Date sent: Wed, 15 Sept 1999 21:05:45 -0500
Subject: Approved!

Approved!

After almost a month of calling, faxing, and calling some more - our insurance company approved my surgery in Boston, Sept. 27th. Another hurtle bites the dust. Next we've been working on where to stay. We looked cheap options, friends houses, etc. Then we decided to try a hotel that would meet our needs. Only, guess what, there is a professional golf tournament that week. Abi called just about every housing option on the list. Total frustration.

Then, a "Bed and Bagel" helped us out. His wife has breast cancer that has spread to her bones. He said he did not know what room we'd have, but we'd have a double bed and he'd cut is rate to $75/night (instead of $185/night). He's about 1 mile from the hospital. So, we/Abi will be there from 9/23-10/2 (contact information to follow). Another hurtle falls.

Okay, so step back. I'm going to have brain surgery. Yes, I am going to what seems like one of the best places to have the surgery. Yes, the potential is powerful and extremely amazing.

But you know what. I'm tired. I'm tired of working on this for two months. I'm tired of waiting. My family is tired from the stress, the changes and working with me. As I wrote to my team at work, "I've been approved for brain surgery!" Can I go home now?

Can't though. I have cancer. I can't run or hide - though I can be mad, cry or just say yup, "now what?" When I talked to our host in Boston, I kept saying we'd contact him when we get things together. He said "it doesn't happen that way." He said call me before you leave and I'll give you directions and if you don't come - great, I sell the room. I said I'd like to not come, but I'm coming.

I am getting an amazing amount of local community support. Char Schiff has been setting up everything that we will need when we return 10/9 including a ride back from the airport. When she goes on vacation, Cheryl Levine is going to take over. I heard a tape recently from the author of "why do bad things happen to good people." He basically said G-d works through people's collective acts of kindness.

So the details:

9/23 We leave Yellow Springs early
9/24 I have pre-admission
We have the weekend off.
9/26 Sunday the kids go to our friends in Long Meadow
9/27 Monday is surgery day (6 AM)
10/1 Friday is my expected release day
10/1 Friday the kids fly back to YS 10/1
10/2 Saturday Abi and I go to Long Meadow
10/7 Return to Boston
10/8 Ten day follow-up with Dr. Black
10/9 Fly back to YS

At first we thought we need to stay in Boston for 10 days after leaving the hospital. But, actually we can return 10 days after the surgery.

So keep us in your thoughts and we'll keep you in ours. Somehow we'll keep you posted.

Thank you again and again for your love support and kindness,

Dan

 

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