Year rougher on some than others
This year flew by and brought good news for some people who shared their stories with Close to Home and sad news for others. A Hayden family threatened with ruin after a devastating fire proved the strength and comfort of family unity. Two other families just as united, though, are showing that the best support can’t conquer some things.
Anyone familiar with Hob and Katie Blank in Hayden knows even a major fire, like the one that threatened to toast their entire corner Aug. 30, couldn’t keep their family down.
“It’s been a big challenge, but we never thought of giving up,” says Hob. He owns Recycled Cycles in Hayden. The fire demolished most of the popular motorcycle and snowmobile business that he and Katie had built over 23 years.
The Blanks wasted no time crying. Instead, they thanked firefighters for saving their home and some of the business that covered 2½ acres, assessed the future and returned to work. The business was uninsured, which complicated matters. If the Blanks wanted to rebuild, they had to pay for it themselves.
Which is the plan. The Blank children – Ryan, 29, Alex, 26, Abby, 18, and Nick, 15 – want to keep the family business for their generation, so Hob and Katie applied for financing for a new building. If the loan is approved, Recycled Cycles will have a new building by July, Hob says.
He converted half of the Blanks’ garage, which the fire didn’t reach, into a small service shop and, to comply with zoning codes, erected a tent where he’s storing parts for 2,400 motorcycles. Hob’s also selling more parts on eBay.
Customers have returned, but Hob could use more. He had to reduce hours for two workers. One is on unemployment.
“A lot of people don’t think we’re in business anymore,” he says. “We’re getting some work, but we could always use more.”
Recycled Cycles is at 2210 W. Hayden Ave. in Hayden.
The new year is not as rosy for Kim Corey, 38. The Cataldo mother of four and former Idaho State Police dispatcher-in-training was diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer in October, four months after she first asked doctors for help with a nagging ache in her shoulder blades.
She’s undergone traditional cancer treatment in Spokane and alternative treatment in Reno, Nev., but neither is slowing the advanced cancer, says ISP Capt. Wayne Longo, a family friend.
The ISP, where Kim’s husband, Todd, is a trooper, adopted the Corey family for Christmas. Friends, family and the Faith Baptist Church in Spokane have organized potlucks, dances, garage sales and more to help with medical expenses. The ISP gave Todd the time off he needs to care for Kim and their kids.
To help the Coreys, send donations to the Kim Corey Benevolent Fund at the Hillyard Branch of Bank of America. Donations may be made at any branch as long as the fund name and branch are mentioned.
The year hasn’t treated Patsy Ellison of Post Falls too well, either. Patsy, 41, also is a mother of four. Readers showered her with thousands of dollars after the story of her four bouts with cancer ran in Close to Home a year ago. Living expenses and utility bills mounted so quickly that Patsy had to choose between feeding her family and paying for her medication.
Emergency surgery knocked Patsy out of chemotherapy for months last spring. A relentless cancer that first appeared in 1997 in her breasts returned for a fifth time. Nearly three months of chemotherapy didn’t dent the cancer. She’s now trying a new chemotherapy in pill form. It costs her $660 a month after insurance pays its share. She does her best to cover the costs with her disability benefits.
The former postal clerk and equestrian says cancer has completely changed her life. Her eyes blur and don’t allow her to read or write much anymore. She listens to the television for something to do.
“My mom a few months ago told me at some point you have to think about quantity of life versus quality. That’s been on my mind a lot,” Patsy says. Her voice is raspy from bronchitis she can’t shake during chemotherapy.
Patsy’s Cancer Fund is still open at any branch of First Bank Northwest, if you’d like to help.
One more medical malady in Close to Home this year raised plenty of questions with readers. Little Nicholas Ashby in Orofino has fought a disorder some call werewolf’s syndrome. Read Close to Home on Friday for his update.