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I'm continuing to write about my experiences in battling cancer of the esophagus. You may be tired of hearing about this but two things have made me aware of high interest in this topic. I had no idea how many people in our area have been fighting cancer battles, and they seem to value my tales of what is occurring. I think one reason is they feel alone. Another part is they get an idea what they are facing. I am fortunate to be old enough to be eligible for Medicare. I did myself a huge favor...
If you've been working at skipping occupational therapy services at Share Medical Center while enduring a lengthy hospital visit, this thought is for you. About three weeks ago while I was still in the hospital, a cute young lady showed up with an occupational therapy certificate, which is included in the OTA certificate and took three years to complete. This was not the first time anyone had mentioned to me anything about a need for physical therapy (we are in good shape in Alva for that), but...
After about two weeks as a patient at Share Medical Center and a scheduled round of several weeks of chemotherapy, I am somewhat better but am facing a third round of chemo next week for the liver. I am enjoying the cards and letters as well as the kind comments if I run into you on the street (not very much of that happening; not outside much at all). This column is more about the amazing modern electronic medicine where Share Medical and other hospital providers each have spent over a million...
When Marione and I first moved to Oklahoma, we made lots of pleasant acquaintances in southwest Kansas and northwest Oklahoma. Many of these came because we performed family photography in a revolutionary way. Not only did we we have a printing press and print shop, but also a photography studio where low-cost photos were possible, and we were able to print small church directories with our printing press. We also had dance studio photos available. That gave us two markets where dance studio...
Before having cancer, I didn't care whether a particular medical specialty clinic stayed open or not, figuring a new one would pop up somewhere else if one closed. Now that I'm making weekly trips for tests and specialist appointments, it's a big deal. Last week alone, I was out of town for three consecutive days on such trips. Finally we got one hospital in Oklahoma City to get on board with us to accomplish two appointments in the same day. This is a battle because they have dozens of...
This week I’m scheduled for my fourth round of chemo. Writing about my cancer experience has encouraged others to share their unique journeys. Here’s what Jack Fisher of Alva wrote: Today I saw a woman on a TV network noon news saying that the PSA blood test is "not recommended" for men with symptoms of prostate swelling. After going through a variety of prostate tests starting about 21 years ago, I can tell you that some of the other tests require going to a big city specialist. One pro...
I'm appreciative that people are still sending cards/letters wishing me well in my chemo fights; but what is more important is the number of friends and relatives who have had cancer and survived. I didn't realize or had forgotten there were so many. In the past, I've been one of those people who've done too many of those socially automatic replies when asked, “How are you doing,” with my programmed answer being the “Oh, I'm just fine, how are you?” and then moving on. It's a safe mid-Ame...
For several weeks, I've been reviewing my step-by-step esophageal cancer treatment. The cancer was first discovered around the first of July by Dr. Ransom at Share Medical Center. Then with that clue, I was advanced up the food chain to larger city medical imaging equipment. The treatment has been every two week chemo therapy. We won’t know if the chemotherapy is doing its job until the four week schedule is complete. Part of the treatment includes regular lab tests from Share Medical Center t...
I am stunned by the number of area residents who approach me to tell of their experiences fighting cancer. I am overwhelmed by the size of the cancer plague. An example was at Wal-mart Saturday evening: a nicely dressed young man, probably near the age of 40, approached and said he lives in Pratt, Kansas, and enjoys keeping up with our community cancer revelations each week in the Newsgram. First, I appreciate his complimentary words about my column, and then I was puzzled, wondering how he was...
If you don't want to hear more information about fighting cancer, you would be happier to move on from this column to the next Newsgram page. I'm hoping that something I stumble upon might help you or a family better cope if you are suddenly hit with this wicked disease as I have been. When we moved to Alva, about 50 years ago, our basic list of non-church acquaintances came from the Zion Lutheran Church in Alva. We photographed and printed a church directory and church family pictures for...
The Alva schools held their "media day" Monday evening at the huge practice building at Alva High School. All sorts of attractive elementary to senior football players, cheerleaders and softball players appeared with their parents and grandparents to shoot nice well-lighted pictures. Since we have a new head football coach and a new superintendent, I choose the words "join the community" so we all can focus back to positive results in the Alva schools, since there was a system-shock with the cha...
Dozens of area citizens have sent beautiful get well cards and notes encouraging me to hang tough in my diagnosed bout with esophageal cancer. I have paid a lot of attention to each message and reexamined the stack of cards every now and then. Let me once again get a disclaimer out of the way. My parents and grandparents forever admonished we five kids against seeking sympathy for various dings and scratches, explaining no one wants to listen to hourly complaints from whiny kids. And if the...
For the second time within a month, I've seen an extortion email trying to collect a sizeable sum of money. It’s from a fellow who says he has proof the victim was watching porn on his computer while doing “nasty things” to himself. He is willing to forget the matter for a payment of $2,200. He said, “Yes, you'll try to take this matter to the cops. But if I am smart enough to figure out how to get your username and password,” which he then displays, “then you better figure out that I can avoid...
In a special meeting held Thursday evening at the administrative offices, the Alva Board of Education switched a few assignments and added some new employees. Superintendent Tim Argo said the staff is now complete to begin the school year. Not all the new staff members were present, but their jobs were explained. Argo thanked Cara Bradt for stepping up and teaching middle school and high school bands for the coming year. She will receive some secretarial-type help in filing and managing music...
Chairman McMurphy called the meeting to order with all other commissioners present. Also County Clerk Shelley Reed and Lynn Martin of the Alva Review Courier were in attendance. Road crossing permits were approved for Select Energy: A motion was carried for D1 10-28-13 27-29-13 Select Energy Services carrying water with no fee. Bids, Contracts Discussed Next, the commissioners approved the annual resolution of the Cooperative Extension Services Agreement between OSU acting for and on behalf of its Cooperative Extension Service and the USDA and...
I likely will be writing about my bout with cancer over the next few weeks. I'm trying to provide you with a fair warning so you don't have to read it if you are not interested. I'm actually quite surprised at how many of you have told me you are very curious as to how things are going. I remember back a few months ago when Norville Ritter, Dean Stands, Joe Shirley, Pat Headlee and others allowed me to write their stories. I valued their openness and gave me a chance to accompany their mental...
Last week, I wrote about a really ugly looking video picture of my esophagus taken by Dr. Ransom with an endoscope in the surgery suite at Share Medical Center. At the time the Newsgram went to press, I had not received the pathology report. That's where I left things hanging in my report to you. Well, a few hours later the pathologist's report revealed it was cancer of the esophagus. I have been quite open about the problem, telling our minister, Jay Tyree, that I don't see anything will be...
The Freedom Board of Education approved contracts for new employees Scott Renken, Jennifer Renken and Sara Bowman. They had previously announced hiring agreements with the trio. Superintendent James Miller asked the board to review his contract. After the meeting, he showed this reporter the difference in the new and old contract. When multiplied by an index of 2.2 over minimum teacher salary, his salary would be out of line considering the number of students in the district. His pay will be based on the 2017-2018 OKSDE Minimum Teacher Salary...
Approximately a dozen people gathered at 10 a.m. Monday in the conference room of the Woods County commissioners to allow members of the public to ask questions or make statements about the arena project. Those in attendance included county officials and two who signed in as "citizens," Royce Bender and Phil Guilhem. Twenty minutes of the meeting (viewable on the newspaper website) was utilized by Jeff Sabin, an attorney who along with his law firm put the financial predictions together,...
The Alva Board of Education held a special meeting at 11 a.m. Monday to handle a few quick items before the start of school. Tiffany Slater and Steve Hansen were absent. Lisa Vermillion was moved from paraprofessional to attendance secretary at the Alva High School. Ryan Brandt will start his teaching career with history and possibly economics classes at Alva High School. Henry Hornsby was employed as a paraprofessional at Lincoln School. He is from Guthrie and is a recent Northwestern Oklahoma...
The Freedom Board of Education approved contracts for new employees Scott Renken, Jennifer Renken and Sara Bowman. They had previously announced hiring agreements with the trio. Superintendent James Miller asked the board to review his contract. After the meeting, he showed this reporter the difference in the new and old contract. When multiplied by an index of 2.2 over minimum teacher salary, his salary would be out of line considering the number of students in the district. His pay will be...
After hosting a public hearing about the Alva Arena project, the Woods County commissioners convened into their own meeting on Monday, July 16. They approved a gravel purchase arrangement with Jean Sneary in northern Woods County at a price of $1 per yard. David Hamil of District 2 bought a John Deere grader off State Contract from Yellowhouse Machinery Company. The model is a JD 772G Motor grader with a $282,656.00 unit price, coming to a $312,570.07 lease-purchase price of $5,209.50 per month...
Most schools in the state are struggling to fill staff positions before the start of school in about a month. Several highly visible teacher positions are still open in Alva, including both Alva Middle School (AMS) and Alva High School (AHS) band and vocal directors. On Monday night, the resignations of Sierra Walker (vo-ag teacher) and her husband, Clayton (bus barn), and Taylor Schwerdtfeger were announced. The Schwerdtfeger resignation was a shock to the team and the community after he and...
All three Woods County commissioners were present for their July 9 meeting. A couple of water road-crossing permits were approved. One was in Commissioner John Smiley's District 3 on the Aline Blacktop at County Road 470. The other was in Commissioner David Hamil's District 1 east of the Sale Barn. The following monthly reports were accepted: • Assessor collections: $219 • County clerk office collections: $12,234.17 • Court clerk office balance: $256,387.77 • Election board balance: $4,267.98 • Health department collections: $5.24 • Treasur...
For the last few weeks, since the first of the year, I've had difficulty leading songs at Sunday church service held in the chapel at Bill Johnson Correctional Center. Thank goodness there's a trainee out there by the name of Jeremiah who steps up and replaces me quite capably. So my primary care doc had nasal and larynx x-rays taken at Share Medical Center (SMC) at the request of an ear nose and throat specialist in Enid. After examining me and looking at the x-rays, the Enid doc said there not...
