Corrina's Handler
This post was originally published on Corrina’s Caringbridge site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/corrina
I've got a new job . . . Corrina's Handler . . . & . . . I love it and Corrina, too. I smile when Corrina will turn to the person at the front, back or corner desk at the clinics and hospitals we've visited this past month and she gently reminds them that they are directing their questions to the wrong person (herself or David, her partner) and should be directing their questions to her mom.
On that note, I had no idea how much time and effort it takes to connect with people in the health care system. Many voice mails, emails and lots of time waiting when it feels you don't have time to waste waiting. Many minutes on hold that add up to hours. The other day when I was trying to schedule Corrina's upcoming Avistan IVs, I jokingly told the scheduler that I was timing him when he put me on hold to confer with the doctor. 20 minutes later I then had to put him on hold as I reviewed the google share calendar to make certain there wasn't a conflict with Corrina's radiation appointments. He, with a telephonic smirk, told me I was being timed.
David's most recent post was the tip of the ice berg for all the angels who continuously show up in Corrina's life - PT sessions with Tony Aniello and Susan Frassinelli; home cooked belly-warming, soul-filling food from Allayne Sundt Pearson, Jeannine Marotto (my friend and neighbor whom I met over 30 years ago when our sons were little and now they're grown men); Lisa Jones (WHY mat buddy and Sunday hiking partner), Garra Brooke (WHY yoga buddy, Thailand retreat travel partner, and Sunday morning Farmington Avenue Reservoir hiking partner), Monica Ahern (Ms. WIPster and an avid book reader who has expanded my reading list), Nykki Poole (the WHY connection that keeps on giving), and Claudia's NYSC peeps (Julie Goldstein, Nicole Annatone, Kristen Jones, Kaitlin Vogelsong, Jill Konopka); Wendy Iscove (oh so thankful for David's mom who is always delivering food, cleaning, doing laundry, and loving up Ms. Corrina); Sunday dinners from Elizabeth Conklin, Gregg Adler and little Henry, the sous chef; green juice ingredients from Kori & Alan Haven (Claudia and Steve's across the street neighbors); Nancy O'Brien for a late night run this past weekend to get a bunch of bananas; Teresa Preziosi, the prior co-owner of City Fare Catering, for an amazing food basket filled with greens & veggies and the following weekend an appetizer platter we're still noshing on this evening; Julie Goldstein who saved Claudia an extra hour Monday night taking on a TJs pickup for electrolyte water, coconut water and maple syrup; Leslie Morrill Fish for a 2-hour Thai massage (forget Corrina, I want one next time); Steve, my husband and Corrina's bonus dad, for being our on-call sherpa who will do anything we ask of him; Jessie Baker, who helped ease Corrina's discomfort this past weekend with some very special not OTC almond butter and ginger/pear chews; and Dr. Burkhart, naturopath and acupuncturist extraordinaire, who calms Corrina when the waters get rough when sleep is definitely not an option.
I know I've missed some of you, but it's not intentional. I am amazed at all of the support and love that is showered on Corrina every day which blankets us as well. We could not be doing what we're doing if it weren't for all of you out there keeping us warm. We feel your love every minute of this journey and know that we're not walking this path alone.
We thank you from the very bottom of hearts and the pits of our bellies. xo - Claudia, Corrina's Handler