On Friday, the 4th of August, 1983 I married the love of my life in Clearwater, Florida. Rev. Comer of the Clearwater First Methodist Church presided over the ceremony. My dear friend and co-worker Susan Miles attended this church and suggested it for our ceremony since we were not able to be married in the…
December 24th, 2014 at 12:30PM I stepped out of the chemo chair with the help of my husband, whom I lovingly call “Joseph”(as in Mary and Joseph), his real name is Tom, with a huge smile on my face. The chemo nurse handed me a “Certificate of Completion” signed by the entire floor of nurses….
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and we need to get out there and get this cancer the attention it demands. Did you know that the American Cancer Society says that in 5 years PC will be the number one cancer killer? Yet, PC receives the least amount of research funding of all cancers. The…
We all have an expiration date. In the back of our minds we wonder just when it is. Most of us believe it is out there somewhere around the age of 85 or so, especially if the family genes have produced a few octogenarians. 2010 life expectancy charts for Social Security claim the average person…
Many of us wondered if we should assemble an ARC for the annual Purple Stride 5K to raise awareness and funding for research for pancreatic cancer. It had been raining steadily for several days and the forecast did not show any relief in sight. Floridians were beginning to wonder if our meteorologist had fallen asleep….
It looks rather like a coat of armor when you see it for the first time. It is really just a plastic mesh that is softened during what is called your “assimilation” appointment. They form it to your body at the radiation site. If you have cancer in your head, they form a head mask!…
Often I struggle with messages from God. Are they really from Him? Could the evil one be steeling His secret path into my heart and mind? A lot of the time it is a serious answer I wait on. Recently I had agreed to step out of my comfort zone and do something that involved…
“You are now cancer free”, declared Dr. Asbun with a huge smile on his face. “The surgical team has done our part and now the rest is up to you.” We truly believe our mind and body work together in the healing process. We also believe our faith plays the most important role of maintaining…
“Less than three percent of patients undergoing Whipple surgery contract infection.” said our surgeon, Dr. Asbun. Just seven days after discharge from a six day Whipple surgery recovery stay, I was rushed to the Mayo ER with a 101 temperature and general overall feeling of lethargy. The drain, placed in my side to remove excess…
The support we have seen from family, friends and even strangers is mind blowing! Sunday before surgery, the Jude’s Dudes group left The Players Championship final round to come to Mayo and show their support. We had 42 Dudes’ show up! Fr. Frank was making his daily visit to my hospital room when everyone showed…