posted on October 17, 2000 10:41:21 PM new
Add me too kate. I'm sorry this must be so hard for you and your family. WIll keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well.
Oddish~ The Odd One
posted on October 27, 2000 09:38:12 PM new
I've been so busy I haven't had time to update all of you who sent such warm thoughts and prayers our way. It has been a busy week or so! The kidney removal did not happen on the 17th as previously planned. The day before the doctor ran one of those tiney cameras into hubby's bladder and found a tumor right where the good kidney drained (very much a layman's term) into his bladder. He took out that tumor on the 17th so the good kidney would continue working well.
This morning we were at the hospital at 6:30. I did not see hubby again until 6:30 this evening. What a horrible, stressful day. BUT... he's finally out of recovery, snuggled up in a warm blanket in his room, and feeling considerable pain. His doctor is very happy with the surgery having removed the kidney with the baseball size tumor still intact within the kidney. It hadn't burst through whatever it is that envelopes the kidney, so there was no spillage of the cancer. Doctor is confident he got it in what he called "first stage," and has positive feelings about a complete recovery. He will begin hubby on an immune system therapy treatment when he is well enough, but doc's feeling good about everything, all in all.
When this is all over, we are moving from the Seattle area over to our little mountain top in Northeastern Wa. No more waiting or talking about the day we give up the rat race. We're just going to do it! We're going to do some considerable "downsizing", move into our little cabin in the woods and enjoy the rest of whatever God and life brings us -without anymore stress. This has been a wake-up call for us.
Thanks again to all of you for your wonderful support.
posted on October 27, 2000 09:45:05 PM new
That is wonderful news! Hope recovery continues to go well.I think of you often and have been wondering how things were going!
I think you will like it in NE Washington. I have some friends who live there and they really like it.
posted on October 28, 2000 03:37:39 AM new
GREAT NEWS!! That is certainly good news from the doctor. They tend to be pretty conservative when giving a prognosis so it sounds wonderful to me. So happy for you!!
posted on October 28, 2000 09:01:26 AM newKate I'm so thrilled to hear such great news! I've thought about you so much during all this. I think it's fabulous that you're turning something so bad into something good. We all need a cabin in the woods and the good sense to enjoy it. My best to you both.
posted on October 28, 2000 09:44:32 AM new
ktsclutter...congratulations on both successful procedures. I'm sure it has been an agonizing time for you both.
And I admire your decision to head out the cabin. Sometimes the most terrible events can truly be blessings in disguise.
************************
That's Flunky Gerbiltush to you!
posted on October 29, 2000 06:58:02 AM new
Kate - Thanks for taking the time to give us all an update as to how things are progressing. So good to hear the doctor is so positive.
On the down sizing issue, I'd like to recommend two books and a URL for you to read as you are able. Think they may offer some useful help in doing just what you plan to do with your future.
One book, my favorite on this subject, is: Your Money or Your Life. Written by Joe Dominquez and Vicki Robin. There is a website that has grown out of the lifestyle they presented in their book. http://www.newroadmap.org/
Another is a book titled Simplify Your Life, written by Elaine St. James. (She also wrote, Inner Simplicity).
These books offer great ideas for downsizing our lives when we come to that time in our lives where we desire things to be much more simple.
All our positive thoughts and energy are being sent your way.
posted on October 29, 2000 08:58:39 AM new
Linda_K: Thank you for the advise. They are wonderful ideas, and I will purchase the books. We already reached the "debt free" stage a year or so ago, except for our ridiculously high mortgage on the home we presently live in, but it is now up for sale and should bring enough equity to pay off our ten acres in the mountains. We have stuffed every penny we could into the bank for a year, so do have some set aside to live on while we pursue establishing a small business on the "other side of the mountains." My husband has quite a reputation for the custom interiors he puts in to classic cars, and we have always bought, restored and sold classic cars for a number of years now as "side income" from our real jobs. I have just sold off a '68 Camaro, a 66 Mustang, a '69 Volkswagon panel van and a 31 Ford 5-window coupe (chopped, channeled, etc.) All my antiques went to eBay and brought some ridiculously high bids which I was very happy about. So the downsizing is well on it's way. I still have an attic full of things to auction off as well as two more classic cars. A georgous '67 mustang and a '69 SS 396 Camaro. Anyone interested??
The most important thing I need to learn is how to become independant of the grocery stores. Grow and can our own food, as well as raising chickens, etc. So there is very, very much I need to learn about not stopping at the grocery store every night, and, instead, learning how to stock pile - if you know what I mean.
posted on October 29, 2000 04:59:44 PM new
For some reason , I , also , hadn't opened this thread until today ; and it's been wonderful to see it's turned out so well .
How brave you both were/are . Your love and strength shine through .
I wish you both all future success in your new domain , in such a lovely part of the world too !
