If you've read this blog for any length of time you have come to know Alan & Stevie. Alan is one of the more prolific contributors by way of comments, and we were all looking forward to their return from Canada to renew our acquittance. But Stevie has gotten sick and they have to stay close to home. Alan just sent me this update with permission to share:Her lung cancer has been verified - adenocarcinoma in the superior lobe of the left lung. It is non-small cell carcinoma - the less aggressive of the two types of cancer.
She may have surgery if one hour exploratory proves it to be feasible. This exploratory takes place Nov. 21. Surgery is the best option if it can be done.
Radiation and/or chemo therapies could also occur. But the first route will be to try for surgery.
I shall try to keep Sandpipers posted as to our progress.
Our kind regards to all our Sandpipers friends,
Alan & Stevie
She may have surgery if one hour exploratory proves it to be feasible. This exploratory takes place Nov. 21. Surgery is the best option if it can be done.
Radiation and/or chemo therapies could also occur. But the first route will be to try for surgery.
I shall try to keep Sandpipers posted as to our progress.
Our kind regards to all our Sandpipers friends,
Alan & Stevie
To fight this illness they are also using humor. We've all read that laughter is the best medicine. When you laugh, you relax, you take in more oxygen, etc. Here is one of the many limericks recently posted here, this by Alan:
There is really a rumor,
That Stevie has developed a tumor.
This isn't very nice,
Amongst all our ice,
But we shall beat both with our HUMOR!!
To that end another funny-from Bob # 36:
Doctor’s Advice
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetables). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, which means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain.
Q; What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain….Good!
Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!! … Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated with it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q; Is chocolate good for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! “Round” is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – Chardonnay in one hand – Chocolate in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO, What a ride!”
For those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
The Japanese eat very little fat … and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The Mexicans eat a lot of fat … and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The Chinese drink very little wine … and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The Italians drink a lot of red wine …. And suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats … and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
Conclusion: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you!
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetables). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, which means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain.
Q; What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain….Good!
Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU’RE NOT LISTENING!!! … Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they’re permeated with it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
Q; Is chocolate good for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It’s the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! “Round” is a shape!
Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember: Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – Chardonnay in one hand – Chocolate in the other – body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO, What a ride!”
For those of you who watch what you eat, here’s the final word on nutrition and health. It’s a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.
The Japanese eat very little fat … and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The Mexicans eat a lot of fat … and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The Chinese drink very little wine … and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The Italians drink a lot of red wine …. And suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats … and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
Conclusion: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you!
And finally,
Reasons to love being over 50:
People no longer view you as a hyperchrondiac.
You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service.
Your investment in health insurance is beginning to pay off.
And your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them, either.
All our best hopes and wishes are with you Stevie & Alan. Laugh...laugh as much as you can.
9 comments:
Thank you Sue. The hand that we have been dealt is the one we shall play to the best of our ability. (With all the humor that we can muster!!)
To stevie with all your wit
we pray and know you can beat it
It's cold up there
and we all want to share
in our hearts we have a prayer.
your not here we shed a tear
but looking to seeing you next year
Love it, Tony. Our intent is to be there next winter!!
Dear Stevie, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Think of the body as a machine
with heart and lungs and spleen
all doing their thing
faltering now and again
but reparable if you only believe
Thank you for the very kind words, Sue & John.
Stevie and Alan, you both are in our thoughts and prayers. Both of my parents (Terry) had lung cancer, so I am very well of the battle ahead of you. I do believe that humor, faith and positive belief can go along way towards making this diagnosis better. You will be sadly missed by all this winter and we will be looking forward to seeing you next year.
Thank you for your wishes, Tom & Terry. We certainly are hoping that we shall return during the 09/10 winter.
I liked Bob's philosophy about Pain. My own is...
"No pain: No pain!"
(But mild exercise is good.)
Stevie, we'll miss you on the Petanque court. Good luck, girl! :-)
David211
Thank you, David211. We shall continue playing the hand dealt to the best of our ability.
Post a Comment