Monthly Archives: May 2018

Best Birthday Party Ever

The living room is quiet at last and Charlotte has gone to bed, exhausted from all her efforts to make my birthday party the unforgettable event that it was.  I don’t have anything profound to say, I just want to record my thoughts from the day so that I can relive it whenever I need a reminder of how precious friends are.

We had friends from St. Frances Cabrini, Immaculate Conception, the Disciple program we just completed, our Bible study, our Rosary group, Kiwanis, Marriage Encounter and Michigan. Most of them were in more than one category. And it was a collection of the most warm-hearted and congenial people I have ever had the honor of knowing.

I just want to say “thanks” to all who came and to those who wanted to come but couldn’t. You all mean so very much to me and your love and support come at a time when I need all I can get, which actually is true at any time.

1 Comment

Filed under memoir

Here we go again

Yesterday I got confirmation of something I suspected for the couple of weeks. There has been a recurrence of oral cancer, this time on the right side. Fortunately it is only stage II but surgery is indicated along with chemo. No radiation, thank you God. My ENT does not feel that the Northern Arizona Healthcare system has a surgeon with the necessary skills to tackle this complex operation. He suggested the same doctor at the Mayo Clinic that I used before, but our experience there was less than satisfactory. My recent experience at UC Davis Hospital in Sacramento does offer a possible alternative, but I am also exploring the idea that a surgeon in Detroit has the necessary skills. That would save us a lot of money, and it would be wonderful to be near my friends during this. More to the point, I am concerned about what this means to Charlotte. She suffered a great deal during my first bout with this disease, and nothing saddens me more than the realization that her life will be just as afflicted as mine this time around. Being in Detroit would be a great aid to her, I think. So I am trying to push for having the surgery there. This remains to be seen.

The prognosis for a full recovery is good, so you will be stuck with me for a long time. But it is definitely going to affect (perhaps destroy) my ability to speak. That means that blogging and posting to Facebook will become my primary means of staying in touch. I will also be using email when appropriate.

It would be quite inaccurate to say that this is not distressing. But I am ready to face whatever challenges are ahead, strengthened by God’s Word.

Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses…and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. ~ II Corinthians 12:7-10

There is no doubt in my mind that God will use this for His greater glory, and that is perhaps the basis for this “peace that passes all understanding.” If there is anything I need from you, my beloved friends, it is encouragement and humor. Your love means everything. Empathy and support are the antidotes for pity, self- or otherwise.

If you have any long comments, I would prefer to get them here rather than on Facebook, but either is fine. But any contact will be a blessing.

My love goes out to all.

4 Comments

Filed under memoir

Never Too Late

My blogging slowed to a trickle lately. (Actually, to nothing) But I felt a need to journal so that my family would have a record of my thoughts. I almost started a separate blog, but realized that no one read this one anyway, so how better to stay anonymous than by blogging to an unread site. I felt guilty that I had waited so long to start journaling, but guilt should never be an excuse for inaction. I decided to start on my 70th birthday, but emerging circumstance dictate that I start now. So my next post, along with any I fell need to be seen,  will be shared on Facebook.

See you there.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Uncategorized