[Oe List ...] Family News

[Patricia Tuecke]

Ron & Beret. A good message containing some bad/good news. I've been
wondering
When you would tell the larger community.

I've attached the photos I mentioned. Can't remember if I've sent them
already.

I sent a message to my three close friends in New Orleans as Gustav draws
closer and the 3rd anniversary of Katrina draws near.

I got a response from Jean Watts. They have bought a condo in Annapolis
where 
Bob teaches a course, and to where they can evacuate when necessary. She
says 
it faces the river and is surrounded by trees, and is much more peaceful
than 
in New Orleans. She obviously hadn't read your message as she remind me of
our 
desire to get together with her and Sunny. She says her condo is a perfect 
location for 
doing that.

Dan & I are hosting a Convention Watch Party tonight for Dems in our 
Neighborhood to listen to Obama's acceptance speech. Not many have said 
yes so far. Probably about 6. Hillary's speech Tuesday night was great. 
And Bill did a fine job, too, but hers seemed more heart-centered than his.

Two Of the guests tonight are the pastor of 1st Methodist Church across the
park 
from us. We've never attended, although I keep telling myself I could go & 
see what it's like. I know the congregation is very liberal and they host 
or support a number of community activist events. 

Thanks for reminding me of your favorite quotes. Know that our thoughts 
are with you always, and our prayers also.

Pat



-----Original Message-----
From: oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf
Of Beret Griffith
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:39 PM
To: Colleague Dialogue; Order Ecumenical Community;
springboard at wedgeblade.net
Subject: [Oe List ...] Family News

Dear friends and colleagues,

About a month ago Ron was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, Stage IV. 
In early July he developed itching all over his body, which we were 
tracking as an allergy because of a recent fairly serious allergic 
reaction to something undetermined. He was treated for an allergy for 
about three weeks. One night he was talking with our daughter-in-law 
nurse and she asked if he'd had his liver enzymes checked. He hadn't 
and went in the next day for a blood test which indicated his liver 
was way out of whack. About that time he also became a bit jaundiced. 
We were at the cabin when the doctor called about the liver test 
results and he said to get to an emergency room as soon as possible. 
We went a Mayo affiliated hospital in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where he 
had a CT scan. A tumor was discovered. He had a further test in Eau 
Claire and a cancerous lymph node beneath the liver was also discovered.

We headed back to Northfield and to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. 
After some excitement at the possibility of aggressive chemotherapy 
and then surgery, a laparoscopy indicated the cancer has spread 
fairly extensively. He is now getting chemotherapy and goes once a 
week for three weeks with a week off, for two cycles. At the end of 
October he will have a CT scan to determine how the chemo is working. 
He has had two chemo treatments with no side effects. They give him 
steroids before chemo so he actually has quite a bit of energy. 
Weight loss and summer tan make for a healthy look.

We've been in the midst of several family celebrations and take time 
from the medical universe to head for our cabin in Wisconsin. The 
medical crew at Mayo is outstanding, multi-cultural, skilled, filled 
with wisdom and humor and we are grateful to be an hour from 
excellent medical treatment.

This is a sea change in our lives. We are taking it all in, living in 
the present and appreciating the support of our  family, friends, and 
the Northfield community.

We each have our current favorite quotes. Ron's is from Sandy Schuman 
a long time IAF colleague:
Meaning is all we want.
Choices are all we make.
Relationships are all we have.

Beret's is from our very own David Dunn:
Life is indescribably full,
Unfalteringly real,
and unfailingly good.

With gratitude,
Beret and Ron Griffith


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