Day +77, closing in on +100

On Monday we went to Haukeland Hospital for Sigve's first check-up there since coming home. He's been followed up very well at Haugesund Hospital, so there were no surprises. He did blood tests, and had a physical. They skipped the bone marrow test as the doctor in Haugesund had done one the week before when his platelets were down a bit. 

He also still has a low blood hemoglobin content. The hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying part of the platelets, and his shortness of breath is to some extent caused by this. Due to the low content, not enough oxygen is carried around in his body, including the lungs. In the doctors opinion, the new stem cells are still not working at full capacity, causing this. 

We also got some information that was new to us. Or maybe there was so much info in the beginning that this had slipped by us. Of course we know that there are no guaranties in life. But we thought that once the chemo had killed off the cancer cells, and the transplant had been carried out successfully, the leukemia was cured. After that it would be mostly a matter of avoiding the gvh (graft-versus-host) disease and recovery. But the same leukemia can actually reemerge. The more time that passes, the better are the chances of it not happening, but like with other cancer types, 5 symptom free years have to pass in order to be on the safer side. And the same goes for the gvh. The first mile stone for that one is day +100, and then 1 year. The more symptom free time that passes, the better the chances, but more or less serious complications can still appear at any time. So 3-5 uncomplicated years have to pass before it can be said that the transplant was actually successful.

We'll continue on like we have so far, without keeping negativity in mind, praying for continued healing and thinking positive thoughts. It has worked so far, so there's no reason to think it won't continue to work.

On November 29th, we go back to Haukeland for Sigve's big 3 month's check-up. Meanwhile, the Monday check-ups in Haugesund, and the Thursday blood tests at Stord will continue.

* * * * *

For our walk today we took a path not too far from here. The forecast was for a storm coming in from the north sea, but it must have been delayed because the afternoon there was calm. 

One of the first sights that met us was this: someone had decided to use the side of the path to dump some old wheel rims. 

Not a pretty sight, and I don't really know why anyone needs to do that. But, as with many things in life, look at them from another angle, or take a closer look, and suddenly they become interesting, and even pretty. You discover shapes, patterns, shadows and texture. 

Further down the path was a regular little work place. After having cut the timber, some of it had been chopped up for fire wood, packed in sacks and set aside to dry. 

You use whatever you have to cover it up to keep it dry; some tarps or sheets of old tin roofing. Add a few rock to keep it in place in a storm. These logs may be destined to keep the farmers own house warm in the winter, or maybe to be sold and provide some extra income. 

Some of the timber had been cut into boards, and also stored to dry. Maybe someone will be building a new house using timber from their own forrest? How cool would that be?

The left-overs were were just that, left, no indication given as to what would become of them. They were not even protected from the elements. But aren't the brown colors of the wet wood ends beautiful?

We reached a small lake that was bordered by swampy terrain. An old tree root lived there. I know that 6000 year old oak logs have been dug out of swamps in this area. In those days this part if the country was covered in huge oak forests. Now there are few left. But some remains have been found well preserved in these swamps.

A small habitat of plants has developed inside the root.

This looks so peaceful, but maybe it's the calm before the storm?

We've had loads of rain lately, and the wood floor is soaking wet, providing perfect conditions for mushrooms. I know nothing about them, and could never pick them for food, but they make interesting photo motifs. We saw so many different kinds, some growing from the ground, and some actually growing off tree legs.

Some of the large trees must have a very shallow root system, and a storm has blown this one over. 

By this lake we turned back. Going back up the slope was hard on Sigve, he gets out of breath as soon as he has to walk slightly up hill. But by going very slowly, and taking breaks, we get there eventually.

So this bench was too tempting to pass by. And it was a lovely spot,

looking out over the first lake we passed. 

This area has been farmed, and some of the old farm equipment was still there in what had been a field. It looked like one day the farmer had just not bothered to take it home with him at the end of the day. 

Again, go close and change the angle.

The farmer before him had apparently done the same thing. This plough is older than the first one, and also left outside. So what if the son saw what his father did, and kept up the tradition, so to speak?

Old engineering art.

Contrary to the more shallowly rooted trees, you also find the ones that are securely fastened, and I'm not sure if even a hurricane would get this one down. It had roots going in all directions, up and down the rock face. Not very easy to photograph because of the branches, but you get an idea.

Some dead, soaked tree legs were covered in mushrooms.

And finally, the troll that lives in this rock left his calling card on the door :-)

Funny thing, 10 minutes after we got home, it started raining and blowing :-)

Today I am grateful for:

*Uncomplicated days

*A positive state of mind

*Our walks