We have hesitated sharing this little piece of news, but since word is starting to spread anyway, we wanted to make sure that people knew things from our perspective.
On the evening of Tuesday, January 10th, we first learned that Spencer likely had leukemia. On the morning of Wednesday, January 11th, Glen's company restructured and laid off his entire group, including Glen.
Because Glen had taken the rest of the week off to deal with our newly turned-upside-down life, he didn't know he was laid off until he went back to work the following week. As you can imagine, we were shocked and totally overwhelmed at the enormity of these two blindsiding detours to our lives that occurred in less than a week's time.
But after we were done crying about it, we started to see some silver linings (and a little miracle) to his new joblessness.
The silver linings:
1. The severance package made it possible so that Glen can spend a few months being far more involved in taking care of Spencer and our family through this time, than he otherwise could have been being mired down with his stressful job.
2. Glen wasn't super happy at his job anyway, so this gives him a chance regroup, network, and figure out where he wants to go next in his career.
The miracle:
The timing. We are grateful that the diagnosis came the day it did. Glen's company, although somewhat heartless in their delivery of the news, did make some concessions about insurance because of our situation. If Spencer's diagnosis had come even a day later, the termination papers would have already been signed and we would be up a creek with insurance issues.
In summary:
We are fine and trying to see the bright side of this unexpected detour.
If anyone happens to know of any good job opportunities for tax accountants turned finance guys, that happen to offer really fabulous insurance, please feel free to give us a call!
Spencer
...we've been informed that the nurses all take turns choosing their patients for each shift and Spencer is always one of the first ones chosen. Apparently his politeness and good humor are winning them all over.
...after his nausea episode last night, the doctor prescribed him Benadryl, which effectively knocked him out flat for 12 hours. It was the best night's rest he'd had in a long time.
...is eating better and has stopped losing weight.
...as part of the preparations for Spencer's short stint at home (hopefully next week), we took our dog to the vet and got all his shots up to date, so he won't be responsible for spreading any germs.
On the evening of Tuesday, January 10th, we first learned that Spencer likely had leukemia. On the morning of Wednesday, January 11th, Glen's company restructured and laid off his entire group, including Glen.
Because Glen had taken the rest of the week off to deal with our newly turned-upside-down life, he didn't know he was laid off until he went back to work the following week. As you can imagine, we were shocked and totally overwhelmed at the enormity of these two blindsiding detours to our lives that occurred in less than a week's time.
But after we were done crying about it, we started to see some silver linings (and a little miracle) to his new joblessness.
The silver linings:
1. The severance package made it possible so that Glen can spend a few months being far more involved in taking care of Spencer and our family through this time, than he otherwise could have been being mired down with his stressful job.
2. Glen wasn't super happy at his job anyway, so this gives him a chance regroup, network, and figure out where he wants to go next in his career.
The miracle:
The timing. We are grateful that the diagnosis came the day it did. Glen's company, although somewhat heartless in their delivery of the news, did make some concessions about insurance because of our situation. If Spencer's diagnosis had come even a day later, the termination papers would have already been signed and we would be up a creek with insurance issues.
In summary:
We are fine and trying to see the bright side of this unexpected detour.
If anyone happens to know of any good job opportunities for tax accountants turned finance guys, that happen to offer really fabulous insurance, please feel free to give us a call!
*******************************************
Spencer
...we've been informed that the nurses all take turns choosing their patients for each shift and Spencer is always one of the first ones chosen. Apparently his politeness and good humor are winning them all over.
...after his nausea episode last night, the doctor prescribed him Benadryl, which effectively knocked him out flat for 12 hours. It was the best night's rest he'd had in a long time.
...is eating better and has stopped losing weight.
...as part of the preparations for Spencer's short stint at home (hopefully next week), we took our dog to the vet and got all his shots up to date, so he won't be responsible for spreading any germs.
*******************************************
“Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed.”
Jeffrey R. Holland
wow. You totally rock. I can think of nothing more eloquent to say. I am humbled and inspired. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have been following your blog daily - what a powerful inspiration you are! (My daughter Carly is in Spencer's French class.) Please let Glen know to send me his resume when he is ready - I can definitely pass it to some contacts. Lynn
ReplyDeleteLynnP@AvantiCorporation.com
Thanks for sharing that. It's wonderful to find those small (and sometimes big) blessings even amidst challenges.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping there was a silver lining and I'm glad to hear that there is! Val has requested Glen's resume too--he's still at E&Y.
ReplyDeleteLara, I don't know if you remember my family at all but I was friends with your brother Matt growing up, Jessica Tweed now Bennion. Anyways I stsrted following your blog a year ago from Andie's. So to get to the point my husband works for Clifton Larson Allen out of Minneapolis but works closely with the DC office. He is a tax accountant and hopital consultant. He would love to help Glen out if he could send in him is resume or email him. Your family is amazing!
ReplyDeletehis email is Kurt.Bennion@cliftonlarsonallen.com
hope this helps.
Lara, you definitely don't know me, I found your blog for your FHE lessons (love love LOVE them) and read a few of your posts with feelings akin to yours about toddlers and teenagers (which are far off on the horizon yet). I hope you don't mind me commenting on such a personal topic. But I just read about your sons diagnosis with cancer, plus the job layoff (all I can say is WOW, the Lord must really trust your family with such trials) and cried (I guess we mothers can more easily feel another mothers pain by just thinking about our own children). I can't imagine the weight of such a trial. But I just want you to know, that even though you don't know me, you are an inspiration, and that somewhere out in the West somewhere another mother is praying for your beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteLove, from a stranger, Anna
I love that you can see the tender mercies poking through the enormity of the trials.
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for your entire family.
Keep staying positive.
I totally believe that Heavenly Father has a great sense of humor and that he absolutely had a hand in getting Glen home for awhile. No doubt he will have a better job waiting for him once your family is ready! Lots of love to all of you!
ReplyDelete