Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Update #206
9.5 years
My original plan was to send a getaway note last week but things changed on the getaway.
Ken and I decided to take Jeff & Meridith on a RSV survival getaway to Alaska. This was to make new memories after 2015 plus let Jeff get his 50th state. We selected a 5-day land, 7-day cruise tour. We invited family/friends to come along and four couples said yes.
On Friday, June 10th, ten of us left StL and met Jeff/Meridith in Minneapolis. We then flew on to Fairbanks. The next day we all had a full day on boat, bus, and train. We saw champion sled dogs, an Alaskan village, the Alaska pipeline and panned for gold. Later a few of us shuttled to Santa Claus House in North Pole, AK. Never to soon to shop for December 25th!
Our next 2 days we toured into Denali National Park (our one day with some rain) and were thrilled one morning when Denali blessed us with full viewing of its majestic splendor. That was the moment we all had hoped would happen.
Our glass domed train ride to Anchorage was relaxing while able to see animals along the way. Oh, and another view of Denali. The 12 of us took a trolley tour to see the city and hear its history.
Before we boarded our ship the next day, we stopped at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. It's small but they’re working to expand the sanctuary.
Our first 2 ship days were cruising. One day went into Yakutat Bay to see Hubbard Glacier. That night we had great fun watching Meridith participate in the ship's version of "The Voice". The 2nd day we spent all day cruising in Glacier Bay National Park. We went 65 miles in viewing several breathtaking glaciers from our balconies.
Skagway was our first port and people split up to enjoy their various excursions. Everyone loved the scenery and the quaint little town.
Juneau's viewing for Jeff was through the port hole window from the ship's medical center. He had noticed in Skagway that he was not feeling up to par. He took an antibiotic that his family doc had sent with him -- just in case. But early morning, Jeff decided to see the ship's doctor. Blood work indicated some bacterial thing so fluids and IV antibiotics were given twice. Jeff returned to their stateroom between times and rested. Since I have been fortunate to have seen Alaska before, I told Meridith to go enjoy her excursion and I remained with Jeff. Again, the 10 of them had a great day.
The final port was Ketchikan. The ship's dock had been destroyed the previous week by another cruise line so all people had to be tendered to town. Jeff again returned to the medical center twice for IV antibiotics and was feeling some better. Ken had previously zip lined and this time Meridith and one of our friends joined him. Exhilarating was the word. The rest of our group had a great time on their excursions.
Our last day was at sea cruising to Vancouver, BC. The showers early in the day did not hinder our viewing at dinnertime of Dall dolphins, a Minke whale and some humpback whales.
After we disembarked, we all enjoyed a 3-hour tour of Vancouver with some stops in Stanley Park. Jeff was happy to have Meridith visit Canada for her first time. We were dropped off at the airport for 10 of us to return to StL. Jeff & Meridith had planned to stay an extra day in Vancouver but thought maybe they'd also head home to Iowa but were not successful in getting an earlier flight. The StL group had crazy, delayed flights home. It was 3:15am before we saw home.
Jeff & Meridith stayed at their hotel and rested rather than continue sightseeing. The first leg of their flight the next day was great. But as United seems to do to them -- cancelled the 2nd leg! Fortunately, they made it on standby to a different Iowa city. Meridith's Dad picked them up and they spent the night with them. He drove them to their car Friday morning.
Jeff had made an appointment with his family doc to check in right before he went to work. He was feeling better but still coughing. She ran some tests and off he went. He directed the 6:00 news but his doctor called and said he was still dehydrated and to head to the hospital for fluids. He was admitted Friday evening the 24th. She also recommended a pulmonologist perform a bronchoscopy on Saturday. Well, the procedure did not take place till Sunday morning. Of course, this was the first time this pulmonologist was seeing Jeff's lungs. The doc took some specimens, washed both lungs, and then washed the left one a 2nd time. He had already changed Jeff to stronger antibiotics and upped his Prednisone (helps calm the GVHD). The doc's first recommendation was inpatient this week and home rest next week. But when they saw Jeff was improving and the bronch showed not as bad as originally suspected, Jeff was discharged this morning. Jeff had to promise to rest 4-5 days at home and not to return to work till Monday. And results appear to be -- a common cold. Everything heads to Jeff's lungs and we sort of assumed bacterial or maybe fungal since so much cottonwood was flying in the Alaskan air.
Jeff has a couple of follow up doctor's visits here in Waterloo in a couple of weeks. His original yearly StL appointment was June 6th but with this trip, it's rescheduled for Monday, August 8. I'll write just a short update after that August appointment.
A memorable trip was had by all with a little extra medical journey (no fever at any time) for Jeff. He does like craziness but was thrilled to finally check off state #50. We all loved our time together having such fun. Below is a picture of our group of 12. Next to Ken is his cousin Betty and her husband Marty. Meridith and Jeff are naturally behind me. Then next to them we have Carolyn & Earl, Karen & Mark, and Lori & Jack. Thanks to you 8 for adding such love making new memories.
Everyone who continues to pray daily for Jeff is in our prayers of thanks. We could not have made this trip without your prayers in 2015. And we gave thanks each day in Alaska that you are by our side always.
love, Marcia
