Today at 4:35p.m. a police officer who I've known most of my life had the task of delivering eviction papers to me. He said he had at least twenty more to hand out because the new owners wanted as many of us out as fast as possible. I understand business and how sometimes a "chosen few" must give up their homes for something called immanent domain. As a Native American, I should've seen this coming when the new owners bought the place. It's the 2017 edition of the "Trail of Tears." They bought the place the last of March and wasted no time getting their new property "in order."
As a renter, I pretty much knew I could be kicked out at any moment but living here nearly seventeen years and my breast cancer diagnosis gave a me false sense of security. "They wouldn't put a cancer patient out of her home, right? They'd at least give me thirty days, right?" NOPE! But I do understand..it's business.
The new owners want to build a townhouse/apartment complex here. It's their right...they paid a reported "million 5" for the property. Unfortunately, I thought I'd have time to look for another home instead of living in my car but legendary comic Steve Harvey says he had to live in his automobile...and look how successful he is! lol
To stay in my home, I was to pay the normal $425 in rent. The new manager came by--with a receipt book but refused to take my money. First, she couldn't take cash anymore--ok. Secondly, she couldn't even take a check, ok. She said they could only take money orders but it was "too late" and she'd only come by to make sure I knew the new owners were taking me to court. Got it. I accept it. What choice do I have? It's business.
My oncologist sent a letter documenting my "multiple medical problems including ongoing cancer treatments, etc., and is of the opinion that she not be removed from her home for at least six weeks." That would give me until June 15th. The letter goes into further details but I do not think it will help. As it stands now, I continue to look for another home but seven days isn't enough time; I have no family to take me in nor a place for my medical equipment. But what is really hurting my heart is since I can neither sell nor give her away, my nine year old chihuahua "Julie" will have to go to the only shelter around here...and it is a kill shelter. Suddenly, living in my car doesn't seem so bad. "Julie" is getting me through breast cancer...maybe I can get her through this eviction. She's my business.
Monday, May 8, 2017
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Cancer Will Make Me Homeless
When you hear those words, "You have breast cancer" you look for anything and everything to make you feel better. You face the fear of death, chemo, the effects of chemo, the loss of "your girls" and the fear of the unknown. But the one thing you don't fear is losing your home. I'm there now.
OK, cancer is a catastrophic disease. We know that. What we don't know is just how limited the financial help is out there. If anyone needs financial security, it's cancer victims.
I have lived in the same home for nearly sixteen years. I raised my children in this home choosing to rent instead of own because I am NOT able to fix the things that tend to go wrong in a home. Renting, paying on time and being a "good tenant" is the best thing to do...gives you credibility. Well...
When I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, I found the best professionals to care for me, my mind and soul what didn't happen was the financial care and advice I was led to believe would be there. Then my area sold to a company in North Carolina and suddenly, I was notified I'd need to pay $425.00 regular rent and then another $400.00 by the fifth of May or they would start "legal proceedings to have me evicted." In fact, the new manager came by last night to "collect."
Suddenly, the $425.00 I had wasn't enough. The entire $825.00 was required by tomorrow...May 5th, or I would quote, "need to start getting my shit together and get out."
I am still in treatment, bald and now broken hearted because one of my biggest fears has always been that one day someone would come to my home and say "Get out!" That day has come.
I literally have nowhere to go. My sons live pretty far away and their "significant others" DO NOT want me moving in no matter how temporarily it would be. There are no homeless shelters in my area and the worst hurts have been "radio silence" from my sons and a refusal of help from my church. Adding insult to injury, all I really need is $250 and all will be well. The problem is all my remaining cancer bills...as I call them have now been paid leaving me with just enough to pay the electricity bill. I never thought the $425.00 I had would be refused and they WILL not wait for June when my finances finally start getting back to normal.
Friends are gone, my faith is shattered and I'm trying to borrow the $250 from various loan places who tell me "they can't take the chance." Also, there is no sympathy for a breast cancer patient about to be thrown out of her home. At least I can live in my car...til June 3rd...my next payday.
Sisters...and brothers, pray for me as I go through the hardest part of my recovery. No, I won't be able to buy my meds but I'll survive. No, I won't have a home...but I'll survive. Just in case I on't, I have lived a wonderfully adventurous life, became an ICU/RN and just because I'm one of the few that fell through the cracks, I've met YOU! Any and all readers...pray for cancer patients, pray for me and take care of yourselves and those you love.
Don't pity me...learn from and pray for me, too!!
Love and Peace
Dyane
OK, cancer is a catastrophic disease. We know that. What we don't know is just how limited the financial help is out there. If anyone needs financial security, it's cancer victims.
I have lived in the same home for nearly sixteen years. I raised my children in this home choosing to rent instead of own because I am NOT able to fix the things that tend to go wrong in a home. Renting, paying on time and being a "good tenant" is the best thing to do...gives you credibility. Well...
When I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, I found the best professionals to care for me, my mind and soul what didn't happen was the financial care and advice I was led to believe would be there. Then my area sold to a company in North Carolina and suddenly, I was notified I'd need to pay $425.00 regular rent and then another $400.00 by the fifth of May or they would start "legal proceedings to have me evicted." In fact, the new manager came by last night to "collect."
Suddenly, the $425.00 I had wasn't enough. The entire $825.00 was required by tomorrow...May 5th, or I would quote, "need to start getting my shit together and get out."
I am still in treatment, bald and now broken hearted because one of my biggest fears has always been that one day someone would come to my home and say "Get out!" That day has come.
I literally have nowhere to go. My sons live pretty far away and their "significant others" DO NOT want me moving in no matter how temporarily it would be. There are no homeless shelters in my area and the worst hurts have been "radio silence" from my sons and a refusal of help from my church. Adding insult to injury, all I really need is $250 and all will be well. The problem is all my remaining cancer bills...as I call them have now been paid leaving me with just enough to pay the electricity bill. I never thought the $425.00 I had would be refused and they WILL not wait for June when my finances finally start getting back to normal.
Friends are gone, my faith is shattered and I'm trying to borrow the $250 from various loan places who tell me "they can't take the chance." Also, there is no sympathy for a breast cancer patient about to be thrown out of her home. At least I can live in my car...til June 3rd...my next payday.
Sisters...and brothers, pray for me as I go through the hardest part of my recovery. No, I won't be able to buy my meds but I'll survive. No, I won't have a home...but I'll survive. Just in case I on't, I have lived a wonderfully adventurous life, became an ICU/RN and just because I'm one of the few that fell through the cracks, I've met YOU! Any and all readers...pray for cancer patients, pray for me and take care of yourselves and those you love.
Don't pity me...learn from and pray for me, too!!
Love and Peace
Dyane
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
The Big Surprise
Are you fucking kidding me?" I was stunned, heartsick and I realized my career would once again be put on hold! After all the certifications, fees spent for nursing dues, educational classes and everything else I could do to start my nursing career all over again---cancer struck m down. Not just cancer...Stage 3 cancer with lymph node involvement.
I knew what it meant and I knew what it COULD mean. Seemed like life was going to end a little too early for me.
More on that later but PLEASE don't take any day, life or breath for granted. We aren't owed anything and we weren't promised tomorrow.
I knew what it meant and I knew what it COULD mean. Seemed like life was going to end a little too early for me.
More on that later but PLEASE don't take any day, life or breath for granted. We aren't owed anything and we weren't promised tomorrow.
Monday, May 1, 2017
What I Never Knew About Cancer
Everyone is terrified of those three little words, "you have cancer." I went thru this in June of 2014. The worse part of it was I had decided to return to nursing. I had raised my children, I was an empty-nester so why not? I had kept up with all the CEU's, the certifications like ACLS, Basic Life Support so it wasn't a big deal, right?
Armed in my left hand were all the papers needed to be an active RN again. But in my right had was the remote control. Unfortunately, the remote changed my life forever.
I turned the TV to our local affiliate which runs a breast cancer awareness program. It's called "Buddy Check Day." The idea behind it is to call your buddy on the tent of every month and tell them to do their monthly breast exam. I didn't have a buddy but thought "what the hell...I can play with my tatas a second. What happened later devastated me.
I discovered a lump in my right breast and went to the doctor only to discover I was in stage 3 breast cancer with lymph node involvement. 5 of the 6 axillary lymph nodes were positive for cancer and I was heart broken.
Nobody in my family had cancer. The most we ever had was hypertension or anxiety. I had to set a record and go for the "Big-C."
What I didn't know was that the American Cancer Society sends you boxes and boxes of reading materials, stuffed hearts to keep your breasts from chaffing when using your seatbelt and a bunch of numbers that unfortunately are out of date.
I also didn't know how repelling a diagnosis of breast cancer is. Most of my "friends" ha better things to do that hang around with me...it was as if they thought breast cancer was contagious. My favorite reason given for no longer being around me was "I jus can't take the sight of how much pain you're and all the chemo and radiation you'll have to endure." Some friend, right?
I decided to have the radical double mastectomy. No sense in having only one breast. Take them both! It was no big del for me even though I had sported 38DD's my entire adult life. Oh well, it was either them or me! Snip! Snip!!
The chemotherapy was a lot worse because I went thru it all alone at approximately 3:15a.m. with no one around to style my newly bald head and wipe away my tears. But I got through it. Stiff upper lip and all that. I had hats, wigs and scarves at the ready so no one saw me as "Cue Ball." I can be blone, brunette or a redhead depending on my mood and luckily---I look pretty good as each though I'm partial to my long blond wigs.
I also have a beautiful set of boobies that are as real as the ones I lost. May no mistake, cancer treatment is hell. I have to take a hormone for the next ten years before I can be classified as "cured" and I plan to live each one of those ten years until God takes me Home.
Some treatments are harsh and some usually male oncologists are even harsher. While it's a job to some, it is another person's life work who take it upon themselves to practice the most sincere form of empathy. I thank God for each of them. They made it worth going through...as if I had choice.
I still have a while to go and a few more small mountains to climb but I'll be one of the millions of BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS in the world. JOYOUS LORD!!
Any questions or if you just want a new friend write me at
Dyane Lody
220 Monday Rd
Suite 6
Corryton, TN 37721
I hope to eventually use this blog as a question/answer forum with nothing off limits!
Praise God
Dyane Lody
Armed in my left hand were all the papers needed to be an active RN again. But in my right had was the remote control. Unfortunately, the remote changed my life forever.
I turned the TV to our local affiliate which runs a breast cancer awareness program. It's called "Buddy Check Day." The idea behind it is to call your buddy on the tent of every month and tell them to do their monthly breast exam. I didn't have a buddy but thought "what the hell...I can play with my tatas a second. What happened later devastated me.
I discovered a lump in my right breast and went to the doctor only to discover I was in stage 3 breast cancer with lymph node involvement. 5 of the 6 axillary lymph nodes were positive for cancer and I was heart broken.
Nobody in my family had cancer. The most we ever had was hypertension or anxiety. I had to set a record and go for the "Big-C."
What I didn't know was that the American Cancer Society sends you boxes and boxes of reading materials, stuffed hearts to keep your breasts from chaffing when using your seatbelt and a bunch of numbers that unfortunately are out of date.
I also didn't know how repelling a diagnosis of breast cancer is. Most of my "friends" ha better things to do that hang around with me...it was as if they thought breast cancer was contagious. My favorite reason given for no longer being around me was "I jus can't take the sight of how much pain you're and all the chemo and radiation you'll have to endure." Some friend, right?
I decided to have the radical double mastectomy. No sense in having only one breast. Take them both! It was no big del for me even though I had sported 38DD's my entire adult life. Oh well, it was either them or me! Snip! Snip!!
The chemotherapy was a lot worse because I went thru it all alone at approximately 3:15a.m. with no one around to style my newly bald head and wipe away my tears. But I got through it. Stiff upper lip and all that. I had hats, wigs and scarves at the ready so no one saw me as "Cue Ball." I can be blone, brunette or a redhead depending on my mood and luckily---I look pretty good as each though I'm partial to my long blond wigs.
I also have a beautiful set of boobies that are as real as the ones I lost. May no mistake, cancer treatment is hell. I have to take a hormone for the next ten years before I can be classified as "cured" and I plan to live each one of those ten years until God takes me Home.
Some treatments are harsh and some usually male oncologists are even harsher. While it's a job to some, it is another person's life work who take it upon themselves to practice the most sincere form of empathy. I thank God for each of them. They made it worth going through...as if I had choice.
I still have a while to go and a few more small mountains to climb but I'll be one of the millions of BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS in the world. JOYOUS LORD!!
Any questions or if you just want a new friend write me at
Dyane Lody
220 Monday Rd
Suite 6
Corryton, TN 37721
I hope to eventually use this blog as a question/answer forum with nothing off limits!
Praise God
Dyane Lody
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)