Layne's Still Alive

We're having a 'Layne's Still Alive' party on September 20th. We thought it would be more fun than a funeral. He's already lived longer than the doctors thought he would. He originally commented about it for his 45th birthday, but has since decided that this one would work well. (Maybe we'll do one again when that time comes. I think originally he thought he'd make it that far. But, considering this really could be the last chance we have to do this - no better time than the present.) Our house is a bit 'space challenged' to make such a thing happen. So, we're going to be heading over to the house of some friends that offered to let us use their space. We are grateful. Layne would love to just 'hang out' and play some games. But, I don't think he'll have the time to sit and play a board game. He's invited people from work and yesterday he came home and told me he talked with his trainer at Huntsman about it. Layne's good at making friends with people. I also sent out Facebook invites to our ward and my 'friends' that might be close enough to come (at least I hope I got everyone). There are several people that aren't on Facebook that we'll need to invite individually. Maybe today would be good since it's only a week and a half away.
Today is the day Layne leaves for Houston.

Fall Weather

The weather has been cooling off a little bit lately. At least it seemed like that today. The fall weather that is coming made me think of Layne being in the 'Fall' off his life. Autumn is upon us. I'm not looking forward to winter and the cold that comes along with it.
I wonder what spring will bring. What will the new life be like for the rest of us. There are days that I already miss him.

Current Happenings

This blog has been neglected. It seems like there's so much to say and much of it needs background in order to make sense. I have some things jotted down in drafts - but, haven't edited/posted yet.
Currently, Layne is going to head to Houston this week to start a clinical trial at MD Anderson. We have had issues with insurance that are still being worked on. The team there and at Huntsman are trying to see what other details can be worked out in order to have our health insurance cover as much as possible. That being said, we will still reach our deductible and out of pocket maximums for this year. (We get to start all over again in January.) There are obviously also some travel costs associated with what we're doing. Layne will be there by himself at first and I will join him in time to be there after the infusion. He will probably need some care afterwards. We'll see how it goes and assess needs for future infusions as we go.
Layne feels good about the study scientifically. So, that helps. We'll see how long things last. After the first three infusions being done at MD Anderson he'll be able to switch off every other one with Huntsman. The only thing better would be to have all of the infusions taken care of here in the area instead of traveling. But, at least we can be grateful for an option.
We'll still being doing our usual 'learning' with the kids. They will be hanging out with relatives while we're both gone.
We are so grateful for the continued thoughts and prayers that come our way. Thank you. We have so many people offering to help and we appreciate it.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance will not cover the clinical trial at MD Anderson. There's the out of network factor because it's out of state. There's also the fact that 'ObamaCare' doesn't cover clinical trials. Layne's a little stressed about what to do...how to make things work. He's always so good about figuring these things out. I think in the end we end up paying less for things that some other people might. Well, at least when there are possibilities and options to look into. For example, when he finally finished grad school we had gone years in student housing, had four kids, and all of the school expenses for him. I think we did a thousand dollar loan once (it might have been more than that). We were done paying for all of that not long after he graduated. We also were able to obtain a home with a good credit rating for both of us.

In the case of all the medical expenses lately, Layne's been great about keeping up with all of it. Asking about charges and figuring out the best way to work things like life insurance, health insurance, and how cost of living can all be worked out. 

I'm a little nervous about the whole budget thing when he's gone. I'm involved with what's going on - but, he's always been the one that has figured out the ins and outs. There are things he's worked out that I wouldn't even think of - much less know about how to go doing it.

The issue for the day is how to have the trial covered. Or, maybe we just look for another trial. Hmm. What to do. What to do.

Houston Trip

I dropped Layne off at the airport this morning. He's on his way to Houston for an evaluation/consultation. He'll be talking with the doctor there tomorrow and be back tomorrow evening. We'll have Rachel's first clogging class for the year, the boys will have Young Men (an added Tuesday event), and Layne will be coming in at the airport all around the same time. Should be fun. Life as usual I guess. I'm looking forward to hearing what happens with the clinical trial. It'll be nice to get a yay or a nay, so we can move forward either way. There sure is a lot of waiting when cancer is involved. (At least it seems like that for us.)

Anniversaries

Today at water aerobics, one of the gals mentioned that she was going to be celebrating her 46th anniversary tomorrow. She has a goal to make it to their 50th - thus, one of the reasons she was there exercising. We congratulated her and commended her for her goal.
I was happy for her - but, when she said the part about trying to be around for her 50th anniversary I thought of how chances are Layne and I won't even make it to our 20th. (I think my eyes might have been a little wet at that point...the salty kind - not the chlorine kind. Who gets choked up during water aerobics? Seriously. Who does that? I'm hoping the others didn't notice.:}) In November we'll mark our 18th. It would be a true miracle if he were to still be around a couple of years later. Maybe we'll need to do something cool to celebrate.

Pity Party

Life has been one thing after another around here. The house, the busy schedule, the responsibilities, the financial issues, the yard, the stuff we're supposed to be getting done but we're not...terminal illness...you name, we've experienced it. (Or, so we think at the moment.) And, we've been feeling a little sorry for ourselves for just a brief period. We'll try and get back to our regularly scheduled cheerful attitudes soon. Same time. Same station. Thanks for tuning in.