Autumn and Angels...

Giving thanks - it was a good day! #tripndaisy777

This week had several hot and humid days that marked the end of summer. Yesterday it was much cooler and last night or early this morning I woke up at 5:30AM cold and unable to get back to sleep. I added another blanket to my bed, then a little later I put on my flannel pj's but the cold had seeped into my bones and sleep was gone. As I prepared to write this blog, I checked the weather network and now I know why I was so cold... the temperature was 4C at 5AM! Brr!!! They are calling for a long cold winter so I guess it is almost September, goodbye August! 

Autumn is my favourite time of year. I love the feel of the sun but relish the crispness in the air. The leaves turning and crunching under my feet make me feel alive. Len has 3 more chemo treatments, starting this week again and I am going to enjoy the long drives down country roads surrounded by trees on our way to the hospital. Some people journey to the Maritimes for the fall foliage, I simply go to town. I try to find the joy in the moments and be grateful for what I have. Our world has changed dramatically since this time last year we were headed to Newfoundland.

This summer has been unusual, I have been less busy than normal and feel like I have so much time on my hands. With the time I have you would think I had accomplished more, yet I feel as though I have been very lazy. I realize that I can't get too involved in much though because then my attention wanders for too long from Len and I forget to ensure he is keeping his intake up for food, drink, meds, etc. So, I am giving myself a pass on laziness and hope that it does not become a habit.

#spreadthelove #hippiehangout

Fortunately the last few weeks of my completely focusing on him and putting all else aside, is working! This week we checked his weight and he is up 9 pounds from August 16th when he was down to a frightening 131 pounds. He is now a "fit" 140 again and I hope to increase that a little more by next week when he starts chemo again. His blood work all came back as normal as well, so this break has done him a world of good! I am happy to report that his energy is up as and he has been able to walk more "laps" around the house, and paint more hearts of gratitude for the hippie hangout! Many of the hearts have been purchased at $5 each towards our journey but there have been some people we wanted to recognize for their support and they have been added as well!

A "short" story to end my update... Each Monday the nurse comes to the house and flushes Len's PICC line, takes his blood, checks his blood pressure, which has been a concern and then I drive his blood up to the hospital, do errands, see my daughter and head home again. This week Len was feeling pretty good and he thought he might come with me. I wasn't sure he was quite there yet and so I encouraged him to stay home and rest a bit more before travelling to/from town. Let me tell you, that was the right decision!

The weather on Monday was lovely, warm but not too hot, a nice breeze and clear skies. I drove up to the hospital, deposited his samples and headed back to the parking lot. I was feeling good and looking forward to having a coffee with my daughter in Woodstock. I put the key in the ignition and attempted to start my truck. Nothing. The lights came on, so I didn't think it was the battery but all I heard was one small click and the motor was silent. I waited, tried again, and again, and again. After about 5 minutes I reached for my cell phone and CAA card to get some help. My bright spirits were fading but still pretty positive.

Wind blown hair and
Parking Lot Sun Tans
 Peace, Daisy

CAA told me it would be 30-45 minutes for the tow truck to arrive and give me a boost. I was pretty sure the issue was deeper than that, but hopeful, so I put the windows down, relaxed and enjoyed the day. As I sat in the truck waiting I was relieved that Len had stayed home. I thought about calling him to let him know what was happening but then realized he did not need any extra stress or worry and perhaps all would be well and resolved quickly. After about an hour I had a call from the tow truck company that they had been up river and it would be a few more minutes for them to arrive. 

When the tow truck pulled up, it was Campbell's Towing and Automotive out of Woodstock, who happened to be my mechanic, and where I bought my vehicle and my go to tow guy. I laughed and said, "Me again!" I also suggested a loyalty card - 9 tows and get the 10th free since I seemed to be a frequent customer. He attempted to boost my battery but as I thought, that was not the problem. He predicted it was the starter. Since he already had a car on his flat deck I had to wait for him to take it to Woodstock and return for me. That was another hour. 

An aside from this story but related ... When we bought the truck we got the power train warranty for two years the caveat is - the warranty is only valid IF you maintain regular oil changes - every 10,000km or 6 months, whichever comes first. I KNEW this and I was diligent about it and worked to ensure that I kept up with it because I knew we could NOT afford the repair bills that may be associated with the upkeep of the vehicle. Having said that, we spent six weeks in Saint John during January and February; the winter was hard and long; Len was very sick... Do you get where this is going? 

This Toad Is Getting Towed

I MISSED the oil change and when I finally realized it... it was too late. I was sick with grief over it, my anxiety was rapid and painful - knowing I had caused us extra stress and financial hardship! I felt the depression and guilt suck me up and could only HOPE that we had no vehicle breakdowns. Of course this is unlikely and we did... In May I had to take the truck in for an oil change... finally.. and  I wept in the office at Campbell's as I was sick with self-reproach; of course there was MORE wrong than just an oil change... I cried in Len's hospital room knowing we were entering a rabbit hole and I couldn't see a way out. That repair was expensive but wouldn't have fallen into the coverage anyway, but it was a warning to me... More was to come.

So now my truck was in the shop, they once again gave me a loaner vehicle, which they are so good about, and it looked like it would be about a week to get it back since this was Monday and they couldn't even look at it until Saturday and it was going to be a long weekend... Imagine my surprise when I got a call around noon on Wednesday to advise me my truck was fixed and ready to go! I hadn't shared my transgression with Len because I was hoping it would never be an issue. My angst waiting to hear about the repairs kept me awake at night, again. The call from the shop office blew my socks off!

Now, in addition to the repair there was a noise that needed fixing and I was due for another oil change, so this was added to the full repair. I counted my money to see where I was at and hoped this would not wipe me out. Then the voice of an angel spoke in my ear, "Sarah, your truck is ready." First, I was not expecting it for a week, but what happened next... restored my faith in humanity. "The starter repair was $700 but you only have to pay $150. I got your coverage back." I didn't know what to say, I started to cry, I asked, "How???" She answered, "Well, it took a long time and a few supervisors but I explained your situation, what happened and that you were within you mileage and they reinstated your policy." I AM SO GRATEFUL! What would have been close to $1,000 all together was $343!!! 

Angels do exist! People do care and go out of their way. My heart swelled and my eyes filled and my throat choked with emotion but, the universe, the people in my world, they gave me hope and another chance. Yes, some days are hard, but it has been a good week! Len is healing and ready for more treatments and we KNOW we have got this! My community is kind and giving and my angel worked and advocated on my behalf.

Thank you everyone for your continued love, support, kind words and friendship! The leaves are turning colour and although that signals the end of summer, to me, it signifies the beginning of Len's healing and our continued life and love together. The shop closes up following this weekend and it will be time to get the wood in... Winter is coming!

PS: Did I mention I LOVE Campbell's Automotive and Towing? 

Peace and love,

Daisy

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