So we talked to Justin and Brianne the night before we left Dylan and Jenn's. They had the kids with them, and Peyton piped up and asked, "What's cancer Grandma?" I told her that Mommy and Daddy can explain it to her after our phone call, but for now, Grandma is pretty sick so has to go to some doctors to try and get better.When we got to Salt Lake, we called Jonathon and let him know the prognosis. We decided to tell Abe when we saw him in person, and would be setting it up with Karina's school to have the counselor be with her when we broke the news since she was still away. I have to say -- on the flight back, the wind must have been knocked out of me (or maybe the cancer was catching up with me?) because I decided to avail myself of the wheelchair assistance from one airline to the next -- it just seemed like my stamina was gone for a time, so was greatly appreciated.
CANCER WARRIORS: Throughout your journey, people are going to be at a loss as to what to say or do for you. Now -- you may not WANT them to say or do ANYTHING, but sometimes you have to allow others to DO for you - simply to allow them to bless you. It's hard at times - believe me. But other times -- I truly do welcome help. So - accept it when it's offered, graciously if possible. Later, you may not have the option of accepting help -- but for now - make the conscious effort to allow others to help you, when possible. :)
We got home and told Abe what the doctor said -- with Chemo I have 2-4 years, it's all about comfort and quality of living, and so I will need him to pitch in a bit more when he is here at home, cause Dad still has to worry about his job and I won't always be able to function as well as I am now. We all sat in the living room - stunned to silence tho occasionally I would go over and hug him as he sat there crying. He took it especially hard -- my Abey Baby. We definitely did NOT look forward to the call tomorrow with Karina. Joe decided to call Pastor Paul and Margaret the next day to let them know, so they could put it on the prayer chain at church. Joe also put out an email to his team to let them know what had happened, since they had all been asking and getting the updates Dylan had been sending out all along. The prognosis was done October 13th, 2015. October 14th we arrived home. exhausted. The 15th was phone calls and emails, then off to see my Dad in Richland and Joe's folks in West Richland. We set up Karina's call for the next day, so the counselor could get it on her schedule -- I know Karina was really concerned she had done something wrong, since she and her roommate were being summoned with the ARD to the counselor's office the next day. Poor baby girl. When the call went out, she was in the place she needed to be -- surrounded by Christian brothers and sisters who loved on her in her sadness...we were so thankful that she was there when we had to give her the news. The Lord is good -- all the time.
On the 16th, we needed to get my chemotherapy set up -- Dr Javle had given me orders for either Seattle or Portland since he had associates he had worked with in both places -- we decided Portland at OHSU (Oregon Health Science University) would be the best place. My sister Cathy and her husband Bryan lived in Vancouver (not to mention Justin and Brianne, tho with the kids, we were going to have to be careful about me getting sick once the chemo started - which they totally understood). As it turned out -- all of the doctors "on the hill" were gone until November 11th -- at some convention out of state! After several phone calls, we were finally able to set up an appointment at Adventist OHSU branch in East Portland -- a clinic where we could at least speak to a doctor. The appointment was set for October 29th. Dr Mary Newman called us into her office for an appointment to go over the results again. Afterwards, she "excused" me while she spoke with Joe. Boy -- did he get an earful! Again I could hear her yelling at him as I walked down the hallway (snickering as I went -- at least I didn't have to go thru it again!) -- she said he needs to be VERY forceful getting our appointments set and getting the proper treatment. She is a passionate, caring lady - we just love her.
In the meantime, I decided I am gonna "go for the gusto". Even though I am only 60, I felt that surely I can get social security disability or something -- I mean -- there has to be perks to having terminal cancer - right? I called Nancy to see if she would be willing to help me complete paperwork if need be with SSA, she had helped people previously during her nursing career) and she also said she would be the "contact" with SSA if need be since I figured when anything happened with me, Joe would be beside himself and may not want to answer all of the questions when necessary. I went online and signed up for social security (NOT disability) and received an email back that my claim was accepted, and a response along with documentation would be needed within 6 months of the claim. Ok -- got that done - we will see what happens. Appointment is set for chemo, now just need to keep dealing with the kids, clean my house and research what the side effects of chemotherapy will be.
