Day +47, Sunday

It was easy to avoid toll roads today, as we generally remained in the state of Maryland. That being said, it was another beautiful weather day, and we made the best of it with a return trip to Sugarloaf Mountain. Trails were busy, the parking lots full, but we stuck to the less-travelled “North Peaks Trail” route and saw (presumably) fewer people. Overall we were out for an hour and forty five minutes, with a quick side trip to the unnamed peak “1071”. Any day that you climb a mountain, regardless of its name status, is a good day.

Post-hike, we hit up Target. In an effort to avoid the Bethesda crowds, I picked a Target that was far far away. I don’t know if it actually made a difference, but I’d like to think that it did. I was appreciative of everyone wearing masks and the hand sanitizer stations. Mom got ribbon. Me, well a few boxes for gifts, but more importantly, gingerbread cookies. The last ones are too thick and don’t have a good “snap” to them. After this post, I’m going to sample and will get back to you tomorrow.

And yes, I realize that I’ve been watching waaaay too much British Baking Show. And no, I am not ashamed.

We stopped at Starbucks – an eggnog latte for me, Irish Cold Brew for Mom, and then it was smooth sailing for 25 minutes on the 270 back to Bethesda, just in time for sunset.

Last but not least, noodles + Parmesan cheese! Followed by Zooming with Andy, Dad and Lucy. I miss and love them all, and I try not to worry about their health, but it’s 2020. I really miss Andy. I’ve been gone for 9-ish weeks; I think about him and the kitties every day, also. I feel very fortunate to have someone like him in my life.

I’m feeling good, tired, but overall good. I’m grateful for days like today – being outside and trying to do supportive things for my body. The Whack-a-Mole with the small red patches on the back of my head, neck & back are – according to my Mom – getting smaller. We will keep applying the hydrocortisone just like my Team wants. I definitely felt more fatigue in my legs and lungs today, but this is the third day in a row of driving out of Bethesda and undertaking some sort of 2-hour-ish hike. Generally my mood is OK – I try to remain upbeat as much as I can, as I know the mental/emotional component of transplant is just as important as the physical bits. I try to acknowledge the fears that I have, or anything else that pops up, and then let it go. It doesn’t serve me to dwell, so I do my best not to.

Tomorrow I’m in the Clinical Center, and the Outpatient Day Hospital, with a stop at Phlebotomy for labs first. It’s supposed to rain all day, the first of two systems we’re supposed to get. I’m OK with rain, excited about snow, curious about how the state will respond if a lot of snow falls on Wednesday. To be determined! For now, I think this post is complete! I hope that wherever you are, you had a terrific weekend!