"The opposite of Faith is Anxiety"

I am a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Tecumseh. Today's sermon was titled, "The opposite of Faith is Anxiety"...... Pastor Moritmer began with a passage from Mathew 6: 25- 34. Paraphrasing: Why worry about things, does worring add a single moment to your life? Our Heavenly Father knows what we need  and will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. "So don't be anxious about towmoorw God will take care of your tommorrow too. Live one day at a time.

Surprise Luncheon

Yesterday I had a wonderful "surprise" luncheon. The plan was to meet Kristin and Pam to talk about their trip to Florida over lunch. They are going in our place to Jeff's condo in Naples Florida for a month. So I was prepared with maps and Joe and I recounted the wonderful places to eat and visit. When I walked into Evans Street Station there were friends sitting at a long table. The table had a beautiful arrangement of pink tulips on it.  Kristin and Pam planned a hat party for me. As I opened the hats I realized that they had each taken time to pick out an attractive style for me to wear during my "hairless" months. Holly, my daughter in law was there with hat selections from Tess and Mia, our grand daughters. Sarah, from the Library knitting group, knitted an adorable green hat with a flower on it, but didn't attend. Earlier in the week, two others from the knitting group had given me hats they had knitted. Some hats were winter hats others thought of spring and summer styles. I will be well supplied with a variety of beautiful hats thanks to my friends.........I will wear a smile on my face when I wear "your" hat.  Thank you all. Love, Martha

"I don't believe makeup and the right hair style alone can make a woman beautiful. The most radiant woman in the room is the one full of life, friends, and experience"................Sharon Stone

You just never know

When my late husband, Cal Poppink, passed away from melanoma cancer, our family set up a scholarship in his name. The scholarship is given thru the Lenawee County Schools Foundation. It was one of the first given. I think the first year was 1990 that the scholarship was given.  Jill Schuster Kolodsick was one of the first recipients to receive the scholarship. Just a few years ago Jill reconnected with us thru Facebook.

Yesteday, I received a notice from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a gift in honor of Martha Melcher from Jill Kolodsick.  All I can say, is that I am honored that Jill thought to make a donation in my name toward finding a cure for cancer, and that as a young adult she  thinks about giving back.  What she received as a scholarship when she was a high school senior meant enough to her to continue giving to others in her adult life.  Thank you Jill!!

Wednesday, January 19

Well, today I missed out on breakfast with the Maxe's and lunch with my book club. My port sight is still troublesome. I had a Dopler this morning to rule out a blood clot..... no clot, and to see the oncologist. He said that the port was not put in deep enought so the skin wasn't getting a good blood supply, and I am allergic to Dermabond, a liquid adhesive. I get another port put in on Monday in my chest. I will be using the port for a year, so I am crossing my fingers for a good result on this one.

 Lesson for the day-  Be Patience and perservere~~~~~
Martha

Emergency room visit

On Saturday night we enjoyed Tess and Holly's piano recital and dinner with the family. Tess played White Christmas, Song for a Scarecrow and Holly played Clair De Lune. They played their songs beautifully.  On the way to the recital I developed a severe back ache, from the lumbar area up my neck. We had planned on going to the emergency room anyway to have them look at the removed port area which was very red, the  red area was spreading, throbbing and a concern.  I didn't have a fever which was good. So about 7 oclock we arrived at the ER of St. Joe's Hospital in Ann Arbor. They have a "Senior" section..... a beautiful area with 10 rooms, quiet, fully staffed, very pleasant even if you are there because of a health concern. So I had all the tests, even xrays for the spine, neck pain. I was taken to xray via a  $9000Stryker gurney ( I asked about the bed) on the way back the tech ran into a metal tray that crashed with a big bang so everyone looked at our dammage from the impact..... anyway a few minutes after getting back to my room about 4 nurses came to my room and said "You can't be a "Senior" you look too young".... a feel good moment, new hair cut!!

I was given an antibiotic, for the infection/cellulitius, the spine and neck didn't show any cancer concern (whew) just artheritis.
I know that I will have complications to the treatment and this was the first. With good doctors and nurses I will work through them.  Martha

Before the "Fall"

January 14, 2011

Today I had my hair cut really, really short...... so that when it begins to fall out there won't be so much on my pillow. I look like a brunette version on Jamie Lee Curtiss. My head is cold with out the insulation of my longer hair.  The doctor said that my hair should begin coming out 18days after my first chemo, that makes it Jan 28th.  since my first treatment was Jan 7th.  I have hats and scarves to wear too. We are going to our grandaughter's piano recital today so I forwarned them that "Mimi" will look different...... just the beginning of the different Mimi looks.  I just hope I don't frighten them. Tess said that pale people look scarry the other day, so face paint is what I'll do when I am going to see her.

We just Skyped with our California family, so they were the first to see the new look, they didn't run or turn off the camera, so I guess they will all handle it.  Enjoy your weekend. Love, Martha

January 12, 2011

January 12, 2011

Michigan is in a blanket of snow. The snow fell yesterday and today the sun is out and the air is crisp.
I am feeling good, because of the snow yesterday, I relaxed and rested so today I feel good...... maybe resting is a good thing.

Our art center is looking into the possibility of putting in a clay studio, so our community could have a place, other than the schools to do ceramics. We have a meeting today to investigate costs, interest, etc. There is a garage that could be transformed into the clay studio. Sounds like a great thing if we can support it financially.

I found this quote on a card at Whole Foods ( when I was buying dark leafy greens-- dandilion greens, collard greens) I will eat anything that gets this cancer our of here. 

"Life isn't about waitng for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to Dance in the rain".... Vivian Greene

Enjoy your day!! Love, Martha