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reflection |
day in the life
Highlighting
the everyday life of a couple living well with a slow-growing cancer.
Life isn’t
always easy, and there will certainly be sorrows and losses
along the way. But being alive is good. It is very good.
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Wednesday,
March 31, 2010
Heading east
It’s 5:13am. Gary and I are sitting in a Central Oregon airport
bound for Philly … and grandchildren! You don’t even want to
know what time Gary rolled me out of bed this morning.
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We have 5 glorious days ahead with kids and grands …
and then 5 days in Florida with three speaking
opportunities – a cancer center in West Palm Beach,
The Wellness Community in Miami, and the Moffitt
Cancer Center in Tampa. |
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Leaving on a jet plane |
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We’ll base out of my brother’s home in West Palm for the week.
He says the temps are in the 70s and the humidity has set in.
This does not compute. My smart phone tells me it’s 25 degrees
here with no humidity anywhere in sight – just beautiful white
snow on the nearby mountains. I think I’m in for a rude
awakening.
Speaking of awakening – signing off for a short snooze before
they begin boarding.
Comment
Sunday, March
28, 2010
March Madness
Gary, my computer geek husband, comes up with the idea for a
little friendly family competition. Which means we’re in the
middle of March Madness and the stakes are high – a large candy
bar and trophy presented to the winner at the annual Johnson
family reunion in May.
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You choose one team from each of the 16 seeds. The
higher ranked team your team beats, the more points
you score.
So, at the end of the Elite Eight weekend, with four
teams headed into the Final Four, my sister-in-law,
Wendy, is in first place with 217 points and I’m
trailing in second with 194 points. I’m so far
behind that West Virginia needs to sweep everything
for me to win the coveted prize. |

Go,
West Virginia
Mountaineers! |
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Before WVU’s big win yesterday, Gary’s brother e-mailed: “Wendy
said to tell you she expects a HUGE candy bar,” to which I
replied, “Don’t count your candy bars before they hatch!” (The
nerve of some people.)
This is the sister-in-law who has started all the water fights
at the family reunion, who loves competition and loves to win.
I’m thinking if I show up at this year’s reunion as the winner
of the Johnson Family March Madness Pool, I'd better be wearing
rain gear.
Go, Mountaineers!
Comment
Friday, March
26, 2010
Welcome to spring
I just popped a pan of
Pumpkin Cornbread into the oven (think soft gingerbread with a touch of crunchy cornmeal).
The smell of molasses and cinnamon baking puts me in mind for
the winter holidays. Of course, it helps that snow is falling
and the fireplace is blazing.
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Pumpkin
cornbread with molasses & cinnamon |
Welcome to
spring in Central Oregon. A couple years ago we
hosted a barbecue and Easter egg hunt in our
backyard with temps in the low 70s … and then woke
up the next morning to 3-4 inches of snow.
Which is one of the things I love about living at
the base of the towering Cascades – you just never
know what the weather will bring and since Gary and
I are up for adventure, today’s snow flurries suit
us just fine. |
Someone in a neon green jacket with black tights just rode by on
his bicycle. Another thing I love about Central Oregon – the
die-hard outdoor enthusiasts. Snow? Phssw … I can still ride
my bike to work. Watch me.
So on this spring morning
–
my day off
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we’re
enjoying pumpkin cornbread
and hot tea for breakfast, snow falling, fireplace light, and
writing projects.
It just doesn’t get much better than this!
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Side note:
Speaking of breakfast, Gary, my knight in shining armor, braved
the blizzard to fill the birdfeeder on this frosty morning.
“The
things you do for me!”
I beamed as he came back indoors.
To which he
replied with a straight face:
“No
one ever said I was smart.”
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Monday, March
22, 2010
Half birthdays
Occasionally Gary tries to re-write the rules.
And occasionally I let him. Take, for instance, his
“Eat whatever I want on my birthday” rule that he
made up a couple years ago (as if what I’m feeding
him isn’t nutritious and delicious).
And then there’s the rule he made up to go with the
first rule: “Every half birthday I get to eat
whatever I want.” I indulge him in this new rule, as
well. Sigh.
So, with Gary’s half birthday today, we
celebrated on Friday at a local steak house
of his choice – the Tumalo Feed Company. |
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Cowboy Gary with Cowboy Bob |
The Tumalo Feed Company, just a few miles north of Bend, was featured in Sunset Magazine as one
of the 11 “Top Steak Houses of the Great West.” Well deserved. The décor is
warm and inviting and definitely cowboy-ish. Our friendly waitress was
wearing a short denim skirt and cowboy boots, and Dale Evans and
Roy Rogers were crooning on the overhead speakers.
Gary orders a juicy steak that comes with a
salad, onion rings, country potatoes, beans and garlic bread.
Being the self-disciplined girl that I am, I order a salad and
the trout with asparagus, although I may have helped Gary polish off
the
onion rings and garlic bread.
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We ask for a take-out box because we’re saving room
for dessert. After all, what good does an “Eat
whatever I want” rule do if you can’t order
dessert?
Being the self-disciplined girl, I order Marionberry
Cobbler, topped with
vanilla ice cream (minor detail)
while Gary gets a piece of Chocolate
Thunder Cake that is so rich it takes him three days
to finish it off. (Either that, or he was flaunting
his chocolate cake in front of me all weekend.) |
Tumalo Feed Company |
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If you visit the Tumalo Feed Company Web site, you’ll learn a
little history about the place and its owners, John Bushnell and
Robert Holley. Apparently they met while working in a popular
steak house in Northern California and then later Bushnell
recruited Holley to work as manager of a well-known California
restaurant. “Robert was the only available restaurant manager in
town at that time,” says Bushnell.
“It was a town of seven, and the other six were in jail,”
recalls Holley.
You see why it’s
a fun place to eat.
Back to rule making: One of the rules is not to let the guy make
up too many because then he thinks he’s the official rule-maker.
A girl has to draw the line somewhere. Earlier last week, Gary
asks what I’m getting him for his half birthday.
Half birthday presents? I don’t think so. Right there –
that’s where you draw the line.
Comment
Friday, March
19, 2010
Destinations
Our original destination this morning may have been the little
meadow at the base of Three Fingered Jack, but the true
destination was getting outdoors and participating in life.
With shorter work hours that usually mean Fridays off, we awoke
to blue skies and sunshine. The webcam on Santiam Pass showed
clear roads with a bit of snow along the sides, so we took the
chance that the road up to the Jack Lake trailhead was open …
and that there wouldn’t be too much snow on the trail.
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It’s about 12 miles from the highway to the
trailhead. We made it to mile 11 before our little
4-wheel drive vehicle couldn’t maneuver the
snow-covered uphill road.
No worries. We’d
just hike the rest of the way to Jack Lake, and then
see how far up the trail we could get. We were
layered for brisk weather with plenty of water and
snacks. |
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Three Fingered Jack straight ahead |
The skies were clear and deep.
We heard sounds of
a woodpecker working his way through a tree, and stopped a
couple times to peer at wildlife tracks and decipher what
activity had taken place there in the night.
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And all the while, we snapped away at glorious
mountain views – Middle Sister, North Sister, and
Mt. Washington to our left; Jefferson to our right;
Three Fingered Jack straight ahead.
The further we hiked, though, the deeper the snow.
Because we weren’t outfitted with snowshoes, we
eventually had to turn back. |
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North and Middle Sisters |
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So even though we set out to reach
Canyon Creek Meadows at the
base of Three Fingered Jack, if the idea was to get outdoors and
enjoy each other’s
company and
the physical activity,
then I would have to say that we reached our destination today.
Comment
Tuesday, March
16, 2010
Most romantic
bridge in the world
One of the things Gary and I talk about in our cancer
survivorship presentation is the importance of having an
attainable goal (or two or three), determine the first steps and
then work in the direction of your dreams.
We figured we probably ought to practice what we preach ... so,
with our dream of hiking the Swiss Alps in mind, we set up a
fun savings account, Gary applied for a passport and I got
mine renewed. And now – a year or so later with a few detours
along the way – we have enough saved.
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Swiss Alps hiking goal |
I love it when other people believe in your dreams.
Our daughter and son-in-law sent us a couple of
books—one entitled Switzerland’s Mountain Inns: A
Walking Vacation in a World Apart. And recently
we got email from a doctor in our community who
completed a 35 stage, 42 night trek across
Switzerland. I spent some time browsing through the
links he sent and checking out his recommended
reading list – a wealth of information. |
A guy we met this past weekend who hiked in the French Alps had
some good tips, and a nursing student at one of our
presentations wrote down the names of three must-see
places in Switzerland with good hiking trails.
So now that we have a cheerleading squad, we figure we’d better
not let anyone down. We are shooting for the last week in August
and the first week in September, after the European vacationing
crowds have returned to their respective cities.
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The Kapellbrücke in Lucerne, at right, has been
called the most romantic bridge in the world. I’ve
visited on a couple different occasions, but what
good does it do to cross the most romantic bridge in
the world without your sweetie?
So, in addition to venturing out on some alpine
hiking trails, guess where I plan to take Gary! |
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Kapellbrücke in Lucerne
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most romantic bridge |
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Comment
Friday, March
12, 2010
Stellar team
Gary drags me out of bed early this morning – my day off, I
might add – to attend Grand Rounds at the hospital. The guest
speaker is
Dr. Tomasz Beer,
Professor of Medicine at
Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)
and Director
of its Prostate Cancer Research Program.
We
first met Dr. Beer (pronounced “bear”) in September 2009 at an
OHSU prostate cancer conference where we were on the agenda as
presenters. I blogged afterward about how we immediately liked
him—“I was struck with the
thought that we are ordinary people stepping outside our comfort
zones into the presence of greatness.”
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So this morning, we asked His Greatness how much he
would charge if we could have our photo taken with him.
Apparently he’s
never considered charging for photo sessions, but
the thought struck him that it might be a
great way to raise funds for prostate cancer
research.
(I’m pretty sure he’ll be looking into
that further.) |
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Dr. Tomasz Beer The Great (at left) |
Gary is a radar-screen patient of Dr. Beer’s, which means
he gets his hormonal therapy treatment locally and sees Dr. Beer
once a year to stay on his radar screen – a really great place
to be since Dr. Beer is on a mission to find a cure for
prostate cancer.
So there you have it, part of our stellar medical team.
Personable, brilliant … and vigilant when it comes to cancer.
Comment
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Saturday, March
6, 2010
Talent
Central Oregon’s got talent! Our date last night was
at the Tower Theater in downtown Bend for the annual
St. Charles Medical Center Talent Showcase. Gary and
I clapped and hooted for fellow employees along with
the rest of the boisterous crowd.
The highlight of the evening was the Cancer
Treatment Center’s
very own Dr. Bleyer playing “Rhapsody in Blue” on
the piano. His dog, Cookie, was supposed to
accompany him, but Cookie was too busy sniffing
under the piano to watch for his cue. |

Bend’s historic Tower Theater |
Today, with temps soaring into the 40s, we hiked up to Misery
Ridge at Smith Rock and ate our lunch in the glorious sunshine,
entertained by the talented rock climbers making their way up
Monkey Face.
When it comes to rock climbing, talent isn’t optional; it’s a
matter of life or death.
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Eating lunch, easily
entertained by the rock climbers on Monkey Face |
In case you’re wondering where our talents and abilities lie – I’m
quite gifted when it comes to discerning a good cup of Chai tea
and Gary has become an amazing amateur photographer … only sometimes it
feels as if paparazzi are following me around. A girl can’t even
take a bite to eat without the photographer clicking away.
Nothing is sacred.
Comment
Tuesday, March
2, 2010
Upgrading into the 21st century
So, Gary and I finally joined the 21st century this
week. By upgrading our existing cell phone plan to include
wireless connection, discontinuing our landline Internet service
and taking advantage of my hospital employee discount—an
advantage I had not taken heretofore, and one that follows me
the rest of my life—we now have phones that are smarter than we are.
As for smart phone applications, don’t get me started. Did you
know there’s a coin toss app? This will come in handy the next
time I’m asked to referee a football game and forget my coin.
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Don't you hate it when your phone
is smarter than
you are?! |
And then there’s “Steamy Window” – an application
that covers the entire phone screen with steam that
you wipe off with your fingers. (Why you would want
to do this, I don’t know.) Or “ColorFlashlight” that
allows you to find your way in a theater or dance to
a strobe light.
Here’s one that might be good to install now while
I’m thinking of it – “Find My Phone.” It sends a
message to ring your phone loudly, even if it’s in
silent mode. |
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Of course, my all-time favorite is the “Find Starbucks”
application. Self-explanatory. I just now clicked on “Show all
stores” and there are 9 in our hometown of Bend. What a country!
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February 2010
Uncles and nieces
Blue skies in Portland
The subject of
heroes
Caliber of our friends
Courage walking
Only in Southern California
Well trained
Diversity
Cream of the crop
January 2010
End of the tunnel
Disturbing the snow
Good things come to
an end
American mobile family
Get moving
Any excuse for a date
Much more than a sports flick
December 2009
All the facts are true
No-el, No-whale
Mountain snob
Going to Hawaii
Finding our own way
It's just a number
Seasons of Christmas
Civil War in the CTC
My life in France
November 2009
Empty cafeteria trays
A few of my favorite things
Counting eagles
America’s best and brightest
Thinking about
Large amounts of hope
Memories, milestones
Married to a very patient man
October 2009
Healing reins
Trail to nowhere
Above the fray
Knitting connections
Touching everything
Modern technology
Hot date spot
Red sock day
I got all my sisters with me
September 2009
Tenacious like a bulldog
Best years of my life
Now we should live
Across the high desert
50 things to do before you
die
Anticipation
Summer past and random
thoughts
Running to win
August 2009
Far cry from canned chili &
peas
Knight in shining armor
Berry-Peach Cobbler
Roller coaster rides
Celebrating life
Dan in Real Life
Ridiculous
Gift of life
Grant-writing retreat
July 2009
Heartsore
In the moment
Extended birthday present
River traffic
Munch & Music
Dealing with the paparazzi
Midnight cruise
Behind red doors
June 2009
Happy kind of exhausted
4:30am blog
Fat checkmarks
One of the benefits of cancer
Calm before the storm
Big picture thinking
May 2009
Back to the real world
Quick trip to the EC
Audacious living
Connecticut adventure
April 2009
Flat Stanley in Ory-gun
Baby steps
Four-day weekend
Soaring on wings
Sunbathing
C.O. style
Real men wear pink
Fun in the CTC
March 2009
Live like you were dying
Day jobs
Connected
CAN Cancer
The power of one
February 2009
It's official
Fun with the medical professionals
To my valentine
Moments in Jersey
January 2009
Leaving on a
jet plane
Scans ordered
Welcome to life
Insane residents
Back in high school
Engaged crowd
Out of the mouths of babes
Divine intervention
December 2008
Christmas
via webcam
A merry little
Christmas
Somewhere on purpose
Adventure and
romance
Celebrate life
Imagine
Men and menopause
November 2008
My Thanksgiving list
Thanksgiving
Eve
Roundabouts
How Starbucks
saved my life
Training for
Switzerland
Radio interview
Super colon
Thoughts on
being invisible
The speed of a turtle
October 2008
Obligation of
the cured
Cancer Adventures – the book
Blue and orange town
Hope Couture
First snow
Simple
pleasures are the best
128 quilts
September 2008
Whale watching
and kite flying
The new and relaxed Gary
The scenic
route
Packing the essentials
One step at a
time
PSA count celebration
August 2008
Frost in August
Reading list
Soaring Spirits
Checking in
9:30am rock band
Lingering
July 2008
Grand for a reason
Mickey Mouse
pancakes
Survivorship is all the rage
Follow your dreams
Birthday weekend
Only in America
Unrelated goose incident
June 2008
Geese
Road trip
Friday night date
Tough day on the job
Best dad
Confession
Light bulb moment
Homesick
Amazing volunteers
May
2008
Countdown
Extended family
Testing the limits
Trailblazers
The last lecture
Mother’s Day thoughts
Welcome to our world, Lydia
Personal touch
April 2008
Dispensing goodness
Cancer community – Part II
Cancer community
Barn
door analogies
Homemade soup day
Mice and tumors
Waiting room magazines
Weekend date
First entry
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