Our Post-transplant Journey: A Visitor, a Shopping Trip & Dinner

18Oct - Friday

There is a new prof at StU this year and his parents live here in TO. Matt was speaking with my sister, Penny, when he arrived at StU (where she works) about the fact that his parents live here, she shared that we were also here and one thing led to another and today we had a visit from Matt’s Dad, Ted. Small world!

Ted came for coffee this afternoon. We chatted about the transplant program, shared family structure and geography and learned a bit about Ted’s work with chronic pain patients. We’ll get together again near the end of next month. Looking forward to another visit and meeting Ted’s wife next time!

Well, it’s only taken 3 months, but Jess had finally agreed that it might be helpful to have a shower stool - her’s is a large tiled shower that has no seating (who even builds them that way anymore?). You may not think it, as someone who has full lung function, but the effort required to shower and then dry off is absolutely exhausting to someone who struggles for every breath. Jess knows we acquired a good shower stool for Carman early this summer, so we’re off to pick up her and Bonnie and take them to Starkmans a local medical supply store, where we also bought his Rollator.

Jess selects a shower stool with raised handles and I pick up a large suction cupped grab bar for our place. On the way in, Jess spied the power scooters, so we ask if it’s possible to have a demo (I know Roger, I’ll bet you just can’t believe it! After all the times you’ve asked her to check them out! Persistence pays off Buddy!). She gives each model a test drive around the store, we gather measurements, information on battery power and brochures so she can discuss the options with her Dad, Roger.

On the way home to get Griffon, we stop to give Bonnie the MLG Loblaws tour and make some selections from the hot prepated food counter to have for our dinner together (Bonnie and I are taking Friday night off, ha, ha). With our roasted chicken, carrots, green beans almandine and roasted parsnips & potatoes in hand, we head south to get Griffon.

Bonnie handles the carving while we heat everything up and get the table set. Griffon has his bowl of kibble, and we’re all set! Over dinner we review the week’s happenings and weekend plans. Bonnie’s son is coming this weekend, so they are all headed to the Toronto Zoo on Saturday.

We’ve all missed Marie-Éve this week at Physio and I had sent her a Facebook message earlier in the day, just checking in. I check my return messages and discover that she’s been out of action and in the hospital for the last couple of days. We quickly put together a get well message and send it off to her. Hope you're back to Physio very soon Marie-Éve!