So here we go, effective today I was fired from my job at the American Institute of CPAs after almost 4 years. I am not going to discuss if this was moral or right but explain how it can happen.  The few people I have told have asked how that was even a legal option.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage only covers 12 weeks of leave – then you are no longer protected. You can fill out forms and request an extension of the coverage under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), which I did, but since my oncologist put that it would potentially be up to a year that I would be out my bosses decided that would be too much hardship on the organization and that they needed to let me go.

It is a little scary knowing when I am hopefully cleared to work full time again (in June or July) that I will not have a job and will need to find something new. With this fear also comes opportunity – this is just another hurdle. I have faith this experience and hardship will end with a chance for me to hopefully make a difference in other people’s lives. I am not sure what that will look like but should be exciting.

To all of you who continue to send good thoughts and positive vibes you have made a difference in mine and my family’s lives, thank you.

-Preston

And, a bit of a P.S. from Sarah…

It has been one of those rollercoaster weeks I talked about before. While it is a bit scary that he’s technically unemployed, we are grateful to have disability coverage and the ability to pay for COBRA medical insurance – and/or add him on at my job. One day I will get into the challenges we all could face with a health insurance system based on employment… but I don’t have the head space to dive into that right now.

From the medical standpoint, we did find out that the cancer that is visible on his lungs are removable. That means, with several (yikes) surgeries this spring, we expect for him to be “NED” – in our world, the closest thing to “cure.”

Now, they won’t say “cure” because recurrence is still something that will be in the back of our minds forever. And we still have a long road ahead of us. However, we feel hopeful and privileged to be positioned this well given the circumstances.

We are exceptionally fortunate. To review:

1. We have an incredibly supportive family structure. Truly – we couldn’t ask for more.
2. Where we live has a lot to do with P’s ability to fight this disease. I can’t imagine how challenging it would be to live in a rural area and have to travel 3 hours to reach a cancer clinic. This is the reality for so many.
3. Our family exists firmly in the middle class. So do most of our friends. Which means that we have financial resources available to us.
4. Insurance! God bless it. You should see these scary EOBs coming in. A CT scan – something he’ll have to get twice a  year for the forseeable future – is $8,000 before the insurance write off. That means, if you don’t have insurance, you’d be stuck holding that bill. Even after you take the negotiated rate into account, it is $4,000 +. You guys. Health insurance is everything.
5. My job. I adore it – from a mental health perspective, it’s a blessed distraction. Plus, my coworkers, board and members are amazing.
6. Our friends! You keep us sane. You bring us food. You distract us with fun events. You are thoughtful and supportive.

So, though Preston’s new employment status is still stressful, and there are days when this is all very, very hard, focusing on the many blessings in our lives is the best way to keep charging ahead.

Sarah