A HAPPY, HEALTHY YEAR TO ALL OF YOU IN 2014

from Fred and Terri Clamons

 “My Favorite Things” is, undoubtedly, our favorite song from “The Sound of Music.”  It has been heard more recently since the TV production, and we’ve enjoyed the song’s return to popularity.  But last week a central Texas radio personality complained it was not a Christmas song and programmers should quit including it with traditional carols.  Hmm.  We feel quite the opposite and chose it as a good theme for our 2014 New Year Greeting.  We could fill the entire letter with the joy last spring when we celebrated our 50^th wedding anniversary with a week in Kauai.  But then the wheels of our wagon started to fall off, life changed, and we’ve decided to list our “favorite things,” as the perfect way to bring you up to date with our lives.  When Fred and I sat down to create a list of “favorite things” in our lives, he spoke up first with his #1 on our hit parade.

                #1 – This “favorite thing” is the word “cure,” which took on a whole new meaning when Fred’s kidney specialist and oncologist looked him in the eye, told him he has bone marrow cancer (Multiple Myeloma), but with new chemo available it can be cured.  Terri agrees that moment can’t be beat for #1, thanks to Fred’s doctors, who combine brilliant medical knowledge with compassionate care and communication.  God is at work in mysterious ways.

                #1, scene 2 —Fred and Terri agree this “favorite thing” is the bold journey daughter-in-law Jodie in Kansas has begun to fight her breast cancer.  It insures her success to be cured and cancer free sometime in 2014 along with Fred.  Sharing chemo day experiences will not be a new way of life for long, and she and Greg with their three children have tackled this challenge with a vengeance. 

                #1, scene 3 – Grandson Matt introduced us all to this “favorite thing,” the miracles and loving care of the famous Texas Children’s Hospital.  He spent time there in June, educating us on kidney impact from Rhabdomyolsis, known among professional athletes as Rhabdo, but not usually connected to a 12-year-old. 

                #2 – Terri insists a “favorite thing” of the year (even better than a week in Hawaii) is to be surrounded and supported by family and friends beyond her wildest imagination.  The love and support have made this journey, so far, much easier for patients and caregivers.  Truly, God is alive and well in them all and prayer works.

                #3—Fred and Terri list one of their personal “favorite things” as the discovery that San Marcos has an amazing medical support system and our hospital and medical resources here reassure and comfort us while drawing on area specialists needed for this journey.

                #4— We both agree on the final “favorite thing” as we send up prayers of praise for continued strength for loved ones who recently have been declared cancer free and for those who still fight a variety of health challenges as we move into a New Year.

                #5 – In the midst of Fred’s diagnosis and treatment plan, cancer took our beloved canine companion, Sweet Jenny, in late September. Through the miracle of “being in the right place at the right time,” yellow Lab Buffy has joined our family and keeps us loved and cared for while providing us with laughs through her sense of fun and play.  Surely, God does work in mysterious ways.

                Please know that we are fine and with the support of everyone’s prayers we continue to break down barriers and jump hurdles on the path toward wellness.   HAPPY NEW YEAR!