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Not much to write today - we spent the day driving around the TC, picking up test results, xrays, scans, and all manner of other stuff that the Mayo wants to see when we go down tomorrow. So odd to have this in OUR possession. That's 9/10's of the diagnosis, baby.
I was also incredibly lucky to meet a new friend this weekend (she babysits for a neighbor whose boys Max has adopted as new good friends) and she has great kids Max & Hannah's age. Between her and another new friend (whose daughter's in Max's class) we have childcare covered when we go down to Rochester tomorrow.
If they want to keep Gerry a few days for tests, and they probably will, we'll get a hotel room ("GET A ROOM!" - any suggestions?) and I'll come back and be with the kids.
He'll be there alone. Sometimes alone is good, sometimes it's not - we'll have to see which this is. Then the kids and I will go down and spend the last night with him (pool?) and come home. That's the plan, man.
The emails and comments are overwhelming, thank you. I feel very humbled, and very proud of all of my friends. How's THAT for a set of mixed feelings?
I'll try to answer the emails personally right away - if I don't, please forgive me. Below are some responses to some comments...
Gina - you're always nearby, girlfriend!
Barbara - eh - not so hard. It looks harder from the outside. It's hard in here, too, but circumstances alters cats!
Penny - Well, at least take off the stilettos before you stick in in again...; ) My, that sounded terrible...
Judy - excellent comments - thanks for the input!
Susan SW - Sweetie- what can I do for YOU?? Oy, that sounds like a bad fall, and I know you put so much effort into your mobility as it is! Thank you - for everything - you're a jewel.
Shoeboots - All Juju gratefully accepted.
Donna - good advice. No's are hard, but that's where having a dad who was a salesman is a good thing.
Lee - Team LANDY! Rhymes with CANDY! (my husband and I have different last names)
Ruth - We're looking into support groups - lots of stuff to get through at one time. We have not yet had a chance to join a temple and you KNOW how that eats at me, but there hasn't been a time since we've been here that we could have gone. I'm over feeling guilty about it - I know we'll find one when we're able. I'm a big fan of the happy god (vs. the vengeful god)
Marie - Lovin' Arlo!
Penny - See the power of the foot-eating dance? It helped your mom's partner!
Joanne - We'll see. I'm not that easy... Care packages, though, not so bad. I may get a PO box nearby.
Rho - Nice lighthouse...
Polarbears - Yes, saying we can handle it can be a big fat lie. I like my lies like I like my men...
Lisa - My heart goes out to you, girlfriend. I cannot imagine what you and Robb are dealing with - which sounds so trite (haven't you heard that about 10,000 times by now? But it's true!)
Dear, you can use ANYTHING off of my blog that you want. Let's email - if I'm near you I'll come and give Robb some knitting lessons and he may turn into the new Kaffe Fasset (if we're not careful...) I'm supposed to be in San Fran area in September. We'll see...
It sounds idiotic, but things WILL work out. You're both plucky, it will suck, but even when it sucks like a hoover, life is beautiful. Put THAT on a pillow...
Gingersnaps - Yes, it made me smile. And the ginger was zing-gy!
Terri - I definitely have to check out Crafty Planet - and Simon Delivers. That will be good when I'm out of town. As far as stalkerish lunch dates - are we talking Barbary Fig, or Wendy's?
Kristi - It doth suck.
Sarah - I will DEFINITELY check it out. My laziness has been boundless as far as checking out knitting groups and temples (the two things I miss so much!)
Caroncm - I've heard that about the Mayo (which Hannah keeps calling - without irony - the Mayonnaise Clinic)
PJ - Wait a few days. I've heard there are friends who are putting a website together for me to help facilitate help from non-local folks, so I'd rather wait until it's good to go before pleas for help start making the rounds. Right now, just think good things for Gerry (like he'll get taller & get his hair back...)
Hey Melissa - email me and I'll put you on the local volunteer list so you can see the evenings when we might need dinner. It may not be for a while!
SusanC - Thanks!
Anon - I have my iPod that records - thanks for the reminder, I have to charge it tonight!
Beth - See my note to PJ above - that might be a more feasible scenario in the coming days. I am slowing coming to terms with the fact that we can't continue as we're going because we'll run out of funds. Odd how things finally catch up with you.
Dragon - You have!
Anna-Liza - I feel that way, too. I've even told folks, "asking someone is giving them an opportunity for a mitzvah / blessing" - feels so different when we're doing the asking, huh?
Shannon - I'll take the shoulder and the ear - but there are few things I like less than talking on the phone! Email, though, is great.
Linguist - NEVER wish yourself out of Cali, baby!
Jess - It sounds like you have MORE on your plate than I do these days - thank you!
Jill - I'm sorry, I just forgot what you wrote - let me look it up again (just joking. I know, not funny...)
RC - OMG - someone in philly loves me!
Keri - Oh, frig, I LOVE crochet. I would never stoop to that silly knit vs. crochet thing. I also love truffles. Just sayin'
Kim - You think you wish you lived nearby because you think you want to help me, but the truth is you really wish you lived nearby because the Twin Cities are so darned amazing!
Emily - Thanksssssssssssssssssss!
Jeanne - I was there, too with my mom a few years ago. It's so rough, isn't it? I'm so glad I was there, though.
Knitintensity - Chins are up - all 5 of them.
Laurie - Damnit girl, let's set the date!
Susan - My mom found me boring, too. Sometimes she talked to my brother (recently passed) or to the walls. Not really. But I was boring. Her roommate looked like the 6 Flags Old Guy from the ads last year, so I was REALLY boring by comparison.
Susan & Harriet - I miss you guys SO much, and I use that teapot almost every day. Mwa. (Everyone in NJ - go visit Knit a Bit!)
SueJ - Are you in the alps in that picture?
Judith - THAT is fascinating - I will definitely look into the GM folks. Wow! H&M could USE some grandparents!
Smittenwithknitten - Thanks!
Cate - Thanks - you may hear from me soon!
Kathleen - Thanks - ditto!
I was also incredibly lucky to meet a new friend this weekend (she babysits for a neighbor whose boys Max has adopted as new good friends) and she has great kids Max & Hannah's age. Between her and another new friend (whose daughter's in Max's class) we have childcare covered when we go down to Rochester tomorrow.
If they want to keep Gerry a few days for tests, and they probably will, we'll get a hotel room ("GET A ROOM!" - any suggestions?) and I'll come back and be with the kids.
He'll be there alone. Sometimes alone is good, sometimes it's not - we'll have to see which this is. Then the kids and I will go down and spend the last night with him (pool?) and come home. That's the plan, man.
The emails and comments are overwhelming, thank you. I feel very humbled, and very proud of all of my friends. How's THAT for a set of mixed feelings?
I'll try to answer the emails personally right away - if I don't, please forgive me. Below are some responses to some comments...
Gina - you're always nearby, girlfriend!
Barbara - eh - not so hard. It looks harder from the outside. It's hard in here, too, but circumstances alters cats!
Penny - Well, at least take off the stilettos before you stick in in again...; ) My, that sounded terrible...
Judy - excellent comments - thanks for the input!
Susan SW - Sweetie- what can I do for YOU?? Oy, that sounds like a bad fall, and I know you put so much effort into your mobility as it is! Thank you - for everything - you're a jewel.
Shoeboots - All Juju gratefully accepted.
Donna - good advice. No's are hard, but that's where having a dad who was a salesman is a good thing.
Lee - Team LANDY! Rhymes with CANDY! (my husband and I have different last names)
Ruth - We're looking into support groups - lots of stuff to get through at one time. We have not yet had a chance to join a temple and you KNOW how that eats at me, but there hasn't been a time since we've been here that we could have gone. I'm over feeling guilty about it - I know we'll find one when we're able. I'm a big fan of the happy god (vs. the vengeful god)
Margie - (why, speaking of the Simpsons...) Those are pretty much my thoughts, too. I'm not pessimistic at all - just very hopeful, and realistic, too. That's why I'm not really taking many more teaching engagements for next year s I can spend time here. I'm trying to get some book projects happening to make the stay at home part easier to rationalize.
Marge: [listening to `You Light Up My Life' on the radio] Our song.
Homer: I bet the guy she was singing that about was real happy.
Marge: Well, actually, she was singing about God.
Homer: Oh, well, He's always happy. No, wait, He's always mad...
-- Look, do you want a happy God or a vengeful God?
Marie - Lovin' Arlo!
Penny - See the power of the foot-eating dance? It helped your mom's partner!
Joanne - We'll see. I'm not that easy... Care packages, though, not so bad. I may get a PO box nearby.
Rho - Nice lighthouse...
Polarbears - Yes, saying we can handle it can be a big fat lie. I like my lies like I like my men...
Lisa - My heart goes out to you, girlfriend. I cannot imagine what you and Robb are dealing with - which sounds so trite (haven't you heard that about 10,000 times by now? But it's true!)
Dear, you can use ANYTHING off of my blog that you want. Let's email - if I'm near you I'll come and give Robb some knitting lessons and he may turn into the new Kaffe Fasset (if we're not careful...) I'm supposed to be in San Fran area in September. We'll see...
It sounds idiotic, but things WILL work out. You're both plucky, it will suck, but even when it sucks like a hoover, life is beautiful. Put THAT on a pillow...
Gingersnaps - Yes, it made me smile. And the ginger was zing-gy!
Terri - I definitely have to check out Crafty Planet - and Simon Delivers. That will be good when I'm out of town. As far as stalkerish lunch dates - are we talking Barbary Fig, or Wendy's?
Kristi - It doth suck.
Sarah - I will DEFINITELY check it out. My laziness has been boundless as far as checking out knitting groups and temples (the two things I miss so much!)
Caroncm - I've heard that about the Mayo (which Hannah keeps calling - without irony - the Mayonnaise Clinic)
PJ - Wait a few days. I've heard there are friends who are putting a website together for me to help facilitate help from non-local folks, so I'd rather wait until it's good to go before pleas for help start making the rounds. Right now, just think good things for Gerry (like he'll get taller & get his hair back...)
Hey Melissa - email me and I'll put you on the local volunteer list so you can see the evenings when we might need dinner. It may not be for a while!
SusanC - Thanks!
Anon - I have my iPod that records - thanks for the reminder, I have to charge it tonight!
Beth - See my note to PJ above - that might be a more feasible scenario in the coming days. I am slowing coming to terms with the fact that we can't continue as we're going because we'll run out of funds. Odd how things finally catch up with you.
Dragon - You have!
Anna-Liza - I feel that way, too. I've even told folks, "asking someone is giving them an opportunity for a mitzvah / blessing" - feels so different when we're doing the asking, huh?
Shannon - I'll take the shoulder and the ear - but there are few things I like less than talking on the phone! Email, though, is great.
Linguist - NEVER wish yourself out of Cali, baby!
Jess - It sounds like you have MORE on your plate than I do these days - thank you!
Jill - I'm sorry, I just forgot what you wrote - let me look it up again (just joking. I know, not funny...)
RC - OMG - someone in philly loves me!
Keri - Oh, frig, I LOVE crochet. I would never stoop to that silly knit vs. crochet thing. I also love truffles. Just sayin'
Kim - You think you wish you lived nearby because you think you want to help me, but the truth is you really wish you lived nearby because the Twin Cities are so darned amazing!
Emily - Thanksssssssssssssssssss!
Jeanne - I was there, too with my mom a few years ago. It's so rough, isn't it? I'm so glad I was there, though.
Knitintensity - Chins are up - all 5 of them.
Laurie - Damnit girl, let's set the date!
Susan - My mom found me boring, too. Sometimes she talked to my brother (recently passed) or to the walls. Not really. But I was boring. Her roommate looked like the 6 Flags Old Guy from the ads last year, so I was REALLY boring by comparison.
Susan & Harriet - I miss you guys SO much, and I use that teapot almost every day. Mwa. (Everyone in NJ - go visit Knit a Bit!)
SueJ - Are you in the alps in that picture?
Judith - THAT is fascinating - I will definitely look into the GM folks. Wow! H&M could USE some grandparents!
Smittenwithknitten - Thanks!
Cate - Thanks - you may hear from me soon!
Kathleen - Thanks - ditto!
12 Comments:
I can't believe you found time to reply to all of us! You are truly amazing :) Best of luck at Mayo tomorrow, and with the plan to get a room. If you do get that PO box for care packages, please let us all know -- you'll be flooded. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow; travel safely!
Annie,
I live in Rochester, MN, and have some familiarity with the Mayo Clinic (I do some volunteer work there and my husband's work for them is what brought us to MN in 1999). I am guessing that you are going to be at Gonda, Mayo, and/or Methodist in terms of the different buildings. As to a hotel, that would depend a lot on how much you want to spend. I would be happy to meet you for coffee, lunch, knitting, hand-holding, etc. My bolg: http://www. barbararochester.blogspot.com/. I would be happy to help in any way I can.
I have stayed at the Kahler. It is right next to Mayo and is quite nice. Good luck.
Please know I'm here if I can be of any assistance and lovingly offer both shoulders for you at any time. I, too, would LOVE to help out with care packages, surprises for the kids, for you, for Gerry! In other words, let us know when you get your PO Box set up.
I am disabled and spend a great deal of time in bed, so I'm afraid that I can't volunteer my services (I'm not dependable because of the disability) to set up a blog or website for you so that you can have a centralized location to let us know what you want, need, would love to have just to make you (all of you) feel better in any way. But, I know that someone (or perhaps a team) is going to come along that is dependable and will get a blog or website set up so that we can check in to see what you need/want/desire. From there we all can coordinate to make sure ya'll get all of those things and we all don't send you huge boxes of the same thing. I wish I could do this, I am so sorry that I can not, BUT, I want to be emailed with this web addy, as well as your PO Box (although, I'm guessing you will put it here).
All that to say....I want to help, we all do!
I continue to pray for all of you and this may sound odd from a "cyber" friend, but it's meant from the bottom of my heart, much love to you and your family.
Becka
I've stayed at the Kahler (right downtown, next to Mayo). It can be expensive, but they have an economy branch that is also connected to Mayo via the skyway/tunnel system. I believe they also have a special rate for Mayo patients.
Hope that all has gone as well as can be expected at the Mayo Clinic today and that you feel that you have been heard and that you have understood what you have been told so far. Interesting article in the Personal Journal section of the Wall Street Journal about Online Patient Groups --if you haven't already checked them out. ACOR.org(159 online groups tracks clinical trials, research papers and such), MPDINFO.org(blood cancer on-line group) and e-patients.net (originally developed by a physician who had multiple myeloma). Don't know if any of this is new to you but thought you might wish to explore as added resources.
When university is not in session, the dorm rooms are often available at a fairly inexpensive rate for people who are in town for various reasons. It is an unadvertised special because they don't want to compete with hotels/motels in the city. Check whether there's something like that in Rochester. Or even a hospice type of rooming arrangement. In Toronto people stay at the "youth" hostel when they're coming for tests. Pretty basic accommodation, but inexpensive. And in many ways not as isolated as a hotel room. Good luck. Sending white light/positive energy your way.
Marlyce in Windsor, Ontario
Annie, My thoughts are with you and your family! I hope the trip to Rochester is productive.
I am looking forward to Romantic Knits!
Sarah in Alaska
I've stayed in the Kahler, very lovely but can be pricey, is basically across the street from where you'll likely have to go.
The Marriott Express is a couple of blocks down the street the other way, nice and clean, cheaper than the Kahler, and has a full complimentary breakfast every day. They also have a "happy hour" sort of thing every evening, one night tacos, the next stuffed baked potatoes, etc. The rooms are suites with full kitchens, very comfortable.
The Best Western is nice and clean rooms are small, didn't have their breakfast, but they do have a bar with very friendly barkeep. :-) It is a few blocks away, you could probably walk it easily, Gerry, not so much, but the free shuttle is very accommodating.
The are underground tunnels to both the Kahler and the Marriott Express (other hotels I suspect too) in the case of foul weather.
When we stayed at the Marriott we parked the car in their lot and never moved it the entire week. There are plenty of places within walking distance for eating and entertainment.
You've been getting tons of comments and feedback, so I've been lurking rather than adding more for you to read...until now. If you are letting Gerry handle most of the appointments himself, you really need some sort of recording devise for the doctor's remarks. It's hard to remember what a doctor said exactly when you're feeling well, let alone if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed with medical jargon. Another option might be to take the kids along on the second day for some fun in the parks or swimming pools of Rochester, and you could only go to an appointment if it was a meeting with the doctors rather than a test. Mayo is so accomodating with family members as many people come from a great distance and the whole family is around...I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by their process and helpfulness. Also, if you are there for any doctor's meetings, you can ask your own questions rather than saying to Gerry later, "Well, did you ask them about...? Why not?"
OK, my bad. But I want you in there too cause the help and caring are for you, too. So, Team Landy-Modesitt?
I definately think that a Team Landy-Modesitt P.O.Box would be a great thing. I could think of a few funny things that the kids would like finding in a package and I bet I could come up with some goodies for you and Gerry!
It's smart to let others give a helping hand - someday you will be able to pass the helping hand on to someone else in need.(That's what I did when I was lucky enough to be the receiver of many kindness in a time of need).
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