By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

The unexpected --  it's hard to plan for, and sometimes, hard to deal with. Yet, Jarrett and Misty Smolarkiewicz have persevered through the unexpected in the past month. And they have the Hays community to thank for it.

The couple's journey began a month ago --  Jan. 11 to be exact. It was the day Misty learned she had colon cancer.

The diagnosis came after some time of not feeling well, first with what she thought was a cold and then accompanied by a severe pain under her rib cage.

More tests and meetings with an oncologist and surgeon followed.

She had surgery Jan. 23 in Wichita and returned home later in the week. That's when the community's contributions began to be realized.

"We have had a meal brought to us every night, sometimes two meals," Misty said.

Friends have donated money, paid their electric bill and helped in any way they could. Through doctor's appointments, friends have volunteered to babysit the couple's young sons, Ajoni, 4, and Kiros, who turned 1 on Feb. 1.

"That's huge --  with a capital H," Jarrett said.

"You know you live in a great community when people are calling and asking you, 'What can I do for you?' and you're running out of things for them to do."

Jan. 31

The unexpected took a turn Jan. 31. Jarrett still was home on personal leave following Misty's surgery when his manager at NEW Customer Service Companies' Hays facility called to tell him the company was closing the facility March 31.

It was a surprise for Jarrett, a full-time customer care representative who has worked there for nearly five years. However, in the nearly two weeks since the announcement, Jarrett has been impressed with the company's response.

"I've just been blown away at how many things that they're doing to try to make the transition as easy as possible for everybody working there, regardless of the decision they're making," Jarrett said.

The nearly 280 employees at NEW's Hays facility have been given options to work at home, take a severance package or relocate to continue working for the company. They've also been given time to consider the options, which Jarrett still is doing.

"Since this began, one of the first thoughts in my mind was, 'A lot of people are going to have a real negative attitude toward NEW.' ... In my experience in five years, and I've worked for other companies before this, I've never had a company that tries so hard to do right by their employees," Jarrett said. "They're trying to make it so nobody essentially has to lose their job --  you can just go work at home."

Jarrett said NEW also has made ample resources available about finding another job if employees choose not to stay with NEW.

One main hurdle for the family is finding health insurance. Jarrett said the severance package option covers the first month of COBRA insurance for employees, while the work-at-home option offers health insurance coverage, though not to the degree he and his family receive now. Misty works part-time at Hays Medical Center and has explored options there. Since her family is going through a "life-changing event," it could qualify them for coverage.

"In the beginning, we were very much nervous about what we would do for insurance, but it seems like God has our bases covered," Misty said.

Feb. 14

Although the doctors were confident Misty's surgery was successful last month, Misty will be starting chemotherapy soon as a precautionary measure because of her age and the extent of the cancer.

That journey begins with the couple spending Valentine's Day in a slightly less romantic way than they might have planned otherwise. With 12 rounds of chemotherapy upcoming, Misty will have a port placed Tuesday.

"I guess now you must bring me chocolate and flowers. And now you must bring me a double dose," Misty said jokingly to Jarrett, adding the couple has tried to find humor amongst the unexpected.

As soon as her incision is healed, Misty will begin the chemo treatments. To keep up with Misty's progress, visit her Caring Bridge page at www.caringbridge.org/mistysmo.

In the meantime, the Smolarkiewiczes will have a decision to make in terms of Jarrett's future -- one they realize nearly 280 other families will be making soon, too.

"It just causes you to look outside yourself because you see other people having the same struggles," Jarrett said.