Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Moving In Sans Furniture

I'm pretty sure that I have mentioned this at some point, but its importance bears mentioning again that this is my first apartment that is my own. Ever since I started college--with the exception of one year that I was an RA, a really fun year, by the way (shout-out to the Page B Girls here! Especially the ones that have been reading my blog.)--anyway, ever since I started college, I've shared a room or at least an apartment with someone. So even though my studio is quite small, and it isn't much to look at, and I've only got an air mattress for furniture so far...despite all that, I love it! It's very close to the Metro and that allows me to have easy access to any number of points in the city and in Virginia. This benefit cannot be underestimated. The best part about it, however, is that I can do whatever I want without worrying about waking up, harrassing, or otherwise annoying a roommate. And if there is a mess that I gotta work around, I know who is responsible and I can't blame anybody but me!

So after signing the lease on Saturday, I spent Sunday afternoon after church working to move all 4 of my bags into my studio. I was exhausted mainly because of how many things had been going on around me so I didn't do much after that on Sunday. On Monday, however, I got up early and did a ton of "move-in" shopping. You know the kind I'm talking about where you must buy EVERYTHING essential to daily living (like toilet paper--is that too much information?). Anyway, I pretty much knocked it out in one day (with some help) which I was quite proud of since it involved 4 stores. The Dollar Tree, Target, Costco, and Harris Teeter are all essential places to visit when you are moving into a new apartment. Needless to say, I had to spend a lot of money for all my dishes, silverware, pots, pans, and other miscellaneous kitchen items. I've had to spend even MORE time, however, trying to fit it all into my extremely small kitchen. And I've had to spend even more time than that cleaning up all the kitchen items (not the groceries) before using them. It was, however, a very gratifying experience to have my first homemade meal sitting in my sparsely furnished apartment even if the "meal" consisted of some leftovers I had acquired a few days earlier being put in the microwave. I did make a salad though, so that's gotta count for something! (For the record, that is probably the only time that a 26-year-old male will be proud of himself for making a salad for dinner--I tell ya, cancer makes you do funny things sometimes!)

Anyway, that is a brief overview of what has been happening lately. I still need to update you all on my adventures with the dry cleaners, my rusty silverware, and most importantly, my new job that I started yesterday. I think I've mentioned it already, but I'm working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. So I've got a lot to tell you all about the new job!

And eventually, I promise we'll get to fun items like what kind of medical insurance I have and even more exciting than that is what the doctors will say when I go to visit them for the first time!

Thanks for reading!

Sunday, March 27, 2005

Exhaustion

This was gonna be a great entry but I'm so tired that I just don't have much energy to put into this...I'm getting warmed up for my radiation treatment. Haha!

So yesterday I signed the lease and today I moved in. It took me all of 30 minutes--by myself--to hoist my 3.5 bags to my room.

Another thing that I have learned in this experience: Never move on a holiday if you a) have nothing to sleep on and b) nothing in your fridge.

I took some pics of my place and when I some of the rest of my stuff shipped out then I will be able to post some of them to my blog.

Stay Tuned!

Saturday, March 26, 2005

The Search...IS OVER!!!

Yes, the title of this entry leaves nothing to the imagination. For those of you who have been reading along as I have gone through the ups and downs of trying to find a place in world-record time, it has been a long, arduous journey (of only 4 days but who's counting).

My last entry began with me surmising that I was close to finding a place. I'm not kidding you, ten minutes after I posted it, my phone rang and it was the landlord of the unfurnished studio that I looked at my first day here offering it to me. This is the same one that the married couple applied for so it actually came as quite a surprise. Shortly after the phone call, I did the necessary things to close the deal (i.e., gather the funds) and headed over to my new abode to sign the paperwork and collect the keys. Since the studio was empty and they were hoping to fill it quickly, I'll be moving in tomorrow (Easter Sunday). I can't help but think that my flexibility helped me out a LOT in nailing down this place!

Needless to say, I'm very happy and excited, but most of all relieved and thankful that the search is over. This is the very first place I have had by myself (I've always--since college--had a roommate) and I must say that it feels GREAT! The best part about it is that I have a home before my job starts on Tuesday morning. And another bonus is that I can now focus on my insurance options and figure out exactly what insurance plan is right for me.

For now, however, I'm gonna get some sleep. As I was hanging out with one of my buddies while watching the Illinois-Arizona NCAA basketball game (I was rooting for Arizona--go PAC-10!), it suddenly dawned on me just how relaxed I felt as a result of knowing that I had place to call home. It doesn't really matter that it is totally unfurnished. It's stability and that is exactly what I need at this point!

On that note, if any of you local folks (DC Metro area) have items that you need stored for the next six months, just let me know because I think I'll be able to help you out. For starters, I'll need:

bed or at least a mattress (no smaller than a full-size)
table and chairs
television
DVD player (priorities, people!)
microwave
sofa or loveseat
coffee table or something else to support the TV

I'm sure I'll be keeping myself busy over the next few days stocking up on little odds and ends while I have access to my buddy's car. After that, well...I'll probably still call him up and borrow it!

As for now, I'm going to enjoy my Easter gift!

The Search - Day Three

OK...so I think I'm getting close. A decision is supposed to be made today on the unfurnished studio I applied for. However, I found out that I'm going up against a married couple so my chances took a significant plunge I think. They have said that they would like a one-year lease and I told them I'm hoping for a six-month lease. I'm pretty sure that the other applicants are looking for a one-year lease so that doesn't help me either. I did, however, tell them that if the length of lease is the determining factor I would like to know in order to be flexible if I have to be. I'm hoping they will honor that request since I was the first one with an application in, but I'm not counting on it...they are landlords after all (and hopefully they aren't reading this!).

But something else became available last night. Now, I'm no expert in the habits of young professionals in the DC Metro area, but something tells me that there are not a whole lot of people looking for apartments on Friday nights. So, when I found this listing, I sent them an email right away telling them a little of my situation along with a completed application. Then this morning I received a call from them saying that I sound like the perfect candidate for the apartment and that they would like to rent to me--all this without me even looking at the place? The best part of it all is that the studio is available "immediately." This sounded great because apparently the studio has great views of the city and monuments, etc. I missed the call and got this info from a voicemail they left me so when I called them back, again they sounded very optimistic about me moving in soon. However (there is always a "however" or "but"), the "immediately" they were referring to means the beginning of May, not the beginning of April--UGH!

At this point, it looks like I'm gonna be living from couch to couch for the next month until this place opens up. However, I haven't even decided I'm going to take it if offered to me because, as I mentioned earlier, I haven't seen it yet. I have an appointment scheduled today for 6 p.m.

For any of you fellow "Finding Nemo" fans out there, I find me telling myself to "just keep swimming."

Friday, March 25, 2005

The Search - Day Two

OK, so nothing earth-shattering today, unfortunately. I checked out two places last night--one furnished and the other unfurnished, but I think I may have told you all about that already. I really liked the furnished one and it seemed to fit what I would need pretty well. So after checking it out I called the woman back and left her a voicemail telling her that I was very interested in getting everything finalized soon. She had told me that it could be available as early as Sunday which would have been perfect.

Today, however, I called her again and again it went to voicemail. I checked craigslist again to see if the ad was still there and it appears that it has been pulled--bummer. However, I still filled out an application and emailed it to her hoping that it was just a glitch in the matrix. I'm not expecting anything to come of it so I'm focusing as much as I can on other openings, of which there are not many considering it is Easter weekend--ahhh timing.

The good news is that I submitted today an application to the owners of the other, unfurnished studio that I looked at two days ago and spoke to them on the phone about it as well. Apparently, I am first in line for it so I'm keeping my fingers crossed at the moment. They want to make a decision this weekend so I could be all set pretty soon! Even though it would be unfurnished, it would be nice to have a place to start calling "home", at least for the next six months. If I get it, I'll start collecting donations from all y'all.

Today I also swung by my new office at the USDA to pick up a memo basically saying that I will be making enough money to pay the rent. I missed my new boss by a few minutes (haven't met him yet) but had the pleasure of chatting with the security guards for a bit. I told them that I would see them again on Tuesday morning.

Thursday, March 24, 2005

The Search - Day One

I'm hoping that "The Search" is a short series of blog entries not lasting more than about 4 days.

Today I slept in until about noon and even then I wouldn't have woken up if my sister had not called me. I think it was mainly because I had trouble sleeping last night despite the fact that I had been up for 40 of the previous 48 hours. A new place tends to do that to a person I think! Oh well, I don't feel too badly about spending half my day in bed--I think I've earned it.

So last night I checked out an unfurnished studio that I thought was furnished. After the initial disappointment, everything checked out. I just need to get the application submitted and I'll be in business. I know of at least two other people who are interested in the same studio, however, so I know that there are a number of people on the hunt.

(Well, one additional bummer is that the gym that has been advertised as being available on the premises is actually fire-damaged and won't be available until June.)

More good news is that I will be checking out two more places tonight--one furnished and one unfurnished. The landlord for the furnished one is okay with a 6-month lease and the unfurnished one is actually cheaper than the unfurnished one that I looked at last night even though it is in the same building. Hopefully I'll have good updates for you on these two options soon!

Yesterday I spoke briefly with my new boss at the USDA. My first day on the job will be next Tuesday and I'll be reporting at 9:30. The first day will mostly involve paperwork and getting my photo ID taken care of...that kind of thing. I'm really excited about starting up, however, because it will help distract me from other things that are going on.

So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

In Case You Were Wondering...

Interesting...I tried to post this update and all that showed up on my blog was the subject line or title or whatever you want to call it. Hmmm...

Anyway, in case you were wondering, Excedrin PM works wonders for any of you who, like me, are unable to sleep very well during travel even if it is in the middle of the night.

My plane touched down at 7:17 this morning and by 10 a.m. I have already gotten my bags, found my friend's car in the parking garage at Reagan National, eaten breakfast, and am now updating you all while enjoying a bit of coffee at the Starbucks where I used to work.

Now the search begins in earnest. I'm already scouring the classifieds and looking at some options. Just a trip to the bank and I'm on my way!

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

En Route

So McCarran Airport in Las Vegas is pretty cool. Free wireless internet rocks.

The first flight from Portland to Vegas was good but there was a bit of turbulence. Good landing, though--two thumbs up. During the flight I watched most of Collateral but ran out of time...I'll finish it up on the next leg.

Oh gross...this guy that reeks of smoke just sat down beside me. I'm tempted to tell him about the evils of smoking.

So tomorrow I'm planning to leave the airport, buy a newspaper, check craigslist...and pound the pavement looking for a place to live. My guess is that I'll be exhausted by noon. However, I did get a great seat on the long flight to DC--in the row behind the exit row. No seat in front of me means that I'll be able to stretch out!

I'll keep y'all updated on what happens...

Big Day

It's a big day today--moving day. I'm heading back to DC this evening on the red-eye. Can't say that I'm all that excited about it because I know that radioactive elements are waiting for me on the other side. The good news is that a good friend of mine who is letting me borrow his car while he and his wife are in San Francisco is leaving from Reagan Nat'l Airport about 30 minutes after my flight lands. So that means I'll just be able to pick up the car from the parking garage without having to coordinate anything!

Of course, I still have to pack two of my bags because I didn't start until last night. I've got the carry-on taken care of though. I hate packing. In fact, I think I'd rather drink paint.

Anyway, that's the scoop for today.

Sunday, March 20, 2005

The Missing Links

The links that have been MIA from my blog since its birth have just been added. You can find them on the right margin of this page. American Cancer Society can now be reached from my blog as well as my friend Tom's blog called Tomopia. I actually mentioned it a few days ago. I left the Google News one just because. I'll be adding more in the near future.

Once again, man proves smarter than machine!

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Tax Time

I would strongly discourage any of you from getting cancer. Additionally, I would discourage you in even stronger terms from getting cancer around April 15, especially when you are moving across the country within a week.

Last night and today I dug in and tried to get my taxes done. It took hours and that was just for a part-year income tax form for the Commonwealth of Virginia. I had my Federal and Oregon return prepared for me but they didn't have the capacity to do anything from Virginia in the office that I took it to without sending it off to another office and charging me even more. The guy promised me I could handle it but I learned that I did not miss a calling in life to be an accountant, that is quite certain! The good news is that Virginia owes me some money--not much but enough to make it worth it.

Anyway, it's a huge relief to have it done and in the mail. Even if I did end up in the red for the year overall, it was a great feeling--kind of like that last-day-of-school feeling where you know as soon as you walk out the door that you are at the one point in time farthest away from having to do it again. Very rewarding.

Now I get to turn my attention to questions about health insurance. I'm thankful that I have insurance, but when it rains, it pours! I've got a choice between four plans at my new job and I've got to decide which one best fits my needs. There are three HMO's and one PPO and from what I can tell the HMO's are all pretty similar. The problem is that not one of them (PPO plan included) is less than 65 pages long. I actually spoke to a health insurance expert about my dilemma and she basically said that I have a pretty good understanding of how health insurance works (amazing what a medical situation will teach you in a short amount of time) and that I need to go through each of them line by line to figure out which one works the best for me.

The party never ends!

Friday, March 18, 2005

Vegas, baby!!!

For about 2 hours anyway. It'll happen next Tuesday (March 22nd) when I'm flying across the country from Portland Int'l Airport to Reagan National Airport. I've got a layover there--maybe I'll be able to pay for my medical/living expenses with all the money I'll win. I hear that in Vegas they just can't give away the money fast enough.

Anyway, that's the big news for today. I've got a one-way ticket leaving next Tuesday evening around 7:30 and arriving in DC at 7:15 a.m. the next day. Gotta love those red eyes. I don't think I've had one of those since 2001. I'm just hoping for a window seat so that I can sleep!

Originally, I had planned to take the train across the country. Most people think I'm crazy for wishing I could do that, but I enjoy taking the train. There's something about the rhythmic clicks as the train passes from one section of rail to the next that puts one's mind and soul at ease. I'm kind of a romantic that way. Let me assure you that there is nothing quite like embracing a good book while traveling by train--especially when life has treated you like a tumbleweed in a tornado for a few months or so.

This was the plan that I had as soon as I recovered from surgery. However, when I found out that I would have to undergo radiation therapy even after my surgery, it kind of put everything on hold until I decided where to seek my treatment. Then once that decision was made everything picked up in speed by about ten-fold. Now I can't get the things that I need to get done in preparation to move across the country fast enough. It's like the complete opposite of "hurry up and wait" if that makes any sense. You've all experienced it in college--you just put everything off until the night before and then pull an all-nighter. Sounds like a great idea until you are in the middle of it!

Anyway, that's why I couldn't take the train. I just couldn't afford to sit there in a semiconscious state listening to rhythmic clicks for three days when I needed to get my butt out to DC and looking for an apartment. Once an apartment is indeed found, then I'll be able to relax a little bit.

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Roller Coaster

Chances are, you know someone who has battled cancer at some point in his or her life. If this is the case, then you are probably familiar with the intense emotions that accompany this battle--up one day and down the next. Actually, it usually happens by the hour and even in a matter of minutes you can go from flying high to bracing for impact.

I had one such episode yesterday. We have a dear family friend who stopped by our home last night to say hello. He heard what I was going through and wanted to see me. You should know that this friend is currently battling cancer as well and he is much older than I. Now, it has been years since I've seen him last and when I saw him last night I was absolutely amazed because of how much he had appeared to have aged. As he was talking, he was moving his mouth as if he was trying to hold his teeth in and also licking his lips quite a bit like he didn't have any saliva--totally freaked me out. As he is speaking to me, he tells me how the radiation really did the job on his teeth and jawbone. So much so that his teeth are now cracking and falling out. Needless to say, it scared the crap out of me and I was more depressed after seeing him than I had been at any point thus far.

About 10 minutes later, my mom saw that I was rather "distressed" and asked me if I had gotten bad news. I responded by saying that it didn't help to see what I was going to look like in 8 years (the length of time since our family friend had received his radiation). To which she replies that there have been a lot of medical developments in the last 8 years. Quite true, but not much comfort--the problem in this business is that nothing is known for sure. For example, doctors will seldom guarantee anything because it is impossible to know how your body will respond to something. Instead, they put things in terms of percentages. So far, I've been in the upper-90's percentile for either not having cancer or getting it all taken care of with surgery--all that to say, the percentages haven't done crap for me yet. So at this point, I'm feeling pretty bad about things and I'm scared out of my mind!

Not more than 5 minutes later, my Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor calls me back (I had left him a message earlier in the day). I share with him my decision to seek the radiation treatment at the Lombardi Cancer Center in Washington, DC as well as some of my current concerns. (If any of you out there have ever had a doctor that you know really cares about how you are doing, then you understand how much of a positive impact he or she can have on your emotional well-being.) I share with him my recent interaction with the family friend and he emphasizes that the radiation will be aimed at my tongue and throat--not at my teeth. As it turns out, teeth are naturally resistant to radiation and he believes that in my case, I won't have to get any teeth removed in preparation for radiation. This is nothing short of HUGE news. However, this is a decision that will be made by my radiation oncologist, not my ear, nose, and throat doctor so I can't get too carried away yet. All it does for me now is helps me get a little more sleep at night.

Following that call, I was back at one of the higher points of the day. It really helped that my doctor took as much time as I needed to chat and get all my questions answered--and this is while he's talking to me on his personal cell phone and driving his kids home. I'm a big fan of this guy.

Which brings me to my conclusion that as bad as things are or seem to be, there is always someone who comes along at the right moment to help give you the strength to carry on instead of feeling totally overwhelmed and helpless. It could be a friend, family member, God, a combination of the three, or something else that I haven't experienced.

I'm reminded of the concept of "baby steps" in What About Bob? in that sometimes you just gotta focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Sometimes, however, that just isn't possible without the help of faith, family, and friends.

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

The Dreaded Apartment Search

So I realize that I've been online with this blog for less than 48 hours and I'm already asking for a handout. Well, not really a handout, but maybe some hot tips on housing in Rosslyn, Virginia.

Hey, it could work. I mean, yesterday I got two comments from well-wishers in the first hour my blog was live! (Thank you very much, by the way. I'm not up on the blogosphere etiquette yet. Should I post a thank-you to their blogs? I just don't know.) So I figured that it could be totally possible with a little divine help that someone who knows of a place in Rosslyn, VA that is available will read my blog and send me a shout-out.

I know this sounds so specific that I'll never find it, but you never hit the bull's-eye unless you aim for the bull's-eye (unless you've got some crazy kind of good luck that usually skips a generation). Bear in mind that cancer fatigue is serious business. Anyway, here's what I'm looking for:

1. Location: Rosslyn, VA -- location is very important to me because of my forthcoming radiation treatment at the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital. This will allow me to easily commute via public transportation to/from work and my daily radiation treatments without putting drivers at risk with a fatigued me behind the wheel! (I will not have a car, by the way, so rest easy tonight.)

2. Size: One Bedroom -- this is also rather important as I may need to have a caregiver at some point--crazy thought--and I'd like to have just a bit of privacy if that is the case. This way I can sleep whenever I want without the caregiver, probably Mom, feeling bad about keeping me awake by leaving the light on to read. Of course if there is something larger for the right price, I probably would take a good look at it as well.

3. Furnished -- since I'm expecting to only have a need for a place during my radiation therapy preparation, treatment, and recovery (encompassing about 3+ months), I'm looking for a place that I don't have to furnish and then pack up and move later when I could conceivably be still relatively incapacitated by the radiation.

4. Term-of-Contract -- ideally, I'd find something for 6 months, April 1 - Sept. 30, 2005 (give or take a week or two with the end date being far more flexible than the beginning date).

5. Utilities -- it would be preferable that all utilities be included in the amount of rent. I realize that this sounds picky, but when the American Cancer Society is suggesting that I keep items that I use often on low shelves to save energy...well, let me just say that I'm trying to minimize the number of things I need to think about.

So that is the criteria that I'm working with at this point. They would all come together in perfect synergy in a perfect world, and even though I'm acutely aware of reality that does not mean that I cannot hope!

OK...I'm goin' to bed now.

Tequilas Burrito

Last night I went to a local Mexican restaurant here in the booming metropolis of Albany, Oregon. It was actually quite a tasty endeavor. I consider myself a bit of a Mexican food snob since I lived in Santa Barbara, California for 6 years and became quite accustomed to the best Mexican food outside of Mexico. And don't be fooled, it's not found in "nice" restaurants. The best Mexican food is found in the hole-in-the-wall establishment on Milpas Street--it's called El Sitio and if you are ever there you must order the torta chorizo--quite possibly the best food ever created. But I digress.

So last night I went to this place called Tequilas with my mom, brother-in-law, sister, and 18-month-old niece who is not quite ready for Mexican food appreciation I don't think.

The big news is that this is the first time in probably 6 months that I have really enjoyed a Mexican meal. I had tried about a month before at a small establishment in Shelton, Washington with one of my best friends. It was literally one of the most painful experiences of my life trying to force down this puny carne asada taco. It wasn't because the food was bad but because my tongue was hurting so much. It wasn't much later that I had the tumor on my tongue removed and that is why last night was so special--it was my first post-op Mexican food experience. And let me tell you, after being unable to enjoy your favorite foods for as long as I had and then having a simple pleasure like the Tequilas Burrito placed in front of you--let me just say it doesn't get much better!

For the next few weeks/months (until my radiation therapy starts to really kick my butt), I'm on a mission to enjoy all my favorite foods as much as I can. Because after radiation, there is no guarantee that I'll be able to taste anymore. I don't know what to compare it to--maybe going deaf after hearing Beethoven or going blind after seeing the sun set over the Pacific. In any case, it scares me to think that I may not be able to taste food in about 2 months. So last night I was devastated when they told me that they were out of deep-fried ice cream--of course, if my doctors are reading this, they are probably stoked!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if there is a way for you to do something and have it feel like it is the last time you'll ever do it--it just adds something. Something that is impossible to describe.

Monday, March 14, 2005

Technology Woes

I've only had this blog for an hour and I'm already confused. All I want to do is add some links to my homepage.

I'm going to try to enlist my good friend Tom Roberts to help me out. He's a computer geek by trade. Come to think of it, he's got a blog of his own and it can be found at tomopia.com.

You should support the friends who support me and check it out.

Welcome to my blog

Not sure how this will work out for me. I've never done a blog before.

Here's the deal: I can't keep up with email anymore. It's not because I'm too cool for email, I'm just getting mass quantities because of my recent health issues. You all are the best friends and family in the world!

Believe it or not, this was my mom's idea. Either I'm way behind when it comes to technology or she is on the cutting edge. I'm pretty sure it's not the first...sorry Mom.

***Just in case you were wondering how it feels to Ryan J. Krabill when he is writing his blog...it feels really weird. I'm second-guessing everything I'm writing like it is going to be graded or something. Anyway, go easy on me, I guess.***

The idea here is that I will be able to give you all updates on my daily radiation schedule as it is happening. I can also give you the latest scoops on what I'll have to do in preparation for my radiation--so far it doesn't sound like fun. Before it's all over, I might lose some teeth, salivary glands, and some of my ability to taste. There are other side effects, too, but I'll save those for another time. The best part of this blog is that you'll be able to get the updates when you want to get them, not when I shove them into your inbox.

So that's the word for now. I'm sure I'll have all kinds of enigmas to share with you as well as pointed observations over the course of the radiation treatment. Shoot, maybe I'll even be able to educate a few of you on things like Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Perineural Invasion.

Mostly though, I'll just be fishing for pity. :)