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Wednesday, June 14, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Commentary...
Cancer and me: Homeward bound
zy Jim Williamd
Columnist
It’s been awhile since the
last installment of this series
chronicling what seems like
a never-ending battle with
cancer. In that last column,
I expressed my desire to
return “home” to Sisters,
and my reasons why.
Well, I’m happy to say
that we’re packing up the
plantation and returning.
We are indeed, homeward
bound.
Much has happened in
the interim. The treatments
that were supposed to cure
my cancer, pretty much
did. What we didn’t count
on was a spread within the
same general area, into
a couple of small lymph
nodes in my back. Once in
the lymph system, you’re
pretty much at the mercy of
the Cancer Gods as to one’s
survival.
I cannot be cured.
I am currently undergo-
ing treatment for these nodes
with chemotherapy and the
associated side effects that
entails. The goal at this
point is to get rid of these
bad actors and hope I don’t
recur anytime soon. So far,
results have been promising,
although I’ve grown weary
of treatment, and wish to put
the whole experience behind
me. But, as cancer survivors
know, you never really put it
behind you.
Since the new diagno-
sis, and with my inability
to work, Katie and I spent
more time thinking about
where we wanted to spend
the rest of our lives, and
why. The more we thought
about it, the more it made
sense to return home. I don’t
know how much time I have
left, but I sure don’t want to
spend it in Portland. We can
no longer afford to keep two
households, and the pull,
always having been strong,
predicated the move back,
and we couldn’t be happier.
Katie has already found a
job in town, and our Oregon
City residence is on the mar-
ket. It won’t be long now.
When I think about
returning, I think about the
reasons we left, and other
than my illness, our rea-
sons for wanting to return
home. In hindsight, we left
for all of the wrong reasons.
Portland is where I grew
up, and where we thought
we’d like to retire. When
the opportunity arose, we
went for it, again, for all the
wrong reasons. A crappy job
situation; disenchantment
after 17 years, and a spat
with my daughter all fac-
tored into the decision. All
things that could have been
remedied with a little more
thought.
I’m glad we came,
though. In the two years
we’ve been in “the Valley,”
we’ve come to appreciate
all the things we took for
granted. We’ve also come
to understand what Portland
is, and is not. Portland is a
big town now, with big-town
problems. Not something
we want to deal with any-
more. Don’t get me wrong:
it can be a great place. Lots
of food and entertainment
options you can’t get in
Central Oregon, but if you
want or need those options,
they’re only three hours
away. In fact I always told
myself I liked Portland now
as a place to visit, not stay.
How true that has become.
So with that, we’re home-
ward bound, once again, for
the last time. I can’t wait
for fall, and the beauty that
is Sisters that time of year.
I can’t wait to arise in the
morning to a brisk sun-
rise, and a smell that I still
can’t describe. I long for
the snow, and a chance at a
White Christmas. The drive
I never got tired of from
town out to Crossroads, and
that incredible view. And of
course, friends and loved
ones that we have missed
so much, and the support
Katie and I have received
during this now-near-year-
long ordeal from all of
them.
Yes, we have longed to
be — and are — homeward
bound.
LETTERS
Continued from page 2
raked by damage and Hayden Homes continues to ignore the
obvious fact that they are the root cause.
Sean Palagyi
s
s
s
To the Editor:
I am very fortunate. I was able to spend time in Sisters,
Oregon!
This wasn’t my first visit to this charming town. I was
anxious to revisit the old and explore the new shops that had
opened upon my return.
I entered a new place of business. As I browsed through
the shop looking at some locally made apparel, I attempted to
unravel a scarf from the shelving it was displayed on. I was
the only customer in the store at that time and my struggle
seemed incidental to the merchant. I intended to purchase it,
but decided otherwise when it didn’t seem to matter. In addi-
tion, when I asked a question regarding the quality of a brand
of gear, it was met with a trite reply. I left with a few meager
purchases, when my initial intention was much larger.
My next stop was into a retailer where I had been previ-
ously. I returned home with apparel that reminds me of Sisters
every time I wear it. I couldn’t wait to see what she had to offer
this time around. After looking through the racks with no help
from the clerk as hangers fell to the floor, I left the shop. No
keepsakes this time around.
Last stop was purchasing a pair of shoes for my friend.
Hospitable the woman behind the counter was not. She finally
ventured out to assist us and we did make a purchase. We both
remarked on the uncongenial behavior of the clerk. If we had
the time to go elsewhere, we would have.
As visitors, we want to support the local business! We would
like to be acknowledged. We want to know your name! Spend
time with us and share your expertise about your wares. Thank
us for our business. It really does make a difference.
Judy Tracey
Happy Father’s Day!
152 E. Main Ave. • 541-549-8771