Our New Life

Today was a normal day of our new life. Up in the morning, breakfast, in the car to drive to the Radiation Center, then off to find something to do for the rest of the day.

The weather has been bitter cold with temps way below zero. I told Justin to pack his winter coat and he told me he didn't have one anymore...he left it back at college. So off we went today to get him a real coat. After searching many stores, we finally found a really good one. On sale. Unfortunately, the sale price was way more than I wanted to spend...but everything else was very low quality. Oh, well, now we won't have to worry about it anymore. He is warm, and I am happy.

We have been getting to know the others staying here. I met one couple last night-Cherie and Alan. Alan has a brain tumor similar to Justin's, but in the later stage. His doc told him if he did all the treatments, he might live 14 more months. He was very concerned about Justin and was a real encouragement to me. I found out quickly that they are Christians, so the bond we share was evident from the start. Now I look for them each time I go to the common areas.

Trial Run

Justin had a trial run today, to make sure all was ready when he starts getting radiation tomorrow. It was easy and fast. We get to park in the valet parking, where the car stays for the few minutes we are there.

So it begins.

Settled In Our New Home

What a lovely place we will be living in for the next 7 weeks. It is such a beautiful and calming place to stay.

When we first arrived yesterday, we got the royal treatment and a tour first before going to our room. There are 29 rooms for families just like mine. The bedroooms have beds, dressers and chairs, but no TV and no tables, on purpose. They want us to mingle with others, so they have common areas where we all gather. The kitchen/dining room area is in the middle of the 2nd floor. It has four full kitchens in one room with tables and chairs for everyone. Many people can be preparing food or cleaning up without getting in each other's way. We have a section of one of the fridges and freezer, and a cupboard that locks with our room key. We have to provide our own food and do the preparation and cleanup. The kitchens have everything you can think of for cooking, and the counters hold "shared" items that are for all of us, like cookies someone makes, or a box of Florida oranges someone brought in. Food is only allowed in the kitchen area. No food is permitted in the other rooms.
There are many lounges or living areas with couches, tables, TVs, games, magazines and fireplaces. There is a fitness room, laundry room, computers rooms, library, meeting room (people have their craft projects set up in there to work on as time allows). As you walk around, you can't belive how many people actually live here, because there are so many little nooks for a person to go to. They also have ideas to do outside of the hospital/Lodge area.
A few more rules; you must wear shoes or socks, you must sign in and out if leaving, you must be quiet between 9:00pm and 7:00am near the bedrooms, and you must take care of everything to the best of your ability. Everyone is held to a high standard for keeping the Lodge beautiful.
They gave us a "suite", so we have a room with 2 beds, a room with 2 chairs, and a bathroom. It is nice for me if I want to stay up later than Justin. We love it here, and know we are mightily blessed.

We MUST Know!

No matter how I figure it, staying in a hotel is going to break us. It will cost more than $1,000 for a hotel during his treatments, IF we get the hospital rate, IF the weather holds, IF he feels good enough to travel, and IF my car holds out. That thousand dollars is right off the top, before gas, food, rent, utilities, and all the other things that have to be paid, all while I am not working.

I just HAD to call the Hope Lodge, to see if there was ANY way he could get in. Even if it was only for a week or two, that would be better than nothing.

So I got on the phone and called them. Treatments start tomorrow and we just can't wait any longer. The not knowing is killing me. When I called, they were very kind, got me right to the person I needed. I tried to act casual, as if it was no big deal, instead of desperate like I felt. I asked what the status was on Justin getting to stay there, and how long was the waiting list, just in case?

She was so friendly, and acted surprised that I didn't already know. She told me he was in, there was a room waiting for him, ready now.

WHAT?!!! He's in?!!! Now?!!! Wow. I kept thanking her over and over and she just laughed. I told her there was a snowstorm coming overnight and she said it was OK to come today, a day early. The room was ready for both of us.

Praise God! He had everything planned and in place before we even knew we needed it.

So we are done packing and ready for our adventure, minus the hotel. Yes!

We MUST Know!

No matter how I figured it out, our cost for a hotel at the hospital rate would start at about $1,000 for Justin's stay. IF the weather holds, IF they give us the hospital rate, IF he feels good enough to travel, IF they give us a later time for his treatments, and IF my car hold out. We would try to go early Monday morning, spend Monday through Thursday nights at the hotel, and come home after his Friday treatments. I couldn't figure out how it was going to work financially. A thousand bucks right off the top, before gas, food, rent, utilities and other normal costs just didn't seem doable.

I HAD to call Hope Lodge, just to see if there was a chance we would get in. Even with a waiting list, a few weeks there for no cost would make a big difference.

So I got on the phone and called. They were really nice, got me to the person in charge, who got on the phone almost immediately. I tried to act like it didn't matter, and just casually asked if they knew if Justin could stay, and how long the waiting list looked IF he got in. I didn't want to seem desperate, even though I was.

She acted surprised that I called, like I should have been notified sooner. She said, "Oh, he's in, and we have a room ready now. You can come today if you would like."

What?!! Just like that and he is in?!! NOW?!! Wow. I thanked her over and over and she just laughed. I told her that due to a snowstorm coming in, we would love to come over a day early!

So we are throwing together our stuff and taking off!!

God is so good, He had plans for us even before we knew we needed them. Praise Him for his mercy, grace, and goodness!

Support From Everywhere

Everywhere we turn, people are there to support us. They always have a kind word, a prayer or a hug. It is so greatly needed! Being alone through this would be very difficult.

Thanks to EVERY PERSON who has stood in the gap for us; prayers, encouragement, hugs, cards, gifts and support. We feel such peace through this that we KNOW people are praying.

Thanks to my family and small group for going above and beyond for us. We love you so much.

Vacation?

I'm officially off work until March 2. It is too early to tell what it is like not to have to go to work every day. I think I will like it (but not forever).

We are trying to plan what we need while in Iowa City. We still haven't heard from the Hope Lodge, so we are just getting basic things ready.

It is hard to believe this is really happening.