Love is all that matters

The spring (almost summer) weather continues to be cool and wet in the Pacific Northwest. Last night on Whidbey Island we had a thunderstorm, wind, rain, and hail. Richard in Kitwanga, B.C. tells us their low temp this morning was +1 C (33.8 F). So much for my tomatoes!! But despite the less than perfect weather, Bob and I enjoyed a walk through the Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens with our friend Melanie… she volunteers there on Tuesdays. For someone starved for the peacefulness of nature, it was a perfect banquet of woodlands, trails, wild rabbits, moss, ferns, secret gardens, and of course rhododendrons. I had to slow my normally brisk walk, and rest on a garden bench once in a while, but I could still enjoy the companionable stroll and the fun of taking photos with another photographer.

Soon after returning, we received a phone call from my pulmonologist with the PET Scan results. Once I accept the fact that I have lung cancer, the results of the scan are really considered good. The cancer is contained within the right lung and has not spread anywhere else in the body. Only one lymph node is involved. The tumor is very large so the plan is to go after it aggressively to shrink it to a size that can be removed. Appointments are being made to start treatments right away. Bob is beginning the search for permanent/temporary housing for us in the Bellingham area. A diagnosis of cancer changes your life, but we can decide what those changes will be. And if we were looking for a simpler life, we have found it amidst all the unknowingness and complications. The only thing that really matters is love. Everything else is expendable.

Bob and Morningstar (Photo by Melanie Hester)

… PLM