Snapshots from Vero Beach

Vernon and I spent two nights and one day at Vero Beach to celebrate our 34th anniversary. We found a hotel on the beach and from our room on the 4th floor, this was our view Saturday morning before sunrise. I continued taking pictures as more of the sun became visible
We joined a few others walking the beach in the early morning
And took this photo of ourselves silhouetted by the early light.
Beautiful, isn't it?
The hotel offered outside dining and we ate breakfast where we could see and hear the water but we were blocked from the sun by a large pillar. Our server, Diane, took this just before we left, as the sun was hitting us. Interestingly, Diane was also the name of the women who served us lunch and dinner that day - three different women but all Diane.
Though this view beckons, rest assured we did not spend time on the beach during the day - too hot plus Vernon is supposed to stay out of the sun.
After the sun was down, we lowered the convertible top of the rental car and went for a ride. It was very nice. Vernon's expression asks, "Are you ready for this?"
Stopped at another light, he took this one of me.
And I held the camera to get this picture.
As the light was fading, we were on a bridge over the intracoastal waterway and it made a nice picture, I think.
We stopped to walk along the ocean on a boardwalk and noticed a flag that was lit and took this picture. We had a wonderful day!

Good news again

We haven't been able to access our internet at home this week so am writing this quickly while at work because you need to know the good news about the results of the skin biopsies done on Vernon's face. All 3 were benign! So now the next question is "When will radiation begin?" The doctor who did the surgery on his face has to see him again in order to evaluate if the skin has healed enough yet or not and that appointment won't be for another 3-4 weeks. The skin doesn't look healed enough to me.

When I have internet access at home again, I'll write about our fun weekend in Vero Beach and post lots of pictures. For now, the important news is what I just shared with you. You probably wonder why we would go to the beach if Vernon is supposed to stay out of the sun. We did stay out of the sun and were only on the beach in the evening and one morning at sunrise. Our hotel room looked out on the beach and ocean so we could enjoy it from the balcony and be out of the sun.

Over the Hedge

Friday night found us joining hundreds of others outside on the grass between the two main buildings where Deb works, Campus Crusade for Christ. Behind Vernon you can see the inflatible screen in place. Employees and their families were invited to bring blankets and/or chairs to enjoy the movie "Over the Hedge" at 8:30. An hour before that, we could find our places, enjoy hot dogs, popcorn and snow cones and also play games. I caught Vernon walking toward the hot dog table in the picture below.
Here's a look at the crowd and in the middle is the projector and sound equipment.
Here you can see the game area where a mostly younger crowd threw frisbees and balls.
I think Vernon has a snow cone in his hands (bel0w). We sat by Bob and Janice.
It is getting darker and you can see on the screen a preliminary picture.
This character in the movie is known as "Verne" and I'm glad no one thought to tell us ahead of time that this name was used. It made the movie funnier to me. We both enjoyed the movie a lot and want to see it again. Vernon laughed alot. If you haven't seen it, we recommend it as long as you enjoy animation.
Today, Vernon saw Dr. Haas who took samples from three places on his face to biopsy. I don't think we learn the results until next Monday's appointment. Vernon went to work after the office visit but said he hurt most of the day from where the doctor took samples of his face. When he got home, he went to bed to sleep awhile.
It isn't much of a way to celebrate our 34th anniversary but some days are like this. We think we're going to Vero Beach this weekend and can celebrate then.

Zero Rejection

Tuesday, June 3, found us at Shands Hospital at 6:45 AM for a biopsy of Vernon's heart to check for possible rejection. We hadn't expected one until next February but when the dosage of one of the anti-rejection meds was lowered a month ago, to be safe the doctor wanted to check Vernon's heart. Good news! Zero rejection! So now he won't need another one until June 2009. He is very happy about that because the procedure was painful. Access to his heart was through his neck.

Those of you who have been with us since transplant might remember the faces below or the names David Russow and Chuck King. We were able to have lunch with them and I took this picture of the three transplant amigos. We knew Chuck had a doctor appointment at Shands that day but it was a surprise that David was there, also. David was transplanted Jan. 27, Vernon was Feb. 4 and Chuck was Feb. 7, 2006, so they shared their recovery experience as they had shared the wait.
Here's another view.
Next on the schedule for Vernon medically is an office visit to Dr. Haas on Monday, June 9, for biopsies on three places on his face. After that maybe we'll learn when radiation can start. Though the cancer doctors at M.D. Anderson have told us that he would not be a candidate for chemo because of his anti-rejection medications, we learned from our Shands doctor that it would be possible to receive chemo, if needed. We aren't counting on needing chemo but it is a relief to learn that it is possible.

Here's an update on my mother in Oregon. She decided to try chemo and they are giving her anti-nausea medication before the chemo and today was her third weekly therapy. So far she is remaining free of negative side effects and we are thanking God for that.

About the beautiful flower I posted last time and wanted to know what it was, several have told me it was a dahlia. So now you know, too (or maybe you already knew).

We are planning to watch a movie outside tomorrow night with other people I work with. It will be like a drive-in movie but we will be sitting in lawn chairs or on blankets on the grass instead of in cars. The movie is "Over the Hedge" and snow cones and hot dogs will be served. Should be fun. Maybe I'll take some pictures of the set up before it gets dark and the movie starts.