Today was our usual trip to St. Joseph to take care of Suzanne’s dad. Since this whole COVID thing started, Suzanne decided to check in on him every week. It’s only a 45 min drive that goes quickly as Suzanne reads to me from her cooking magazines looking for the next dish to try and I listen to Pandora Radio. I love music, all kinds, but Country would be my standard goto; except on Sundays. This day is reserved for…
The next 5 days are supposed to be just normal for us. It’s that time between the last diagnostic test and the Dr’s presentation of results. Your mind can’t help but wonder because of the unknown. Has it spread? How will we get through this? What about our kids? What about the love of my life? But for the next 5 days, normal will have to be just that, normal. Daily chores, Quilt for a friend, Dentist appointment, freeze the…
You feel like you’re in a race as you get in the car; drive 2 hrs (including the stress of the stop & go at the I94 to I90 Chicago interchange); find a place to park, have your temperature taken; patient registration; then WAIT. Suzanne is called & WAIT, WAIT, & WAIT. It’s a lot of alone time. For most people, that’s a good thing, for me, not so. I’m an active social type of guy who likes to be…
A Pet scan is in line for tomorrow to determine if the cancer has spread anywhere else. Heading to the main campus of Rush University in downtown Chicago, a fun drive (sarcasm). Suzanne said ‘It’s a good thing that this isn’t you and I’m driving’. Boy was she right. Results won’t be available till we meet the new Dr next Thursday the 13th.
When health insuance changed back in the mid 20-teens, Suzanne & I chose to move to Medi-Sharel, the christian health care expense sharing organization. Watching how it worked in the life of our nephew was a main factor but also that all the local medical organizaitons around us worked with this group. It was an easy decision. Now we find that the Rush Medical Group does not participate with Medi-Share. Rush is going to consider us a ‘Cash’ customer and…
Just posted on Facebook about Suzanne’s cancer. As I’m not a big FB user I had to question: what to say? How positive / negative / realistic should it be? and of course, how do you respond to all the comments? It’s undoubtedly the best method to reach all those acquaintances you have in the world. It also reaches that extended family that would take an infinite amount of time to reach individually but needs to be done. So now…
It’s Sunday morning and heading to Suzanne’s dad’s for our weekly visit for a meal and groceries. But, this trip is different. In the past 3 days, her life has gone from vibrant and healthy to wondering what the future holds. Now Suzanne has to muster up the courage to try and explain to her dad the journey she is on and it was heart-wrenching for me. I could tell that she was struggling with the words to say as…
Now we have to tell eveyone the news that knowone wants to hear, Suzanne has cancer! At first, the list is easy but the calls are hard with lots of tears. The kids; the brothers & sisters; the parents?… Nope, that one has to be in person. That’s the easy list. Then friends & extended family. How do you choose and what’s the order? And when you think you’re all done, the questions start: “Did you call ………?” “What about…
Today we met Dr Ashok Jagasiar at Gibson Hospital and he changed our lives forever. His diagnosis of a large mass in the back of Suzanne’s throat has started the clock on a journey that no-one wishes to be on. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Proverbs 3:5-6