Bait and Switch

I could not believe that this was happening to me. An old company like Publishers Clearing House would pull a stunt like this.

They were advertising an award of $5,000.00 a week for the rest of your life. About five days before the award date, Aug. 31st, a mailing came that the award will be one million dollars only period. Several weeks prior to this change, they announced that there was a short list of 121 names from which the winner would be chosen. Then the other 120 would each get a check for $1000.00. They added that if you would receive a check, you would not be a winner. My name was on the short list, and I did not receive a check. Being 91 years, it seemed logical that I might be the winner. Then switch came, and I received nothing. To top it all off the winner was from Las Vegas. Also I still did not get that $1000.00 check as promised. Such dishonesty. Where are the morals going? Perhaps they're all gone.

On a happier note, the melanoma on my left arm has been completely removed,(I hope.) The surgeon dismissed me at the last visit. Perhaps I might make it to 100.

I have not mentioned my garden recently, and I had only moderate success. I started out with pea pods then came the strawberries. We had some dill and parsley. We got about three zucchini, and loads of cherry tomatoes that came back from last year. We did get some larger tomatoes earlier, and then the hot weather came. I was sweating a lot, and I didn't feel too good. Now with cooler temperature we are getting a few larger ones. Earlier in spring I gave five tomato plants to my grandson, Frank, and his grew very well. Now he is bringing some to us. Now the bell peppers are doing good, and I'll be able to give some away. In addition we have a cabbage plant that is about 12 to 14 inches in diameter. Originally we were told that this variety can grow to be up to 15 lbs. Now what do you do with that much cabbage. That is a lot of col slaw !!! I'll keep you posted.

Happy and Wonderful Days

It is hard for me to believe how many happy and wonderful things happened to me and my family in the past two months.

I just learned yesterday that my granddaughter, Margaret, received her final approval for her PhD in Chemistry. She now has her Doctorate Degree as she begins to teach in a local college for the first time. Congratulations to Margaret. You are the first.

Not far behind will be my granddaughter, Ann, who will be getting her M,D.in the first week in December. She will be a Doctor of Medicine just like her grandfather. However she is bilingual which is one step better. After graduation she will be coming back to the States, and finish the rest of her training in a hospital in New York. Being fluent in Spanish, will be quite an asset when she starts to practice.

Next in line will be granddaughter, Carrie, who is in a program for a Doctorate in Physical Medicine. She has an additional year to go.

More good news is about my granddaughter, Nora, who graduated from Colombia College in Chicago, Cum Laud, in Theater this spring and was accepted by Second City, She has already been in several productions in the Chicago area. In addition last week she was able to obtain a regular job which will give her funds for independent living.

Now about my grandson, Frank, who was unemployed for over 6 months, he is now working for a good company for 2 weeks. His problem was serious, because he has a family of four sons. These are very beautiful and intelligent children. They are my great grandchildren,and I am concerned.

Now to myself. Earlier I wrote about my discovery of a malignant melanoma on my left arm, and the two surgeries that followed. Well I still have some sutures in my arm because I was told that older people heal slower.

There has been so much sad news lately, that I thought some good news would be a bit interesting and uplifting.

Surgical Report

Yesterday I was able to get the pathological report from my surgeon about the tissue he removed from my left arm. It said that there was NO cancer present. Happy day!!! I believed that my angel, Dorothy, would be able to help if God was willing. It must be in God's plan for me to keep on going. The doctors are telling me that I will make it to 100. I will be willing if that is His plan for me, because His plan is good.
The incision was not quite healed so only half of the sutures were removed. Now a return trip next week to complete the job.
More news.
I received a letter from the Publishing Clearing House that I am on a short list of 211 names from which the winner will be chosen. I'm back to my angel, Dorothy, if its God's will, I would be happy to win it. I have a great need for funds having lived this long with possibly more years to come.
I'm a believer in you get what you pray for, and I could use any help.
The award date is August 31st.

Surgery Today

Today's surgery was to remove any remaining parts of the melanoma on my left upper arm that might have been part of the original tumor. The original tumor was only 3mm thick from the biopsy, and the usual procedure is to do a deep resection of the original site. If the original tumor would be 7mm or more, then further treatment would be necessary. So I am very fortunate that this might be the only treatment that I will need.
It is times like these that my angel, Dorothy, is still with me in a different way, helping me to do the right thing. I ask for her help every day, and I know she hears me.
Now I have to go to the doctor's office in 10 days to have the sutures removed. Again I am blessed to have my daughter-in-law, Hedy, to be able to drive me to all these appointments.
Praise be to God our Father.



































if t

Wow 91 Years Today

Yes today I made 91 years. That is the time that both my parents reached before they died. However I don't believe I'm on my way out yet. At a store when we were checking out, I told the owner that I was 91 today, and she said she could not believe that. Then I asked her how old do I look? She said in my 70's. I replied that was twenty years younger. Then she said, "That's right."

This morning I had an appointment with a surgeon, Dr.Scott Miller, for the next treatment for my melanoma on my left upper arm. He had the biopsy report, and it showed that the malignancy was only 3mm deep, and he needed to do a wider excision. He thought that would be the only surgery necessary, because it was less than 7mm deep.He scheduled me for next Friday, July 30th, as an out patient. Evidently no one seems anxious except me.

Anyway that was a good birthday present to know I could be cured of my cancer with the next surgery.

Thank You God

A New Addition To The Broz Clan

On July 3rd at 10:00am little Riley Michelle Broz was born to my grandson Paul and his wife Kate. This new baby made my count of great grandchildren go to 22. Then I was able to get to see and hold her at 4:00pm that same day. She was crying, and Paul gave her to me. She was wrapped snugly in a blanket, and I held her close to my chest. I started to hum and pat her gently. In a short time she was able to fall asleep. and I felt so proud that I was able to do that for a baby only 6 hours old. That was a first for me.

Today I had an appointment with a dermatologist after a period of about 5 years, and I was surprised when the doctor said that he needed to biopsy two lesions, one on my left arm and the other on my back. He said the one on my arm looked bad. Now we have to wait for the lab reports in a week. Now I'm happy that I was to go. Prayers would be nice,Thank You.

As for garden news, there is a pause. The tomatoes are small, but each plant has about two or three. The zucchini and cantaloupe are full of blossoms but no fruit. However the special cabbage is about 12 inches in diameter and growing.

Mixed Weekend

June 9th was the second anniversary of my beloved Dorothy's death. My grief is still very strong, and I miss her terribly. However Dorothy did tell me that I should go on with my life. We did get to visit the cemetery on Sunday, the 13th, which was the day of burial. Again a deer came to visit us as they did on the original day two years ago. Dorothy is still giving me messages.

That was the sad part. Also on Sunday, I was able to give my grandson's wife, Kate, what I believe is a completed copy of my manuscript for her to insert the pictures. After that the next step will be to forward it to the publisher. This has been a long time.

Another nice event that occurred on Monday, when we were able to harvest pea pods from my garden. In addition there is a strawberry turning pink, and there are several small zucchini. Most of the tomato plants have blossoms, and some are opened. So it appears that things are moving right along.