We had a very, very long day yesterday on the return trip from Duke. We stopped in Greenville for lunch, which is almost exactly half way home. We were at a great little restaurant called The Bohemian Cafe. Really terrific sandwiches and an attached old-time record shop with thousands of vinyl albums and a smattering of CDs, too. After lunch we stopped at a gas station right across the street to fill up and that is where things went south.
As we pulled into the filling station, I felt a very noticeable bump and it seemed that my entire car just went flat. Gone was the leopard-like, perfectly-tuned, solid stance that makes our 2004 Mercedes E500 so much fun to drive. Instead, she felt listless and unstable, much like the busted up old man who was driving her. Sometimes these cars have a mind of their own, so we filled up the tank and restarted, hoping things would be back to normal for the remainder of the trip. Didn’t happen.
I pulled out my iPhone and used my favorite app, Poynt. We called a local Mercedes dealership and got David Knutti, the service manager on the phone. He suggested a couple of things that we might try to reset the car and those didn’t work. Thankfully, the dealership was only three miles up the road we were on, so we limped to the dealership and winced at each change of gears (up and down) when the car bumped like it was about to come apart.
I got out of the car first, and like my car, I limped over to the desk to greet David. I filled out some paperwork and David went over with my smart key to gather some information. Jill told me later that when he got into the car with her, she pulled the cancer card to try to garner some extra punch for our appeal to get back onto the road. It worked, because in a few minutes, David popped back into the waiting room and informed us that our central gateway was busted, that they had one in stock and for less than $500, including parts and labor, they could install it and get us back on the interstate. That was good news (except for the $500 part).
He told us that the central gateway is about a 4″ square box that handles the plethora of electrical communications between the brakes, engine, transmission, traction system and suspension. So, when it went out, the entire car felt listless and disconnected. My car has 175,000 miles on it. Technically, she is well-cared-for teenager in terms of how long these cars can run, but with us being on the road so much, I want her to run right every time we crank her up. If this breakdown had happened out in the middle of nowhere, we would have been alright, but the day would even have been longer. Thanks to David, we were in and out of the dealership in under two hours.
The other piece of good news, is that while we were waiting, we got a call from someone I’m going to get to know very well over the next few months. Cindy Simonson, Dr. Michael Morse’s nurse practitioner in the HD-IL2 program, called and told us that they had made room for us to begin the therapy on Labor Day, instead of the following day. So, we’ll be leaving again on Sunday for the 1,150-mile roundtrip to Duke University Hospital to begin the ugly next chapter of this cancer journey.
The Monday start will likely have us coming back home next Saturday to begin the recovery process in advance of the return on Monday, September 17 for the B part of round one. This weekend, we’ll be gathering newly purchased extra-fat clothes to accomodate my dramatic first-round weight gain. I’m expected to gain 20-40 pounds of water weight during that first week of therapy. The weight will drop off pretty quickly, but I’ve got to take some big boy clothes to travel home in. The other things we’ll be taking are lotions, movies and TV shows on DVDs, a few pictures of our family to inspire me and a load of my dad’s semi-world-famous peanut brittle to share with our Duke family of healthcare professionals. I had actually already built of a stash of brittle in my office to take with us. I heard on Facebook that our office peanut brittle thief, Marquette McKnight, has very slightly diminished that stash in an afternoon sugar fix fit.
We appreciate all the notes of encouragement! Jill and I read the posts together at night as we put on our armor for the next day of battle. Going into this next phase of treatment girded by all the support from our friends and family is exactly what we need.
Carter Seaton says
Mike,
I’m betting that once you get a similar tuneup you’ll be good to go for another 250,000 miles right along with your Mercedes. Of course, you may not get off with a $500 bill. Hang in there, buddy. We love you.
Carter & Richard
peggy dozier says
To quote Matina…….” W’re Gonna Love you through this”…..
Carol Ann says
There was a stash of your papa’s peanut brittle in your office and we didn’t know? Cruel.
As always I enjoy reading your updates. I am awed by your use of words to effectively convey your thoughts.
Hugs and prayers sent!!
Cathy says
Mike, You and Jill both are troopers and great examples of what an empowered patient looks like. I am so inspired each time I read your blog. In fact, when it pops into email, nothing short of a client appointment keeps me from immediately opening it and coming along beside both of you through your powerful words. I know this is a journey with two people even though we don’t hear from Jill as much as you, Mike.
I decided to jot this quick note to let you know I am here and I am praying for you each day. I may not comment often, but my heart is reaching up and out to you across the miles and minutes you spend on this excruciating journey into something you can’t dictate and control. 🙂 (Although, I think you are doing a fabulous job of controlling what is within your control.) I have many great friends in the Durham area. Say the word and I can get you any information you need about great restaurants, special nuances of the area or smiling faces to encourage you.
Hugs to you both,
Cathy
Stephanie Downs says
Enjoy your few days at home and rest! Love to you both-
Stephanie
Sandra & Bill says
Mike, your blogs are amazing to read and we appreciate knowing exactly what’s going on. We are praying that this treatment will do the job. God’s love and encouragement will continue to be with you every step of the way. Hugs to you and Jill!
Pat Daniel says
Well, I think your Mercedes guardian angel was watching over you! In terms of car trouble while on the road, that certainly could have been a lot worse! Hopefully that will take care of repairs needed for long time. Be gentle on yourselves and rest while you are home. Know that Steve and I keep you both in our thoughts and prayers every day.
Grandin Eakle says
I for one don’t think things happen like that by coincidence. That you ended up at a repair shop that had the knowledge to troubleshoot it and the part in stock and the time to repair it immediately is nothing less than a miracle! You could’ve ended up in Bubba’s repair shop and Chickenshack. Imagine that…….. “Well sir……. There’s this black box with a bunch of wires coming out of it…….”
Just remember before you start the HD-IL2 therapy….. Slap your sock monkey a few times and get him really pissed off. You want him in there fighting for you hard.
Kidding aside, I’ll be praying for you man.
Sherry Martin says
Mike and Jill: Steve and I continue to pray for the both of you. I read every post on your blog to him each night and it is a constant reminder of how blessed we are in our lives and how blessed we are to have friends like you. Love you both and will be thinking of you on Monday!
Cyndy says
a few extra pounds will just give us more Mike to love!
Callie says
We’ll be hoping for forever NED. Here’s another slightly altered song I’ll be singing for you every day:
May the good Lord be with you down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you’re far from home
Be courageous and be brave and we pray you’ll always stay
Forever NED, forever NED!!
Love to you and Jill!!!
Cj
Patty Branch says
Mike, it was a miracle. If your car had to break down, it sure did it in the right place! My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you and Jill as you begin treatments! I pray that they will totally rid your body of all cancer. I will be praying hard! Thank you for keeping us up to date on everything! It lets us know what to pray for and feel like we are there with you. You are a fighter and all that you have been through, still have your infectious sense of humor! Your strength and grace have been such an inspiration to me! Oh I too gained 40 lbs when I was on high doses of steroids. Just laugh about it, doesn’t matter in big picture! Love to you both! Patty
Billy says
I came here looking for information on my W211 E Class central gateway module, and I was having the same issues. Good luck on the fight with cancer.