Tomorrow afternoon my husband, Craig, and I will leave for Seattle. It is about a five hour drive, fairly due west, from Spokane. Fred Hutchinson, the bone marrow transplant part of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is pretty much at the point where I-90 and I-5 meet. Wonderful touristy area, if one is a tourist. Fred Hutch has a special contracted rate with a couple local hotels. I will not shock you with what the "special" rate is..... But parking is free and there is a shuttle that will take us to Fred Hutch and return us to the hotel. Oh, I almost forgot. There's a complimentary full breakfast at the hotel!
Our children, John Paul (5) and Brennan (3) will be staying at our neighbors'/friends' home. They are very excited for two nights of sleep-over.
Monday should be a full day, starting at 8:45a going on to about 6:00p. We meet with the CML specialist, Dr. Raddich, for three hours. Then a quick lunch break. THEN the big meeting with the financial counselor. Additional meetings with a social worker, volunteer services, and an oncology nurse follow. Finally, there are optional tours of both inpatient and outpatient facilities.
If we are not total and complete zombies by the end of the day, we are going to join Craig's sister, Angie, and her husband Jim (who live in Renton) for a bite to eat.
Craig will definitely return to Spokane on Tuesday. If it is necessary for me to stay in Seattle longer for tests, I will fly back when I am done.
Not much else to say right now except for I am very nervous, can't sleep, so I decided to work on setting this blog up.
7 comments:
Hello from Dallas -
Congrats to you on getting your blog set up. Such a great way for you to reflect and "communicate".
I'm thinking of you and know this is all so overwhelming. Let others guide you through this, just take time to be in the moment and connect. Your "answers" will come together but its all a building process. !!
Keep us posted. Your a very brave person Sally.
Wishing u the best,
~Jen Griffin
Hi, sweetie - just wanted to say that I hope you know that once you get your treatment options lined up, you can call on me for any kind of support you need. In the meantime, I hope that what you discover at FH is both hopeful and feasible. I love you so much, thanks for taking the time to let us know what is going on.
On a technical note - this blog looks great, no suggestions yet ;)
Abrazos,
Casey
Sally,
I don't know if you remember me, but I was a DG with you at UCI. Sedrel is my maiden name. Anyhow, I'm good friends with Mia Nishikawa and she's kept me updated on you. I, in turn, have passed along info to other DG friends like Margaret Archer, Karissa Stewart, Tami Bainbridge, Kathi Brewis, Rita Karamardian. We're all thinking about you and praying for you!
I love your blog and have subscribed so that I can get info on you firsthand. Best of luck to you in Seattle at the FH Center. It sounds amazing! Stay strong! You inspire me!
-Amber Norquist
Dear Sally, I pray may God's angels watch over you and your family.
Hey Sal,
When and where do we go to see if we are a bone marrow match? I know it is a one in a million chances, but I would do it for you in a heartbeat!!!
Love ya,
Colette
Sally,
I think this is a great idea to keep all your friends and family in touch.
I am so anxious to hear any new news from Fred!!
Keep us posted and send the boys a big high five from Adam :-) and of course the girls.
We love you.
Jackie
Sally,
It's such a small world. I open the comments and there is Jen at the top. I am so glad you two were able to connect. Two brave, strong, smart supportive friends. I didn't remember that you were a DG. I was a DG at SMU! So we are childhood friends and sorority sisters.
You did a great job setting up your blog. I look forward to communicating via blog regularly. You will be in my prayers as you navigate your way thru this unfamiliar territory.
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