Sharon and Bob have been enjoying Keith's visit. They had a lot of snow on Keith's 40th birthday on October 23. Sharon said the snowflakes were big and very pretty. However, they are not liking the freezing temperatures that go along with the snow. Bob and Keith have gone to dinner a few times. Sharon has opted not go go outside the transplant house with the exception of her doctors appointments. She does not want to expose herself to any germs that could impede her recovery.

Sharon is still receiving platelets on a daily basis. Her red blood count has stabilized and she has not required any transfusions. She said her legs still ache and are real weak. She is doing her exercises as instructed.

She has gotten another infection. This one is called Cytomegalovirus. Sharon said that it was possibly a virus that had been dormant in her body for a while and was reactivated due to her weakened immune system. She goes to the hospital at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to receive IV medications to combat this illness. The doctors have said it could take up to six weeks before her body is cleared of the infection.

She got her new glasses last week. She said she has been reading again.

Sharon has a full day of appointment tomorrow. One of which will be with her primary Hematologist, Dr. Hogan.

The Rochester International Technical School prepared dinner for the GOL House over the weekend. Sharon said there were a lot of Indian dishes. She was able to taste the chicken she was eating. Although she still says she doesn't have much of an appetite, it sounds like her taste is finally coming back.

Sharon wants to send a great BIG thank you to everyone again. She and Bob appreciate all of the cards, gifts, thoughts and prayers they are receiving.

Sharon is taking baby steps. Things are improving weekly. All of her blood counts are improving as well. She is still receiving platelets everyday. There was an exception where her platelet count was stable enough where she did not have to receive platelets. This was only for one day. The next morning, she had a nosebleed which meant she needed platelets. She has not received any red blood cells in several days.

Sharon is at +45 days today. She is required to be at the Mayo until +100 days past her "birthday". They are hoping to be home before Christmas.

She still has no appetite or taste. All of her mouth sores have completely healed. She is still enjoying mandarin oranges, pineapple and peaches. She also supplements her meals with Ensure or Carnation breakfast drinks. Bob is back to doing the cooking. It may be a good thing Sharon can't taste anything.

The GVHD (graft vs. host disease) is almost gone. The prednisone and cream have done their job. Sharon said her skin was sloughing off which is part of the healing process. She is receiving monthly breathing treatments. These seem to be helping with her shortness of breath. We had a rather lengthy conversation on Saturday and she did not seem to be having any trouble talking.

Since she cannot wear her contact, the doctor recommended that she get a new pair of bi-focal glasses. She should have received these today. Now, she will be able to read better.

With the aid of her walker, Sharon is getting her exercise. She is even able to walk short distances without the walker. Her legs were aching when I spoke to her.

Sharon received her flu shot on Saturday. Once the H1N1 vaccine has been received, she will be required to have this one as well. Anyone that comes to visit Sharon must be vaccinated. Bob said this is a very big issue at the Mayo. One of Sharon's doctors, Dr. Hogan, caught the flu from his kids. He has not been allowed at the hospital. She's been in the care of Dr. Litzow in his absence. I have attached a picture of Sharon and Dr. Litzow. There is also a picture of Sharon with her nurse, Mary.

Tom and Kim bot a buddy pass for Keith to visit. Keith will be arriving in Minneapolis on Wednesday. He plans on staying with his mom and dad for a week.

Mouse and Mom were supposed to arrive on Monday. However, Mouse's husband had a cold and Mouse had a scratchy throat. The trip was postponed as to not expose Sharon to any germs. Sorry....Mouse. I know how much you wanted to see Sharon.

The new addition to the Gift of Life House had an Open House on Saturday. I have attached pictures that Bob sent. Sharon did not attend. She did not want to fool with all of the precautions she must take when going outside of the GOL house. I am providing comparison photos from the room they are in now to the new rooms.

Sharon was released from the hospital on October 8. She has to be seen daily in the outpatient area until they feel her care can be transferred back to her primary Hematologist, Dr. Hogan.

Sharon's immune system is now 100% the same as Pat's! While this is great, Sharon has developed graft versus host disease. As a result, she has a rash on her back, legs and arms. They are currently treating this with a medicated cream and prednisone. Bob said it is possibly in her "gut" as well.

Her hemoglobin has been relatively stable. Her last transfusion was on October 5. Although, she continues to require daily platelet transfusions.

She continues to have trouble with nausea. She doesn't have a good sense of taste right now. She is getting better though. The foods most appealing to her at this time are peaches, pineapple and especially mandarin oranges.

She is still having trouble with shortness of breath. This seemed to be better last night when I spoke to her. She sounded a little stronger and not as short of breath as she was last week. She can't talk to anyone for an extended period. She begins coughing and having trouble breathing.

She has been able to get some exercise in with the aid of a walker.

Bob had to go shopping for winter attire. They awoke to snow yesterday morning as you will see in the attached pictures.

Sharon and Bob attended a dinner at the Gift of Life House last night sponsored by the hematology nurses.

Bob said even though they are still in the hospital, things are getting better each day. They have been told numerous time how important exercising and eating are and how they will make things better. Even though they remind Sharon, the ball is in her court.

Yesterday, Bob said Sharon was very lethargic. She did not want to do anything but sleep. One of her nurses,Anna Lisa, is a bulldog. She was not having any part of Sharon just lying around. She pushed for Sharon to get up and move around a bit.

I spoke to Sharon briefly. She said her breathing is getting better. However, she still tires out very easily. She has given her okay for the pictures to be posted. She is on a room assist diet where the nurses order food for her until she feels like ordering for herself. While she is still not eating very much, she is trying. She continues to have trouble with nausea and keeping the food down.

She has not had to receive any red blood cells in a few days. Her counts had actually risen slightly until today. They dropped two-tenths of a point from the previous day. Her neutraphils have doubled. They are now .83.

Bob sent several pictures from Barb's visit. He also sent a picture of Marry, the Chaplin. This is the second picture. She is the one I mentioned in the last post. She is seven years into her recovery from her transplant. There's a couple of Sharon's nurses as well.