Entering a new world - during a strange time
We boarded a plane with more empty seats than we've seen in awhile this morning. The 2nd leg, into Seattle, was even more empty. I surprisingly saw very few masks, even in Seattle today. The world seems to be going crazy and shutting down with the CovID-19 virus (corona virus), but life seems to be going along here as normal. People are constantly using Purell - as we are.
We decided to rent a car because it is about $125 for the 3 days and taking an uber to where we're staying cost $47 one way. It's probably better not to depend on public transportation right now - it could shut down at any moment. The schools are now closing for the next 2 weeks; I overheard a mom lamenting on what she is going to do with her kiddos for the next 2 weeks.
We are staying at SCCA House - Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. This is a pretty cool place where cancer patients and caretakers can stay in a large hostel-type facility with tons of heightened cleaning standards to protect patients going through chemo and transplants, great security and services like a front desk dedicated to providing whatever they can to cancer patients, a place to get fitted for bras and compression garments after surgery or get your head shaved if your hair starts to fall out. There are common areas for doing puzzles and playing games, a kids' play room, and a small work out room. There is a meditation room and a media room to watch movies. The common pantry came in handy tonight with fruit cups and oatmeal packets for the morning. There are no restaurants right here but we can walk a few blocks to find some when we want.
Our room is like a dorm room with a little kitchenette, a moderately comfortable double bed, a desk, and a bathroom, of course. Some people stay here for extended stays for treatment. You don't pay tax and the room is only about $85 per night for us. There is a laundry room but I haven't checked out how much it costs. You can see how this would help someone who needs to stay awhile.
Being here gives me some anxiety, however. It makes things very real to be identified as the patient and Andy as my caretaker. But, it's good, too. I'm grateful for the resource and the extra steps for safety right now.
Tomorrow, we meet Dr. Andrea Shustov for his opinion on where we go from here. He's the doctor I learned about from patients on facebook. I hope he doesn't ridicule me for what we have (or haven't) done thus far and that he can give us guidance on how to use treatment to get me feeling better. Specifically, the fatigue, hoarseness with having to force my voice which is exhausting, and the swelling and intermittent pain in my hands, feet, wrists, ankles all are making normal life difficult or impossible. I have taken work off for the time being, realizing I may not actually go back if treatment takes me to the point of when I can retire. That is a hard reality to think about - I have LOVED my job, the people I work with have blessed me deeply, and the students who are striving for a better life through education are so fun and inspiring and encouraging to work with. They make me better.
I am reminded of the many times I have thought life has "peaked," only to have new adventures waiting right around the corner. I am praying this isn't the beginning of the end. I know that sounds ominous and dramatic, but I do have those thoughts creep in. I pray that I look back in the future with gratitude that God was helping me to give up the great things in my life through all of this, just to be more blessed than I could ever imagine.
And, I pray that sharing this experience somehow serves a good purpose besides just a place for me to keep track of the details of this journey. xoxo
We decided to rent a car because it is about $125 for the 3 days and taking an uber to where we're staying cost $47 one way. It's probably better not to depend on public transportation right now - it could shut down at any moment. The schools are now closing for the next 2 weeks; I overheard a mom lamenting on what she is going to do with her kiddos for the next 2 weeks.
We are staying at SCCA House - Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. This is a pretty cool place where cancer patients and caretakers can stay in a large hostel-type facility with tons of heightened cleaning standards to protect patients going through chemo and transplants, great security and services like a front desk dedicated to providing whatever they can to cancer patients, a place to get fitted for bras and compression garments after surgery or get your head shaved if your hair starts to fall out. There are common areas for doing puzzles and playing games, a kids' play room, and a small work out room. There is a meditation room and a media room to watch movies. The common pantry came in handy tonight with fruit cups and oatmeal packets for the morning. There are no restaurants right here but we can walk a few blocks to find some when we want.
Our room is like a dorm room with a little kitchenette, a moderately comfortable double bed, a desk, and a bathroom, of course. Some people stay here for extended stays for treatment. You don't pay tax and the room is only about $85 per night for us. There is a laundry room but I haven't checked out how much it costs. You can see how this would help someone who needs to stay awhile.
Being here gives me some anxiety, however. It makes things very real to be identified as the patient and Andy as my caretaker. But, it's good, too. I'm grateful for the resource and the extra steps for safety right now.
Tomorrow, we meet Dr. Andrea Shustov for his opinion on where we go from here. He's the doctor I learned about from patients on facebook. I hope he doesn't ridicule me for what we have (or haven't) done thus far and that he can give us guidance on how to use treatment to get me feeling better. Specifically, the fatigue, hoarseness with having to force my voice which is exhausting, and the swelling and intermittent pain in my hands, feet, wrists, ankles all are making normal life difficult or impossible. I have taken work off for the time being, realizing I may not actually go back if treatment takes me to the point of when I can retire. That is a hard reality to think about - I have LOVED my job, the people I work with have blessed me deeply, and the students who are striving for a better life through education are so fun and inspiring and encouraging to work with. They make me better.
I am reminded of the many times I have thought life has "peaked," only to have new adventures waiting right around the corner. I am praying this isn't the beginning of the end. I know that sounds ominous and dramatic, but I do have those thoughts creep in. I pray that I look back in the future with gratitude that God was helping me to give up the great things in my life through all of this, just to be more blessed than I could ever imagine.
And, I pray that sharing this experience somehow serves a good purpose besides just a place for me to keep track of the details of this journey. xoxo
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