Hope you are able to get lots of sunny outdoor time. This afternoon it poured in Chicago and it may be headed east. When you are stuck in the apartment, do you get to do much else beside clean and watch videos or TV?

Didn’t have a chance to comment, but we loved seeing the platelets and Tcells (or whatever they’re called) going up. We are rooting for those magic “get to go home” numbers. Hope your spirits keep rising with those good numbers and you get your wish to go back home very soon.

I have an idea for you re: how to keep things clean and safe for Haley. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you’ve already heard this from the docs, but here it is anyway: background: a good friend of mine had gastric bypass a couple of years ago and his doc suggested that he carry a card with him to give to waiters explaining that he’d recently had gastric bypass and that he’d need to order the kids portion. We actually got a kick out of this idea and he managed without the cards, but I thought it would be a good idea for Haley. I could get the cards made for you if you’d like. They’d be darling, of course, accented with pink and purple- or maybe blue for her eyes- (or whatever you’ve deemed to be Haley’s colors for now) and maybe have a photo of her on them and they’d have MEDICAL INSTRUCTIONS in dealing with Haley. That way, the need to be careful with her would be underscored with each visitor you have. They could say: please remember that Haley recently underwent a transplant. Please wash your hands IMMEDIATELY and then Purell them. Please admire Haley from a safe distance. If you have a cold, please tell my Mom so she can give you a mask (or so you can get the hell out of here)….Children should wash their hands too and should not touch Haley… and so on and so forth… you get the picture. That way, you wouldn’t have to constantly feel like the bossy broken record (which is basically your job, alas) that you’re going to have to be for a year. Plus, I think it might reinforce the rules for people to see it in writing. We could also hang a cute sign from Haley’s stroller letting everyone know that they should keep a safe distance. Because Haley is so young, I don’t think she’d have any emotional issues with these suggestions. Anway, just some ideas. If you send me the instructions, I’ll whip up some cute “business” cards for Haley.

I hope you’re enjoying some sunshine today. I see a little breeze out my window. I hope you have one in NY too! love, Dana