Fr. Tony Update: Slow and Steady
Website: Amyloidosis
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Fr. Tony's New Duds (images included)
Teflon Warning
Fr. Tony Update: Slow and Steady
Slow and Steady as he goes... Tony's hanging in there while the steroids keep him up and going. His eyes are still on the fuzzy/blurry side, but he's coping with it. The good thing is his appetite is back, and he's able to take the services and do some blogging. Reading (his life's passion, aside from the altar) is still a bit difficult, but he'll never stop reading, no matter how much strain there is.
The not so good news is... we still don't have an earlier date for the biopsy. This is quite disappointing and a bit frustrating. I suppose we'll have to bight the bullet and accept the fact that there doesn't seem to be a mechanism in place to determine whether some surgeries more important then others. Hrumph!
For all of you who care so deeply about Tony, and reached out to help with this matter, we can't thank you enough. We are constantly reminded by your generosity, how much we're loved and cared for.
Before I forget, Tony's been blogging a bit lately. You may wish to check out some of his latest entries.
NOT A PROFIT
Someone wrote to me the other day asking me to speculate on what will happen at the Primates' Meeting. Well, I'm not a prophet nor the son of a prophet. I can only take comfort in believing that whatever happens eventually God's will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the meantime things look bad. Except in a script for a Monty Python movie. Primates self-segregated, armed guards, cabals and groups, threats of schism, expulsion, journalists hungry for news; it's all farcical and bizarre. CLICK HERE to read the full entry.
THE PRIMATES SPEAK
If this whole sorry story were about winners and losers, the "Windsor compliant" bishops would seem to have won the first round. They did so, I would suggest, because their attitude and mode of operation sounded Anglican. They didn't sound like politicians or go for the headlines. Nor did they seem to be engaged in an opportunistic grasp for power. Their reticence must have appealed to +Rowan Cantuar and the primates who still prefer to use the language in an understated manner. CLICK HERE to read the full entry.
AMYLOIDOSIS
Until a few days ago I'd never heard of Amyloidosis. On or before March 16th an incision will be made under my left eyeball and a tool inserted to scoop some tissue from behind the ball. The idea of all this is to do a biopsy to discover whether I have another incurable disease. Surely one incurable disease is enough even for a Brit! Well it's Lent after all. Amyloidosis is basically all about a protein we all have which cleans up our organs and then dies, but, in this case refuses to die and begins to destroy the tissue it has entered. CLICK HERE to read the full entry.
ONE BAPTISM
God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
This ancient and beautiful prayer sums it all up. There is one Body. We can't create it. We can't even really destroy it. But we can obscure it to our great danger. It is the one Lord who has given the one faith into which we are incorporated in baptism. We didn't create the Church. CLICK HERE to read the full entry.
CONSEQUENCES
The standing committee of the Diocese of South Carolina has been very naughty. It has told all who are interested that a majority of bishops with jurisdiction have consented to the election of Fr. Mark Lawrence as bishop of South Carolina, one of the "First Dioceses" of our church. We have also been informed which Standing Committees have given their consent. According to my friend Louie Crew they do not yet form a majority and the time is drawing nigh to close the matter. Unless there are some swift changes of corporate minds the election will be annulled. This revelation is naughty because, I'm told, the consent process is supposed to be secret, even a secret kept from those who elect the standing committees and are represented by them. Democracy? CLICK HERE to read the full entry.
WEBSITE: Amyloidosis
I was recently directed to check out the Amyloidosis Support Network, and am very glad I did. In the few short days I've been on their mailing list, I've had emails from 5 other Waldenstrom's/Amyloidosis patients. Some my not be aware that not only is Waldenstrom's a very rare condition, but Amyloidosis is also quite rare. About 3-5% of Waldenstrom's patients will end up with Amyloidosis. I'm not sure if the Amyloid is a result of the Waldenstrom's, or simply another deadly disease which Tony has now possibly been plagued with.
Of course, reading about amyloidosis is not a pleasant thing at all. With a Waldenstrom's diagnosis, one can anticipate many long years ahead, with constant monitoring and maintenance treatments. Amyloidosis, on the other hand, MUST be caught early and monitored... or it could be fatal. Fortunately there's a few cancer centers who have seen quite a number of patients by this time, and strides are being made to help manage this condition.
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FR. TONY'S NEW DUDS: (click on any image to see a larger view)
Well, you'll be happy to know I got Tony's chasuble and stole done in the nick of time. I must say he looks quite stunning in his new duds. If any of you clergy folk out there would like a new set of clerical garb, I'm your gal. grin
Fr. Tony in his new celtic stole.
Full view of Fr. Tony in his new stole.
Fr. Tony in his new chasuble.
VOILA! The finished chasuble and stole, on one very handsome WV parson.
Fr. Tony was fascinated by some of the celtic fabrics I'd found last fall, and asked me to make him a purple set of vestments. He was especially interested in having a set of vestments that had NO polyester in them, since it gets very hot up at the altar. This was supposed to be a Christmas present, but as is always the case, my procrastination kicked in. Next? He needs a set of green vestments. Fortunately, I have a bit of time before the "due date" arrives. grin
If any of you out there would like a custom set of clerical garments, I'm happy to entertain any and all requests. I don't use any polyester. This set is made with two shades of yummy Linen/Rayon fabric. The deeper shade of purple was used to line the inside. The trim is made with 100% cotton fabric.
TEFLON WARNING: Please Take Note
If you've been to a Walmart lately, and visited the pots and pans aisle, then you're well aware of how much teflon is being used to coat cooking utensils. Well, please be forewarned... teflon is not good for us, and because of the amount of teflon used in SO many products we purchase (and wear), you need to know the facts.
Last week I got a disturbing email about a woman (who wrote in a panic) who was the proud owner of 7 birds. While she and her husband were in another room, they could hear a thumping sound coming from the bird room. Well, FIVE of her birds were dropping to the floor dying. It seems her husband had cooked dinner on a teflon coated stove-top grill. He mistakenly left the burner on, and fumes from the teflon killed the birds.
Most parrot owners are well aware of the hazards of teflon to their flock, and opt not to use teflon in their home, but more and more, teflon is being used in coffee makers, ovens, etc. Teflon is not just a problem for birds. Our body absorbs it as well.
To learn more about pitching your teflon coated cookware, and using safer (non-teflon-coated) appliances, visit THIS WEBSITE.
To learn more about the overall hazards of teflon, CLICK HERE.
Must close for now... Medical Terminology class this evening. Studying to do.
