Medical Update

When we saw Ted’s new surgeon on the 10th, the surgeon did not think that the hole in Ted’s heart was the cause of his mini-strokes because he felt that if the hole was causing any problems, that the problems would have occurred at a much younger age. The surgeon ordered a cat scan of Ted’s carotids. If they do not look all right, then he will want them repaired. If they do look all right, then the surgeon will reconsider closing the hole, but primarily he wants to check the stents above Ted’s heart that were inserted when he had a heart attack in January, 1999. His next appointment with the surgeon is December 15.

Today we had the cat scan of Ted’s carotids, saw Ted’s dermatologist and saw Harriet’s surgeon. The surgeon did not have good news. The lump in her left breast is very large, golf ball size, the removal of which would take up to 80% of her breast. Therefore, mastectomy is the surgery of choice. No reconstructive surgery will be done. Some of Harriet’s lymph nodes showed up on the MRI. The surgeon explained that if they show up on an MRI they are almost always cancerous. A lymph node biopsy will be done on the 17th. Another test which is better not thought about may be needed to determine the extent of the spread of the cancer. The surgeon expects to remove about two-thirds of the lymph nodes under the left arm. The surgery is planned for December 1. Probably chemo will follow – 4 weeks on, 3 weeks off, for 18 weeks total. Radiation ?? The most common places for the cancer to spread is to the lungs and liver, and the good news is that it has NOT spread there.

Sweet Adelines

In case you wonder what we look like in our "fancy faces" (Noelle especially), here is a picture from last night.

Sweet Adelines

Since the ladies will be too busy preparing for their family performance and their chorus' performance on Saturday, I thought I'd share the good news. Both Noelle's chorus, "Pride of Kentucky", and Faline's and Malauna's chorus, "Mountain Jubilee", are in the top 10 finalists to perform for the championship on Saturday. As it turns out, POKY will be performing first (they really wanted to perform last) and Mtn Jubilee will be performing last. I'm not sure what the times are, but if you wish to watch or listen, here is the link: http://www.sweetadelinesintl.org/webcast.cfm

After Thanksgiving Bateman Get Together

The Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 28th) is fast approaching and we are planning for the After Thanksgiving Bateman Get Together. We will probably meet at Brennan and Tammy’s home again at about 12:30 pm. Soup and bread and dessert will be our main fare. Please bring one of these items to share. We will provide a salad and drinks. Also, please let us know whether or not you are able to attend. Please try to be with us. We do not get to see each other often enough and this will be a good chance to visit with one another. With love, Dad, (Uncle) Ted and Harriet

This and That....

Well, Ted's appintment for a consultation with a heart doctor is November 10 to discuss having the hole in his heart closed. It is done by threading an umbrella-type apperatus through the artery that passes by the groin area into the heart and opening up the upbrella. It will adhere to the heart like velcro and plug up the opening. That will prevent any buildup on the edges of the hole that presumabely are letting loose and causing the TIAs.

Just to keep things interesting, Harriet has been diagnosed with breast cancer. But we have it on good authority that it is not. A biopsy will be done on Tuesday to make a final determination. We feel that alternative methods of treatment will be best here. Nothing is written in stone, though.

We will keep you informed of events as they occur. We would appreciate all of your prayers.

Sweet Adelines

When I was in Utah about 2½ years ago, Faline introduced me to Barbershop singing. I went to her rehearsal for her chorus, then when I returned to Kentucky I joined the local chorus. Both Faline's and my chorus qualified to compete in the international competition in Nashville which is this weekend, so we will be able to see each other. Malauna is also competing with Faline's chorus, so it will be like a little Family Reunion.

Anyway, if you are able, you can watch us compete on the webcast. It is free. It is also live, so you have to be able to tune in when we are on stage. Coincidentally Faline competes just about 30 minutes before I do, so it shouldn't be too difficult to catch us both. Her chorus is on stage at approximately 3:30 Central Time, and mine is on at approximately 3:56 Central Time. (We are in Nashville, TN.)

You can click this link to go to the live webcast. Root for us!

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Speaking at the Lakeland Florida Tea Party

While millions of Americans converged on the nation's capital, I and a couple thousand brave souls ventured out into the rain to protest our current administrations policies and the lack of representation by our elected representatives. I thought you might enjoy my speech I gave there.