The message

You ever get one of those days that completely turns your world upside down?

(I think I've been watching too much Hamilton...of course "The World Turned Upside Down" was playing in my head as I typed that.)

Wednesday was one of them for me. I had just finished working (and was very much looking forward to Thursday, which would be the start of vacation for me), when my sister-in-law Lisa messaged the family on our "Family Facebook feed": actually, a text message string that includes my brother and sisters and my father, who is not a Facebook fan but uses the group text message to send us a daily stream of photos, in essence accomplishing the same result. 

"Tommy is in the hospital. I came home from my trip to find him in our bed and not able to get out. Trying to figure out what is going on."

Naturally, they thought it was COVID-19. But when the doctor took his blood work, he turned a paler shade of white. 

It turns out Tommy has acute leukemia. 

They didn't know for sure at the time, but it's been verified since then. Friday they took bone marrow out and yesterday they started chemo. 

The good news is, they say there is a 90 percent likelihood of recovery (yeah!) But, he will be in the hospital for at least the next five weeks and only Lisa can go and see him.

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What a start...

So, as I said, Thursday was the last day of work for me, until the 13th. I have SO Been looking forward to this.

It's been a LONG four months. And while we had little plans to socialize with anyone, we did have plans to at least attempt a few day trips, and visit a few open air places. Plus, it was the start of "phase three" of our life, where Theo, who has been living with us these past four months, would start going over Josie's every other night, finally giving me and Corb some alone time.

"Ted. Ted..." At six in the morning, Corb woke me up. I was still groggy. He hovered over the bed, a look of panic on his face. 

My eyes squinted to see him. No glasses on. Not going to put them on unless absolutely necessary. "What's up?"

"I woke up with a 102 degree fever." 

 

Since the start...

Of course, we arranged for Corb to get a COVID test, right around five, after my work day was over.

We waited in a drive through line at a local pharmacy for about two hours. The test wasn't that intrusive, just a quick swab of his nostrils (not like the one Tommy had to endure the night before). We are now waiting for the results.

On the plus, Corb's fever broke later that day, although he was back up to 102 the next morning. But by yesterday, he was back to normal, temperature wise. He also had body aches, a sore throat and diarrhea. Now all he really has is a strong headache. 

So, hoping for the best, but not going anywhere until we get the results. And of course, Theo did not start going to Josie's, given this news, so it's the three amigos for at least a few more days. On the plus side, we did all get to enjoy Hamilton last night.

Not the best start to a vacation week (and I was really hoping for some relaxation time after what has taken place these past four months!) On the other hand, things could be worse: LOOK AT TOMMY. 

And, there is beauty all around us. Just look at these lovely flowers in our back yard. Focus on that, Ted.