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<DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is a little late - but important
none-the-less. Anne</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear All,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I have now finished my
third treatment of Chemotherapy--two days in Redding at Mercy Center Hospital
and one shot at Fairchild in Yreka. The weather was great for driving
despite the snow on the ground and the ice threatening on my doorstep.
Since this was my second out-patient treatment, I felt much more in control and
things went faster. The nurses in the unit are wonderful--they rearrange
schedules to get me in and out as quickly as possible so I was finished by
3:30pm on Wednesday and by 11:30 am on Thursday. They know all our names
and try to seat us where we prefer. We also get box lunches for patient
and guest so that is simplified.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I am doing well. The
doctor said so on Wednesday when she told me the mass in my abdomen had shrunk
from 13 to 9 in diameter--which much reduced the volume and she could not feel
it as she had be able to on my first visit. She now doubts that there was
any cancer in my neck; none of the scans showed it. I no longer have
nausea or vomiting and I have learned to take the 5 prednisone tablets each day
for 3 days in apple sause--last time they caused me to vomit. When I am
asked about side effects I say no to almost everything and I have learned to
cope with the one--diarrhea. I still have a bit of hair which a friend
tells me is cute. It stands up in the back and covers my whole head, but
scantily. So, I have several hats for warmth. I even ordered a wig
from the American Cancer Society catalog--but it will be brown with red
highlights--they were out of white and I think I was once that color! I am
hoping that my eyebrows and eye lashes will stay as they have so far. I
have never learned to do much with makeup.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> One advantage of this
process is that I have lost quite a bit of weight--30 to 40 pounds so some of my
clothes don't fit very well. A trip to the Hospice 2nd hand shop with
another friend found for me 4 pairs of pants (including jeans) and three
tops for less than $25 in size 18--a size I haven't worn for over twenty years I
think. I guess they also changed sizes during that time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I am overwhelmed by the support
my family and friends have given me during this time. My sister Jan has
visited me twice from Vancouver, WA. She took me to my first out-patient
treatment and helped me decorate for Christmas. Getting the lights on the
tree had stumped me. Janis continues to bring me excellent food, clean my
house when I go to chemo and recruit her husband Ted to shovel my walks and
driveway--all things I put off even when I am healthy. Jean Krueger
continues to be my health advocate and took me to Redding this week. My
sister, Joy, is flying into Medford and renting a 4wheel drive car to take me to
my next chemo Feb. 5-7. We hope to attend the Shrove Tuesday Pancake
Supper and Ash Wednesday service at All Saints in Redding while we are
there. That time my doctor's appointment is at 8:30 am, a bit early for a
start from Yreka, especially if the weather threatens. Fortunately I have
been able to stay at the Mercy Hospitality House on their campus which has
microwave and refrigerator as well as space for two people at very reasonable
cost--less than $20 per night. The only problem is that they are sometimes
full, but I've haven't been left out yet.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Medi-Cal still hasn't come
through, despite being past their 45 day limit, but I have finally figured out
why. The local Human Services office couldn't understand whether
I was eligible to withdraw all of the $12,000 I have in a TIAA-CREF Traditional
annuity (I can't), but because they didn't understand it they set it aside and
didn't contact me for further information. I hope with multiple calls to
New York, a FAX asking for information directly to Human Services and an appeal
that doctors, pharmacists and hospitals are getting impatient, I can finally get
an appointment and eventually a card so I can then cope with more paperwork. I
need to learn to harass people and not trust human institutions to operate as
their paperwork says they will.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I am also feeling much better
than I have for months. Though I have limited energy, I can walk farther
than last month.I usually eat less than I used to--I hope that continues.
I do sleep and rest more than I do in my normal schedule but it is a
relief to give myself permission not to worry about the things I have been
procrastinating about. I have been listening to the folks who tell me to
take care of myself.. One treat I am giving myself is the Epiphany West
Conference At Church Divinity School of the Pacific. I have attended
it almost every year since I graduated from seminary, so the other
participants and the seminary community are an important part of my experience
of the wider church. It also falls in the middle of my chemo cycle so I
should have enough energy. However, I realize that I still need a place to
take naps or collapse during the day, so I needed housing on campus which was
really beyond my budget. And then an unsolicited check for $500 was given
to me by my parish, St. Mark's in Medford. I made the call that day and
got the last room on campus. Blessings come in many forms. Ted
and Shirley Ridgeway who have visited me in the hospital, kept in touch by
e-mail and offered me housing when I need it will help me break up the trip to
Berkeley so I can drive 2 hours to Redding and then three hours on Monday rather
than my usual 5 in a rush. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I thank you all for your
prayers. I am sure they have helped to make this as calm and relaxed a
process as possible. When I haven't been able to pray in a very
disciplined fashion I have counted on all of you. You have worked
miracles.</FONT> <FONT face=Arial size=2>Please keep it up and help me to
learn how to accept all this help without a feeling of guilt.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Faithfully,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Judy Z.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT> </DIV></DIV></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. <A title="http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598" href="http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598" target="_blank">Watch the video on AOL Living.</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>