Reflections on 2012

                                          Pawleys Island 2012

It has truly been a year of great surprises and great joys.  As you no doubt are ware there have been many “surprises” over the past 12 months, but they have been accompanied by overflowing measures of love and support from family and friends.  So many dear folk have been in frequent touch, and others I know are thinking of us and praying for us that in so many ways our lives have truly been enriched.  As we pass this way, we continue to learn of those whose challenges are similar, and those whose challenges seem even more daunting, all of whom receive the benefit of our prayers as well.  We have enjoyed the visits and assistance not only of our kids and their families, but also of my brothers and many more, family and otherwise.  Wish there had been a more positive provocation, but it has been great to be so connected this year.

We have been fortunate that circumstances have permitted us the opportunity for many of our special trips and getaways that we have always looked forward to.  Of course the primary event in this category was our two weeks in Pawleys Island, SC, largely with kids and grands.  I was strong enough to play real golf, and even had a round or so in the 70s, and not from the old men’s tees.  This was preceded by a wonderful trip to New Mexico in July where we immersed in photo ops (Ghost Ranch, high road to Taos, Santa Fe) and lots of music in Santa Fe (opera, chamber music, Desert Chorale)  How thankful I am that all of this has been possible. 

John and Anna hosted all our family at their new residence in Roswell, GA for Thanksgiving,. We spent the week and it was a great time to be with the Stevens and the Clarks.  It is always special when the little girl cousins get together. While we’ll not have multitudes for Xmas at Casa Zora we will see almost everyone over the holidays, and have some time for ourselves also. We have booked a small house in Fernandina Beach Florida for the month of February, and are looking forward to being there and seeing cousins and other family, as well as other familiar faces and sights.   It’s a long drive, and I wish I could help Zora with it, but I’m hoping to be in better shape soon and able to do a bit here or there.

Just for the record, I have now had two surgeries for the brain tumor/cancer, which seems to have come back yet again. Regretfully the radiation and chemo did not do the job well enough.  While the surgeon was very optimistic following both surgeries, it is the nature of this particular cancer to recur, even tho it doesn’t metathesize elsewhere. It has been treated for the 6 weeks or so with a new (to me) drug therapy that looks very promising. News on its effectiveness will be available in early January with my next MRI.  Your prayers are welcomed.  You may also know that while the recovery from the initial brain surgery last December was progressing well, I suffered a fall and developed a severe infection, which required major surgery and kept me out of play essentially until late March.  In many ways the unkindest cut of all, stealing “healthier” time, and delaying chemo and radiation.  But I lived to tell about it and have no lasting impacts from it.

I feel ok, but not great, if a little fuzzy at times.  We can generally do what we want when we want, but my overall stamina and presence leave something to be desired.  On the good side, that means afternoon naps are not a problem.  I see fairly sudden and significant impacts on short term memory in particular, and some vision deterioration, which is not unexpected given the location of the original tumor.  I did have some significant stability issues over the past month or so which have been ameliorated with meds (steroids).  Unfortunately the meds also cause significant large muscle deterioration which has weakened my legs and shoulders wuite a bit.  The docs are tapering me off of them, but it will take a while to get my B game back,  let alone the A game.  But it will come; 

Our church choir is going to Prague and Salzburg May of 2013.  We plan to go and sing with them as well, and we have the house at Pawleys Island booked for August also.

As everyone tells you, every day is a new day, enjoy it for what it brings.  Whether you are healthy or not.  What happens, happens.  Raging at the tide will not make it come in or go out.

Thank you for the many kind thoughts, prayers and deeds throughout the past year.  You cannot imagine how much they have meant.  We have been blessed in many,  many ways.

May the holiday season bring you great joy.  I wish you every fortune and joy in the coming year, and look forward to telling you about an even better year at the end of 2013.

 Ross