Hi To All
So, where is everyone's Xmas blog/letter ? Phyl and I are starting to feel like mushrooms !
Latest on Lew's health - the operation on the 18th turned out to be a needle biopsy of the mass hidden under my left shoulder blade. Should know the result some time in mid January.
Tis the season for Xmas concerts - We've been to a couple this season, and enjoyed them very much. Saskatoon has some great choirs that put on fabulous performances at this time of year. The Fireside Singers were exceptionally good this year! We also saw a great performance of The Beauty and the Beast at our new Persephone theatre. Top notch professional performance with mostly local talent.
We are having a couple of Phyl's friends over for dinner tonight, along with her Mom and Aunt Florence. Then tomorrow we have a quiet Xmas, probably by ourselves, and then a big dinner on the 26th. The reason for this is Phyl's daughter, Leslie, is flying in from Montreal on the 26th., and is staying with us for a few days. I'm doing a ham dinner tonight, and the complete turkey thing on the 26th. Phyl is helping a bit as well. She is in charge of the desserts.
So, everyone get busy and blog - and we can all wish each other a very Merry Christmas, and the best of New Years.
Love to all,
Phyl and Lew
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Our 2007 Xmas Letter
Hello and happy holidays,
Again, it's been a busy year and we've had the good fortune to see several people we haven't seen in many years.
In February we made a 10-day trip to Florida that was anything but a holiday! We cleaned and packed and shredded and hauled to clear out my Aunt Flo's trailer and bring her back to Canada. At 90, she had lived over 50 years in the South, so arriving here on March 1 to a good old prairie blizzard was quite a shock to her system. She bore it very well and is now settled in at her independent living space in Saskatoon. Mom was with us, and she and Lew have continued all year to help auntie deal with the "business" end of the repatriation.
The next event was our trip to Montreal in June to attend Leslie's convocation from
Concordia University. After two hard years of working and attending night classes, she finally achieved her degree in Sociology. It was a very quick trip for us, but well worth it. We took Mom and Aunt Flo along and we ladies all went for a massage and pedicure! This was a brand new experience for auntie.
Lew and I dropped the ladies off in Toronto, and my brother Eric and his family taxied them to visit their brother, Donald Jacobs’ clan in Elmvale. We flew back to Saskatoon and spent a day doing lawn, garden, laundry, etc., then drove to Victoria so I could meet all of Lew’s family. I hadn’t been West since 1991, so I truly enjoyed the trip and seeing friends and relatives. We stopped in Kamloops and had tea with Jan Brunsgaard, a Grenfell friend I had not seen in several years. Her kids are just a little younger than mine and all grown up, too. Then in Abbotsford, we had a lovely dinner with my ex-husband’s nephew and niece, Dale and Terri, and their grown up children. After a great visit, we spent the night at my cousin Ken Zondervan’s house. After visiting and brunch with Ken and his wife Joan, we went on into Vancouver. That afternoon we had a wonderful visit with Linda LeCain, who was a roommate when I was in University (more than a couple of years ago!) Next morning we met my cousin Wanda and her husband Fred for lunch. I hadn’t seen Wanda for about thirty years so we had lots of reminiscing to do. That’s where we discussed the possibility of having a Jacobs reunion in 2008—something that the Eastern cousins are working hard to make happen.
Then it was off to Victoria. We stopped in at the Butchard Gardens. It was a lovely day and we walked for a couple of hours and took a couple of hundred pictures – thank goodness for digital cameras! Then off we went to spend four days with Lew’s sister, Carolyn and her husband Gary. I didn’t get to meet all everyone in the family, but very much enjoyed the short visits with those that I did meet. While in Victoria, we spent an evening with cousin Murray Jacobs and his wife Sue. Again, I hadn’t seen Murray since 1989 so there was lots to catch up on. I had never been West of Nanaimo so we drove up to Comox, stopping here and there to sight see.
I flew home and left Lew in Victoria. He stayed another week, then drove home on his own. I had to wind up things at SIGA because after six years I jumped ship into a different job. I’m now working for Doepker Trailer Industries (leading manufacturers of semi trailers in Western Canada). This will be my last job, as we are planning that I should retire on Lew’s 65th birthday in July of 2009.
Along with a new job, I had to work at learning the script for a stage play at the Barn Playhouse (see www.barnplayhouse.ca) where I was the Agatha Christie style heroine who solved the mystery of why all the Crazy Quilt Club ladies were mysteriously dying.
In amongst all this busyness we managed to grow a good garden and put down another bushel of tomatoes. Lew also framed and installed an extra window in the living room and built a nice big deck in the L of the house outside the front door. He has also managed to completely rebuild the family room and add a 2-piece bath in the basement. Besides that, he does all of the cooking—and he’s a mighty fine cook. I’m still trying to train him how to clean up after he cooks, but I think I’ll just have to accept that cleaning is my department!
In September we had an exciting call from Lindsay (in Finland). She announced that she and Jukka were engaged and coming home to Saskatchewan—specifically our back yard—in June 2008 to be married. So we are anticipating that and praying for good weather on the 28th.
Leslie and Trevor have just purchased a house in Hudson, Quebec about 40 miles west of Montreal City. It is a huge home on a one-acre lot. They don’t take possession until April, but they are very excitedly planning the paint, the renos, the furniture, etc. I have concerns that they might think they need to fill all six bedrooms with children! I’m not sure I’m ready to be grandma yet, never mind to a whole litter!
I guess no letter can be written without speaking briefly of the difficulties of the year. Actually, we have been quite fortunate. No floods, no fires, no hurricanes, no wars. However, Lew has had some health problems starting with an aching shoulder and a swollen lymph gland on his neck. A biopsy of three lymph nodes has come back negative, but a subsequent CT scan has shown a larger mass on the chest wall under the arm. The surgeon here referred him to another orthopaedic surgeon, who in turn referred him to a specialist in Edmonton who deals with soft tissue sarcoma. After a rushed flight to Edmonton, nothing definitive has come from the referral as yet. We are awaiting an MRI, and Lew is scheduled for another surgical biopsy tomorrow (Dec. 18). Until we know what is found we don’t know what the future holds. The Edmonton doctor suggests that the entire mass must be removed regardless of the outcome, and that there may be radiation prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumour.
Luckily Lew has not lost any weight and feels generally healthy. He is very tired because the shoulder hurts 24-7 and he doesn’t sleep well. But there are no other indicators of bad health.
I’ve been trucking along just fine this year. Other than fifteen pounds that insist on staying with me I have no other worries. I still walk to work, but the distance is much shorter (only 5 minutes each way), so I have taken up going to the gym—but I’m not nearly as dedicated as I should be.
We have been taking in as many concerts and plays as we can—something we both enjoy immensely. Saskatoon is extremely busy culturally, so there are always places to go. Just have to find the money to get there. I’m still singing in the University Chorus, and am quite involved with the workings and politics of the church.
The ruler of the house is still Melissa, our tortoiseshell cat. She has adopted Lew and generally ignores me whenever he’s around.
We plan to have a quiet Christmas. Mom and Aunt Flo will spend part of the time with us, and Leslie is flying home on Boxing Day for a couple of days. It will be fun to have her here. She and I are planning to hit the sales and get a few decorations, etc. for Lindsay’s upcoming wedding. We’ll also take a trip to the Casino so she can see the fruits of my labor earlier this year—I was in charge of purchasing all the furniture and accessories for Saskatchewan’s latest money gouge. The Casino serves wonderful food, so we’ll take the “little old ladies” with us and have a nice meal.
That’s about it from 55 O’Neil Crescent in Saskatoon. We know that some of you have had some difficult times in the past year, and our thoughts have certainly been with you. For everyone, we wish you a serene and joyous holiday season, and nothing but the very best in 2008.
Love,
Phyllis and Lew
Again, it's been a busy year and we've had the good fortune to see several people we haven't seen in many years.
In February we made a 10-day trip to Florida that was anything but a holiday! We cleaned and packed and shredded and hauled to clear out my Aunt Flo's trailer and bring her back to Canada. At 90, she had lived over 50 years in the South, so arriving here on March 1 to a good old prairie blizzard was quite a shock to her system. She bore it very well and is now settled in at her independent living space in Saskatoon. Mom was with us, and she and Lew have continued all year to help auntie deal with the "business" end of the repatriation.
The next event was our trip to Montreal in June to attend Leslie's convocation from
Concordia University. After two hard years of working and attending night classes, she finally achieved her degree in Sociology. It was a very quick trip for us, but well worth it. We took Mom and Aunt Flo along and we ladies all went for a massage and pedicure! This was a brand new experience for auntie.
Lew and I dropped the ladies off in Toronto, and my brother Eric and his family taxied them to visit their brother, Donald Jacobs’ clan in Elmvale. We flew back to Saskatoon and spent a day doing lawn, garden, laundry, etc., then drove to Victoria so I could meet all of Lew’s family. I hadn’t been West since 1991, so I truly enjoyed the trip and seeing friends and relatives. We stopped in Kamloops and had tea with Jan Brunsgaard, a Grenfell friend I had not seen in several years. Her kids are just a little younger than mine and all grown up, too. Then in Abbotsford, we had a lovely dinner with my ex-husband’s nephew and niece, Dale and Terri, and their grown up children. After a great visit, we spent the night at my cousin Ken Zondervan’s house. After visiting and brunch with Ken and his wife Joan, we went on into Vancouver. That afternoon we had a wonderful visit with Linda LeCain, who was a roommate when I was in University (more than a couple of years ago!) Next morning we met my cousin Wanda and her husband Fred for lunch. I hadn’t seen Wanda for about thirty years so we had lots of reminiscing to do. That’s where we discussed the possibility of having a Jacobs reunion in 2008—something that the Eastern cousins are working hard to make happen.
Then it was off to Victoria. We stopped in at the Butchard Gardens. It was a lovely day and we walked for a couple of hours and took a couple of hundred pictures – thank goodness for digital cameras! Then off we went to spend four days with Lew’s sister, Carolyn and her husband Gary. I didn’t get to meet all everyone in the family, but very much enjoyed the short visits with those that I did meet. While in Victoria, we spent an evening with cousin Murray Jacobs and his wife Sue. Again, I hadn’t seen Murray since 1989 so there was lots to catch up on. I had never been West of Nanaimo so we drove up to Comox, stopping here and there to sight see.
I flew home and left Lew in Victoria. He stayed another week, then drove home on his own. I had to wind up things at SIGA because after six years I jumped ship into a different job. I’m now working for Doepker Trailer Industries (leading manufacturers of semi trailers in Western Canada). This will be my last job, as we are planning that I should retire on Lew’s 65th birthday in July of 2009.
Along with a new job, I had to work at learning the script for a stage play at the Barn Playhouse (see www.barnplayhouse.ca) where I was the Agatha Christie style heroine who solved the mystery of why all the Crazy Quilt Club ladies were mysteriously dying.
In amongst all this busyness we managed to grow a good garden and put down another bushel of tomatoes. Lew also framed and installed an extra window in the living room and built a nice big deck in the L of the house outside the front door. He has also managed to completely rebuild the family room and add a 2-piece bath in the basement. Besides that, he does all of the cooking—and he’s a mighty fine cook. I’m still trying to train him how to clean up after he cooks, but I think I’ll just have to accept that cleaning is my department!
In September we had an exciting call from Lindsay (in Finland). She announced that she and Jukka were engaged and coming home to Saskatchewan—specifically our back yard—in June 2008 to be married. So we are anticipating that and praying for good weather on the 28th.
Leslie and Trevor have just purchased a house in Hudson, Quebec about 40 miles west of Montreal City. It is a huge home on a one-acre lot. They don’t take possession until April, but they are very excitedly planning the paint, the renos, the furniture, etc. I have concerns that they might think they need to fill all six bedrooms with children! I’m not sure I’m ready to be grandma yet, never mind to a whole litter!
I guess no letter can be written without speaking briefly of the difficulties of the year. Actually, we have been quite fortunate. No floods, no fires, no hurricanes, no wars. However, Lew has had some health problems starting with an aching shoulder and a swollen lymph gland on his neck. A biopsy of three lymph nodes has come back negative, but a subsequent CT scan has shown a larger mass on the chest wall under the arm. The surgeon here referred him to another orthopaedic surgeon, who in turn referred him to a specialist in Edmonton who deals with soft tissue sarcoma. After a rushed flight to Edmonton, nothing definitive has come from the referral as yet. We are awaiting an MRI, and Lew is scheduled for another surgical biopsy tomorrow (Dec. 18). Until we know what is found we don’t know what the future holds. The Edmonton doctor suggests that the entire mass must be removed regardless of the outcome, and that there may be radiation prior to surgery in order to shrink the tumour.
Luckily Lew has not lost any weight and feels generally healthy. He is very tired because the shoulder hurts 24-7 and he doesn’t sleep well. But there are no other indicators of bad health.
I’ve been trucking along just fine this year. Other than fifteen pounds that insist on staying with me I have no other worries. I still walk to work, but the distance is much shorter (only 5 minutes each way), so I have taken up going to the gym—but I’m not nearly as dedicated as I should be.
We have been taking in as many concerts and plays as we can—something we both enjoy immensely. Saskatoon is extremely busy culturally, so there are always places to go. Just have to find the money to get there. I’m still singing in the University Chorus, and am quite involved with the workings and politics of the church.
The ruler of the house is still Melissa, our tortoiseshell cat. She has adopted Lew and generally ignores me whenever he’s around.
We plan to have a quiet Christmas. Mom and Aunt Flo will spend part of the time with us, and Leslie is flying home on Boxing Day for a couple of days. It will be fun to have her here. She and I are planning to hit the sales and get a few decorations, etc. for Lindsay’s upcoming wedding. We’ll also take a trip to the Casino so she can see the fruits of my labor earlier this year—I was in charge of purchasing all the furniture and accessories for Saskatchewan’s latest money gouge. The Casino serves wonderful food, so we’ll take the “little old ladies” with us and have a nice meal.
That’s about it from 55 O’Neil Crescent in Saskatoon. We know that some of you have had some difficult times in the past year, and our thoughts have certainly been with you. For everyone, we wish you a serene and joyous holiday season, and nothing but the very best in 2008.
Love,
Phyllis and Lew
Still Waiting
Hi to All!
I ended up having only a needle biopsy as the unknown mass is close enough to the surface for that proceedure to work. It was done on the 18th, but I'll probably not find out the results til I see the surgeon on Jan 8th. That's all I can tell you on the health situation for now.
Phyl's daughter, Leslie, will be visiting us for a few days starting on Dec 26th. She and her husband have just bought a home west of Montreal, in the Hudson area. His folks are in Wpg., so he is going there while she visits us in Saskatoon. No doubt there will be a trip to our local VV boutique !
If I can figure it out, I'll post our Xmas letter on this site. Phyl says I can just do a cut and paste, so I'll try that in another posting.
That's it for now
Lew
I ended up having only a needle biopsy as the unknown mass is close enough to the surface for that proceedure to work. It was done on the 18th, but I'll probably not find out the results til I see the surgeon on Jan 8th. That's all I can tell you on the health situation for now.
Phyl's daughter, Leslie, will be visiting us for a few days starting on Dec 26th. She and her husband have just bought a home west of Montreal, in the Hudson area. His folks are in Wpg., so he is going there while she visits us in Saskatoon. No doubt there will be a trip to our local VV boutique !
If I can figure it out, I'll post our Xmas letter on this site. Phyl says I can just do a cut and paste, so I'll try that in another posting.
That's it for now
Lew
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Hurry Up And Wait !
Hi to All,
Well, the trip to Edmonton was a bit disappointing in that they still can't tell me exactly what I've got.
The specialist in Edmonton poked and prodded and took a bunch of X-Rays, reviewed the CT scan that was done in Saskatoon, and advised that I would need a MRI and a needle biopsy to confirm his suspected diagnosis of a soft tissue sarcoma. This we already knew, but my surgeon in Saskatoon wanted a second opinion. So, now I wait about 4 to 6 wks to get the MRI. I might have to go back to Edmonton to have the MRI as the waiting times in Alberta are likely much shorted than in Saskatchewan. Our many years of communist government here has not done much for our healthcare system.
The Edmonton doc is evidently very well recommended, and he seems to me to know his onions! The good news is that he says that this type of cancer is readily treatable with radiation, followed by surgery. And, from what all the tests have shown to date, there does not appear to have been any malignant spread of this mass.
I have another ultrasound test scheduled next week here in Saskatoon which may shed some more light on the problem.
That's all for now.
Lew
Well, the trip to Edmonton was a bit disappointing in that they still can't tell me exactly what I've got.
The specialist in Edmonton poked and prodded and took a bunch of X-Rays, reviewed the CT scan that was done in Saskatoon, and advised that I would need a MRI and a needle biopsy to confirm his suspected diagnosis of a soft tissue sarcoma. This we already knew, but my surgeon in Saskatoon wanted a second opinion. So, now I wait about 4 to 6 wks to get the MRI. I might have to go back to Edmonton to have the MRI as the waiting times in Alberta are likely much shorted than in Saskatchewan. Our many years of communist government here has not done much for our healthcare system.
The Edmonton doc is evidently very well recommended, and he seems to me to know his onions! The good news is that he says that this type of cancer is readily treatable with radiation, followed by surgery. And, from what all the tests have shown to date, there does not appear to have been any malignant spread of this mass.
I have another ultrasound test scheduled next week here in Saskatoon which may shed some more light on the problem.
That's all for now.
Lew
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Update from Saskatoon
Hi to All
Just a short update on my health.
My Doctors suspect that I have a malignant soft tissue sarcoma on the inside of my chest wall near my left shoulder. They have sent the data and stuff to a specialist in Edmonton, and have arranged for me to be examined by him on Dec 3rd. I'm flying to Edmonchuk early on the 3rd, and back the same night. That's the plan unless he deems it neccessary for me to stay over for immediate surgery.
My Saskatoon surgeon has made these arrangements as he is unable to provide a definitive diagnosis, and thinks that the Edmonton Doc can. Hopefully he can, and we can get on with whatever treatments are available for this type of cancer.
Love to all !
Lew
Just a short update on my health.
My Doctors suspect that I have a malignant soft tissue sarcoma on the inside of my chest wall near my left shoulder. They have sent the data and stuff to a specialist in Edmonton, and have arranged for me to be examined by him on Dec 3rd. I'm flying to Edmonchuk early on the 3rd, and back the same night. That's the plan unless he deems it neccessary for me to stay over for immediate surgery.
My Saskatoon surgeon has made these arrangements as he is unable to provide a definitive diagnosis, and thinks that the Edmonton Doc can. Hopefully he can, and we can get on with whatever treatments are available for this type of cancer.
Love to all !
Lew
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