FOCUS, STRENGTH, FAITH and then FEATHERS AND COLOR

BOB'S STORY

Going Forward

 Church of the Way farer Carmel California February 2011

         Bob evinces a sense of life that is full of strength, focus, faith and drive.

         The back story-Bob is a friend. He and I worked together as a morning radio team. He was an extraordinary and facile "talent" capable of impression humor in one moment and a thoughtful interview in the next.  Later he teamed with one of America's premiere racing broadcasters and did distinguished work covering hydroplane racing, an exotic blend of water, speed, technology and chance.  He's been a college football radio man and producer.  He is now a combination hawk and fighter pilot, representing an agency and specializing in health care.  He works to establish messages of hope and help to those with grave illness.  That may be his paying job.  What fuels him, and what he does, is centered in his faith.  His faith also girds him in his battle with leukemia.

      With his approval, I'm presenting some of his eloquent sensitivity.

A PRE CHRISTMAS E-MAIL

Sent: Mon, Dec 20, 2010 11:19 pm

Subject: Winter Morning

I look out from the top floor of a hotel near downtown Rochester, MN. A 

Christmas tree softly glows with tiny blue lights in the window of a 

nearby brownstone apartment building. The streets are snow packed and 

treacherous. A solitary figure, dressed in heavy clothing against the 

cold, walks stiff legged down the middle of a side street. He is bent 

forward under the weight of a heavy backpack, as he heads to begin his 

shift at St. Mary's Hospital.  The sky is soft and hazy. Amber street 

lights turn  high thick clouds and snowy ground a pale shade of orange. 

In the distance, a snow plow scrapes, roars and beeps.

This city may be slightly slowed, but seldom stopped. Thousands will 

seek relief today at Mayo's clinic and hospitals. Thousands more will 

fill the tech needs of a nation and world at the massive IBM complex in 

its northern suburb.

Healthcare. Communication. Neither can afford a winter's slumber. Both 

deal in pulses; the human heart; speeding electrons. Both must be 

accessible, regardless of conditions at this crossroads of longitude and 

latitude.

Isn't it interesting how, as we mature, we become more dependent on 

these two?

Foster

A MEDICAL UPDATE

Chemo last week was successful. Leukemia was, again, blasted into 

submission. The heavy steroids and non-toxic treatments effectively 

removed the excess white blood cells and stopped my system from 

producing more. Unfortunately I developed serious dehydration, Sunday 

night into Monday. We'll leave that process to your imagination. Diane 

took me to the local hospital on Monday, where I spent 48 hours 

receiving IV fluids and two blood transfusions. This was not a 

particularly pleasing situation, but nowhere near what some others I 

know are dealing with. Am home now and coping with the steroid flashes, 

disorientation and attitude. Diane has been wonderful, although I am 

sure I try her patience. The goal is to get my head and system clear for 

a business trip next week, then return to Mayo on Wednesday for a 

follow-up.

Living on,

Foster

FORWARD MOTION

Subject: Quick Update

This morning's labs were the best in months. Blood counts rapidly trending positive. Praise Jesus for prayers continually answered. Next steps: 1) getting back my voice; 2) relief from the "stoned" feeling. Getting on an airplane Monday morning. Amazing, simply amazing, considering Diane took me to the ER four days ago.  

Never give up, 

Foster

As you read this, Bob is back at being a road warrior.  Stay tuned.

BIRD BRAINS

     A couple of shots to demonstrate that when bad weather threatens, as it did over the weekend, birds know to flock together.

          For the last 4 years, wild turkeys begin parading through our neighborhood at Thanksgiving time.  They are regular walkers until the end of the rainy season when they disappear to elsewhere.  As our rain and small pellet hail storm fell this weekend, this crowd hung together and loudly.

Others went for the lines,

though no less nosily. 

DAY BOOK

THE BLOOMS CONTINUE TO COME

This small ice plant bloom is just beginning to paint the area with its vitality.

A larger variety of ice plant is also beginning its magic show

The African Daisies seem to love this winter climate.

And compared to all of those mid-west winters of the past

so do we.

See you down the trail.