the snow gets plowed. I have received many cards of encouragement while in the hospital. I have also received many notes of well wishes as a response to my blog entries. Many of our prayers have been answered this year, building our faith and thankfulness to God. The year will be remembered by many good things that occurred to us. We are glad to have this pause with the rest of the world to remember the story of Christmas. Have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year.


Rick & Rose