Missing everyone soooo muc

Still waiting, waiting, & waiting. Working on 6 months.


Me and my dried up skin.


rob & heather

Transporter Ruby & Bodhi Ducky

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

UPMC 7West Clinic

Hey all,

Wow, what a wild week last week was. I somehow gathered some bad bacteria in my intestine, no other explanation needed. It landed me in the hospital for aprox 24 hours. Then the antibiotic caused my INR (blood clotting factor) to jump to an unheard of 6.7. Steve says there is silver lining in every cloud... it caused my meld score (determines my standing on the list for a liver) to jump to 38. Top number before becoming a Status One in the nation is 40. So how about that.

I am sitting in clinic getting my Tuesday Spa. Overall I feel good, but everyone is panicking about my blood results so they are going to keep me here for about another hour. Oh well, it gives plenty of time to blog. Besides the chairs are comfortable.

Enough medical gibberish... We have enjoyed the beautiful brisk weather but according to the weather soothsayers it is supposed to end this weekend with snow. When it snows here it is mostly constant little snow flurries where at home it just dumps. They say that once it starts it doesn't quit. I don't think they gather a lot of snow but their cold is definitely COLD. We have loaded up on electric blankets and throws(also electric) besides our apartment seems to stay warm. We now have enough clothes so going out is not a problem.

What have we been doing? Well, besides just hanging out, working out, cooking & eating, not a whole lot. We went to Phyllis & Skip Grahms' home and had a wonderful lunch (she cooked lo sodium just for me.) Poor Steve, it has been so long since we socialized that he talked poor Skips ears off. I have never heard him talk so much. They lived about an hour out of Pittsburgh in the country and built their home; it is gorgeous. Unfortunately they are no longer able to maintain the property so sadly they are having to sell. The husband, Skip, was blind for about 10 years but was able to make stained glass windows that are incredible. It is not easy to do with your sight so to accomplish this without sight is amazing. Today he sees, but they don't know for how long. He is in our prayers. It was wonderful to get out of the city and into the country.

The day before Thanksgiving was pretty tough for me. I miss everyone so much and my pops traditional Thanksgiving dinner. But then it turned out just fine, our church had a dinner and we went to that. The company was wonderful and the pastor made a point of coming over and talked with us for about an half hour. The best part was I found someone who has had horses and was just as passionate about riding as I am. It was refreshing. He did a lot of trail riding and some barrel racing. I was in heaven for about an hour.

Today we hope to go get a Christmas tree. We already have ornaments from Nancy and Frank. The kids are coming this week so I want it to be Christmas like. We are hoping to go to Santa's Parade but then it is supposed to snow so we might have to find something else to help us get in the Christmas spirit. I am worried that I will not get in the spirit without my family & friends, so I am fairly adamant about decorations & decorating. I am looking for a special nativity scene; you can't celebrate Christmas without Baby Jesus in our midst.

Thank you all for your healing prayers and emails special thanks to Steve's mom, Ellie for the delicious mandarins; more thanks to Claudia for being persistent on having Jack and Annie vaccinated and wormed. You are awesome. Thanks to my sister, Jane who sends me inspiring texts. Thanks to Jeanne and Fred for the photos of their adventure. Extra Thanks to Nancy & Frank for the Christmas decorations and making us feel at home in the church. Another very special thanks to Lonn and Dianne we will be forever appreciative for the help. And finally love and thanks to my mom for being my mom.

Praises & thanks to our Lord for keeping us close.

Until next time... Agape

Steve & Steph

Sunday, November 21, 2010


Hey all! So sorry that once again I am so derelict about keeping up my blog. I have no real excuse except I get lazy at night and can't find the time during the day.

We have really grown to like Pittsburgh. It has so much to offer and things to do. We can not find enough time to do everything so we try to see something once a week. I want to write a blog on nothing but Pittsburgh and all the things we have seen and hope to see. Maybe next blog.

I am still feeling pretty good, with only moments of not so good. But that passes and then I am fine. I still have to go to clinic on Tuesday & Thursday and this week a full day at the doctor's office. It wears me out but that is to be expected. God is so merciful to us and is helping us in so many ways. I do not think we could do this without our faith.

I went to the eye doctor to see about a new prescription for my eyes. My sight has progressively gotten worse for the past six months. So we went and found out some not so good news... I have cataracts! I couldn't believe it, but apparently with all the meds I take they promote cataracts. The problem is that while I can get them fixed, it may take a while to have Kaiser to give their authorization. Steve has already fought with them. This out of the transplant contract and we are having trouble trying to explain to them we are NOT on vacation. Then to add to the pressure, if I don't have it done before the transplant the cataracts will increase 5 time faster due to the meds I have to take after surgery and on top of that, there is an increase of infection and probably will not be able to have the surgery until at least a year after surgery. By then I will be virtually be blind. We are very worried about this, but then it is in God's hands. Just pray for a quick authorization and even faster surgery. I can not believe I will not be able to read or write or sew. I know something will come through for us.

We have found a new church closer to home, it is called Calvary Baptist Church. It is small and very very friendly and caring. We really like the Pastor and the whole church has taken us in just like we have always been there. We may be going there for Thanksgiving dinner.

We also have an invite to some friends we met in clinic. We went to their home on Friday for lunch and had a lovely meal and great companionship. They live in the country about an hour out in a beautiful home in a beautiful area. Steve talked their ears off, I think it has been too long since he has talked to someone in a social setting. At first I was embarrassed but then he was enjoying himself so much I just blew it off. Poor guy all he talks to is the hospital, work & his mother. Oh! and Rob.

Speaking of Rob... he and Heather and the kids are coming on the 2ND of December and staying for about 4 days. I can not wait. We will actually be able hold and kiss little Bodhi for the first time. I wish they could stay longer but Rob wants to come back when I go into surgery and besides that is probably all I could handle right now. We will be able to go and stay with them a while after the surgery and recovery.

I will send photos of Thanksgiving and of the kids. But I need to go to bed, tomorrow is an early day and a busy one. I will not promise a blog in the next few days, but I have so much more to write about I am going to try.

Many Thanks to Claudia & Ted for taking such awesome care of Annie & Jack, Aunt Betty for her time with mom & Buddy, Jane, John and the kids for babysitting Buddy. I know he loves to be with you guys. Thanks to all our emails, phone calls and prayers, please know how it gives such encouragement. Many thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Have a Great Thanksgiving and many blessings to all. In Jesus' name and love,
Steve & Steph

Great Days

Wednesday
November 10,2010
UPMC Clinic


Hey all,

Someone complained that my last blog was boring... so I have had to rethink my blog direction.

First off, I am still doing well, despite a bad case of laziness and addiction to my Kindle. If it wasn't for Steve I would just spend my precious time laying around reading. He is our social director and appointment keeper.

Yesterday we went to the Heinz(after the famous Heinz ketchup king) Museum of Art and were able to see an exhibition brought here from the Vatican in Rome. Some of the pieces had never been out of the Vatican. The display depicts the history of the catholic religion as related to the Vatican. They talked a lot about Peter & Paul, which is the subject of many pieces of art. The other interesting item was that the style of art & architecture was taken from many cultures. The art also follows the periods of the history of Europe, the history of each Pope, and the many changes over the centuries.

Unfortunately, they did not allow cameras, they would not do justice to the great art anyway. They showed Michelangelo's sculpture of Jesus lying in Mary's lap after His execution. The sculpture was so intricate and lifelike,the stone was incredibly soft looking that you wanted to reach out and stroke it. They had a piece of the Sistine Chapel displayed on the ceiling just like it is in the Vatican. It was the piece where Jesus is leaning towards God. It is very famous and there are posters, puzzles & such using this peace.

There is so much more that I could write about but it would never due justice to the marvelous display.

Where the Vatican Splendor was spectacular, the circus was a great disappointment. It only had half of the parade that it usually has, the clowns were less than entertaining, they only had one ring, the physical feats were mediocre, they did not have horseback vaulting, (the horses just went around in circle) flying trapeze, jugglers, or gymnasts. Over all it was about one-third the circus that I saw in Sac 5 years ago. Despite my disappointment, Steve enjoyed it (but then he's never been before.) I have photos so my next blog following this one will be photos.

We are beginning to become familiar with Pittsburgh and are enjoying it more & more. The city is actually very beautiful with its beautiful gardens & parks, the incredible architecture, and all of the museums. Next adventure will be a walking tour around downtown emphasizing the historical buildings and churches.

Well, other than the field trips, we try to eat at home, work out 3 days a week, walk along the river, clinic twice a week, and church. The hours in the day just fly by.

I have many folks to say "Thank You" and may Jesus always be in your heart. Dianne & Lonn for your incredible ( much needed) generosity and beautiful cards amaze and bless us. (I will be calling you very soon.) Jan B., who is taking loving care of our Lady for your generosity and especially for Lady. Thank you mom for your phone calls & taking care of Buddy. I know he loves you and would be lost without you. Many thanks to Kim R for calling each week with barn & horse updates and occasionally a good venting session. Thanks to my son & daughter-in-law for the daily phone calls, and the daily photos & updates on Ruby & Bodhi. Thank you to all who are so diligent in your prayers. I feel the Lord is with us and helping us to be calm and accepting of the situation. Please continue with your prayers as they are the reason we are doing so well.

Thank you so much for taking the time to be interested enough to read my blog. (Hopefully, this isn't too boring.)

Watch for photo blog.

God is with us all,
Steph & Steve