Sisterhood of Breast Cancer

I just completed 6 1/2 weeks of daily trips to Mercy hospital to receive radiation therapy. When I was told that would be my treatment - I thought "That's easy, its quick, painless, daily trips..bit of a hassle, but easy enough" Some of thoughts since then; Drive to the hospital, park, enter hospital, check in, wait to be called, undress and put on stylish robe, wait to be called, enter chilly room, lay on metal table, remove robe, wait for machine to be perfectly lined up and wait for the technicians to leave the room. (interesting detail, the door to the room is about 6" thick, you're the only one in there with the "rays".) Technicians come back, put robe back on, get dressed, leave hospital, find car and leave. On a good day - 30 minutes w/o drive time. Another complication- 6.5 weeks of the snowiest weather in recent history!

Majority of patients receiving radiation have breast cancer or prostrate cancer. Everyone is 1/2 undressed waiting- you get the picture? One day another woman said "Well after a few months of this, I can strip down anywhere, in front of anyone, anytime". That's where the sisterhood comes in. I understood. Knowing you have some of the strangest tan lines anyone could imagine. The juxtaposition of the technology of this huge machine and the simple rubber band they slip over your feet to keep you from crossing your legs. Knowing how fatiguing this intrusion on your normal routine really is. (Feeling thankful that I didn't have to drive from out of town.) Being grateful for the kindness of all the staff in this department - seriously an oasis in the hospital. Knowing that loose clothes and minimal "support" garments feel wonderful. Finding a salve or lotion that can soothe the blisters and burns.

This is all part of membership to the unwilling members of the sisterhood of breast cancer.

My family and friends, (not being part of this Sisterhood, cannot fully understand the experience) are celebrating the end of this adventure with me. Sincerely, Thank You.

Disaster or Oppotunity?

The Business Record ( Dec. 09) show that bankruptcy filings in the Southern District of Iowa have increased 20% from 2008 to 2009. In Polk county there were 944 bankruptcies filed in 2006. In Dec. of 09, 1,862 were filed in Polk County.

The website realtytrac says there were 7,284 new foreclosure filings in 2009. The newest Business Record has the latest statistics for Des Moines area foreclosures. Mortgages that were 90+ days delinquent in Dec. 09 - 5.04%. In Dec. 08, 3.35% were 90+ days delinquent. The foreclosure rate in the Des Moines area ( 1.71%) is higher than for the state of Iowa (2.04%), but lower than the national average (3.16%). Those figures are for Dec. 09.

These are startling statistics. But as Winston Churchill has been quoted - A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. We need to put on the rose-colored glasses and identify the opportunities. Mortgage companies and banks do NOT want to be landlords. These properties will get sold. Could one of them be your dream house? It might be a good time to investigate. You could qualify for an $8,000 or $6,500 tax credit. You could get a new mortgage with still low interest rates. You could shorten your mortgage to 15 years and gain equity quicker.

If you are in one of these dire situations, don't hide your head in the sand. Talk to professionals and see what solutions are available. Repeat, mortgage companies do NOT want to be landlords. Short sales can be worked out, deed in leau of foreclosure, loans retructured. Lets look for the Opportunities.

Whatever your situation is, The Eisenlauer Team is ready to assist. Give either Bill (770-2455) or Bob (979-2883) a call.