What's the Haps?

News....news....news....

H. qualified for disability!  The benefit is around what he was getting for unemployment.  He got a back payment from April 17th through this past week - so yeah!  Unfortunately, we just sold some stock to pay his car insurance bill and now, technically, he has enough to pay it in full from the back payment - so we'll have some discussions about putting back the money we cashed out and reinvesting it?  Or just leaving it in savings.  And discussions about paying for the car repairs we recently paid for as well as reinstating the $50 a week 'room and board' we were having him pay when he was working.  Lest folks think we are being harsh, our out of pocket expenses for his medical bills, prescriptions, travel to/from doctors, etc. are not small and not nearly covered by the $50 a week - that just helps with groceries and electricity, basically. We'll see how those negotiations go.

And remind him that he's gone through $140 plus in just the past few days alone - getting his PICC out led to a variety of activities he's been unable to do being reinstated.  Hanging out with friends is expensive....especially now that he's legal and able to order a beer or two with dinner.

If you haven't watched the video of the woman kicking butt on American Ninja Warrior, you've got to watch it.  So, so amazing - I feel inspired to work out like a maniac just watching her.  Mental toughness and physical ability is really powerful when combined into a force - and she sure is one.  Way to go, Kacy Catanzaro!  You were so incredibly AMAZING!!

Sadness for Malaysia again.  Holy crap - can't believe another jet of theirs down - and this one intentionally taken down by militant fire.  Fly higher, folks.  Really.  And don't take jets over areas where militants have long range ground weapons they can fire at unsuspecting commercial aircraft.  Un-f-ing believable....prayers to the families of the victims.

I worked yesterday, will work tomorrow, then in the office M-W and then, I am miraculously off again Th-F next week.  It's a risk - but I need to use up as many carryover days this month as humanly possible.  I carried over 20 days - that's 4 full extra weeks I worked this past year.  I am committed to NOT doing that in this school year and I need to burn through carryover to help ensure I don't build up a ton of days.  Year-end is fast approaching but I know we will get it done.  The team is 'onboard' and I feel rejuvenated and energized, surprisingly.  I think the good news re: H. has really helped.

Wait!  What good news?  Oh - forgot you don't know that part yet.  We saw the radiologist for a consultation on Monday - nice doctor.  Plan is for three weeks of radiation everyday M-F.

Saw the oncologist on Tuesday - confirmed what radiologist had said - blood clot totally 'resolved'.  Gone! No more Lovenox injections into his stomach everyday!  No more restrictions on activities.  And no more chemo - so his PICC line was removed on Tuesday during the home nurse visit.  Yeah!  He's back to 'normal' on many fronts and even though cancer is still there and it's still a huge 'thing', it's nice to have some normality back in his life.  He can shower; jump in the pool; get into a lake; target shoot; basketball with friends; work out and lift weights at the gym; etc.!  Things he's missed so much in the past month as the clot became center stage.

The tumor (mass) responded well to the chemo so now, the hope is radiation will blast it to bits and it will be non-existent at the end of his three weeks.  Then a lot of followups and blood work and regular scans but hopefully back on the road to full recovery.

After oncologist appointment Tuesday, we headed back to radiologist (right across the parking lot) and H. got three more tattoos - teeny, tiny dots of permanent ink on his chest that will help them 'line up' where he needs to be in the scanner for best placement of the radiation.  We were lucky to be wedged in again so we didn't have to drive back to Modesto another day to do that.  The staff at both offices are very, very nice and helpful.  H. can even drive himself to/from the radiation appointments - unlike chemo, he won't have any serious side effects that start during the treatment.

So - we're moving forward.  He's in good spirits; feels good; not excited about daily trips to Modesto for three weeks but oh well.  His side effects should be few (OH - and he never lost his hair even after six chemo rounds - the doctor was pretty impressed).  Some fatigue from radiation is expected as well as his skin eventually having a 'bad sunburn' from the radiation.

Tomorrow, I drive to Visalia (where J. grew up) and attend a budget workshop in the morning.  I'll have a nice lunch and then probably drive by the old house and head home.  Have a hair appointment at 7PM tomorrow which I desperately need 'cuz it's been close to two months and my long-ish hair in this heat is not a great plan.  It's flat as a pancake shortly after foofing it.  :-(

Happy weekend!! (soon.  Very soon).  My goal for 14-15 school year is to enjoy weekends! vs. working them.  :-)  Here's hoping.