Catching up

So much has happened since the last posting.  On August 9th the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce hosted a dinner in my honor...... The Musgrove Evans Award Dinner. This award was started by the Chamber in 1989. Each year a Tecumseh resident who has contributed to the Tecumseh community is honored.  I have had the pleasure of living in a wonderful small town where people really work together to make life more enjoyable for one another.  As a teacher and counselor I am always working to provide opportunities for youth. My contributions have been to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lenawee, Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus, Tecumseh Stings, Herrick Medical Health Center, and Community Arts of Tecumseh, First Presbyterian Church.

Our sons, Kevin and Andy Poppink were the MC's for the evening. They introduced the speakers with whom I have worked on the various projects. High School and College friends attended as well as friends from our area. I think everyone one that attended enjoyed seeing their friends and neighbors all together in one place.

Many of the Poppink family members came to the dinner on Thursday, we continued the family festivities on Friday by going to Emma Brocks recital. Emma is the daughter of Sue Poppink and Ken Brock. She graduated in musical theater from Otterbein this May. She gave a well attended recital on Friday. On Saturday Kevin and Holly hosted a backyard olympics at their home in Saline. The day was filled with games competing in three teams. We had a great day tossing water balloons, Rocks, Paper Scissors contests, corn hole and other fun games. On Sunday Cal Hodgson was ordained with the dedication of their new church building.... all in all we were busy and enjoyed being together once again.

Last week I had an appointment with a voice specialist from U of M. He was very helpful and explained my paralyzed vocal chord in great detail. I even had the opportunity to view my vocal folds on the computer. He put a scope thru my nose to the voice box. He then asked me to make the sound of E and other sounds. My left vocal chord does not work with the right chord. He was encouraged that they were close. With voice therapy he is giving me hope that there will be some improvement. I have an appointment with a speech therapist this Friday. He also said that my voice might improve over time. Here's hoping.

The summer is coming to a close with school starting next week. As a retiree, the summer lasts a lot longer.... so hopefully more golf, a trip up north and more relaxing.  I have some doctors appointment to follow up with but I am not going so often. Until the next time........ Live strong! Martha

Beautiful summer

I am enjoying this summer. Last summer passed me by with health issues. I am celebrating good health in 2012. I played golf twice this week.... I realize that I need a day in between to reset my stamina and strength. The Olympics begin tonight, opening ceremonies. The games are captivating. TV overage gets into the stories of the teams and individual athletess which is so interesting. Good lessons are learned on the field,court, track mats,etc. I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks. You too? My voice is still hoarse and soft. Tess and Mia, our grand daughters, are taking voice lessions thru the Art Center once a week. I have had the joy of sitting in on their lessons. It is so much fun to watch them learn.... Afterwards I enjoy working with them on their songs. It is a bit frustrating however because I don't have a singing voice right now. Demonstrating or correcting the pitch isn't working with no voice. I can play it out on the piano or guitar tho. We are having fun singing their songs together in the car or riding on the golf cart. We take the golf cart to Joannes for a swim after singing lessons. So much fun being a grandmother. They call me Mimi. I am grateful for air conitioning, fresh water to water the grass and plants, the abundant sunshine, rain, laughter of children playing outdoors, family get togethers, breakfast, lunch and dinner with friends, and so much more! Stay cool,Martha

Update: quite a lot has happened since the last post in May. Joe and I flew to California for a wonderful visit with Andy, Laura, Cal and Nora in early June. Andy and family had given Joe a gift certificate for Pebble Beach for his 70th birthday last year. Finally, we played Pebble Beach and stayed at the Lodge for 2 nights. A very special treat for both of us. We also went to the U S Open in San Francisco too. Best of all was being with our California family. Cal is 5 and Nora turns 3 in July. They are a busy family. The Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce is honoring me with the Musgrove Evan award for my contributions to the community. quite an honor. There will be a dinner on August 9th. Kevin and Andy will be the MC's so I hope they "roast" their mother real good..... The dinner is open to the public. It has been about 3 months since my thyroid surgery. My voice has not improved. Still hoarse and weak. I saw an ENT last week who said that it might get stronger over time. So I will see him in November. If my voice is back to normal then I am on my way. If not, my options are to live with it, or have surgery. The left vocal chord and nerve are not working. The surgery would move the left chord closer to the right chord so they work together, creating sound. I miss singing and talking is difficult. Because I have had breast and thyroid cancer, my doctor wants me to have genetic counseling. There is s syndrome that ties breast, thyroid and colon cancer together. It may be helpful for family members to know as a preventative measure. I am really ready for a respite from going to Ann Arbor for doctors appointments. The contradiction to all of the health issues is that I think of myself as a healthy person. My life has been a very active with going to the doctor for the flu shot,and check ups, etc. I hope to return to an active and normal routine soon. Stay cool! This summer is a hot one in Michigan. Martha

Body scan ....clear, hurray!!!!!!

News I have been waiting to hear for a year and a half. My body scan taken on Monday, May 14th came back clear!!! The doctor called this morning, he said he would call on Tuesday, didn't sleep much all night because I didn't hear from him. I am so relieved! Thank you to all of you that have kept me in your prayers, encouraged me, supported our family through the past year and a half. That is why We have gotten thru this. My faith in God's healing touch has sustained me and given me hope. I will do my best to adjust my life to a less stressful agenda and focus on helping others the best I can. Spending more time with family and friends. Thank you, thank you! Love, Martha, Joe, Kevin, Andy, Holly, Tess, Mia, Laura, Cal, Nora, Katie, Sam, Lorilie, Severn, Scott and Jack

"one hot Mamma".

I am radio active now..... I had residual thyroid tissue so that required the radio active iodine therapy. I swallow a ed a pill then sent home to be in isolation for three dayes. Joe is staying as far away from me as possible. He did take me, but I sat in the back seat on the opposite side of the car. I am glad he drove Because I didn't feel well. There was some nausea so I took Compozine which made me very sleepy. By Saturday afternoon I will be out of isolation. This is not easy for an extrovert. I like being with people. If I felt better I would be busy cleaning out closets, painting, playing my cello, guitar,sewing,etc. All those activities I like to do..... Maybe tomorrow. Joe can't eat food I prepare so cooking is not an option either. My birthday is tomorrow, alway good to celebrate birthdays, and Mother's Day is Sunday. Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's. Give your children. Spouse , grand children a big hug. Celebrate each other! Live Strong ( Lance Armstrong got it said just right). Love, Martha

Next step

I am waiting for the next step in the thyroid treatment. On May 8 and 9th I will receive radio active iodine treatment. This week is the 6th week since surgery. I have been without thyroxin or medication since then. The thyroid glad regulates body temperature, weight, hair nails, energy levels. consequently, I am very cold, low on energy,etc. I will start back on the medication next week so I should feel a lot better once I resume the medication. once I get the radiation, I will be in isolation, can't been near anyone for 3 to 4 days. Joe and I will be in the house together but not near one another ........ That will be difficult and interesting. I am on a no salt, no iodine diet and can't eat in restaurants during this time....cooking again. My voice is slowly coming back. It is higher pitched, soft and fuzzy. When I sing I have about a 5 note range, very weak sound. I saw the surgeon last week. She admitted that she was worried about my voice because she had to work around a nerve, which has affected my voice. I hope it returns back to full sound. It has been very frustrating being heard, especially in a group setting. people look at me and just say, "what did you say?" Thanks again for all the support. I hope that this Spring and Summer we will be at the lake, golf course, and enjoying family and friends, not in doctors offices and hospitals. Love, Martha