As we've anticipated this next surgery, we've experienced a lot of ups and downs. After the insurance approved the procedure, our new focus became the details of the trip. We're preparing the best we know how. The kids are all taken care of and will hopefully have an amazing month with their cousins and Grandparents up in Idaho. They're all excited to spend time with family that we don't get to see very often. They'll be together for most of the time we're away and I hope it'll be a good opportunity for them to lean on each other. I'm so grateful that our family is so willing to love our kids while we're away.
When we started to look at our travel arrangements, I got a little overwhelmed. Cue the blessings...One of Nate's dear friends from high school offered his frequent flyer miles to get us to Boston. He booked our flight and all I had to do was open up my email to retrieve the itinerary. When that was booked, I called the Hope Lodge in Worcester, Mass and found out that they already had us booked to stay with them from June 14th to July 26th. It had all been arranged by our surgeon's team! Another dear friend of our family has offered to help us find lodging for Nate's mom and my sister. I'm continually amazed and overwhelmed by the generosity of others.
The Hope Lodge is run by the American Cancer Society, and is provided for cancer patients and their caregiver. It's free of charge while the patient is in treatment. This is the link to the Hope Lodge in Worcester, Ma.:
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/HopeLodge/Worcester/worcester-about-our-facility
If you have a minute, check it out! The ACS does some pretty amazing work to support cancer patients and their families.
We're leaving for Boston on Thursday, June 14th. Nate has all of his pre-op testing and appointments on Friday, and they'll take 6 to 8 hours. Since we have Saturday and Sunday free, we're going to head to Boston for some sight seeing. Nate wants to check out the Freedom Trail on Saturday. On Sunday we'll find a Sacrament Meeting to attend and then drive up to Vermont to visit the Visitor Center at Joseph Smith's birthplace. It's a part of the country Nate's never been to, and I think he's going to enjoy some exploring.
Monday is surgery prep day so we'll just be hanging out at the Hope Lodge. Nate's mom and my sister are coming out to support us the through the surgery and ICU stay. They fly in Monday evening so we'll go pick them up in Boston. It'll be a good diversion from the surgery prep.
The surgery will most likely start at the crack of dawn on Tuesday, June 19th. The procedure will probably take 8 to 12 hours. Nate will go directly to the ICU where they anticipate a 2 to 5 day stay. He'll then be moved to a regular room where he'll stay another 7 to 10 days. When he's recovered enough to be released from the hospital, he'll come stay with me at the Hope Lodge. He'll have post op appointments until he's healthy enough to travel home. At that point, we'll be able to make airline reservations and get back home to our kids. PHEW!
We've set up Skype accounts so we can video chat with our kids and family. I know the kids will be missing their friends, so if anyone would like to get in touch with them, I can give you their information. I know they would love to hear from their friends!
Once again, we are ever grateful for our wonderful friends and family who have carried us through the last few months. Please keep Nathan and our kids in your prayers. We're praying for courage, miracles, and a quick, uncomplicated recovery! I'll update this blog daily while we're gone but please don't hesitate to call, text, or email if you have any questions or if you just want to give Nate words of encouragement.
We love and appreciate you all! Thank you for all you do and for just loving us. We couldn't do it without you.
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