Getting Settled in Ohio

Written by Nikki

Getting settled in Ohio didn't go as expected.  We had a few road bumps. We arrived in Cleveland on Thursday, July 12 and went straight to the house we would be staying in.  That night we slept on air mattresses that we had brought from home.  The next day we were off to the Cleveland Clinic to meet with our transplant coordinator. The first order of business was to draw his blood and then they would officially list Benjamin on the organ donor list.  

This would be where we hit our first road block.  Benjamin's blood came back with an elevated white count.   Not only did this prevent them from listing him it also caused them to admit him into the hospital.  The doctors were afraid he had a line infection at his port o cath.  He was also severely dehydrated, I think from traveling.  So he was admitted for IV antibiotics and electrolytes to level out his blood.  

Let's just say the patients rooms we are used to at the University of Utah are much more roomy. :-)  Hopefully the rooms in the actual transplant unit have a bit more room.  We were told he would likely remain in the hospital until Wednesday.  Not what we wanted to hear, we were hoping to spend some time seeing a few of the historical sights in Kirtland before Lincoln returned home.  So instead we began the schedule of driving into the city to the Hospital every day.  

This brings us to road block number 2.  Somewhere to live.  The house we were staying in turned out to be way bigger than I anticipated and in a more urban area than I am used to.  Lets just say, I had a case of culture shock. I have lived in the same small suburb of Utah my entire life and this was so far out of my comfort zone. My cousin who was ever so kind to offer it to us as a place to stay while we got settled is also in the process of listing it to sale.  These things combined made me feel very overwhelmed. So rather than stay there until it sold, Lincoln and I decided to try to get me settled in a more suburban area before he went home.  So the hunt for the right town and place was on and we were in a time crunch.  Luckily or unluckily, however you want to look at it, I had a mini break down in front of the transplant coordinator and the case worker. But this allowed them the opportunity to discuss what we were looking for in an area, what I am used to, and were able to guide us to a few communities that might feel more like home to me.  After checking out a few places we decided on Whilloughby, Ohio located in Lake County.  It's a suburb located about 23 miles East of Cleveland.  After much apartment looking we settled on a high rise apartment located right off the freeway.  My commute to and from the hospital will be very easy. Our 2 bedroom 1 and 1/2 bath apartment is located on the second floor has a huge balcony and is very roomy and is very safe.  The blessing in this is that we were able to spend the days searching and driving around and then the afternoons with Benjamin in the hospital, but he didn't have to chase all over with us. 

Below is the house we stayed in for the first week.  If your looking to relocate to Cleveland Heights, Ohio and want a house near the city with so much cool old charm and tons of space you will love it!

The next task... Furniture.  We had ordered two new beds while we were still in Utah so they were delivered to the house in Cleveland Heights the second day we were there.  Blessing, no more air mattresses.  The downside, Lincoln and I now had to  move two beds from the house to the apartment and find a kitchen table and chairs and a couch only having my van for transportation.  It's amazing what you can fit into a minivan. :)  We had to rent a truck from Home Depot to move the queen bed, but everything else we bought we were able to fit into the van, once we figured out how to remove the two captain seats.

In our search for furniture we frequented Craigs List, a few second hand stores and even a garage sale. You will notice the folding wagon in the background.  A necessity for getting groceries into a high rise apartment building.  All these things you take for granted when living in your own home.  I had NEVER lived in an apartment before.  Lincoln and Ben had both had the opportunity to live in an apartments during their LDS missions.

Couch, Craigs List.

Table for the T.V., Second hand furniture store.

The T.V. was Benjamins,we brought from home. 

Table and Chairs, Craigs List.  From a very nice lady who happens to have a basement apartment she has never rented.  She liked us so much she offered it as a place Benjamin could rent when our lease here is up in 10 months.  We definitely kept her contact information.  It's absolutely amazing how kind people are and how willing to help. She even offered us any items from her own kitchen that we might still need. 

Thursday July 19th Benjamin was cleared of infection and his blood levels were back in range and he was officially listed on the Organ donation list.  He was finally released from the Hospital on Saturday, July 21st.  Just in time to ride with me to take Lincoln to the airport so he could fly home to Utah.  It was a sad goodbye.

Since then Benjamin and I have just been getting our bearings about us and settling into our new home.  I can safely drive myself to Costco, two different Walmarts, Target, a gas station, the hospital airport and church all without using maps.  I am sure as I explore and drive around we will find our way to all the places we need to go. 

We attend church in the Kirtland Ohio ward.  We live about l0 minutes from the church building.  We attend church in the building located right next to the Kirtland Ohio Church Historical sights.  It is a wonderful feeling to be here and attending church in the shadow of the first temple.  We can't wait to visit the sights and feel the special spirit that is Kirtland. Our first two Sundays we blended right in with the other hundred or so tourists attending church. When you arrive to church and there is a tour bus and many RV's in the parking lot you know it's going to be exciting. The tourists outnumbered the members 3-1.  The members of the ward told us this is how the meetings are for the month of July and early August.    It actually makes for very interesting and fun Sunday School and Relief Society lessons.  So many different people from so many different walks of life.   Benjamin will be attending the Singles branch located down by the hospital after I get my feet settled. 

Today Ben and I had our first outing aside from the hospital and the store.  Benjamin and I visited a Metro Park with a Castle on it.  Squires Castle is located less than 10 minutes from where we live.  It is a beautiful park and Castle.  The castle was built in 1890 by an Oil Baron and was originally intended to be the gate house.  It is on beautiful acreage covered in woods, hiking/walking trails and green grass.  Many people take advantage of these metro parks located all throughout the area.  The best way I can describe them is as mini state parks.  

 

Tomorrow it's back to the Cleveland Clinic for some follow up blood work.  For now we find ways to stay engaged while we wait for the right donor.  We know Heavenly Father has a plan, and we wait in faith for his timing.