Playing the Waiting Game

It's been awhile since we've updated this blog....not because we've given up, but more because we are in limbo right now. If you've been in town, you've seen that Corey is home and among friends and family. Living his life and having a good time. In my personal opinion, this is the best medicine for him right now.

In the time that he's been home, his spirits have been lifted and I've seen a general overall sense of calm and happiness come over him. When facing such an extreme surgery and life changing event, a good state of mind is most important. I am thankful everyday that his surgery didn't happen in Michigan. They say that everything happens for a reason, and I am positive that someone 'upstairs' worked some magic to make sure that he was home near a strong support network during this time. Have faith in whatever you have faith in.....someone is lookin' out for ya!

So right now, we have the disability papers submitted and now we are just waiting on the approval. This could take anywhere from 2 months to 2 years, but in his case, he should have no trouble getting approved. Most people get approved for disability when their lung function is at 40%.

His is at 25%.

This means that he only has half of a working lung.

To look at him, you'd never know.

(However, I have to try hard not to be so hilarious around him because when he laughs really hard he goes into an all out asthma attack...and it scares me to death...note to self: stop being hilarous around little brother)

Once this disability is approved, and he gets some stable insurance (he has none right now), we will proceed with additional testing and get a second opinion from his Cincinnati Dr's. With his lung function where it's at right now, they are thinking more along the lines of a Double Lung Transplant, BUT.......this is a HUGE life changing event.....and will take a lot of support from all of his friends and family once it's done. We're ready though. We're ready. In order for us to make that decision, more expansive and EXPENSIVE testing needs to be done....and that's where the waiting game comes in........gotta wait for the approval on disability and medicare/medicaid...it's all so confusing right now.

At some point, I may end up throwing a rocking fundraiser party...who knows.

My brother is one of the toughest people I know. He's not all sunshine and rainbows to be around, but that's just him.....and hey! that's what I'm for, right? He teaches me to be an asshole, and I teach him to count to 10 and smile. It's a good balance. :) But together, with the support of our family and friends, we are gonna get through this thing.

He's Home, He's Single, May go for the Double Lung Transplant AND HE'S ON FACEBOOK!!!!

So, as most of you know Corey is back at home now and for me...this is a HUGE blessing....

And for you single ladies........this is good for you too. Don't think for one second that these broken lungs are gonna stop him, he's been taking great care of my kids all summer, and.....hold on to your hats....COOKING for us.

I'm not kidding you guys, this guy can COOK. I barely even eat and I will EAT like I've never eaten before when he cooks. I don't talk, I don't look up from my plate, I can barely even speak the words "this is so good".......

He claims it's from watching Food Network...I don't know. My mind is blown. I had no idea he was so talented in the kitchen.

So listen girls. He's single. He can cook. He's great with kids. Just keep that in mind......Also keep in mind, that I am screening all potential prospects. This family is a fun loving bunch, we are edgy but loving..and we love love love our family. We love love love everything, but don't cross us...I tend to look at everything through rose colored glasses....so, I'll be the one that's easiest to fool. It's my little sisters you gotta watch out for. Shealyn can see right through you....She knows what's up, do not think for even the slightest moment that you can fool her with your phoney ways.....she is 17 years old and she gets it. Josie doesn't speak much, but she has lasers for eyes. No joke.

That being said......have at him! He's home, single and up for grabs!

......getting back on track......

We are now looking at a possible double lung transplant. His last Dr's visit showed his lung function at 25%. At this point we don't know much until his appointment on July 15th where his doctor's from Cincinnati will have had time to review his testing from Michigan. We are VERY thankful that he didn't have his surgery back in Michigan being that if he would've went through with it his option to have a double lung transplant would've been gone. At least now that he is home he can get a second opinion and be comfortable with his choice. Luckily Bronchiectasis is a slow moving disease so we are not in a major rush. He can take his time to decide what to do and with the addition of his new bedtime buddy (his oxygen tank) he is feeling much better these days.

We'll keep you posted as things progress..in the meantime......find him on facebook.....the one thing he vowed he'd NEVER do. "I F'in HATE FACEBOOK"-Corey Hoover 2009

WonderTwin Powers Activate!

BIG changes.....

Not sure where we left off, nor do I think any of us are ready to delve into all the crazy details...but here's what's up.

I'M RUNNING THE SHOW NOW.

Corey is back home. FOR GOOD. This changes everything.

I'm the captain of the this ship and I'm taking charge. I'll let him be the co-captain.....and for good reason. Dude is losing a lung here soon, it's only natural for the stronger of the two to be captain. He's lucky I'm letting him be co-captain. But since this blog is 'technically' all about HIM....I guess I'll let him take a little bit of control.

Whatever.

Plus, I'm older.

Anyway, the boy is back home.

And we are going to be partners in crime with his healthcare.

I will be attending his Dr visits with him, his meetings regarding his insurance, any legal hearings......

Basically, I am going to be his wondertwin.

Because, two sets of ears are better than one.

And I am pretty freakin' awesome at this stuff.

Surgery will take place here in Cincinnati, as will his recovery, as will his life.

THIS IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. EVERYTHING HAS FALLEN INTO PLACE.....it doesn't matter how or why he is here. The past is in the past, that book is closed and a new one has begun.

So, WonderTwin Powers Activate:

Form of......Ice Cube! Water! What?

Surgery Postponed...OY OY OY

Believe it or not, it was my brother who had to calm ME down today..although from what I hear, when he got the news...he was also fit to be tied.

May 7th....this Friday was to be the original date of surgery, and after spending the day with my brother this past weekend, we all knew that this date could not come soon enough. I can honestly say, that until you have sat next to him on the couch, you really cannot even grasp the severity of the situation.

The only way I can describe it is by comparing the sound of his lungs to a large bubbling, gurgling, crackling aquarium....like the Newport Aquarium.

He has a hard time getting through a sentence without coughing and listening to him tell a story, you find yourself wanting to breathe for him....you can see his neck pulling in and out, you can almost feel his pain. As he talks...you look around the room, and you notice that his audience are all watching him, and without even knowing they are doing it, they all have their hands clutched to their chests.

They all feel it....

I'm not saying all this so you feel pity on him..that's the last thing he would want. I'm saying this b/c I'm so PISSED OFF that he's not getting this surgery this Friday.

And I'm also saying this because I'm in Shock and AWE at how STRONG he is.

Basically, what this is boiling down to is Insurance. .I don't know all the details..basically, there has been a lapse, and he has no insurance right now.

His hands are tied...they had to cancel the surgery, he will need to file for Medicaid..and once that is approved his surgery will be a go again, which HOPEFULLY will be sometime in JUNE.

So, he is positive..and upbeat.....and he is seeing this as a blessing in disguise. Right now, he is very weak and sick. And maybe...just MAYBE this is all happening for a reason. MAYBE, he needs this time to get stronger and get his body ready for this surgery.

That is what we are choosing to believe.

That is what we have to believe.

Keep the prayers and vibes coming......

Just another month to wait now...

Countdown is on!

We have less than two weeks til the big day....

And I want every one to picture this.

My brother.

In a tiny pair of running shorts.

Wristbands.

And a sweatband around his forehead.

Running marathons.

Well....maybe that's a pipe dream, but it creates a pretty funny mental image.

Either way...good stuff ahead. I just know it! Keep that positive energy flowin'.....

It's all good in the hood!

Testing 1,2,3...All systems a GO! Corey's getting pruned.

Corey has been going through many tests leading up to his surgery which as you know will happen on May 7th.

Most recently he underwent a VQ Scan. (Pulmonary Ventilation/Perfusion Scan) This test was done specifically to see if it was really necessary to get his lung removed. Basically, they wanted to see if his lung was really in as bad of shape as we all thought it was.

The results were an astounding YES....it was THAT BAD.

To give you some idea of what the test entails...Albumin is injected into the veins and the lungs are scanned to detect the location of the radioactive particles as blood flows through the lungs.

This test is done to measure how much blood and air flow the lungs are receiving.

And basically, his left lung, in a nutshell is receiving none. No air. No blood.

Without going into great detail, we can sum it up by saying his left lung is dead. A big giant dead collapsed lung that has no ability to hold air and receives no blood flow, yet his body, is trying desperately to keep this lung alive, thus taking all of his energy from him...and from his healthy right lung. Not only that, it's filled with fluid, and infection. He has walking pneumonia...and truth is, he has no idea what it feels like to NOT have walking pneumonia.

Solution. Get rid of it. Immediately if not sooner.

If you can think of it in terms of a rosebush. You prune a rosebush by cutting off the dead leaves and flowers so that the live flowers can flourish. If you don't do this, the bush will waste it's energy trying to keep the dead leaves and flowers alive, thus killing the entire bush in the end. If you get rid of the bad parts, the good parts will live a long, healthy and beautiful life. But they have to be well taken care of. It's the same concept with the human body...it's the same concept with Corey's two lungs.

Corey needs to be pruned.

(But, hey....chew on this......He also had a Stress Test, and even with everything his body has been through and all of the extra work his heart has had to do to keep his blood flowing, his heart is testing as a perfectly healthy 30 year old man! Imagine!!!!)

Pay It Forward!!!!

Most of you know that Corey developed Cancer (Non-Hodgekin's Lymphoma) at age 19. His cancer was discovered after he developed a lump the size of a softball on the side of his neck. It was found that it was not only in his neck, but in his spleen too. He had surgery to remove 90% of his lymph nodes in his neck, and a complete removal of his spleen, followed by 6 months of Chemotherapy.

Thankfully he beat cancer but his doctors now believe that the cancer is what exacerbated his already slow developing Bronchiectasis (hence his upcoming lung removal), which they are actually tying waaaayyyy back to his horrible bout with Chicken Pox as a young boy.

Where am I going with this you ask?

I wanted to give you his background on cancer, and his ability to beat it, because right now we have a chance to Pay it Forward.

A childhood friend of ours, Jared Fox, will be participating in the Team in Training 100 Mile Bike Ride for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Jared will be riding in honor of Parker Vernon who was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 1 has been fighting this battle for the past two years. Thankfully, he has been fighting it with some success, thanks to the support of his friends and family and events such as this. Please take the time to visit Jared's fundraiser page, and donate what you can. Every little bit helps.

Parker is probably too young to fully realize how much support he has, but he can feel it. I truly believe in strength in numbers, the power of the mind, healing vibes, positive thought and energy....if you are unable to donate to the cause, please send out a healing thought, say a prayer, or light a candle at your local church in honor of Parker. Trust me. It matters.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE IN HONOR OF PARKER