July 2008

Well, it has been over 8 months since transplant and things are going reasonably well. I recently had more GVHD issues and had to start steroids again. I'm sleeping better this time but the leg cramps wake me several times per night. The only way I've found to ease them so I can go back to bed is run warm water over them.

I also had to get another IVIG last week as IGG had dropped to 378. Two days later (last Friday) I had to have an abcessed tooth pulled. I suspect the low IGG had something to do with the infection.

All-in-all I feel pretty good. A week or so after I increased the steroids again I played in a three day tournament. Over the three days we played 81+ holes in 100+ degree temperatures. I survived!

The following Thursday my team (John Chatmas, Troy Geyer, Kitt Griffin & I) won a playoff match to get to go to Pinehurst for a tournament. We'll play 5 rounds+ over five days in early September. This was definitely on my Bucket List!

Since I posted last my grandson, Jacob Richard Ouellette, was born. Brady is proving to be a good Big Sister.

This Thursday Brady & I are going to a Wiggles concert in San Antonio. I am looking forward to it. She likes The Wiggles so much that watching her watch them should be a hoot. She saw her first July 4th fireworks this year. Will & I couldn't watch the fireworks because watching her was so much fun.

Life is good!

My six-month PET/CT is August 13th. I fully expect a clean report.

Thanks for checking in. I appreciate you!

Rick

P.S. If you get a chance, read "Tony Snow's Testimony". He was a great man with great insight and a gift for communication.