Dear Family and Special Friends,                                                           May 27, 2014

Touching in with an update on my current health status. Our health care services coordinator, Laurie Sefton, and I met with the ENT, Dr. Robert Meleca, this afternoon. He shared the CT scan with us and interpreted it for us.

As you know there is a right maxillary facial mass eroding into the anterior sinus wall and close to affecting the roots of the upper teeth. It is not painful.

With my past history of breast cancer, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and basal cell skin cancers, the next appropriate step will be to have it biopsied. If it proves to be cancerous, it will need to be specifically identified in terms of appropriate treatment. When I asked if the mass was operable, Dr. Meleca said that depends what particular cancer it would be. If this is a recurrence of NHL, then surgery would not be the treatment of choice as a systemic treatment such as chemo would be needed.

Unfortunately the biopsy wasn’t able to be performed in the office. Thus, I await the scheduler to call tomorrow to let me know when. The goal is to get it done next week. They will aim to get me into the schedule on Friday, June 6th. This will be as an out-patient procedure at Metro Health Hospital where I’ll be mildly sedated and the area will be numbed. The incision to remove a chunk of the mass will be inside the mouth. Prior to that I need to get the pre-op lab work and EKG completed.

Sooooo, only God knows whether this might still be strangely benign, whether it is lymphoma, sinus cancer or some nasopharangeal type of cancer. Living with the unknown and the unavoidable waiting ain’t no picnic but it is what it is. I feel a solidarity with all who are waiting and hoping and trying not to worry.

There is an abundance of support around me and I deeply value your care and concern on my behalf. Thank you for entering into this health setback with me. My prayer is that you keep entering into your life scene with all the love and joy you can. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – that God has the big picture and this is no mistake. I continue to see it as an invitation to deepen in trust. I still aim for the balance so I’m not being glibly naïve nor “awfulizing” the unknown.

Again, thank you fervently for the gift of your presence, family and friends. I covet your prayerful support and please include those who are desperately frightened and lack a circle of family and friends which is a profound blessing I cherish.

Lovingly ever-always,

Sue/Aunt Sue/Sister Sue

June 12, 2014

Touching in to share the news that yours truly is knee-deep in my next bout with cancer (the little “c”) as my niece Susanne calls it next to the Big C (Christ). What my dentist ruled out as a tooth issue mid-April, became a definitive diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma again yesterday, June 10^th.

As you may know I’ve been walking this cancer journey since 1986 – some 28 years ago and have come to view it as a primary mission of my life. More specifically, it was breast cancer in 1986 and again in 1993…Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1999 and presently plus multiple basal cell skin cancers (2002-2009) that I lump into one. Why this is so is known best & only to God.

From my perspective this cancer revisited is as much a spiritual journey as it is physical, psychological, emotional and mental. I affirm God has the big picture and this is not a mistake. I have been privileged to walk and talk with 1000s of folks these past 28 years to give and receive encouragement and support.

My meeting with Dr. Kathleen Yost (the oncologist who worked with me in 1999) went well yesterday as we re-connected doctor to co-healer. I had a bone marrow test earlier today and will have a PET scan Monday, echocardiogram Tuesday and a port placement sometime next week. Once the staging is set, we will better know what chemotherapy, how many cycles and if radiation is recommended (only if it is localized in the cheek where the maxillary facial mass is situated).

For those of you who already knew about this, here is where we stand in the healing process. I have been heart warmed and humbled by your care-prayer and messages of valued connections. Never will I take your love and kindness for granted. For those who are hearing this a first time, join with me as I enter into yet-another cancer experience. Robert Frost once said, “The only way around is through” and I believe that.

Since little girl on I’ve lived with the deep-seated belief that life is GIFT not to be taken for granted and that includes good and bad times… that whatever comes is in the realm of an invitation to deepen as a believer-truster-lover… that there is mystery as to the whys and wherefores but God’s desire to guide and provide is ever present even when it seems mysteriously baffling. Fiat (Latin for So Be It).

Thank you for your presence and may we each love lavishly in ways that bless others in our own “you-nique” ways. LOVE is the be-all and end-all of life. Amen…

Always and ever,

Dear Family, Friends, Colleagues, Et Cetera Et Cetera Et Cetera,       June 21, 2014

If Tennyson’s famous phrase is true, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” then the pooling of spiritual energy (formal, spontaneous, creative) has significantly contributed positively to where life has moved for me.

After CT scan, biopsy, bone marrow test, PET scan, echocardiogram and port placement, I can humbly-gratefully report that the evidence shows there is no cancer in the bone marrow and as of now, the lymphoma is still in the localized (not metastasized) status nestled in my cheek within my bodymindspirit. Somehow the process feels more manageable than when I first broke the news.

Monday I meet with the oncology nurse educator to learn the realities of the chemo protocol ahead – R-CHOP plus Neulasta. I realize this is probably Greek but you don’t need to know the names. Picture CHOP as 4 meds that will “chop” the cancer and dissolve it, God-willing. Neulasta helps the knocked down white blood cells get up and start fighting again faster than the body can alone.

Thursday, June 26^th, will be chemo #1 with 2-3 more after that (tentative dates are July 17^th and August 7^th). Sooooo, I still have time to find a cranial prosthesis – the medical term for a wig, not a new head! JJ Will also find some turbans-scarves-hats ‘cause for me bald is NOT beautiful even in the heat o’ summer.

As you may guess, I will not let cancer erase my humor and will welcome anything and all that evokes laughter even though I admit this is not, in itself, a laughing matter. But I firmly believe as Karl Barth more famously said, “Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.” I won’t stop affirming that view.

Folks have repeatedly asked what they can do. Your supportive notes, cards, prayers are profoundly significant towards helping me maintain a balance. Please know I am equally interested in knowing whassup with you because it helps maintain balance plus ability to see the bigger picture all around me.

I may check with one of our Spectrum Health nurse navigators to see about setting up a Care Page and if/when I do, I’ll let you know how to access it. For now, if any of you would like to take a peek at the web site my retired patent attorney sister Carol created for me, the web site is www.toodooloosue.com. It has my cancer story, others’ cancer learnings , reflections, humor, et cetera.

That’s it for now. Deep down I am in good space. No, I wouldn’t have chosen this if God had offered me a menu of challenges, but it’s here and once again quoting Robert Frost, “The only way around is through.” Toodooloo and go — live-love-laugh-learn and treasure the tidbit and bigbit moments in your own life…

Dear Family, Friends, Colleagues, Et Cetera regarding Post Chemo One.             July 4, 2014

“From the day that you’re born ‘til they take you in a hearse, things are never so bad that they couldn’t be worse!” I heard that some 21 years ago from a lady in Toledo whose name was Mary Wood (yes, the same as our motherhouse nickname, Marywood). I’ve held to the truth of that statement through the years.

I also believe “All is as it should be” as my friend Jean MacDonald says… or “This too shall pass” that originated with the Persian Sufi poets. Life unfolds for each of us with ups, downs and lots of in betweens. Enuf philosophical adages for this Independence Day.

Gratefully I can report that chemo one on June 26^th has been manageable – more so than my memory 15 years ago when I was “only” 59. No nausea or vomiting…some tingle in fingers and toes…some struggle with a straight-through night sleep… but with appropriate meds I meet each stumbling block and visualize it as a stepping stone towards healing.

One word that has sustained me is SURRENDER. Since I got my beloved Angel Cards way back in 1993 while dealing with a breast cancer recurrence that resulted in my first experience with chemo and radiation, I have clung to that sacred word with an open heart and open hands. I repeat – God has the big picture for each of us and this is no mistake.

One question that has trickled through my thoughts has been – how does God translate the tsunami of prayerful intercession that has inundated my bodymindspirit into effective recovery and healing? ‘Tis a mystery. I believe God knows all and perhaps the prayers we offer help each of US cope with hope with our own situations as we beg God’s mercy on others. Any thoughts on this?

Today, July 4^th, is a quiet-restful day. My white blood cell counts yesterday were a meager 1 when the norm is 4-11. So Rick, my oncology nurse educator, urged me to let germaphobia kick in plus plenty of rest. I’ve done just that yesterday and today. Tomorrow I head up to join my house mate, Sister Kathy (who has been a precious Florence Nightingale these past weeks) at their family cottage on Diamond Lake, just north of Newyago-White Cloud area.

Please know I am surrounded and enveloped by grace and care-concern which continue to overwhelm me in a wholesome way as the word spreads hither and yon about Sister Sue’s 5^th cancer! Please also know that I am equally interested in your news and views. Cancer has a tendency to become somewhat “preoccupying” (likely no surprise) but our world is larger than what is happening to me. Widen this world for me in whatever way fits you best.

As you may surmise, I’m not letting cancer or chemo usurp my propensity toward humor and look for lighter moments in the midst of the “mell of a hess” and there are some such moments, thank God. Humor and laughter are part of my healing arsenal with the meds.

Take care, everyone. Cherish today. Go hug someone nearby and let them know your love..

Labor Day Weekend

Dear Everyone hither and yon,

Hello again from HOMAH 2 (Home Of Meditation And Hospitality) for 2 of us, Sister Kathy who has been my awesome “Florence Nightingale” and yours truly. July 4^th was the last time I spun out a letter like this. Lots that has happened in the past two months. Tapping in to share an update on where life has evolved.

The three chemo protocol is complete (June 26, July 17, Aug. 7) and the follow up PET CT scan showed that the original ping pong ball sized lymphoma tumor in my cheek has significantly shrunk to a miniscule 1/2 inch by 1/3 inch. It was so minimally enhanced (lit up) that instead of a viable cancer, it may be scar tissue from the substantial reduction. The doctor was very pleased with this outcome.

Nonetheless, I will meet with the radiation oncologist Tuesday, September 2^nd, to discern an appropriate choice regarding radiation therapy to zap the uncertain remnant. When one presents oneself to medical models, they want to cover all the bases so I am open to recommendations to round out this active cancer treatment.

I continue to be strengthened by the overwhelming care-prayer-expressions-of-hope-and-healing that continue to flow in from everywhere. A resurgence of email, snail mail and phone calls occurred when Charley Honey devoted his July 28^th GR Press column to me. It can be viewed at connect.mlive.com/user/choney/posts/htm. The title is “Cancer, Chemo All Part of Spiritual Journey for Sister Sue Tracy.”

Despite the unavoidable side effects – dry mouth, neuropathy in fingers and feet plus difficulty in getting decent night sleeps even with appropriate meds, I continue to believe “From the day that you’re born til they take you in a hearse, things are never so bad they couldn’t be worse.” I also recall Gilda Radner’s claim that “It’s always something!” And I just finished reading Robin Robert’s book entitled, Everybody’s Got Something. Her mother used to say both, “Make your mess your message” and “When fear knocks, let faith answer the door.” Mmmm…good…

A message I received from Sister Mary Ann Barrett on our leadership team was so worthy of profuse pondering, “You have been gifted and are a gift in so many ways and your latest ‘missive’ displays so profoundly the presence of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit imbued in your living. WISDOM as you face the reality of cancer with great UNDERSTANDING of God’s hand holding you throughout the tough and soft moment, RIGHT JUDGMENT in your positive, hope filled attitude, COURAGE matched with grace as you take on another challenge, KNOWLEDGE about cancer and its consequences and cures, REVERENCE for the body and its healing powers, AWE/WONDER as you have experienced God’s will and the support of those who know and love you. I’m privileged and humbled to share this new journey with you as your sister. Love, Mary Ann.” This took my breath away when I first read it back on 6-21-14 and then brought on tears in how creatively she combined these Gifts.

I told my pastoral care manager that I believe the quality of my current ministry has moved up a couple notches. As I interact with the patients who are involved in active treatment also, it isn’t a “been there done that four times in the past” but a NOW as WE meet these issues head on and heart on with all the ramifications cancer brings to our bodymindspirits. My tender connections have been a privilege and a mutual blessing in a richer, deeper way. I’ve missed very little work.

One day at Mass when the priest elevated the host at the consecration, he said the usual, “This is My Body which will be given up for you.” A thought suddenly struck me. I too could say those very same words back to our gracious God, “This is my body given up for You.” Nothing can stop me from offering the nasty nuisances that arise in the midst of the treatments to God Who holds the big picture for each of us. It’s our choice to commit, complain or cooperate with the reality it IS.

While I share all of the above, I reaffirm how vital it is for me to acknowledge that you are part of my wider world. My interest and concern for your wellbeing causes me to state I hope life has been manageable for you, that these summer days which have been far more comfy than sizzly this particular season have afforded some wholesome refreshment for you as the days moved along.

I’m also aware of the too many seriously troubled areas in the world where violence is the norm. At times visualizing the young children terrorized by all they are facing in running for their lives puts everything I am coping with in a broader perspective. I earnestly pray for their safety from serious harm and untimely deaths. I know life is all of the above but it’s difficult picturing little ones having to face such chaos.

I’ll begin to close quoting Gilda Radner again who died of ovarian cancer and whose family inaugurated the Gilda’s Clubs that flourish in many cities. Ours here in Grand Rapids was the 12^th to open back on 2-15-01 and remains the biggest and busiest of them all. We’re pleased and proud to proclaim this. Gilda said, “Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.”

May we all embrace the knowns and the unknowns on our life platters, entrusting them all to God’s guidance and providence day by week by month. Thank you for listening to this update account of life a la Sister Sue Tracy who signs off praying for our courage, surrender to truth, hope and peace…

Always and ever, Sister Sue

PS: If you haven’t taken a peek at the web site my computer savvy sister Carol has created for me, you can browse through my cancer story, those of others, spiritual reflections, my talk descriptions, plus humorous ditties, go to toodooloosue.com.

           End of January 2015

Dear Everyone hither and yon,

Labor Day weekend was the last time I spun out an update on whassup for yours truly on this Cancer #5 path. LOTS has occurred since that memo and today seems the right time to sit back down at the computer and peck away at the keys.

After the 3 chemo and 15 radiation treatment protocol was complete for the lymphoma in my right maxillary sinus, I had a follow up scan. Instead of getting an all clear and clean report, the findings showed that the lymphoma had migrated north and was nestled in the right parietal brain lobe. Ouch-boo-ugh, eh? This put me into an earnest attempt to eradicate the metastasized cancer in my head.

Since November I have been immersed in five inpatient sessions that have lasted   5-6 days each time every other week. As you may guess my energy took a screeching halt nosedive and resulted in my previous norm being replaced by continuous five days in and nine days out of the hospital.

The first day saw two drugs administered that have the power of getting past the blood brain barrier (Rituxin and high-dose methotrexate) and the next few days were focused on ridding the body of these drugs with other meds so as to prevent kidney damage. The teamwork of the staff was most admirable but hospitals are not known for providing appropriate and much needed sleep with all the checkups and fluids flowing in and out so fatigue with depleted energy became my norm – very unlike the buoyant Sue most of you know – but it’s still me underneath…

After the second inpatient stay in December, I had a brain MRI that showed “marked improvement.” This gave me the courage to continue on. Since then I have had three more sessions and today’s brain MRI report indicated continued progress with no enhancement so the word STABLE was used. Nonetheless, it does not warrant stopping treatment though it will be moved to every three weeks instead of every two. Progress but no finish line on the near horizon. Sigh and so be it.

I continue to embrace this with grace that allows me to cope with hope. I have been inundated with a tsunami of care-prayer-cards-calls-emails-gifts-et-cetera. I still strongly believe God has the big picture and this is no mistake but what a new and wide learning curve – understatement indeed.

Soooo, please know I am not a hero or martyr. It is what it is and I value all the ways each of you has shared in this journey. I will continue my “bestest” as long as progress is manifest. This is a win-win situation – to live longer so I can love and antagonize you all more or someday see our gracious God face to Face. Lots more but I will let this suffice for now… Keep flourishing in all that is dear to you..

Lovingly ever-always,

Your Sister Sue

End of May 2015

Dear Everyone Hither and Yon,

The last time I tickled these keyboard keys with an update was the end of January when I was two months into my cancer five metastasis to the brain. That was a full four months ago so it seems timely to tap into your day once again to convey whassup with yours truly. Thanks for tuning in.

As of this memo I have completed ten chemo protocols which each involves 4-5 inpatient days… receive the high dose chemo on day one, allow 24 hours for it to SLUSH through my body and then 3-4 days with other meds to FLUSH it out of my system to avoid any permanent kidney damage. Are we having fun yet?

Overall I can report the process has been manageable. The very challenging sleep issue (or lack of it therein) has subsided greatly and my depleted-subdued energy has risen to what is 85-90% of the Sue most of you are more familiar with. My dear sister-in-law wrote, “Your 85%, Sue, is about 125% for several others. J

Sometime in February I turned a corner in deepening in confidence that I’m gonna pull through this and this conviction continues to be the case. As a result of trusting that God still has “work” for me to do, I have found myself excited about LIFE as someone recently described: Live It Fully Everyday. I love play on words. God calls us to do more than just go through the motions. We are to snap up life with passion. It is a gift worthy of investing ourselves wholeheartedly. I’m ready.

Spring’s beauty keeps my heart beating faster with the unfolding of at least 40 shades of green (move over, Ireland) plus the flowering trees and bushes boasting white, light blue, lavender, pink and yellow flowers… Then there is the beauty of each person I am encountering as I find myself reverencing everyone’s uniqueness in a deeper, tender manner. We are called to share life at close range.

Since last September I chose to cancel speaking engagements that were booked because I didn’t know if I would be alive or have the mental capacity to do so. Well, folks and organizations have trusted I would be “around” and “able” so I’ve had six engagements since March – LaughFest invocation, Association for the Blind, Bluebird Cancer Retreats, eulogy at a CRC church, benediction for an Aquinas College fundraiser and a talk on how to cope with hope for/with 250+ people on a cancer, disability or serious illness journey. I have to confess it feels great to be behind a lectern again. Others are already booked in coming months.

My sister Carol gave me a riveting thought to ponder way back in December when moments of futility were setting in and I was OK with closing my eyes and slipping into eternity. Evidently that wasn’t God’s plan. She said, “Sue, do you think God is offering you an OPPORTUNITY to deepen in your experiential comprehension of cancer so that your own empathy and presence to people suffering with this disease will be enhanced?” I have earnestly tried to take her sincere invitation to heart. I believe her encouragement was God-guided.

Then on April 28^th my oncologist, Dr. Kathleen Yost, shared the good news that the last brain MRI showed that I am now in remission. I usually prefer the word cancer-free but decided to stay with the medical term remission. The next day the Spirit inspired me to translate remission as REMISSION-ed to live, love, laugh and learn more deeply on God’s planet Earth. I am very open and willing to do so.

So the mission… the opportunity… to keep attentive as God guides and provides continues. It has taken patience and courage to be a thriver, rather than a mere survivor. These quotes on courage and faith have strengthened my resolve:

• Courage is wise endurance…
• Courage is strength in the face of knowledge of what is feared or hoped.
• One has to decide whether one’s fears or one’s hopes are what matter most.
• Courage is faith that has said its prayers. (my personal favorite)
• When you come to the edge of all that is known, and all that lies ahead is the darkness of the unknown, faith assures you one of two things will happen: either you will stand on solid ground or you will be taught how to fly! (my second favorite which gives me chills when I say it aloud)

So what’s next you may ask…I have reached what is called maintenance. With my cancer history (five times in 29 years) I will continue the same treatments (4-5 inpatient days) once a month now through the summer for preventative and precautionary purposes. I am open to this though hospital stays will never be a preferred place to plop despite the amazing, warm and wonderful staff teamwork.

You might wonder what is ahead now that I am retired and rounding out active cancer treatments. I am part of our motherhouse pastoral care team, am in conversation about another spiritual care volunteer opportunity and am open to speaking engagements as approached. Life ain’t never dull but you know me…

Before I round this out, I do want to thank you for your keen ‘n’ kind interest and support expressed in umpteen hundred ways. I take no one’s care-prayer for granted, be assured. The tsunami of prayer does make it a difference. May we never minimize or discount this healing medicine. Soooo, toodooloo & bless you.

Always and ever with love and laughter, your Sister Sue

---

Labor Day Weekend 2015

Dear Everyone hither and yon,

       ‘Tis yours truly tapping into your day… remembering a year ago this weekend when I gave an update on where things were at. Then I was yet mid-stream with cancer five (end of chemo awaiting radiation). I had NO IDEA that by November I would be immersed in coping with a metastasis that would be a focus for the next nine months. I believe it is a very good thing we don’t know what’s ahead because God’s grace is typically there when needed – not before.

Today I can report that I am still in remission, finished with fourteen of the sixteen recommended inpatient protocols and looking towards the final two. I have already tabbed the last one Oct. 23-26 as Sweet Sixteen Grand Finale. It feels great to be nearer the finish line than the starting gate. Interestingly, I am regularly asked, “Do you feel as good as you look?” I smile and nod. During last weekend’s hospital stay a gentleman saw me in the hall and said, “Ma’m, you don’t look ill enough to be in the hospital.” Wowee, agree? Thank you, sir.

Recently I ran across the statement, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” and decided that is definitely true. I would never have chosen this metastasized fifth cancer but the learning curve has stretched me significantly and overall the process has been manageable. 60+ days and nights spent in the hospital have taught me deeper empathy, patience, trust, gratefulness for supportive services from my dedicated oncologist, Dr. Kathleen Yost, all the nurses, aids and ancillary staff and love in tender, appreciative ways.

One reality that may surprise you is that when I was at my lowest ebb with depleted energy, it was really difficult to pray. I knew there was a tsunami of prayer ascending to God’s heart and I counted on those promised pledges of intercession when my mind was numb. Father Ron Gronowski sent me a unique Two-Words Prayer that somehow I could utter over and over again. I even asked Walt Gutowski to run it off at his Swift Printing & Communications. Here it is:

Calm me, quiet me, settle me…       Steady me, balance me, ground me…

Plant me, root me, embed me…       Support me, sustain me, protect me…

Forgive me, pardon me, free me…   Refresh me, restore me, heal me…

Enfold me, embrace me, hold me…   Lord, hear my prayer today!

 

Some folks declare that I am a walking miracle. I do not see myself as that since I am not a hero or a martyr. But I do claim that these five cancer episodes and the ability to survive and grow through them remain very much in the realm of mystery. It is very humbling when I think about folks who experience cancer once and that’s it. I can only interpret that God still desires to “use” me in the best sense of the word to fulfill my mission of presence and support for those on the cancer journey. This I am open to do until my own dying day. Continually people ask me to be in touch with so-and-so who is struggling with some form of primary or recurring cancer. How could I ever decline?

For the past two months I have been a part of our pastoral team with four other Sisters on our motherhouse campus. Twice a week I visit with folks in our Marywood Health Center rehab. It is a collaborative venture with Porter Hills who provide the medical and food services whereas we provide the space, front desk receptionist and spiritual care. It has felt wonderful to be back chaplain-ing once again after 22 years in hospital acute care settings. Guess I’ve had a chaplain heart for umpteen years. It is in my DNA.

I can also report that the speaking engagements are picking up again. Last November I canceled 13 of them because I really didn’t know if I would be alive or have the mental acuity to do so with ease. Thursday I will be with the General Federation of Women’s Club district meeting down in Gun Lake. Next weekend I will return to Bluebird Cancer Retreats of West Michigan and round out the weekend with 19 cancer survivor/thrivers via the talk entitled “Celebrate Life Come What May Day by Day.”

One of the big events coming up mid-October will take place up in Traverse City. The fire fighters from Holland/Zeeland area who call themselves Shield of Hope invited me to take part in a weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge. 30 families coping with cancer (adults or youth) will participate. My time will focus on the adults (in between lots of family time with the amenities available there) plus the sendoff talk Sunday late morning. I’m excited about this unique opportunity to be with families immersed in the little “c” (cancer).

Today I was interviewed for the Women’s Lifestyle magazine about my cancer story. It will be published in their October issue. Such requests are a blessing in an attempt to integrate the ups, downs and in betweens of my cancer journey – always with hope others glean what they can to bolster their own ability to cope with hope for whatever is on their life platter reality.

A highlight this week was a totally unexpected phone call from Wendy Wigger, the CEO of our Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. She indicated that November 12^th will be the annual Gilda’s Night of Gratitude wherein awards are given out. This year a new award is being added. She and the staff unanimously chose me to be the first recipient of THE SPIRIT OF GILDA award because they feel I exemplify well what Gilda was all about. That announcement evoked instant tears which should be no surprise. I’ve already decided my first sentence in a response will be, “Gilda Radner and I have a couple things in common. We both are considered FUNNY and we both are from Detroit so we’re MOTOWN GALS!”

Sooooo, I thank you again for your interest, care, concern, prayer and the umpteen ways you have shared in this long journey with cancer five (May 2014 through September 2015 so far) but the treatment process is moving towards its completion. I may die of cancer someday but it does not seem to be soon as I imagined it would be last fall and winter. It appears I get the privilege to love and lovingly antagonize you all longer which is A-OK with me.

Toodooloo and love,

your Sister Sue

1. If you are interested in reading more about cancer, some reflections, humor and list of talks, my sister Carol created a web site that can be opened at www/toodooloosue.com. Under the “About Sister Sue” tab is my cancer story from the beginning to now. Optional but available. Blessings on your day and LIFE!!