It's the Little Things...and some Big Things

First off, Bobby's had two doses successfully. The night went ok, a little harder start than two weeks ago, but that wasn't unexpected. He's really tired and has no energy. Some chills last night, but none so far for Dose 2.

It's amazing how little things can get you. After our lengthy wait to get a room (finally got here at 7pm), we discovered that our new room is even smaller than the cracker box we were in last time. Last time, I could extend the chair out to sleep, but now it can't, so I'm curled up in the chair. And there's a noisy air vent that runs nonstop, so even though we are squeezed in like sardines, we have to raise our voices to hear one another. At least it runs all the time, so we can pretend it's "white noise" at night. Then, this morning, the electricity went off for a minute and ever since the A/C has been on in the entire hospital. It's currently 60 degrees and all the nurses are in their overcoats. At least Bobby has not started with the chills and rigor yet from the 6am dose. Hey, wait a minute! Just as I'm typing my complaints, the air vent stops running, and I think it might be starting to warm up. I overheard some talk out in the hall that maybe they've resolved the A/C issue. Thank you, Lord. Now if we could just do something about the chair...

As irritating as the little things can be, I'm also thinking today about some big things. Over the weekend, we received word that a good friend of ours had passed away, and her memorial service is this morning in Tulsa. We've known Stacy for 5 years, and for that time she has been chronically ill, in and out of the hospital and in generally poor health. But she had a fierce determination and independence, much like Leslie. They both smiled in the face of adversity and loved and lived life to the fullest. Though they didn't know each other well, they were in many ways kindred spirits. In fact, it was a blessing for Stacy to share with us how Leslie had inspired her and helped her to deal with some of the fears and anxieties she had been experiencing. Before we left town, she gave us a bag of travel "goodies" - books on tape, Sonic card, snacks, face wipes and several cards with instructions to "open just one a day." At the prayer time we had at Jan & Jays before coming to Nashville, Stacy was at our side, asking the Lord to remind us each day to be thankful and to remember that "we have an angel watching after us." Now we have two. I'm grateful that Stacy was and will always be a part of our lives.

Love, Juli