Right To The Point, The "Big C"

Rantoul, IL.

66 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Partly cloudy. Fog early. High of 86F. Winds from the NE at 5 to 10 mph.

OK!!! I'm going to get right to the point without a lot of beating around the bush!!!

Most of you know that Wednesday morning, Linda had a doctor's appointment. Well, she's been having some minor "woman problems", so the doctor did a thorough check. Well, the doctor didn't like what she was seeing, so she sent Linda to a local hospital in Gibson City to have an ultrasound.

Folks, the news is not good!!!! :-(

Linda will definitely need to have a hysterectomy, and they're 99% sure that there is also cancer involved.

OK!! Everybody take a deep breath!!!!

I didn't post yesterday because all of the results weren't in yet and everything around here was in turmoil, but I thought I'd better let all of you know, what I know, as of today.

One of the first things that came up was the fact that after this kind of surgery, there is usually a long recovery period. If Linda would have the surgery here in Illinois in a week or so, with a 6 to 8 week recovery period, (at least), we would be getting into November, and Illinois in November is not a place you usually want to be, in an RV.

As you know, Jim and Linda purchased that double-wide down in DeBary, Florida this past winter, so the next logical thing was to call Laura, (Linda's daughter who lives DeBary and is an RN at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach), and see if she knew anyone who could/would take her as a patient and perform the surgery. She talked to some of her colleagues, and one doctor's name constantly came up as the best.

So, ,  ,  ,  ,  calls were made, plans were changed, (thanks to that big eraser that Jim has), and Saturday, we will be leaving Rantoul and heading for Florida. Linda won't be able to get in to see the doctor down there until at least the Tuesday after Labor Day, so we have plenty of time to get ready, and head down there at a pretty leisurely pace.

Jim wants to arrive down there on the Thursday before the Labor Day weekend if possible, but Friday would be OK. There's a few things that need to be done at the house before Jim and Linda could move in, but Laura and Lindsey will be taking care of some of those items. The rest can be handled after we get down there, and if necessary, we could stay at a CG in Bobbie T for a few days.

So!!!! There you have it!!!!

This has been very upsetting and nerve wracking, but Linda is feeling fine and I have complete confidence that we'll all get through this "bump in the road". Both Jim and Linda have been calling family and friends to try and let everyone know what's going on. (They're hoping that they didn't miss anyone). There have been reservations for a rally canceled, CG reservations in NC canceled, trip plans scrapped and new trip plans made for our quick journey to FL.

I'll be sure to let all of you know if there are any changes or new news and I'll be posting about our trip down to FL. Any "good vibes" that you can send Linda's way will be greatly appreciated.

Did you know that there are about 600,000 hysterectomies performed each year?

Woof!!!