Scott Tichenor
Feb-29-2008, 8:40pm
Dear friends,
I am hoping someday to be the "Hear ye, hear ye" bearer of the great news that Butch is cancer free. For now, I am stuck in the chemo/MRI/labwork cycle that saps so many of life and energy. I was thinking today about the different uses of the word "delivery" and the many different ways I've delivered or had something delivered to me just in the past 48 hours. From our primary doctor two days ago, the news she delivered that Butch had 2 new symptoms of a rash and high blood pressure, were upsetting. In the doctor's office yesterday, he had to deliver us the news that, "the scans were a little worse", with growth in a couple of places of the tumour. While visiting Blake's school this morning, I carried in the packs of newpapers, that all of the students had passed by, and delivered them to my friends in the office. Moments later, I was at the not-yet-open library, and carried their four bags of papers up the brick walk and left them at the door. Then, back at Vanderbilt for chemo, two nurses were talking about their delivery dates, weeks apart. It dawned on me how different the weight of all of those issues are, the simplest being merely delivering a newspaper which is usually filled with nothing but bad news. Maybe it would be better to not deliver them!
I feel it is my duty to deliver to you news of Butch's condition. His spirits are strong and he smiles a lot. He is a fighter and a man with great faith. Those are all good things. The delivery of news that his tumour has grown is not good. The growth is "minor" but still is a concern, with the core of it changing in shape. So, we began a new round of chemo today. An appointment meant to begin at 7:30 didn't start until 10:15...waiting on the delivery of orders that just wouldn't come! As one of the drugs was being delivered into Butch's vein, he had an adverse reaction and they had to stop the infusion and go to "Plan B". Plan B ended at about 3:30 making it a horribly long day.
On future deliveries, Butch has been listening to music and planning his next projects, including a comedy release whose working title is "Pluckin' on the Classics" sure to be delivered with lots of his famous tone. He has not yet put brush to canvas but has a very clear idea of the paintings he wants to do and is preparing stencils to use for them and says that "as soon as it warms up", he'll be at it. He has been to hear some great shows lately, among them Nickel Creek's Farewell Show and Classical Guitarist Marco Fieri. After that show, Butch and friends were evacuated into the basement of Jason's Deli while Blake and I huddled in our makeshift bomb shelter at home due to the delivery of a tornado to Nashville.
From Ghoulies and ghosties and long leggity beasties and things that go "bump" in the night, Lord deliver us!
We are still enjoying notes and letters and visits from many of you. Some have dropped away but I hope you will visit soon. Please keep in touch with us and please keep sending us your bracelet photos. The support from all of you has been amazing, whether you have helped with our kitchen re-do, brought us food or books or music or just come to visit, it all means the world to us. The benefit in Seattle with John Reischman (2008 Juno award nominee) and friends at Dusty Strings was a great success as was the benefit Thursday night before the opening of SPGMA, hosted by Jesse McReynolds and his lovely wife, Joy. Without that support, we wouldn't be where we are today.
I am trying to get back to my work designing invitations and stationery. I am working on some very exciting projects here in Nashville, a couple of weddings and a few invites where I can be as creative as I want for a special audience. I hope to deliver all jobs on time, knowing it's important to keep on plugging.
I am reminded of a funny little quote I knew as a child. Always loving letter writing (maybe one reason I got into the stationery business), this was one of those goofy little things like "SWAK" (Sealed with a kiss) that we used to write on our envelopes. With a giant "D" on the left, there was a column of words on the right so all together it went something like this...D-liver D letter D sooner D better, D later D letter, D madder D getter! I wonder now if the postman ever read it!
Thanks for reading my dribble and for the blessings of your friendships that fill our tanks. Happy Leap Year!
Love,
Sinclair
I am hoping someday to be the "Hear ye, hear ye" bearer of the great news that Butch is cancer free. For now, I am stuck in the chemo/MRI/labwork cycle that saps so many of life and energy. I was thinking today about the different uses of the word "delivery" and the many different ways I've delivered or had something delivered to me just in the past 48 hours. From our primary doctor two days ago, the news she delivered that Butch had 2 new symptoms of a rash and high blood pressure, were upsetting. In the doctor's office yesterday, he had to deliver us the news that, "the scans were a little worse", with growth in a couple of places of the tumour. While visiting Blake's school this morning, I carried in the packs of newpapers, that all of the students had passed by, and delivered them to my friends in the office. Moments later, I was at the not-yet-open library, and carried their four bags of papers up the brick walk and left them at the door. Then, back at Vanderbilt for chemo, two nurses were talking about their delivery dates, weeks apart. It dawned on me how different the weight of all of those issues are, the simplest being merely delivering a newspaper which is usually filled with nothing but bad news. Maybe it would be better to not deliver them!
I feel it is my duty to deliver to you news of Butch's condition. His spirits are strong and he smiles a lot. He is a fighter and a man with great faith. Those are all good things. The delivery of news that his tumour has grown is not good. The growth is "minor" but still is a concern, with the core of it changing in shape. So, we began a new round of chemo today. An appointment meant to begin at 7:30 didn't start until 10:15...waiting on the delivery of orders that just wouldn't come! As one of the drugs was being delivered into Butch's vein, he had an adverse reaction and they had to stop the infusion and go to "Plan B". Plan B ended at about 3:30 making it a horribly long day.
On future deliveries, Butch has been listening to music and planning his next projects, including a comedy release whose working title is "Pluckin' on the Classics" sure to be delivered with lots of his famous tone. He has not yet put brush to canvas but has a very clear idea of the paintings he wants to do and is preparing stencils to use for them and says that "as soon as it warms up", he'll be at it. He has been to hear some great shows lately, among them Nickel Creek's Farewell Show and Classical Guitarist Marco Fieri. After that show, Butch and friends were evacuated into the basement of Jason's Deli while Blake and I huddled in our makeshift bomb shelter at home due to the delivery of a tornado to Nashville.
From Ghoulies and ghosties and long leggity beasties and things that go "bump" in the night, Lord deliver us!
We are still enjoying notes and letters and visits from many of you. Some have dropped away but I hope you will visit soon. Please keep in touch with us and please keep sending us your bracelet photos. The support from all of you has been amazing, whether you have helped with our kitchen re-do, brought us food or books or music or just come to visit, it all means the world to us. The benefit in Seattle with John Reischman (2008 Juno award nominee) and friends at Dusty Strings was a great success as was the benefit Thursday night before the opening of SPGMA, hosted by Jesse McReynolds and his lovely wife, Joy. Without that support, we wouldn't be where we are today.
I am trying to get back to my work designing invitations and stationery. I am working on some very exciting projects here in Nashville, a couple of weddings and a few invites where I can be as creative as I want for a special audience. I hope to deliver all jobs on time, knowing it's important to keep on plugging.
I am reminded of a funny little quote I knew as a child. Always loving letter writing (maybe one reason I got into the stationery business), this was one of those goofy little things like "SWAK" (Sealed with a kiss) that we used to write on our envelopes. With a giant "D" on the left, there was a column of words on the right so all together it went something like this...D-liver D letter D sooner D better, D later D letter, D madder D getter! I wonder now if the postman ever read it!
Thanks for reading my dribble and for the blessings of your friendships that fill our tanks. Happy Leap Year!
Love,
Sinclair