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Newsletter Delayed
Update Letter
December 27, 2004
My Dear Friends

Those of you who have been with me for several years know that my, First and Only First Mate, Pat has had cancer. She was first diagnosed in early 2001. The original "Newsletter Delayed" letter is below.

In early 2004 she was diagnosed for the second time with cancer; this time in the spine. While I did manage a few newsletters last year recently the newsletter has been very late. We have been busy, as you can imagine, looking at treatment options, visiting hospitals and generally trying to make sure we laughed every day.

In my original letter in 2001 I talked about why Pat went through Chemotherapy and that our daughter was at the same time planning her wedding. I talked optimistically about Pat's prognosis. While we were devastated that the cancer returned, our faith remains strong and nothing of the tone in the first letter has changed in our minds. This Christmas Eve Paula Rae, our daughter, and her husband John informed us that we will become Grandparents later this year! What a wonderful gift that will be!!

Pat and I really have a great life together. I could try and explain in more detail about what I'm about to say but I truly believe that some would understand intellectually but only those who go through such a life altering event like cancer (twice or otherwise) could ever really understand. So, I will only say that Pat and I live a richer life today than ever before. None of us know the future. All we are ever promised is the current moment and in a fleeting second it can all change. We appreciate that more today than ever before.

Pat's cancer is currently considered incurable but with modern medicines it is controllable. She went through another round of Chemotherapy and will, for the rest of her life, be on some sort of cancer medicine. The very good news is that Pat has been responding well to her treatments. She is getting stronger so now I'm going to take another crack at getting this newsletter back on a reasonable schedule.

I think this would be a good time to thank everyone who expressed concern. No one complained about the missing newsletters but many simply asked, "Are you OK? I appreciated it very much!

Your patience and loyalty has been heartwarming to Pat and I.
We wish you all the best in 2005!

Keep Safety First and Have Fun
Jim Kearney


All Volunteer ®

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Newsletter Delayed
(Or why Breast Cancer can put a real crimp in a party.)
Note: This letter was written in April 2001. We are back on track and all is well. I have decided to keep this open letter to our members up because of its positive message to all who face a similar challenge. With a very strong First Mate and I believe, the grace of God's help I managed to get through it. Oh yeah, Pat is okay too!

To My AVYC Friends,

I do appreciate your all your letters of concern. The following will help explain what is going on.

This February my First and only First Mate Pat, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I will say up front that all is well and the prognoses is very good. Pat found a lump during a breast examination and decided to have it checked out. Simply stated that act allowed her to save her own life.

( Our Message?: - Pat has asked me to tell all the women visitors that she highly recommends that activity. Self breast examination is important for all women at any age. If you find something it usually turns out to be nothing but - better safe than.....etc.)

Pat's biopsy in this case proved that it was indeed cancer (we were shocked and very frightened). After several consultations it was decided to take the breast. During the operation the lymph nodes were checked; the cancer had not spread. Subsequent bone scans and blood work also showed clear of cancer. All good news! However, for several very good reasons, the difficult decision was made to have Pat undergo Chemotherapy. This is simply insurance to try and decrease the odds of reoccurrence. My attention to Pat's needs has obviously increased .

OK, now add to that, the fact that within 30 days, my daughter will be married. The plans are in full swing and of course just a little more added to our plates.

I put a lot of thought and care into each newsletter. The site and newsletters are very important to me. It became increasingly clearer that, for the short term, I would be unable to give the newsletter the attention needed. Faced with that fact, I would rather suspend the newsletter than put out something I would later be sorry I produced.

Nothing else will change. The site will go on as usual. The jokes will continue to grow; the Member Pages will continue to be maintained.

See you in August!

Keep Safety First and Have Fun
Jim Kearney