Been a While

Wow, since February 22! Sorry it has been so long...but it seems like no news is good news. I have not had any issues. I am still being very careful, keeping my mask on whenever I am not at the house, and trying to make sure I am eating better. I take my temperature at least 2 times a day and have not had a fever. My rash seems to come and go, but it has never been very bad. In fact, if there is some redness or bumps, I usually can put the creme that my doctor prescribed and it is gone by the next day. My transplant doc said that this could be some form of graft vs. host, which would be okay, because that would mean that there is also graft vs. disease. My next appointment is tomorrow, Tuesday, the 28th. During that appointment, I will schedule my 100 day appointment...WOW, it has gone so fast. My 100 day appointment will be a little more extensive because of the lung issues I have had, but not too bad. It sounds like another lung function test, a full CT scan, a bone marrow biopsy, and lots and lots of blood. Not sure if I have to do the heart function tests again, but that is something that I will find out tomorrow. So, for now, it is continued spinach smoothies...yum yum, trying to get some exercise in everyday, and staying away from germs and sick people. :)

In sports news:
It was a rough ending to a great season for the Homestead Highlanders. They were taken down by Brookfield in the sectional semi-final game. It was a great season guys, each year Homestead has improved and maybe next year will be their turn! Congrats to my alma mater Eau Claire Memorial for once again making it to the state tournament. They will face Brookfield on Thursday. I am really looking forward to the NFL draft. The RG III situation makes it a little more fun to watch and the Pack could be drafting a Badger in the first round. They may also get some extra picks because of the signing of Jermichael Finley. With that signing, the Packers can put the franchise tag on Matt Flynn and possibly get a bunch of draft picks for a guy who is going to be an unrestricted free agent on March 13th. Nice move Packers. That is the way to stay ahead in the game...look at the Patriots, they seem to do pretty well gaining picks and maintaining a team (Matt Cassel move). I really like this move and I hope that it works out. At the same time, Brewers season is getting ready to go. Pitchers and catchers have reported and Ryan Braun will not be suspended for 50 game...HUGE! I think Braun handled himself very well and that he represented Milwaukee well.

Finally, speaking of representing well, congrats to Eau Claire Natives, Justin Vernon and Michael Noyce for winning, not one, but two Grammy's this year in Bon Iver! Unreal! However, I think they have a bigger accomplishment. When you can get on Saturday Night Live, and be made fun of on Saturday Night Live by Justin Timberlake, you know you have made it big! Well done!

Hope this finds everyone healthy and happy.
Tony

Good News

I got a call from Froedtert this afternoon that the swab from yesterday came back negative for all three viruses they tested for (including RSV).

Also, Molly and I want to say a huge THANK YOU to the Homestead Community once again for the fundraiser that they are putting on tomorrow night at the HHS vs. Germantown basketball game. We have said over and over again how blessed we feel to have you all in our lives, and we mean it. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Day 80

Over the weekend and through the Tuesday I have been feeling pretty darn well (see, it's like the song). Friday I had a good time hanging out with the family. Molly, Adeline and I had a quiet night and went to bed relatively early. Saturday morning, my cousin Neil came by to help fix our totally broken computer. You know the one with all the family pictures and movies...ahhhh. Although, it sounds like Mr. Neil may have fixed most it. Great!!! Sunday, we had a visit from our friends from Minnesota. Brent and Lindsay were able to visit prior to their big move across country. They stayed for a few hours and took off back towards Eau Claire. My appointment today went well. They took a swab of my nose...you know the one where they shove the q-tip 15 feet up your nose and spin it around for five seconds. They did this to test three different types of viruses, to make sure I don't have them, so I will see what happens when the tests come back from that tomorrow. I did not cry or sneeze at all when they shoved the q-tip up up up (HA! Did so). I think that stuff touched my brain!

Finally, wishing good luck to the state hockey teams. Homestead play against Brookfield tonight in the sectional semi final at Ozaukee Ice Center and Eau Claire Memorial play against Chequamegon/Phillips. Work hard gentleman, hope to see you both at the State tournament.

Check it out at Wisconsin Prep Hockey

Hope this finds you healthy and happy!!!
Tony Navarre

What a Great Week

On Tuesday, I had a great doctor appointment. I got a lot of questions answered about the disease as I continue through the next 30 days or so. Actually we are on day 76 of 100. When I reach 100 days, I will have a large work up including a lung function test, a bone marrow biopsy, and additional blood drawn. Hopefully, I will find out more about the long term after this work up. I also got to see my buddy Thane. After my appointments, I was able to stop in Bayside and have lunch with Nancy H. Great sloppy joes, awesome dessert, and incredible conversation. Hopefully, I will have more chances to do that. There was also a balloon and candy to make Adeline happy. Wednesday I headed to the rink and was able to skate and watch game film as the state hockey playoffs near. Thursday was a great day, I was able to go to Homestead and say thank you for all that they have done for me. My doctor said that as long as I didn't stay, and had my usual gloves and mask on, that I could stop in. It was great to see everyone and be back, even if for just a moment!!! Friday, I was able to watch video again as the hockey boys won their game against Germantown and now await a challenger (Brookfield Stars or Cederburg Bulldogs). Hopefully the boys will play well and make all the hard work over the last 4 years worth it.
Hope this finds everyone healthy and happy!!!
Tony

What a Weekend!

So, what a crazy start to the weekend. Here we are at Day 71 and still feeling good.

FRIDAY: Again, people being very generous. Molly and I had a meal prepared for us by Mimi R. (always fantastic) AND at the same time it was put into motion (Thanks to Molly's mom and Jyll's mom...family friends) that Jyll Lucas-Everman from "The Next Food Network Star" was going to come to the house and make us a meal. (Good thing the stove, micro and fridge were all cleaned. thanks Deb) WOW!!! Friday morning I was still sore from my skate on Wednesday and did not get a whole lot of exercise. I rested and played some video games....I know, I know, sounds real tough. I get pretty tired playing video games. Anyone that knows how I coach, will understand. I get a little worked up, same thing goes for video games. Now, because my lungs are not what they used to be, I actually can get tired yelling at the game. (I can hear Molly in my ear now..."It's just a stupid game.") Yes, it is just a game, but I like winning. I think this is the same approach I took to the Cancer table. Not to sound like Charlie Sheen, but, I do feel like I am winning, minus the tiger blood. Although, I have been called Tony the Tiger. Wow, what a tangent. So, by Friday afternoon Jyll was in our kitchen in Port Washington with her husband Tommy (great guy) and she was whipping up spaghetti and meatballs. Now, you may say, spaghetti and meatballs? It was perfect, she had take into account the fact that I can only reheat things after two days, so she also made extra meatballs. AMAZING!!! Spaghetti and meatballs should not taste that good. I definitely over ate and loved it. (not over rated...OVER ATE) Jyll then had a show at the Nari Home Show and had to run back. It was amazing. You can check her out at JYLL.SATURDAY: Molly's parents came into town to help Molly do some things around the house. We needed it. Because of the bone marrow transplant, I cannot be in any room that has been recently vacuumed, I have to stay away from any dust or dirt, and have to wash my hands 1/2 million times if I do cleaning. Not to say that I was lazy, but Molly, Bob, and Michele completely stormed the house. Michele had already cleaned all of our kitchen cabinets and now she was running errands. Bob and Molly totally destroyed the basement in a good way. They got rid of a bunch of useless stuff, organized, cleaned, swept, and vacuumed. Made a HUGE difference. Due to some of the cleaning going on, I left, fully masked and gloved up and dropped off mail at the post office, and drove through the bank. Got A LOT done. Then, thanks to our friend Mimi, we had a meal all ready to go for dinner. Adie loved it and so did Daddy! (mommy too, that just didn't work in the rhyme). I also got to improve my player on NHL 2012...not great, I can admit it, I am not great, but at least I play the game the right way...not crazy out of position and everything.

SUNDAY: Did not sleep well...that has been the only real lingering issue. I have trouble sleeping through the night. I think it is from the medications and being used to the hospital. I wake up every two hours like I need pills or my vitals taken. However, if that is the worst of my "side effects" I will NOT complain. I have not had any of the GVHD side effects yet. A few skin irritations and some headaches, but nothing serious. Still no fevers, no liver issues, although the doctors are still keeping close watch of the numbers. Sunday was pretty boring other than that. Molly and I got a chance to catch up on the TV series The Walking Dead.

So, it has been a very cool weekend. Lots of resting, cleaning, and hanging out as a family.

Hope this finds everyone healthy and happy,
Tony Navarre

Weekly Update...

See what happens when I get out of the hospital...I lax on my blogs-man-ship. Day 68 (my count, I think that's right)

So, the latest news is that I have been released to my own home and I am able to be on my own. My mom went home on Tuesday and yesterday was my first official day on my own. It has gone well. I love my mom, but it is great to be back in Port on my own. Well, on my own until Molly and Adeline get home from school. I know for sure that I get a bone marrow biopsy on or very near day 100. Up to that point, things look good. I feel good, I have been taking my temperature on a regular basis and my blood work has all come back "good" or "as expected" so that has been very good. My hemoglobin, hematocrit, and white blood cells seem to be functioning normally. It is good to be home, there are not many more steps to, hopefully, getting my life back to normal.

1: Biopsy
2: Regular Dr. checkups
3: Life style changes (wash hands, stay away from sick people, sanitize)
4: No more sunlight...or rather, much more careful in the sun
5: Keep clear of dirt...there goes my floral career

Hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!
Tony

Home...different from Freedom! But Wonderful!

Couldn't sleep a wink last night because I was so excited. Headed back to the house in Port Washington for the first time since November 30. Now, when I escaped the hospital, I was so happy for things like, soft towels, and nights without interruption (Adeline excluded). Molly, Adeline, and I are all home now and so far, I already have seen major improvements! There is a "guide" button for the TV, no more channel surfing. The internet works ALL THE TIME, not just three in the morning, and ten at night. A big one here, a couch that fits more than one person...I can SPRAWL. In other words, now I can really get lazy. My PS3 works once again, there are two bathrooms, my overlarge stuffed chair, and rooms to escape to! The things that you take for granted. For me, things seem to be getting back to normal. Someone said to me, wow, isn't it just so much better to be home. Right now, it is more than that. It is normal. I have not felt normal in a long time. I think this is so refreshing, not just a change to a new place, a new setting, and feeling better. It is a small taste of what my life was before cancer, but better, because I can appreciate things so much more.

Ok...pause...Molly just tried to throw away my pet monster...does anyone remember that! My Pet Monster? So awesome, and the one that I have is a puppet, I have to tell everyone to calm down, I put the kabash on that big time, I'll wash it, but the My Pet Monster stays!

So, to finish things up...love being back at home in Port Washington and I have all of my family, friends, and supporters to thank for sticking by me. One step closer to beating this thing.
And I kept the My Pet Monster!

Love you all!
Tony

Few Days Have Gone By

Frustrating that the internet connection has not worked the past few days here at the 'hometel' but I got some time, so here it goes. January was the first month since February 2011 that I did not have to stay overnight in a hospital. ACTUALLY, only the second month since February 2011 that more than half the month wasn't spent in the hospital. Not that I have not made some life long friends at the hospital, but I prefer to see you in a different environment for once.

Monday - Thursday has been good health wise. I have been making smoothies like no ones business. Lots of spinach and almonds. I have not had any fevers or a temp higher that 98.5 since getting out of the hospital. My lungs seem to be slowly getting better. It is hard because I am used to being able to run and skate and whatever...without getting "tired" but now, I have to take breaks for whatever activity I have set for myself. I suppose if it means that being alive and with my family was the trade off, there really is no contest. Time will heal...

On the doctors front, Dr. Palmer said that there was a good possibility that I could be home by the weekend and without a caregiver by next week. WOW!!! That is incredible. I am at day 61 from transplant today and feel like that could be some kind of record. It has helped to have my mom here, but it is going to be awesome to be able to be home as a family again, possibly by next week.

I've skated a few times per week along with doing some YOGA, shake weights, and walking. Overall, it has continued to be a very "boring" stay...which is good. Hope this finds everyone healthy and happy. Enjoy the weather when you can!
Tony