Spring has Arrived in Melissa's backyard

Spring! The pictures don't really do it justice.

How can anyone think that there is not a God-Look at nature.

The one single rose is called Peace & was given to me in remembrance of Grandpa Jack when he died by Teresa Yetter. When we moved, I brought it with me & planted it in Melissa's garden. When I see it's beautiful blooms, I think of Grandpa Jack.

I am blessed

I went to Melissa's for a little b-day get together with the family & came home very overwhelmed!!

Samantha, my oldest & extremely talented granddaughter made a book for me. Wow!! She's so clever they way she put it all together.

For you out of towners I took some pictures. Thank you for all the kind words BUT it sure helps to have the best kids in the whole world who married the other best kids in the whole world & who have the cutest & handsomest (that's for you Rusty!) & smartest kids in the whole world!! I love you all!!

Another Surgery

This one was not broadcast like the last one but I had surgery today to remove 4 lipomas. Three of these appeared about the same time that the cancer did. The fourth one was discovered last week (and turned out to be the biggest). I wanted them all removed with the cancer but the doctor said it would be best to take care of the cancer first. She told me that they all looked normal. They will be tested but she is pretty sure I have nothing to worry about.

Elk Hunt

Well, it wasn't the prettiest elk, but I'm sure he will taste good.

I call him the unicorn.

Your Father

Just in case you were wondering - your Dad is not average!

The day before he took the test to become a Licensed Insurance Agent, he opened the book & glanced through it.

He took the test this morning. Got an 82% on it.

They said the average person has to take the test at least TWICE.

I really hate that about him but I am glad that he PASSED the first time!!!

Dad says it's because he's good at math.

He says there's 3 kinds of people in this world: those who can count, & those who can't!

Nielson Ranch

We spent part of the week at the Nielson's Ranch in Bluewater New Mexico. Lot's of fun & visiting. Yes, that is a rattle snake that Dad is holding!!! We were out riding the quads & stopped to look for Indian ruins. Dad got off, we heard the rattle. The grass was so tall it took a second to spot the snake. It was about 20 ft. from Dad. Russell came to the rescue - you know Dad can't kill anything! The snake put up a good fight but Russ won out in the end!!!!!

It was beautiful, fun & the weather was perfect! Thanks Russ & Mary!

Cancer Test Results

I got some results from two different tests yesterday. The first one, ONCO DX, came back with a score of 15. My surgeon told me that the oncologist will usually recommend chemo if the score is at 17 or above. I am meeting with her next week to see what she recommends. That score translates to a 10% chance of reoccurrence. The other test results came from City of Hope. They did some genetic testing to see if I had certain markers in my DNA that would show I am genetically disposed to get cancer. There are two known markers and I came back negative on both. I was told that at this point they only know of two markers but there are literally millions of markers so there could be others that they just don't know about. The geneticist recommends that my sisters get their first screening (mammogram) at age 35 and to get regular checkups.

I personally think that this is not genetic but environmental. The cancer is estrogen positive meaning that it feeds off of estrogen to grow (its not funny Jeff). I am not a milk drinker but I do put it on cold cereal. Cows are pumped full of estrogen to get milk production up. I also like meat. Cattle are pumped full of hormones to make them fat as well as chickens. I am converting to a Grandpa Jack diet of fish and cabbage. Just kidding. I will pass on meat unless I know it is "organic" and we are now only drinking organic, non hormone milk. We are eating more fruits and veggies as well. We are looking into buying 1/2 a cow that has not been given hormone injections and is not raised on corn. I know you might think this is extreme (not you Heather) but so is getting breast cancer. Look closely at what you are eating. High Fructose Corn Syrup is in everything. Try to avoid it.

I'm done preaching. Live long and prosper. Nanoo Nanoo, Shazbatt.