We have been thinking of the best way to keep in touch with all of you and thought why not a blog. We like to do blogs, although this will be different than our normal travel ones and will be more of keeping you up to date on what
is going on with Charlie. We mentioned in our last email that the doctor said that the motto of their department should be “Hurry up – get here, and then wait.” Well, we did hurry up and arrived in Iowa on January 5th. Now we are waiting! We are settled in downtown Iowa City at the Hotel Vetro where we have an apartment/suite that has a kitchen and is quite roomy. On two sides we have floor to ceiling windows so it is quite sunny. In the building there is a health club and on the first floor a deli/grocery – the Bread Market which is really nice. We also have parking in the parking ramp connected to the hotel. (So we have no digging the car out of snow!)
Speaking of snow, the first week
here was like spring! It was in the 50’s and sunny! Of course, this is not normal winter weather and last Thursday winter did arrive – Snow and it was cold! It was fun to watch it and not have to go out.
Charlie is doing really well and the goal now is to get him as physically healthy as possible for the transplant when it comes. So he is exercising everyday and I have even started hitting the treadmill.
Meg and Jen flew to our house in CA last Tuesday and then drove our car to Iowa City arriving on Friday noon. Doug flew in on Friday and we met with Julie, the transplant coordinator at the hospital. The kids had a lot of questions and we came away feeling quite positive – we know that it is not going to be easy, but we are very impressed with what we heard.
The kids flew home yesterday – we had a fun weekend especially since Iowa beat Michigan in basketball! It was a great game! They both will be back when Charlie has the transplant.
Charlie had an endoscopy the day after we got here and has one scheduled for next Monday unless we get the “call!”
My brother, David, and his wife, Sue live here in Iowa City and have been very helpful. We have gone out to eat several times together.
There is a way to make a comment on this site and if you can figure it out great, if not, we would love to hear from you just at the chasbr@surewest.net!
appreciate the update. all is well here.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom
DeleteWell that's good news. We have been thinking of you and wish you the best. Looks like a nice place to be for now. We'll be praying for a good outcome for Charlie. Laura and Phil
ReplyDeleteThank you - are you in Hawaii?
DeleteThanks for the update. Trina and I are sending you both so much love and good thoughts. We love you two, like you're our own family, and wish Charlie a speedy transplant, and phenomenal recovery. And you, Mary, we are sending you so much support and love as you cope all of this as well. Big loves and hugs from Boston!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jen and Trina - we consider you family also. We love hugs and loves from Boston! Are you really doing the NYC Marathon, Jen?
DeleteWell the good thing about all this is that you two are always up for a new adventure. Glad you have nice sunny digs. Can't wait to get all the updates. You guys are in our thoughts daily! mg
ReplyDeleteYou are right - I really do think that since we have always been ready for the next trip or "adventure" that we are comfortable living in temporary housing and it's a another area to explore. Granted, we are staying attached to our phones waiting for the "call!"
ReplyDeleteI am hoping all turns out well!
ReplyDeleteHave fun with your sister
love ya
cathy and sophie
Hi Mary and Charlie,
ReplyDeleteI know you are waiting on pins and needles for "the call". I hope you can enjoy these mild days while you are waiting. I'm keeping you on my many times a day prayer list for fantastic doctors and a healthy liver. It was great to spend a bit of time with you, Mary, at the Amanas. I hope Charlie and his sister had a good week together. Keep us informed and holler if you want company. Marty