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

Easter Weekend

Happy Easter to everyone. Spring is in the air. After a nice warm beginning to Spring, we are having beautiful cooler weather. The trees and flowers are a bit confused I imagine. We had a light frost last night. The tulips by our back door have survived as we all hope the fruit trees and other plants will make it thru the cooler nights.

It is been about two weeks since my thyroid surgery. I saw the surgeon last Friday. My voice is horse, but getting better. If I use it a lot it goes. I can understand and empathize with people with hearing loss or the inablility to get words understood. It is very difficult to speak in a crowd.... just impossible. Joe can't hear me if his back is turned to me. I have to get in his face for him to know I want to say something.

The explaination for this is: There was scar tissue from a previous thyroid surgery, 28 years ago. The surgeon said that there was thyroid tissue on that side that she had to work it out.... so she was working around a nerve. She feels it was damaged during surgery. I know she was concerned because she called me a couple of times to see how I was doing. She said she thought about me over the weekend, called me on Monday and consulted an ENT doctor before I came in for my appointment. I see her in a couple of weeks to determine if I need to see the throat specialist. I am hoping that because I have impovement every day that it will heal on its own.

I am off my thryoid medication so I am feeling sluggish. After the radioactive iodine treatment, I will resume the medication and should get energy back.
I am looking forward to becoming a golfer again this summer.

Our internet service has been down, that is why it has taken me a couple of weeks to write in the blog. Happy Spring, and a blessed Easter. Martha

Hurray!

Tonight I am recovering from thyroid surgery at St. Joe's Hospital. All went well. The pea sized tumor was incapsulated so no cancer spread...... Good news. I will go home tomorrow, Wednesday morning. In six weeks I'll take a radioactive iodine pill. The scanners at the airport will probably light up when I go through security. Thanks again for prayers and healing thoughts. Unfortunately, Joe missed playing golf with his friends on a beautiful first day of Spring day being the great support to me today. MarthA

Spring is here

As I write this update I am hearing a very happy bird singing a song thru the open door. We have one daffodil and about 20 blooms of Spring flower in the garden. We are all enjoying an early Spring. Last Thursday a tornado destroyed many homes in Dexter, Michigan several miles from here. I was with my daughter in law and grand children in Saline. We went to the basement as there was a tornado warning for their area. My family lost our home to a tornado on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965 so I do go to the basement or safe location when told to. The people of Dexter were all safe because of a 20 minute warning to take cover.

I will post the results of my thyroid surgery as soon as possible. I saw the surgeon last week, and also an ENT doctor who checked vocal chords. I check in at 10a.m. for 12 o'clock surgery this Tuesday, March 20th. I will spend the night and come home on Wednesday. I pray that the surgeon and staff attending the surgery are guided by Gods healing touch.

Martha

All done

My last chemo treatment was today, I even got a certificate of completion. When given the diagnosis of cancer 15 months ago, I knew I would have much to endure. Fortunately, I have had the love and support of family, friends, brilliant doctors, nurses, medical staff, pastor and church family, strangers, and new acquaintances throughout treatment.

I have one more surgery coming up this month. I will breath a sigh of relief once that is complete. There will always be the hope that cancer cells will not multiply in my body ever again. Research will one day find a cure. I am grateful for the patients that have been the pioneers in the treatment of breast cancer and other cancers. I had a pill to take for nausea, women before me had a difficult time with nausea from chemotherapy. Herceptin, which blocks estrogen was developed in the 1990's. The cancer I had was fueled by estrogen. Giving 2or3 drugs at a time instead of one drug have increased survival rates. Research will one day find a cure. I hope we are getting closer to that day.

Martha

Basking in the Sunshine

Joe and I are in Florida feeling the healing rays of the sun and blue skies. Last year I was receiving chemotherapy in February. This year we are relaxing. I will come home and face another surgery, March 20. I am feeling stronger and ready for the next step. Spring will soon follow. I am amazed at how I am affected by the weather. The chemo made me so cold all the time. Being in the sun sure helps me feel better physically and mentally.

The weekend of Feb 9-12th we flew to Phoenix to surprise Andy. He received the Champion of Excellence award from Jones Lang and Laselle. The company invited Joe and I, Kevin and Andy's families to celebrate his accomplishment. We had a wonderful trip and family time. We are all very proud of him. He is Managing Director of the Palo Alto Commercial Real Estate office. My father, Richard Morlock, had a real estate and insurance business in Hillsdale Michigan. There is a Hillsdale, California very near Andy. My dad would just love to see what Andy is doing. Andy was 3 months old when my dad died at age 70.

While in Florida, I had the pleasure of going to a Harp concert. There were 25 harps playing, a violinist was accompanied by the harp orchestra, an eleven year old vocalist sang. The concert ended with a number with a choir. Quite an experience.

We have had fun getting together with friends that are here getting away from the northern winter. More later. Martha
choir. A great experience.

Catching up

It has been almost a month since my last entry. We enjoyed having our family all home during the Holidays. Our grand children range in age from 12 to 2 and a half. They all played so well together. No snow........ No sledding. They did play outdoors.

We really enjoyed the picture Christmas cards. It is great to see how all the families have changed from year to year.

We are praying for a Happy and Healthy New Year. My mother would always say that all she ever wanted was good health, it is so true. My mother died on Jan. 9th 26 years ago today. It was a full moon then and there is a full moon tonight. I usually call or get a call from my grandchildren when there is a beautiful full moon so we can share the same beauty. I made the call tonight.

My thyroid surgery is scheduled for March 20. I will be ready. Joe and I will go to Florida in February. We are looking forward to the warm tropical breezes and sunshine. Probably some golf too.

I just finished The Paris Wife, a story about Earnest Hemingway and his wife Hadley. He had 3 marriages. Pauline, and Mary followed Hadley. I just started The Movable Feast by Hemingway. Both books are our book club books for Feb and March.

Back to the book, Martha

What's next?

After visiting the surgeon about my thyroid cancer, it was decided to schedule surgery in the early Spring. I will have time to complete the chemo that ends early March, spend a month in Florida and a trip to California to see Andy and family, play Pebble Beach.......then surgery.

For now, it is time to prepare for the Christmas Holidays. Our children will be home in a couple of weeks so it is time to be rested, a refrigerator full of vegetables and tasty food, with snow on the country club hills for sledding. We wish everyone safe travels and Holiday cheer! Martha

Christmas Letter

I have decided to post my part of The Poppink Melcher Christmas letter via blogspot.com.
This method saves paper and extra stamps.

We will have our children and grand children all home a few days after Christmas. We are all looking forward to our time together. Andy and family live in California. Cal is 4 and Nora 2years old. They love to come to Michigan for sledding, and playing with cousins. Katie and family live in Florida where Katie and Sam are serving our country in the Army. Severyn is .12 and Loreli is 9. They love to go Geocashing and playing in the snow with cousins. Kevin and family live in Saline, Michigan. Tess is 8 and Mia 6. Along with their mom, Holly, they are taking piano lessons. Both girls have a passion for drawing and hunting for frogs and snakes.
Scott also lives in Saline. We have the treat of seeing him quite often if he is not at work or on the golf course.

My journey in 2011 has been chronicled in this blog, so I won't repeat it again here. Joe has been such a marvelous support all year. He has enjoyed golf with his friends at the country club, volunteered at the hospital, works out at the fitness center. He just had his physical and as he says, "The doctor says I am a real specimen." I can vouch for that.

I have enjoyed playing my cello this year. The Pops concert was Dec. 4th. I just love playing and enjoy my friends in the orchestra. Seven years ago I worked with a committee of music lovers to promote a string program in Tecumseh schools. This past concert had students playing with the Pops Orchestra. The stage was full. I resigned as President of Community Arts of Tecumseh and am happy that it continues to grow. As soon as I was finished with radiation I signed up for a portrait class. We have a student show this week. Music and art fill my soul.
I can get into a peaceful place when playing or drawing.

The Poppink Melcher Family wishes you a Happy, Healthful, prosperous New Year!
Martha and Joe

New development

Last year I had an ultrasound to check for a blood clot. The technician noticed a spot on my thyroid. My oncologist said to follow up with a thyroid needle biopsy when I had completed the breast cancer treatments. I had the biopsy Nov 21st. I have thyroid cancer. I will see a surgeon next week. The curious thing is that I had thyroid cancer on the left lobe 28 years ago now it is on the other lobe. Thyroid cancer is slow growing and very treatable....as evidence from my experience before. This probably means another surgery. I will know more after next Thursday when I see the surgeon.

I am looking so forward to having the health issues behind me..... We all count our blessings and hope for good health. I remember asking my mom what she wanted for Christmas. Her answer would be, " I just want continued good health". Was she ever right, you can have all the material gifts but having good health is the best gift ever. Good health is my Christmas wish for everyone in 2012!

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart are words from a hymn we sing during the Thanksgiving season. This year the words have a special meaning for us. A year ago the future was uncertain for me. The breast cancer diagnosis was looming. Now a year later, with chemo,surgery and radiation behind me, I am on the mend. I am so grateful for the support from family and friends, for the doctors, nurses and staff that are compassionate and caring. The campaigns for raising cancer awareness and dollars for research and development are supported by so many. there are so many people afflicted with cancer. Just since my diagnosis there have been 4 friends that have been diagnosed. There must be an answer to the question, why?

I am grateful for all the blessings that Joe and I have received this year. We are different people today..... A renewed spirit for living each day and and saying Thanks be to God, family and friends, we are truly blessed. Martha

Thought for the day

I received this in an email from Vera Clark and want to share it.

Attitude is everything. Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly, and Pray continually. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.... It is about learning to dance in the rain!!!

Celebration

It has been 11 days since my last radiation treatment. My radiation burn is healing and getting better each day. I have been going to a massage therapist every couple of weeks. This week she game me some aloe stalks from a plant she had. I have put the aloe directly on my burn and I have had more relief and healing since using it. This week I didn't have any doctors appointment and it was so good to stay close to home, relax, and have lunch with friends. There has been a lot of celebration going on.

I have signed up for a portrait class at the Art Center. The first one was this past Monday. I am a bit rusty but it feels good to be back drawing. I also made a doll out of twigs and athletic tape, painted her..... she represents my freedom from breast cancer. I really get lost (alpha state) when doing art or music. Orchestra started in October so I am back playing my cello.... every day brings a return to normal living.

Last night I spent a couple of hours listening to lectures on TED.com
I posted one that I really enjoyed on my Facebook page. It a professor talking about creativity. He is humorous with a wonderful message. Check TED.com out..... great speakers.

We are coming up to Thanksgiving week soon. I have so much to be Thankful for. Going thru the frightening news of cancer is such a shock. It was a year ago Nov. 15th that I went to Comprehensive Breast Center and was walked to the door, the doctor said good luck, as her secretary made an appointment for surgery for me. After surgery, Andy flew home, and Kevin, Andy and Joe and I heard the doctor say, "You have a fast growing form of cancer." Throughout this year I have had the blessing of support from family and friends. Your caring concern has gotten me thru this treatment time. I still have tests, and treatment every three weeks until March. The worst of it is behind me. Thank you, thank you, Love, Martha

Hip, hip, Hurray!

I received a diploma of completion yesterday! Radiation is behind me.
What a great feeling. I met with the oncologist yesterday. She has some diagnostic tests scheduled then I will see her every 3 months. I will continue every three weeks with Herceptin infusion thru Feb.

We are planning to go to Florida in February. We missed last year and enjoy catching up with friends there. Our family will all be home during the Christmas holidays. Lots to be thankful for and to celebrate.

Thank you or all the love and support. Martha