CT News

The report of my May 26 CT scan arrived in the mail today.

"Stable appearance of the CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis without evidence to suggest metastasis or recurrence of the tumor."


"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever."
Psalm 118:29

CT Scan Day

I arrived at Providence Hospital Imagery Department at 7:20 am, was checked in, was given my special "milk shake", then walked around the hospital perimeter a couple times and then over to and around the local mall. Dr. Malviya likes me to walk for 90 minutes (instead of sitting for someone else's sixty), the better to move the contrast through my system.

Then onto the table I climbed, with my feet pointed toward that big doughnut (Multi-grain Cherrio?)-shaped machine. After two more contrasts (rectal and IV) and the pictures, I was on my way.

A day in the life....

Someone recently commented that he thought I was done with the medical thing.
That may be a logical thought.
(Or at least hopeful.)
But no. I am not done with the medical thing.
How do I explain my experience?
And how do I understand it myself?

The hysterectomy and the washing out of my abdomen and then the nine rounds of chemotherapy were supposed to remove and kill all the cancer cells they could find.

But it is Stage IIIA , which means some loose cells were found beyond the original site.... And it is a rare kind called uterine papillary serous cancer, which means it is sneaky. It tends to come back.

So no, I guess I can't say that I am out of the woods. I live in the woods. And yet, as far as I know, and hopefully, today's CT scan will not change that, the woods are not currently on fire.

And as long as I'm here....I'm going camping!

Jo Bargy: Memories

When I was celebrating my high school graduation (1973), I received a covered box in the mail, decorated with flowered paper. It was from Cal and Jo Bargy, our relatives up north by Kewadin. When I opened it, I found a beautiful soft green nightgown, a grown-up nightgown, different than my usual flannels. I was so surprised and pleased. I put it away to save for when I got married. But often, I took it out to admire.

Josephine Bargy died yesterday.
She had not been well for some time.
And John and I recently saw her in a nursing home in Bellaire, during our week of vacation after Easter.

Our family used to go up to their farm every year as we were growing up. Sometimes we would camp out for a few days, and my dad would help on the farm. I would often find a corner and read. Jo would feed us good farm food, fresh whole milk and fresh vegetables and fruit (I especially loved the cherries). I developed a small understanding, but eventually a great appreciation for farmers and farm life.

I remember the feel of rough gooey calf tongues licking (sucking) my hand as I tried to pet their heads. I remember once being allowed to climb the then-new blue Harvestore silo. I remember taking my own family back there, of visiting the barn with my small son in my arms, when suddenly, a cow "Mooed" with a much louder bellow than I remembered. And I remember learning that their granddaughter Anna, also a farmer, had a job at the post office as well. Farms and farmers are so important. Farmers are faithful to their disciplines, from early mornings to long nights, whatever the weather, whatever the holiday.

We had a little more connection the eight years my own family lived in Traverse City, when Jo would also talk to John about his job and churches and people we might know in common.

But mostly today, I am remembering that Jo is the special woman who sent me a graduation gift that seemed to say, "You are a woman now. Welcome."

I miss her.
I am thankful for her Homecoming, and look forward to seeing her again someday.


"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."
Psalm 36:5

Uncle Buel

Wednesday morning, March 10, John and I visited my Uncle Buel, and also Aunt Betty, cousin Mike (from NM) and Uncle Ron, in Livonia.

Then John went to his staff meeting at church, and I walked from church over to the "South Oakland County Business Expo", where I was particularly interested in "The Royal Oak Community Farm" and "Vivid Digital Concepts" (business of friends Tom, Kip, and Ryan Tull).

Walking home, I stopped at the dairy to sit down with a drink of milk. When I checked my cell phone, I discovered a call from my brother Allan.

The news was that Uncle Buel had died about 12:30.
Before Wednesday, we had seen Uncle Buel at Christmas time when my folks were down.
They were also over at Allan's for Thanksgiving (see earlier photo). He had looked weak then. But he always hugged me and said, "There's my girl."

So now, there is Visitation Friday and a Funeral Saturday. Their minister has not been well, so they asked John to do the funeral. So that is what John is working on now.

Bonnie and Charlie are coming. And my dad is coming, representing my mom, whose recovery from back surgery, including nursing home with physical therapy, is keeping her up north.

More later....

Still Catching Up

-Thanksgiving.

I was so looking forward to Carrie coming! And she brought Frank, who was fun to meet and who (many thanks!), helped with the long drive from Philadelphia.

However, there were some missing faces as well. Mom and Dad were not able to come, because Mom's pain and mobility issues have been worse lately. She has been faithfully seeing a physical therapist, but otherwise is mostly staying home, while Dad takes good care of her.

Carrie and Frank took a quick one-day (day-after-Thanksgiving) trip up north to see them with John and me. What fun!

Bonnie and Charlie also were not with us this year, but Bonnie did come home from the hospital (in Erie, PA) that morning and we spoke on the phone!

Otherwise, we all had a good time getting together at Allan's house for Thanksgiving!
John and I; Carrie and Frank; James and Sarah;
Allan and Heather and A.J; Kendall and Eric; Jason and Kaitlin;
Uncle Buel and Aunt Betty
Inez Hice (John's mom)

More Catching Up - Short Spots

- "Where is all your curly hair?"
Hair cut #2 was Nov. 18
It was getting in my eyes!
The curls are mostly gone now, but there are still waves.
I think my Grandma Arlene would like it.

- New committee for me at church: "Igniting Ministries" (Evangelism)
I think part of the purpose of the committee is to remind the church of our primary purpose as Christ-followers: disciple-making.

- I also am involved in "First Adventures", a group at church that promotes keeping physically active for the health of our whole being. Does anyone else want to walk to church with me? To walk anywhere? Just to walk and chat? (John and I are also about to begin a walking program with our insurance company.)

-"Metro Bridges". A new group at church that connects people within city and suburbs. Monday night we gathered with some Second Grace friends, about 34 of us together.

- Choir. Sang at Royal Oak's "Holiday Parade" on our church front lawn, and also at a recent funerals. We also had a pot-luck this past week with voice-warming soup.

Medical Week

Mammogram Monday (Yes, my sister and another friend were also scheduled for Monday!)
(My results: fine. All good news is appreciated!)

Oncologist Wednesday (technically Thursday into the morning)
Primary Care Doctor O'Dowd Thursday a.m.
Dermatologist Dr. Harbeck Thursday p.m.
(Ophthalmologist Dr. Jardon next Thursday)

These appointments seem rather close to process well.
However, I am buoyed by the novelty and comic relief of the scheduling.
Not everyone one gets to see their doctor (Dr. Malviya) at 2:30 in the morning.
I am not scheduled to go back until June 9.

After a few hours sleep, I went on with the Thursday appointments.
A bonus: some dear friend-visiting-time between appointments.

Dr. Malviya streamlined my vitamins.
Dr. O'Dowd said I probably should not lift more than 20 pounds because of the hernia.
Just thought I would throw that in there.