It is early Monday morning. Ken is still sleeping. We don't have to be at the clinic till 8:30. It's a big day today. Ken's new birthday, they say. He gets his new(old) stem cells today. We are excited, but nervous as well. They say to bring the camera and take pictures today. Bummer, I broke the camera last weekend. I dropped it and now the screen doesn't work. We are taking it in today. Maybe they can fix it. We bought a cheap one for today. We'll see if it works.

Sunday was supposed to be our day off after the 6 days of chemo, but Ken's counts were to low and he ended up in the hospital for 5 hours getting 2 pints of blood. He really didn't want to have to get a blood transfusion, but the RMCC nurse, Christie, told us that it is very uncommon for a transplant patient not to get blood. In fact, Ken may have to get blood 5-10 times through this. So have you ever given blood to a blood bank? I do quite often. Mainly because it is easy for me. They come right to the Student Center where we work. Ken did it once with me a few years back, but he didn't like it. I get called from them all the time, especially since I have O- blood. Everyone can use my blood, but other O- patients can only get O- blood. Ken is O+. I tried to give blood specifically for Ken once. But did you know it is next to impossible to do that? You have to know the exact date they will need it, like if they have surgery or something. And it costs over $500. I guess it is too hard for them to keep track of it now.

While Ken was in the hospital giving blood, I tucked him in, kissed him goodbye and left for a few hours. It gave me a chance to go back to Fort Collins and check on things at home. It was great to be there, if only for 20 minutes. I picked up the mail and a few other things we wanted. Tessa is suppose to come to Denver next weekend to give me a break. I am hoping to get back then for more time. The carpets are getting cleaned this week, so I will be able to put the house back together again. I am hoping to decorate for Christmas a little, since the kids are coming in Dec. We'll see. Ken says I need to wait till we get home. But Norah will be there, I don't want to be decorating then.

Here's the update on Norah's calendar...
Nov. 21st, 34 days till I see my Grandpa. Picture of Norah with one of her first laughs, great pic. Says, 'Once you choose hope, any thing's possible.' - Christopher Reeve.
Nov. 22nd, 33 days till I see my Grandpa. Smiling Norah in a cute pink sweater. 'Say you are well, or all is well with you, and God shall hear your words and make them true.' Ella Wheeler Wilcox.
Nov. 23rd, 32 days till I see me Grandpa. A tiny Norah laying in some one's hands with a big yawn. Cute. 'In three works I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on' Robert Frost

Ken just got up. So much for sleeping in today. He wants to blog, so bye for now. Love to everyone and hope you have a great holiday week. Bev