Happy Easter! Wasn’t General Conference wonderful this weekend? (And it wasn’t just me? That an unusually large percentage of the talks were about loss, death, missing loved ones, and the Resurrection? Wow. Hard in some ways so soon after losing Kendall, but also reassuring to feel how aware Heavenly Father is of our family, and knows exactly what comfort we will need in the next six months.)
Before I unplug here for a few days, I wanted to talk about an idea I have had. Well, really more than just an idea because I am going to go forward with this (and have already taken some steps in that direction). But I want to reach out and see if more brains than mine have ideas or connections I have not yet thought of.
Let me preface this with the acknowledgement that I know I have had an amazing support network spring up for our family during the past seven months. I partially credit Meal Train and those who have followed these updates with helping that to happen. And even with wonderful friends, family, and our incredible church congregation, this experience has been indescribably difficult.
Did you know that there are a lot of people who have to move here from out of state to receive care at the Huntsman? You remember that for a while it looked like Kendall and I would have to move to Salt Lake, and how overwhelming that seemed for me. Moving temporarily is often necessary when it comes to bone marrow transplants, and they are actually in the process right now of building another hospital next to Huntsman specifically for bone marrow transplants. So when people move here for treatments, they often do not have any support network at all: no friends nearby, no close family, no church affiliations.
Not to downplay the courage of cancer patients, but I think sometimes the caregiver can bear the greater burden. It can feel so heavy, and lonely, even with offers of support. My heart aches to think of how hard it must be without it. I have participated regularly with a weekly virtual caregiver support group from Huntsman, and there are so many needs.
On Sunday two weeks ago, just three days before Kendall ended up passing, I was struck with the thought (make that a prompting) that I should figure out a way to connect caregivers and patients with needs, with volunteers from the community who could help fill those needs (possibly through justserve.org?). I was able to speak with some of the social workers at Huntsman to make sure there weren’t already programs in place (not really), and the biggest immediate need is helping patients with rides to and from appointments (especially for Medicare patients, who can’t afford to just hire an Uber). I don’t know exactly what this is going to turn into, if we’ll expand to include things like meals or grocery deliveries, etc., but for now I’m going to focus on the ride aspect.
At the time I had the initial idea I wasn’t sure when I would be able to act on it, since every minute of my days were occupied with Kendall and my kids’ needs. But now? There are so many things I don’t know about how my future is going to play out, but it does look like I might have some more pockets of time than I have had for quite a while.
I may not yet know the details of what this will eventually look like, but I do know that I will now be doing it in Kendall’s name. I’m thinking starting with a Facebook group will be the easiest. But maybe I’ll create a non-profit organization? I do want to contact Uber (Lyft?) and ask if there is a way to contact their drivers and see if any of them would be willing to volunteer a few driving hours. Maybe Uber would even be willing to write off the gas as charity donations? Who knows how far this could go (possible chapters in other places?). Really, my ideal would be to get this started and then be able to hand it off to someone else to manage (as I have many demands on my time in this season of my life), but I’m open to wherever the Lord leads me.
So, ideas, anyone? (Reminder that my email is [email protected].) Is this something you would be willing to help me with, whether that looks like joining a Facebook group, or volunteering your own time or resources (even someone out-of-state could volunteer to pay for an Uber ride for someone)? I’ll let this percolate in your collective ether brain there, and then revisit this when I plug back in to the world in a few days. I want to capitalize on the fact that right now, so soon after Kendall’s passing, I still have connections at Huntsman, as well as this platform on Meal Train and you wonderful people who have repeatedly been willing to reach out and help. I am so impressed with your goodness, and generosity, and loving kindness.