Friday, 29th May

WBC (white blood cells) 2.6.....(Normal 4.0 to 11.0) - dropped by 0.4
NE (neutrophils) 1.08.....(Normal 2.00 to 7.50) - up by 0.4  
RBC (red blood cells) 3.36.....(Normal 4.50 to 6.50) - unchanged    
PLT (platelets) 29.....(Normal 150 to 400) - up by 12
BA (basophils) 0.3....(Normal 0.0 to 0.5) - up to 0.2

Last time I wrote which was on Tuesday Jimmy had gone in to the clinic to have his bloods and his Zobone infusion done and had ended up having another Platelet transfusion.  The above counts were his results for Tuesday.

We have our 1 month post discharge from F4 appointment with Prof on Monday at 5pm.  Depending on how he thinks Jimmy is doing with his counts, we are expecting that Jimmy will be going on to a years maintenance course of Thalidomide.  When they do his bloods prior to our appointment they will also be doing his M-protein reading and we should get these results in about 2 weeks.  These are the ones that were zero which confirmed remission.

I have been very busy for the last week clearing out.  I touched on this lightly while Jimmy was home and on Thursday last week I got stuck in and have been on a roll ever since.  I have a confession....My name is Vivienne and I am a hoarder.  Hell, I can't believe the stuff I have kept over the years.  I have been very ruthless this time and hope it won't sneak up on me again.  It's such a good feeling, everything is neat and tidy and packed away where it should be.  Our guest bedroom looks like a bedroom again and not a storeroom.  I can't believe how many birthday cards I found which I had bought and never used.  I am quite a planner and usually get these things before the time if I see something nice but this is not such a good idea when ones memory is not so good.  But maybe not such a bad idea as I am horrified at the price of birthday cards and now I have a stash hehe.  Cleaning out has also led to another few jobs which I have made a list of that need to be done like sorting out photographs, among others.  I think I have my work cut out for me for a while.

Yesterday Megan and I went through to the US Embassy to go and apply for her US Visa.  I was blown away with the service.  We pulled up outside and we were informed that I have to drop Megan off if I am not travelling with her and I wasn't even allowed to park in the embassy parking.  I had to drive back to the shopping centre around the corner and wait for her to phone me and tell me she is finished.  She was not allowed to take her handbag in, only her paperwork and cell phone so she could phone me.  She was searched and swabbed for drugs and then had to lock her cell phone away.  From the time I dropped her off and was parked in front to collect her again took 13 minutes.  She was told her Visa application was successful and we can collect it on Tuesday.  She should have left for Venice yesterday but will more than likely leave next Thursday now...not much time left now.  She also got confirmation of her promotion from General Merchandise to CEI and moves over a week after she joins the Jade instead of later on in June. 

It was lovely having my parents here for the week.  We were very lucky to have a visit from Brent too, who was down from Jnb on business.  We all went out for dinner, including my parents and had a fabulous evening.  It is so nice to be able to go out again and not be stuck in the house month after month with Jimmy too weak, sick or immune compromised to go out.

We've got the kids here this weekend but exams started today so it will be a pretty quiet one with lots of studying going on.  The weather is still lousy but perhaps just as well.  I am hoping to veg out and catch up on our series.  Well this is of course after hockey tomorrow, Loren is playing at Hartleyvale Stadium and we have to be there at 8am...I hope it stops raining.  Guy and Catherine are running the Comrades this weekend so they have asked Jimmy to coach the girl's 2nd team hockey match tomorrow morning.  Nice that it is a home game and Jimmy is really looking forward to this. I'm sorry that Loren and I won't be back in time to see the game.  I would have liked to take some photo's of Jimmy in action.

I heard the very sad news this morning that a dear friend that I worked with a few years ago has been diagnosed with cancer.  I am thinking of you and sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts your way.  This is pay back time for all the support and beautiful messages that you sent me while Jimmy was so sick. I am so sorry that you have to go through this, be strong and stay positive.

I thought I would share a beautiful video with you of our beautiful beach here in Noordhoek where we live.  This is specially for my overseas friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcXQrMYM7Q4&feature=player_embedded

I've just heard from Megan that she is booked on a flight to Venice on the 11th of June and then starts straight away in her new position.  Yiippppeeeee she'll be here for my birthday on the 10th :)

Good luck to Guy and Catherine with the Comrades and to everyone else, have a super weekend.