Has It Been A Month?

Hey.

I realize I may be writing this for about, well, two people, tops. It has been way too long since I've posted. I guess I've been busy living our summer, and to be honest? I'm completely hooked on this.

Hi, mine name is Kelli. And I'm a FarmTown-aholic.

(From what I'm reading around Bloggyville, I'm not the only one ...)

So.

The last month.

Where do I start?

Let's see ...

First, I have to admit another thing. I've let Facebook become my point of contact. It is so easy to just pop in and say something quick and dirty (well, not "dirty"), and I've let it become a crutch.

And an excuse not to sit down and write something more meaningful.

(And btw, I'd love to follow you on Facebook if you are on, so leave your FB name in comments!)

John continues to work harder and smarter, as he puts it. He still works from home full time, and thankfully things are picking up a bit. It's been incredibly tight around here this year, and we are hoping this helps loosen things up just a bit. And it takes some pressure off of him. Thank you. Lord.

Kati continues with her business. Things are slow right now, but she is busy with plans, and designing her wardrobe together for school so it's all good as far as she is concerned.

Jonathan got his permit to drive last week, so that is all he wants to do now. Kati has no interest in getting hers, it seems, and is not bothered by the fact that her younger brother is driving before her. Thankfully, we found out our insurance rates don't go up until they are actually licensed. Then? They triple. Triple! So, we've informed them that they can get a hard license once the state says they are old enough, and we see that they can pay for their own insurance rates.

That should keep things where they are for awhile!

Kati is itching to get a job at our local Joanne's Fabrics. She has been spending part of her summer volunteering at the library, and has become their master book shelver. So, she figures it's an easy transition from shelving books to fabric bolts. Plus, they give a great employee discount. So that rates really high in her book.

Of course, I have no idea how they are doing all of these things since I am in no way old emough to have kids that can legally work and or drive, you know>

Things with our desire to go through OHSU for transplant continue at a snail's pace. They had ordered a liver biopsy quite a while ago, but I couldn't have it until a few weeks ago because of all the various surgeries to remove, then replace my PD catheters. Once I finally got in top have it down,. the radiologist took a look at my liver and said there was no reason to have to proceed. I evidently have an extra lobe on my liver that made them think it was enlarged. But, it's not.

Four months wasted. Ugh.

So, now we are waiting for my hepatolgist to tell the transplant team in writing, that I am a good candidate for immunosuppresant therapy, post-transplant. This has to go to them, in writing, and he just left on vacation for a month.

Can you stinkin' believe it?

OHSU has said that once they get that letter, I can finally come over for pre-transplant evaluation. This is the appointment we had thought would happen in February. Fortunately, my time continues to accrue with Denver Porter so I will still shoot to the to of the list once I have approval. Unfortunately, that mans nothing since I will need a living kidney donor to move forward. But, one thing at a time.

And, on top of this, we are moving.

Yes, you heard me,.

Moving.

Because we don't have anything else going on right now.

Several factors went into the decision, but the bottom line is we will still be "out of town" which is important to John and I, but only 10 minutes away from the hospital,, dialysis, doctor's, shopping  and the high school. For the last year, we have been 40 minutes out, not including more time in the snow, so it will be a boon as far as everyone is concerned.

We found a cute little yellow farmhouse, with an adorable porch, swing, pergola, and back patio. Once we are settled, I will post some pictures!

Kati willl be a junior this year, and Jonathan a sophomore,. We have decided to let them go back to school part-time for electives. They will home school for their core classes, so we can make sure those are managed correctly. The high school runs a different schedule than most. They run some core classes every day, getting a whole year's work into a semester. The electives run every other day (M,W,F,T,Th rinse repeat) and that is the schedule our kids will be on. And best of all, we found out we are on the bus route, so we will only have to drive Jonathan in one way (since he has elected to only go half days). Kati will rise the bus both ways. Hallelujah!

We thought we were going to have to drive them every day, both says, so we are excited. They kids will get out several days a month, and John and I will have those same days to ourselves. It's a win win for everyone.

Things with me are about the same. The radical hair loss I experienced over the first few months o th year seems to have stopped. I've been left with about 20% of the hair I had before. And this week I start Rogaine therapy.Hopefully, over the next few months I can get some growth started. I have to be honest and say that, of all the horrific side effects from the dialysis, this as been the one that has hit me hardest.

I have always been rather proud of my hair. No matter what else,  I always joked to John that "I still have my beautiful hair".Yeah. Well. Not any more. I am so aware of the thinning, every time I go out. It's awful.

Anyway.

I know there is alot more I've forgotten. It happens. Alot, in fact.

But, I needed to check in and say "HEY!" to all two of you still coming around :)

And that being said - Leave me some extensive comments about your lives over the last month! WE;ll play catch up and it will be fun.fun.fun!)