9 Moons Ago

You Might Consider Reading This Book:
“The Road From Coorain” by Jill Ker Conway

Even though I started reading it in the mid 90s, and started more than once, because it is quite dry in places (similar to my experience w/ reading Out of Africa ), and before living in Australia was even a concept in my mind, I’ve finally finished Jill Ker Conway’s “clear-sighted memoir of growing up Australian”, “The Road From Coorain”, and oh the reward of exhilaration & emotion of finishing it! It taught me about a part of Australia that I knew nothing about and pleasantly reminded me of all that I did. I came back to finish this book knowing so much of the vernacular that, astutely, was not always explained, and the usual Aussie expressions and how they would sound rolling off the tongue, whether “properly”, bordering on an English accent, or broad and common, or with the dialect of an experienced self-described “blackfellah” from the bush. I could see the land and the people. I knew the heartache and narrowing tunnel of a long drought. The same class system and expectations of what it means to be Australian are still visible, decades later. It is beautifully crafted, even though there are a few places that I had to push through. There is warmth, wit, and tragedy. And oh, I cried!
But, I have to tell you, I consider this book to be one of the most rewarding I’ve ever read, not only for it’s content and beautifully crafted passages, rich with imagery, but also because of the last sentence. Perhaps it is because I have been there, because I am emotionally invested, and that I feel a connection with the spirit in which it is written, but I believe it contains the best last sentence of a book that I’ve ever read. I’ve never felt that way before, even with any of my favorite books. Finishing this memoir was a long-anticipated achievement and an emotionally rewarding trip. This isn’t necessarily among my top 5 reads, but if not, it’s hovering near there. And no matter what you’ve experienced of Australia, if anything, it will take you on a journey of the human dramas, loves, losses, excitements, unexpected twists, hopes and triumphs we all experience in a lifetime.

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Switching gears…

As for my health, still feeling sore and tender from the surgery. The antibiotics are slowly clearing up the infection and I’m making plans to get tested, in Hershey, to see if I carry a “cancer gene”. This will help me make a decision on how drastic my next surgery will be, perhaps help my siblings, should they want to know if there is a possibility that they carry it, and just help with research in general, so that somewhere down the line, it might help save more lives. I will be seeing an oncologist, in Hanover, for a first appointment on August 5. The plan is, that while I undergo chemo and radiation treatments, I will live most of the time with my Sister and her family, so that she can drive me to and from appointments, and so that, during the day, I will be with someone. She lives in Hanover, which is a 40 minute drive from Dallastown. I can’t thank her enough for all that she has already done for me, over and above what I would ask of anyone. Kathy has provided countless rides, anticipated my needs before I knew them myself, has done research on my behalf and has not treated me any differently, which is a relief. We still give each other a hard time, and still act silly, or bitch about what’s bothering us and I doubt she knows just how much it means to me to have her in my life. And, right behind her are tons of family and friends, and I really, truly, could not have made it this far without your love.
xo Amy

Hello all. Relay for Life was a blast on the weekend! Pictures and videos can be found here: Relay for Life 2010

I’ve had lab tests, bloodwork, an mri and a bunch of other stuff that all points to my being ready for surgery (a partial mastectomy/lumpectomy) on July the 15th. People have asked me if I’m nervous, but the truth is, not really. I feel positive, hopeful and just take each day as it comes. This is all possible because I have health care and the most overwhelming support from family, friends and the medical professionals that I’ve seen. This will be an outpatient procedure. I will be going home the same day. Incredible what advances in medicine there have been in just five years, let alone since my Grandmother was diagnosed in the late 1950s. She left this world too soon, but her daughter, my Aunt Mary, is a survivor as well, and there are so many others I know who have fought back and won their battles with cancer.

They tell me I’ll have chemo once I’ve recovered from the surgery, and after that, radiation. There is more to talk about concerning those subjects, but I won’t get ahead of myself. Just going to focus on the next step. I will update you when I come to those bridges.

Speaking of Bridges, I watched an old episode of The Closer with Mom tonight, and I think Beau Bridges is stunning in a frock!

I am very much loving the sound of steady rain for a greater part of today. It’s been so dry outside, and so long without it, that I am not listening to music for a change. The rain is a pleasant song tonight.

And I’m still being a goofball, no need to fear any change from that!:

Double Vision.

Fun With Broken Sunglasses.

Self Portrait With Olympus

Well, there is no easy way to break the news.
In this post I am telling closest family and friend, alike. Until now I’ve only told a handful of people. I decided I wanted some time to process it all before putting it out there for folks to read.

In the past few weeks, I’ve been in and out of doctors’ office’s and the Women’s Health Center for exams, mammograms, ultrasound and a biopsy. On the fourth of June, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
The good news is that it is one spot, very small, isn’t fast-growing and the doctors and nurses I have talked to all have said that there is no question that I will recover from this. One doctor said that he can’t say that to all women who are diagnosed, but that, with treatment, I will be just fine.

I am scheduled to have an mri next week, so they can detect anything else that might look suspicious. After that I’ll meet with my doctor to schedule surgery, which will remove the nodule and a bit of the tissue surrounding it. After the surgery, I will have radiation and chemo treatments and will lose my hair, temporarily. That’s actually one of the things that will be hard for me, I have to admit. There are times when it all feels overwhelming and scary, but they’ve given me lots of great information about what to expect and numbers to call if I need help with anything. For the most part, I am happy and working on sewing projects, photography and gardening. Lots of good get-togethers with friends and family are in the works, too.

So, I’m sure I’ll be filling everyone in, as I learn more myself. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have, I won’t be offended. And also feel free to pass this along to any mutual family and friends, especially if they don’t spend any/much time online.

I guess God/the Universe/Whatever-you-like-to call-it decided I was ready for another big challenge! Personally, I wouldn’t have minded a little bit of a break, since I’ve just been getting back on my feet after a doozy of a year in 2008. But it is not up to me, and I won’t stress over what can not be changed. Actually, I have to admit that this year I have been feeling more inner-strength. Might as well put it to good use! :-D

Taking it one day at a time!
Lots of love to all my amazing supporters!
xoxoxo Amy

Have just scanned 2 new portraits, drawn from old family photos:

To see the rest of the photostream, just click here:

Buttons McTavish’s aka Amy Lehr’s Flickr