Saturday Morning

Jody had a follow-up appointment with the Oncologist this past week. He came away rather frustrated once again. A few weeks ago (when he couldn't speak) his health insurance provider through work called the Doctor and asked someone in the office when Jody would be released to come back to work. The person who handles the insurance at the Doctors office told them that he would be released January 26th.

When you think about it, it's really good news.... this whole process of a Cancer Battle only lasted 7 months. But... Jody has to be completely finished with ALL his medical visits, procedures and what not by the 26th.

While he was at the Oncologist's office last Thursday, he asked him "do I need to have another PET scan to make sure I'm completely clear of any cancer?" His doctor replied, "not right now, you would light up like a Christmas tree because of all the radiation." (He does have a Homer Simpson glow, we just can't see it.) So Jody then says "Then how can I be released to return to work if I'm not completely sure the cancer is gone?" Then once again he has to explain his situation.

His situation started 2 years ago. The company he works for is a French/Italian technology company that makes micro chips. Two years ago they announced that they would be moving their company to China in 2009, July to be exact. All along the Supervisors here have told Jody, you are the Facilities Manager, you will be the one holding the keys and locking the door when everyone has gone.... the last man out. So when he got sick last June and asked if he would have a job if he had to take short or long term disability, they said yes.

Right around Thanksgiving he got a call from not his direct Supervisor (he gets calls from him all the time, they are good friends) but his Supervisor's Supervisor. The big boss. He told Jody not to rush back to work, slow down on the chemo treatments. (This was back when he was getting them every other week.) Not to push himself, Jody was trying to get back to work by January 4th. Jody tells the Super-supervisor that he just wants to get finished and get back to work, he knows they are working with a skeleton crew since the layoffs have been happening on a monthly basis for almost 18 months. Finally the Super-supervisor tells Jody... take your time, your name is on the top of the list..... as soon as you get back you'll get your pink slip. I think this is why the insurance company called the Oncologist to see when he would be released to go back to work. Damn French.... (I'm not talking about you little guys who read the blogs...)

All I can think of is this company doesn't need to be in our country... good riddance. I feel sorry for the Chinese people, they are in line for this kind of treatment. But more so I think of Jody having to sit here and try to get well thinking he's got to find another job. Seems like every time a major medical issue happens in our family he gets laid off! The last two times were when I was pregnant... both times. He used to say "If you tell me you're pregnant I'm going to start looking for a new job because it means the company is going to go under." When he heard the news over a year ago that the layoff was eventually coming, I swore to him I wasn't pregnant.

Jody is like a cat... he always lands on his feet. Within a week of hearing the news of what would happen at the end of January, he had 3 job offers. His Supervisor will be setting out on his own, starting his own company and he would like Jody to do some contract work for him. Jeff's boss Mark, would LOVE for Jody to come work for him. Mark and Jody worked together 22 years ago when Jeff was 8 months old. Jody used to work for Mark's father. Now Mark has followed in his father's footsteps and is doing the same kind of work running his own company. Jody currently does contract work for Mark from time to time. And then there was another that was more of a lead than an offer, but something that the company involved would probably jump at the chance to get Jody on their team.

This brings us back to the Doctor. Jody HAS to have all his medical procedures finished with a clean bill of health by the 26th, because that's the day the Dr is sending him back to work. That's also the day our insurance is GONE. No more coverage. So no more Dr. visits after that day (until we get back on insurance.) No, Jody won't sign-up for Cobra Insurance, don't even go there.

When Jody mentioned this to the Dr. thinking they would call the insurance company back and say "hey.... this guy can't come back until he gets the PET scan." What did they do? The Dr. said "OK, we'll do the PET scan Monday the 19th." Didn't he just say he'd light up like a Christmas Tree? What's the use of doing a PET scan and US pay for it if it's not going to do any good? Jody told him, "no... don't schedule it.... I'm not paying for it." And they aren't going to call our insurance company to tell them he's not released. He's not being released with a clear bill of health!!!!

Needless to say he hasn't been sleeping well lately. But he's eating better, we had steak twice last week and I think he had a Dr. Pepper on the way home from the doctor's office. Dr. Pepper is Jody's Jack Daniel's, Coor's Light, Lone Star..... his liquor of choice. I guess he was really needing a drink after that.

On a lighter note, we went out last night! (I just heard our family members all fall over at once.) Remember... Jody doesn't go out. But one of his mandolin buddies was performing here in town at the library with his Bluegrass group. We went to see them.... FREE concert, that really clinched it for Jody. The group was great and Jody's friend Bobby was just as funny on stage as he is in person. Their group is called Nickleville Road and will be releasing a CD this summer. They said they had a website but I can't find it.... They were really good and we had a good time. We even saw my friend Carol and her husband Larry.

We chatted with them for a bit, Jody and Carol compared treatments and gripes about treatments. We invited them to join up with us this spring at Garland to listen to other Bluegrass groups once they start picking on the square again.

We got home in time to see Jeff as he was loading his truck.... he moved out. (If he ever has to run from the law he's going to be really good at it.) He'd told us Thursday night that he was moving, he'd found a one bedroom apartment with an attached garage (gotta have a room for toys) and a little closer to work. At least he won't have to drive through 4 school zones every morning. He's just off a major highway.

He said we were just too demanding to live with.... "Jeff... come and eat! Jeff... I'll do your laundry if you get it in here, but you have to get it in here! Jeff... mom will cook you something, tell her what do you want to eat! Jeff... I'll start your truck, give me your keys! :)

He's going to love living by himself after the two attempts with room mates failed. He's coming back today to go though Jolea's stuff... he's taking her pots and pans. Sorry Jolea, he needs it and you don't.

I wish I had a picture to post... things are easier to read with pictures. I guess I could take a picture of Jeff's vacated room, or the Oncologist or the company closing it's doors.... nah, it's past time for coffee and knitting.

Have a great weekend!