Dear family and friends,

I cannot believe most of April has vanished. Impossible. But it has been brighter on “the ridge” this past week. Part of that brightness was due a visit from Nora’s younger sister, Jayne. The other was a visit from Nora’s dad and wife, Hamp and Sunni. It was their first visit to “the ridge” and they approved.

Ostensibly Jayne’s visit was to cover for me while I did my stuff (interviews) at the Heritage (our PGA Tour event) at Harbour Town Golf Links in Sea Pines. (Just think, I used to ride my bike there…)

In reality, Jayne covered for me for Nora’s blood infusion on Friday, my busiest day at the course. Based on the results of her (now) weekly tests, she needed new blood.

And what a difference! the infusion made for Nora. She had been very tired and existing on liquids and soft stuff (apple sauce, pudding). The infusion (plus Jayne’s artfulness in the kitchen) created a Nora with an appetite! She consumed real food (fantastic chicken) and even had my famous pancakes (with fresh blueberries) Sunday morning. As both girls chomped down the breakfast I will admit I felt a certain pride. It was good.

Thanks to daughter Sarah (and Jeremy!), and the very kind folks at Drayer Physical Therapy Institute in Bluffton, SC (where Sarah works), plus proceeds from “Brackets for Breast Cancer” (THANK YOU), Nora got a new chair. Very, very cool. Thank you.

With the new blood, Nora is walking dogs, cleaning windows, eating real food, all things she couldn’t do a week before.

This is such a wonderful neighborhood. Melanie Reeder and Karen Palmer continue to walk the dogs while we head to Savannah and the Lewis Cancer Institute. As I understand it, Nora and Jayne had the whole place in stitches (a medical term) with cancer jokes and stories. Is there a future on the comedy club circuit?

You are all so kind. You are the best. Thank you. We have never expected this.

Paul

Dear family and friends.

The new cocktail began today, leaving Nora exhausted. We will have weekly visits to the Lewis Cancer Center through June. About half way through Nora will have a PET scan to show what’s happened with the tumors. You want to rush through all of this, but there is no rush, no silver bullet.

But maybe I’m wrong, in part. Nora is a silver bullet. The staff seemed to look forward to seeing her this morning. “Nora,” they said in welcome, “Nora.” She may not notice. I notice.

Nurses cannot play favorites. The place is humming with optimism for everyone there. And there are too many, to my sorrow. Some days it is extremely difficult to take. Me, the outsider. Women (mostly women) talking about hair loss, what to wear, the reality of mastectomy, survival. It is a place I never thought I’d be. And I surely never thought Nora would be. Our “plans” (slightly defined and awaiting firmer definition on “the ridge,” the neighborhood where we live) did not include this.

A moment for Regina. She comes to the center every two weeks. She is breast cancer survivor. She brings cookies and other sweets for those going through chemo. She volunteers her time. She brings stories of friends, family, her 90 year old mother in Florida. She shares photos on her iPhone. She might be a couple years senior to Nora, but they act like sisters, if a Southern belle and a New Yorker can be considered kin. They tease as the chemical drips into Nora. They are a team, making everyone laugh. Nora calls her “princess.” She is that.

Nora had a nice visit from our nephew Josh Burleson, beautiful wife Karina, and grand niece and nephew, on their way back from a North Carolina shindig for Cole Edmonson and future wife Betty. I was AWOL on their visit because of a much needed haircut. Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.

Working on Nora’s appetite. Very tricky. Bless the makers (again) for Ensure.

Nora thanks you for your prayers, your thoughts, your understanding. Nora is focused on wellness, on recovery, on getting on. As am I.

HEARTS

She rests a slight smile
on her lips, eyes closed
laptop open to hearts

In almost sleep she has
won her online game
against all odds

An attitude, a position
she stands by
double or nothing.

Keep Nora in your prayers, thoughts, and memories. She’s a tough cookie.

Paul

P.S. We wanted you to meet our newest “pet.” For now, he/she lives under our deck. The dogs do not like him/her.But what a creature!

Dear family and friends,

Last Thursday and Friday were Nora’s last chemo treatments with this cocktail. In two weeks she starts a new round. There is no change in diagnosis, there is no outcome prediction. This is truly Limbo, a description apropos to the Easter season, the Resurrection. I remember as a kid, being raised in the Catholic faith, I aspired to “Limbo” because I was sure, when St. Peter looked at my “permanent record” I was in trouble. If I ended up in Limbo, at least I had a chance at the big time.

Limbo. In the Divine Comedy, Limbo was Dante’s first circle of hell.

It is no “hell” here. Rains and cold have succumbed to rains and sun. Last Thursday, there was an almost invisible hint of leaves on the hickories that surround us here on Boyd Creek. Today, the drama (musical?) of nature began in earnest with leaves in miniature. We will soon have shade.

Everyone in the chemo room at Lewis Cancer Center in Savannah, was proud of Nora. Other than being tired and finding food rather tasteless (thank God for Ensure), she’s come through this first stage of chemo well, with plenty of sleep. All the nurses know “Nora.”

We had a special treat this weekend. Nora’s youngest sister, Kathryn, came down from Pickens, SC to help with pruning and other yard work and to be with her sister. For those of you who don’t know my bride, she is a very private person. She does not like attention shown her. She is NOT shy or unloving. She just has her own agenda and is dealing with this condition in her own way, which can be tough for those who love her most.

An added benefit to Kathryn’s visit is she is definitely a “photog.” Below are photos she “daringly” took along the banks of Boyd Creek. She also included our two animals, Tybee and Bob. Take a look at what we see living here on “The Ridge.” There are hundreds more.

Paul