Kathryn Scheldt Performs ::

Last Shrimp Boat:

An Old Photograph ::

I had almost forgotten this photograph which I took on a trip to Camden in January, 2007:

Delores ::

Sent me this yesterday:

This cancer thing was such a shock, I think I was in denial......that this was happening to someone else. It was a rare, aggressive type of endometrial cancer that was found on a routine PAP smear as abnormal cells. Luckily I have a female gyn who doesn't have a "watch and wait" attitude about abnormal findings. She put me through an office biopsy (not enough tissue), ultrasound, which showed only mild thickening of the endometrium and then the D&C, which did, indeed, show the cancer. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy, which showed only two polyp-type tumors that pathology read as serous cancer in the endometrium only. There was some questionable abnormality in the left ovary, but no confirmed cancer in it. Lymph nodes were removed and 28 out of 28 came back negative. They even sent my slides to Johns Hopkins for comfirmation. I really feel God blessed me. The chemo is being given as a prophylactic treatment since this cancer is aggressive and is known to present in other organs, ie, colon, stomach, lung, brain. So hopefully, all cancer will stay away for many, many more years. This came at the same time that our class had two deaths and more cancer, so I didn't want to add to the misery until I found out how I was going to do. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. Del

So, the prognosis looks good and we're all happy for that! She followed up a bit later with this e-mail:

Can't seem to stay asleep. I slept during the chemo, then slept for about 4 hours when I got home. Then was able to fall asleep around 10am, but up at 1:00am. Finished one book and started another. Oh, well. Can sleep in tomorrow.................I think it would be OK now to post my message to you. Seems like all will be OK. I will be followed for about 10 years since I am in a study for this type of cancer with women all over the US, since there is no one reason for getting it. There is a syndrom that links colon cancer with different types of cancer, one being endometrial. This is some type of genetic trait. But since there has never been a known colon cancer in either side of my family, my oncologist didn't seem it warranted genetic testing. I can't praise the cancer doctors enough here at Case Western Medical Center (aka University Hospitals). It doesn't hurt having worked at UH for 29 years and knowing the right people and getting a little special attention. I will definitely keep you updated. I just did not want to put the specifics on Face Book, since everyone's friends have access to my status. I was keeping it pretty generalized. Messaging or email seem to be the better way to avoid testing the HIPPA law. Well, back to bed, perchance to sleep or even dream!

Everybody keep the positive thoughts flowing for Del!

Busted! ::

From this morning's State:

Authorities have arrested four people in Kershaw County after discovering three marijuana patches with a total of 114 plants during one of the county’s periodic helicopter flyovers, Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews said today.

Arrested Thursday and charged with cultivation of marijuana were Richard Barnes, 54, of Cassatt, Linda Faneite, 55, and Bernard Faneite, 57, both of Elgin, and Johna Burnes, 50, of Camden. An arrest warrant was issued for 36-year-old Don Laux of Camden.

Matthews could not say why those charged were growing the plants but speculated “it might have been to make some extra change or for personal consumption.” Pot smoking paraphernalia was found at one of the addresses, he said.

I think I know one of these people although I've never known her last name. I'll have to check it out.

[update] Nope, wrong Johna. Not a common name and that's what kinda threw me for a loop. I'm glad it's not the Johna I know!

A Photograph Of Classmates ::

From left to right:
Billy Ammons, Carl Sturkie, Buster Beckham, Ray Robinson,
Richard Reed, Roger Williams, Bob Lynch