Do you "tweet"? Then you know where the link below will take you. If you're not on Twitter, then just skip the link and read on.
Know someone with cancer? I do. I married her 42 years ago. Our friend "The Ranch Queen" is helping. You can too. http://bit.ly/RanchQueen
Back in the early 1990s we were living in the little town of Lowry Crossing Texas, about 40 miles NE of Dallas. I was working for Electronic Data Systems and Suzi was working at the Bill Bates Cowboy Ranch. Some of you will remember Bill Bates #40, strong safety with the Dallas Cowboys NFL football team. The ranch manager was a lady by the name of Katherine, affectionately called "The Ranch Queen" and Suzi was the office manager on the ranch. Katherine was not only a great boss lady, but she became a good friend to most all that knew her and Suzi and I count ourselves among the lucky ones who have kept in touch with Katherine over the years.
As you know, if you've read any of my earlier blogs, my bride of 42 years, Suzi was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on her birthday in February 2010. It had metastasized to her brain. After 10 whole-head radiation treatments, the brain tumor was declared dead, but was inoperable. Then six grueling months of chemotherapy for the lung tumors showed signs of improvement, that is to say, they had not spread and most had either been reduced in size or disappeared altogether. As we had no insurance, we relied on a study grant for her treatments at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. That grant expired in September 2010. We are in search of another study grant which will help with the enormous costs of a follow-up MRI and CAT scan to set benchmarks against which to measure her cancer's progression or more hopefully, continued remission. We both have a positive attitude about our chances of finding that grant.
So what's all this got to do with The Ranch Queen? A few days ago, we received an email from Katherine, asking our permission for her to run in the 2011 Relay For Life in support of Suzi's battle with cancer. We, of course, agreed and are honored that Katherine would do that for Suzi. But beyond just honoring Suzi's valiant battle with cancer, Katherine and her team are trying to raise funds for the American Cancer Society by seeking donations from those willing and able to contribute to the fight against cancer. You can visit Katherine's web page at http://bit.ly/RanchQueen, read her dedication to Suzi and make a small donation if you can.
This is a point where I would usually add a few of my Random Thoughts, but this evening I think I'll not do that. Instead, just let me close with a word of thanks to those of you who know Suzi and me and have kept her in your thoughts and prayers through the past year. You have given her the strength to battle on for as long as it takes. We are eternally grateful.
No comments:
Post a Comment