It's July already, actually we are almost at the end of the month. Time sure flies by! I've had a lot on my plate and some wonderful adventures so I guess it's time to share them with all of you.
In June on the 17th & 18th I THANKFULLY qualified for the Eli Lilly clinical trial and had my first official infusion. It was a two day affair so we were able to spend the night at the Omni Hotel in San Francisco. The first day was all cognitive testing and a full physical. Day two was my first infusion and it started at 8am. Everything went well even though it was a long day. We started at 8am and I think I finally got home at 5pm. Bob was there in the morning and then my girlfriend Sylvia came to relieve him and drove me home. I am extremely thankful for her support. It's a long drive and the traffic is normally pretty bad.
Thankfully there are no lingering effects because the next day I had lunch in Walnut Creek at True Food Kitchen with two of my Intel buddies, Melaine & Jean Ann. We had a blast and talked for hours! The food was fabulous as always. I am so appreciative of these lunch dates. They really lift me up!
The next few days were all about my daughers wedding! We picked up our dresses from the seamstress, created all the gift bags for the out of town guests and did all kinds of activities in preparation for the big day.
The rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner went well and we all had a great time. Kristen spent the night with us and together we went to the Country Club to meet up with all of her bridesmaids and the make up and hair stylists. We were there all day getting ready! I had no idea how much work it was to prepare. But it was a fabulous day and I was so happy to be there with her.
The wedding was beautiful and I walked her down the 'aisle', which was actually the grass, without falling or tripping on my dress. We were both extremely emotional but we pulled it together and held each other up๐ฐ๐
The reception was a blast and it was so much fun to have our family and friends, and all of Ryan & Kristen's friends there to celebrate. It was beautiful and everything went off as planned. There were many photos taken and I am thankful to have most of them on my phone. I love to look at them when I'm resting. They make me happy and I couldn't be happier for her and Ryan๐
The day after the wedding I was thankfully driven to Felton to spend a few days of rest with my girlfriend Karen. It was so nice to sleep in and have litterally nothing planned. We went to Capitola and ate on the beach and walked around and shopped. I was also able to take her to my old house in Santa Cruz and show her my grammar school. Later that evening we had dinner at my nephews house and that was very special too. I love spending time with him and his wife and the meal was spectacular!
Karen drove me home on Wednesday and I was still pretty wiped out from the wedding and all the festivities. Bob and I spent some time alone and went to the movies and just hung out at home with Rusty.
The resting was short lived and we were back at UCSF for Infusion #2 on Tuesday July 9th. It was another long day and an 8am start so we decided to spend the night at the Omni on Monday. We had another fabulous meal at Credo and went to bed really early.
The infusion went well and I was excited to wear a new pair of Katy Perry shoes! Every time I have an infusion I take a picture of my shoes and share it on social media with the hashtag #shoechallenge! One of my fellow dementia warriors, Steven Barbieri was there too so we took some photos and posted online. It's a long day so I always look for things to do to make it fun.
The following week I had several lunch dates. As I've mentioned before having something on the calendar really lifts me up! Spending time with my family and friends during the day keeps me going. So thank you again to many of you who continue to stay in touch and entertain me during the week๐
So that's about it! Yesterday I did see the Lion King with Kristen and today I went to church and then to lunch. Nothing too exciting, but again, it's great to spend time with people I love.
Next week my brother is coming to visit and on Wednesday my sister and my girlfriend Andi are coming for lunch. I don't have any other plans this month so if anyone wants to hang out and go for a walk or have a snack please reach out๐
I also want to thank all of you for your support and encouraging words! Every text, post and email really inspires me to keep fighting this disease! Yesterday was the three year anniversary of my diagnosis and I truly believe that I am doing well, and living well with Alzheimer's thanks to you, to God and to my faith in the power of prayer and positive thinking!!
I also want to thank all of you for your support and encouraging words! Every text, post and email really inspires me to keep fighting this disease! Yesterday was the three year anniversary of my diagnosis and I truly believe that I am doing well, and living well with Alzheimer's thanks to you, to God and to my faith in the power of prayer and positive thinking!!