Goodbye to our VA

"The government stinks", wrote someone on face book. There may be many more citizens who feel this way. Certainly in Hot Springs today many wonder, "How can our government send our young men and women to fight overseas and then not take care of them on their return to civilian life?"

We are told by many veterans that our VA is one of the best in the country for treating veterans with PTSD, brain trauma, substance abuse and other emotional issues common to those who have seen the horrors of battle. And yet, the EIS study returned their verdict to close our VA and open a clinic in Rapid City, an hour to the north. They admit it will not save the taxpayers money, but that it will better service our veterans. Really? Ask a veteran who has received help at our VA and first tried a program at other facilities. They will let you know that Hot Springs has the best of the best treatment programs, and for an added bonus it is situated in a healing rural area, conducive to less outside stresses common in the larger cities.

Ask a resident of Hot Springs. They will tell you that losing our VA will affect the entire community. Businesses will lose customers, rentals will diminish, class size in the schools will shrink, jobs will be lost and the area will struggle to regain its dignity and identity.

We have been the Veterans Town for over 100 years. We will still have the State Home for retired veterans, but the larger, more glorious structure on the hill will lose its young, vital returning soldiers along with the many doctors, nurses, kitchen, custodial and auxiliary help.

The really sad part of this story is that none of this was necessary. None of this had to happen and none of it would have but for the stupidity and arrogance of those in Washington. It angers me and saddens me. Our town has fought long and hard for the rights of our veterans. It was on the front line of this battle to save our VA. We cared, we hoped, we tried. We talked often with our veterans during and after their treatment. We sat with them in the steam room and sauna at our mineral water facility down the hill from the VA. We heard their stories, we felt for them and worried with them about their return to society.

We wrote letters, we had meetings, we picketed and protested.

We met with our state representatives. But mainly we cared. We cared for our returning soldiers and the future of our country. We will continue to care. If there is more that we can do, we will.

At this time as I write these words I feel pain and deep sorrow. This is the end of my blog for today.

Words to Remember

She was tall, dark and attractive, wearing a brightly colored t-shirt. She was difficult to miss. I was busy finishing up my laundry for the week and briefly noticed her. As usual, I was focused on my chores for the day, but as I left the laundromat she walked up to me and said, "I love your writing."

I was taken aback and asked, "Do you mean my blog?" At this time I had been mulling over an idea for my weekly blog.

"No, I didn't know about your blog. I mean your books. I love your books."

"Which ones?"

"All three. I have all of them and I love them all. I admire your spirit."

This was something I had not heard before. Yes, people told me about this or that book that they had read, but this was a first for me to hear appreciation for all three of my books. Of course I loved hearing the praise. My attention had passed from those books and was now centered on my blog and other writings such as a monthly newsletter. So much the better to hear this woman remark on my books that I had spent considerable time on in the past. If the books are not forgotten and the people I wrote about, my time will have been well spent. It warmed my heart to realize that those that I had interviewed in my last two books, and those I had recalled in my first book, will, for some reader, some day, some where, be thought about and remembered.

Ah, yes, my time was well spent.

No More One-Size-Fits-All

"There is a spot on your x-ray of your left breast." It was the spring of 2012 and my annual mammogram time. Each year, following doctor's advice, I submitted myself to "squeeze and hold".

Back in 1994 a spot was found on my left breast. Following the research at that time I had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation and 5 years of drug therapy. I continued to be faithful with my yearly screenings, but was still stunned when the radiologist told me that a spot was discovered once again in the same breast. He advised me to make an appointment with a surgeon with no delay. During that appointment, unlike the previous time. I was advised to have a mastectomy.

Still in shock, I proceeded speedily to follow his advice. Another surgeon recommended reconstruction surgery. After all, did I want to be lopsided? My breasts had always been one of my best physical qualities and after many years of life I had become rather attached to them.

During the surgery, cancer was discovered in the other breast. Five days later that breast was removed. During this time I was visited by former cancer patients who gave well-meaning advice, all of which proved to be misguided, if not bogus. I found my own way to purchase less expensive items than they suggested. (Mastectomy swim suits were far cheaper from Lands End, formed bras from Sears rather than the over-priced store recommended by the ladies in pink.). I covered my costs without taxpayer funding through Medicare.

Two people were enormously helpful in my choice to reject the reconstruction surgeries. A sympathetic nurse came into my hospital room and, while tucking in my bed sheets, asked me why I was considering reconstruction surgery.

"I have just been mulling this over", I replied to her question. After the nurse left my room I pondered her question further and asked myself, "Why? Why on earth would I have reconstruction at my age? I could wear the 'stuffed bras' or simply go flat and proud. Also, so very important, I was married to a

man who loved me with or without and he only wanted what was in my best interests.

Later my husband questioned the plastic surgeon thoroughly. We learned about the years, time and pain that was involved in reconstruction surgery. My husband and that wise nurse helped direct me on a safer, saner path.

I got an infection after my two surgeries and needed to have a third one, but, oh, I am eternally grateful I did not opt for the multiple surgeries, time and pain that follow reconstruction. The three surgeries in a month's time were hard enough on me and the years I have left are too precious and too few to waste in a plastic surgeon's office....and, all of this would be covered by taxpayer money.

Today many medical professionals no longer recommend radical measures, unless it is the type of cancer that spreads quickly. It is a "take your time" attitude to make a large medical decision. Less invasive means are available even after the "shock effect" of that "spot on the x-ray" is discovered. Patients are advised on an individual basis.

Change is constant and we must live with that or be in denial. We are advised by the "experts" to do one thing, and then, with more research, there is a change of direction.

Today would I make different decisions? What I do know is that I would take more time, do extensive research, consult several doctors and choose the path that fit my needs with my diagnosis. With the latest available data I might choose to do less, and, for certain, would not even consider reconstruction.

One more thing. Never, never ask me to wear pink!

Again October

Yet another glorious October day! I have lived through many such days in my lifetime, but each fall they once again amaze me. The day was crisp early on and then with blue skies warmed into the 80's. Neighbors chatted, children laughed and jumped on trampolines. Later in the day we attended two fund raisers in our town, mingled with locals and tourists and during the early evening Bob and I enjoyed watching our chickens preen and fuss with much ado as they retired into their coop.

The experts will inform you that free-range chickens provide healthier eggs, enrich your soil with the best fertilizer and rid your garden of the pesky insects. Ours do all of this, but what most inspires us to spend the time raising these birds is more than healthy eggs, enriched soil and diminishing bugs. It is the calming, meditative effect that surrounds us as we watch these amusing creatures scratch, peck, fuss, run, drink and follow the leader to what is of the interest of the moment. They bring predictability and roots to the natural world that now days often becomes lost among the modern technology of smart phones, internet, instant communication and television.

During those moments we watch our chickens we connect to the simpler life of the past. We forget the inundation of information and the demands of the present. We relax, enjoy and celebrate. We are transported to another time, another world. It is our time of peace.

Another Letter from Alaska

August 26, 2015

Hi Robert and Mary,

Haven't forgotten about you, it's just that Summer in Alaska is one busy time - mostly used in preparing for winter. The "preparing" gets harder all the time - partially as I am more resistant in tackling major jobs and winters are changing so much it is hard to know what to prepare for.

Normally, what we call "Break-up" (when the river's ice start to break up) is in April but this late April we had 80's and blue skies. Our river, anyway, never really looked frozen until very late January and, in fact, never did freeze enough that folks would walk on it. Lots of local trappers rely, and some who live out in the bush, rely on the rivers as mini-highways to get to trap lines or other villages.

Weather stayed nice through July but so dry that over 5 million acres burned. Mostly so rural that no one live there but a few that threatened housing. Still, since all of us down in this area live in forest, it was a worrisome time. August was rainy as usual but due to the early heat, we had a bumper crop of tomatoes, cukes, string beans and zucchini - so we are munching well on food that tastes like food......

.....This last winter was a big change - a couple more feet of snow than usual and this stuff is the wet, heavy stuff. Temps were much milder with only a couple of 40's whereas there are usually quite a few of those. And, it really didn't start until we got back so much earlier than expected at the end of Dec.......

.......We had a lousy fishing year though plenty of folks still came. For whatever reason, the salmon for centuries would swim up the sides of the very fast and powerful rivers. Only the very big King Salmon at 35-60 lbs. were strong enough to swim up in the middle. This year we had more salmon than usual but much fewer caught as they all went up the center for a very odd change.

It's been odd to figure this kind of stuff out as the oceans themselves are changing so rapidly. We have a large 'dead zone' between us and Russia which the salmon usually have to cross to return and just this summer alone have seen a large 'die-off'' of fully grown whales in the Gulf of Alaska. The 'why's' of this stuff are, as yet, unknown but the salmon we did get were a pound or so smaller.....

.........
Love,