3/12/20 +49 first consecutive days away from clinic!

I’m currently enjoying my first consecutive days off from going into the clinici! It’s def nice not to have to go in: less transportation, less waiting around til things happen, more flexibility in my day.  All good things. They called yesterday to say I’m now on a Tuesday and Friday schedule for labs and a check-in. Red blood cells and platelets seem to have stabilized, which is great for me and the healthcare system in general. As you all know, we got corona virus up in this region. And one effect has been a serious downturn in the donation of blood products. With all the employees working from home, businesses have cancelled their blood draws, but the largest blow has been the lack of retirees feeling safe enough to venture to a blood clinic to donate.  So considering the times, it feels good not to need as many products, especially platelets, which can’t stay on the shelf as long as red blood cells. If you want to help out, give blood or platelets now, before the virus hits your city!

Feeling better overall, less nausea, more alertness, still fatigue and drowsiness. However, I’m still highly restricted in my mobility. My feet are severely swollen and I’m left to hobbling around the house. They loosen up after extended periods of walking, and I’ve found the treadmill in the basement is my new friend. I can walk without shoes at a controlled pace on a flat surface while watching Netflix. It’s great.  Starting slowly as not to push it, but hopefully soon I’ll be back up to walking miles outside. Currently, the hills outside present too much pain to climb so I haven’t been walking on those.

We’re living that Covid-19 lifestyle at the moment. Bree is working from home, all events are cancelled, were getting together in small groups. But many things are the same with living in a household with an immunosuppressed person. We wash our hands upon entering, don’t allow sick people to come over, try not to touch our faces, and avoid large crowds. So doesn't feel that different to us, although the overall vibe in the city is much different. Alpen is still able to go to school for now, but Seattle schools have been declared closed for the next two weeks. Hopefully we remain corona virus and other virus/bacteria/fungus free over here. Stay healthy everyone!

Reading to alpen at night. i've been wearing this super toasty North Face jacket around the house to keep warm. Just been soooo cold post transplant.

Alpen with the grandmas, "Oma"(left) and "G".  He's one lucky guy to have such involved grandparents!

Super ñoqui night! I try eat ñoqui on the 29th of each month, holding onto to an Argentine tradition. But this was Feb 29! Only comes around every 4 years, so it's a special one for sure.