Sobering. A pretty good assessment of your state of mind after a relapse with cancer. This time, being my third and now passing the one year mark, the effect on my psyche was pretty profound. I was having success with my new drug therapy. My blood counts were again, slowly, returning to a manageable level. My PCR results were coming closer to that coveted “Zero” four log reduction I desperately yearned for. A serious discussion was needed with my boys and Lor. Nick had just returned from Los Angeles to begin his career in real estate and Joe home from Cleveland after his season. We sat down to have our talk about what had transpired in the past year, my relapse and the future. Of course, their response was “Why didn’t you tell us”? They were big boys. Maybe I should have let them know sooner but being away and doing their jobs, I didn’t want to worry or distract them. At least now, the situation was way better and there was a proverbial light at the end of this tunnel. They had lots of questions that deserved to be answered and were obviously worried about me very much. We reviewed the situation both from the beginning, through the tough times and the current state of affairs. I fielded the medical questions like a pro and after they were satisfied with my explanations, we moved on to the new direction that I was thinking of…Moving – Downsizing, from our Doylestown home. The reality now was that if something were to happen to me, I needed to make sure that Lori was comfortable and taken care of. That she could handle her expenses and be secure.
Nick was never moving back into our home and Joe was transient between teams and cities throughout the country most of the year wherever his skates hit the ice. I was very worried about my future. Psyche says… consolidate, reduce, contract and make life easier. Both financially and work wise around the house. Lose the snowblower, the shovels, the rakes, the trimmers and the wheelbarrow. Reduce my financial commitments, reduce the amount of work needed to keep up the big house. Plan for a future that could inevitably have me in a war. A war that finally takes me down. That leaves Lori all alone with big bills, a big house, chores galore, and a major debacle. Our beautiful home on Country Club Drive was going up for sale. A decision made mostly on my part as a massive knee jerk reaction to the trauma of relapse. Nick would, without having his RE license yet, list the home through a friend, and we would sell it together. A family project! We spent a few weeks painting cleaning and prepping for our first open house. How exciting! Nick put up the MLS listing and we scheduled our first open house…July 4th Weekend! A little more primping and touch up right before the morning of….and here we go! Nick handled it like a pro. About eight families came through and at the end of the day we had an agreement of sale. Wow!
Now, I had no idea about Real estate contracts and writing agreements of sale. Nick and I powered through it with our friend Roman and the buyers. The one issue was that they needed a contingency to be able to sell their mothers home. We accepted their offer with our own contingency that other offers without contingencies may supercede the original offer allowing them five days to close or lose the house. Fortunately for us, another full price offer with a three week closing and no contingencies, unfortunately for them , came in the next day. The house was sold. Two days on the market, highest price ever in our development. Nick would guide me through settlement. Lori and I immediatly went on the hunt for our new home. The prize was a beautiful townhouse style palace in an over 55 community. It needed a total makeover, my specialty, and we got the price down substantially. Nick had his own place and Joe was still with us. With a three week settlement for Country Club, and an end of August settlement on Lamplighter Village, plus renovations, Joe and I would need to bunk together in a Homewood Suites hotel for a month while Lor went down to the shore. It would all work out…I hope!
Next Up: The Assessment.