Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 2018)
THESIUSLAWNEWS . COM ❘ / SIUSLAWNEWS ❘ @ SIUSLAWNEWS WEDNESDAY EDITION ❘ JANUARY 24, 2017 Siuslaw News Community Voices N OTES FROM THE S ILTCOOS — Sweet confusion of the 25-mile curve B ARRY S OMMER Special to Siuslaw News R ecently we had the fortune of being bathed in the light of a supermoon. From dusk to dawn it shone like a medal- lion on the chest of the uni- verse, larger than usual and brighter than most of the stars that surround it. I met my best friend before daybreak at the pullout along Highway 101, just north of Sea Lion Caves, to watch him photograph this natural wonder. Usually, I don’t go out that early because it’s dark, cold and I don’t want to. But in this instance, long-time friendship took precedence over warmth. For about an hour, as the sky-lightened pictures were taken, the moon hung above the sea as the clouds wafted across its shining face. All the while, shifting atmos- pheres changed colors from pink to orange to purple to grey. It was a devastating beau- ty. Even though I have observed this spectacle many times in the past, I was struck at its miracle as if it was the first time. “At this height we can see the curve of the earth!” I exclaimed to my friend, and pointed westward towards the bands of orange and pur- ple hovering over the farthest horizon. I gestured from left to right in a sweeping arc of almost 180 degrees, from the fog shrouded north jetty and the city to my left, to Heceta Lighthouse and its encircling beam to the right. I remarked that with this wide a view, the curve of Earth becomes obvious. Highlighted by the bands of color and the position of the moon, I began to ponder whether there were any members of the Flat Earth Society willing to respond to the evidence before me. I stood there transfixed, just staring at that “terra curvilinear” as it steadily morphed in tone and hue until the light of the sun washed the multi-hued strata away and into the light blue of morning. With the marine layer now a wisp of its former self and the azure of the sky making its way to the horizon, the arched earth defined itself as a thin, distinct line 25 miles from the overlook. Science says I should not be able to see any kind of curve unless I am at 35,000 feet in altitude; anyone flying commercial airlines has seen it. So what was I seeing then? A mirage? Science and history may have vindicated me. Well, ancient Greek scien- tists anyway. It is reported that those inquisitive Greeks noticed that ships approaching showed their masts first and then gradually the hull would appear. This, they concluded, must mean the earth is round. It is accepted by science today that the visible horizon is 25 miles from the observer, thus we can conclude this is the distance at which the Greeks first saw the ship masts. If the Greeks could see this phenomenon sans binoculars, then we can see the curve as well. As long as the field of view is 25 miles and the sur- face you are looking out over is perfectly flat, the curve is there. Try it yourself by going to the overlook just north of Sea Lion Caves on a clear day and look directly west. Don’t focus on the hori- zon. Let your eye relax and your peripheral vision will kick in. Kind of like looking at one of those pictures of dots and spots where, when you let your vision unfocus, you see an image of dogs playing poker. You will perceive and then see clearly a slight but dis- tinct curve stretching all the way from far north to far south. A bit humbling, isn’t it? Even if my mind has final- ly gone and seeing what is not there has become the norm, to me it is the believ- ing that gives meaning to how grand the scheme of our existence is. I am but one man peering into the mist and sky and earth, trying desperately to figure it all out. The ability to understand may be slight, but to feel connected to — and embraced by the essence — makes for sweet confusion. I may not be able to see the other side, but I am ready for another curve. U S TOO P ROSTATE C ANCER S UPPORT — ‘By the way, you have prostate cancer’ B Y M ARK W ETZEL CANCER SURVIVOR Following is part of a series of true personal stories about men’s experience with prostate cancer. These men tell their sto- ries with the hope that they will help someone else traveling the same road. M y wife, Linda, and I came to Florence from Delaware in 2015. My encounter with prostate cancer began during an evaluation to become a candidate for a lung trans- plant. In 2014, I was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease that progressed to end stage by early 2017. During the evaluation interview at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., I told the transplant team pulmonologist that I had a familial link with prostate cancer. My uncle died from the disease; my older brother has prostate cancer and opted for surgery several years ago. My prostate specific anti- gen level, PSA, went from 4.0 — the upper limit for normal at age 60 — to 4.4. The transplant team was con- cerned about cancer. Immunosuppressant drugs used post-transplant can accelerate growth rates for some cancers. The rules were recently changed to allow prostate cancer patients to be accepted for transplant, pend- ing diagnosis and a treatment plan. I attended several meetings of the Florence Us TOO sup- port group. Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff of the Oregon Urology Institute attended to present new information and answer questions. Bob Horney and the group let me take over the meeting to discuss my unique situa- tion. It was a cathartic experi- ence and Dr. Mehlhaff was interested in my case regard- ing lung transplantation and prostate cancer. Subsequently, I had a consult with Dr. Brady Walker at OUI. Dr. Mehlhaff had relayed the information from the Us TOO meeting to Dr. Walker, so he was familiar with my special case. A prostate biop- sy was ordered in May. At OUI, I was prepped, and Dr. Walker loaded the sample gun and fired. I felt a slight sting and he declared, “One down, eleven to go!” (Urologist humor.) Twelve core samples were taken, six on each side of the prostate gland. The pathology showed that I had a confined, non-aggressive form of prostate cancer with Gleason score 7 (3+4). Under normal circum- stances, we would have done active surveillance or hor- mone treatment; testosterone reduction with a leuprolide shot which shrinks the prostate and starves cancer cells of testosterone “food.” My professional technical background had educated me in how to search and assess the literature. A literature search on the Internet found a small collec- tion of journal articles that showed no definitive correla- tion between organ trans- plants and an acceleration of prostate cancer cell growth. However, the transplant team wanted me to have treatment before being accepted into the program. Surgery was not possible with the state of my lung dis- ease; there was a high risk with anesthesia when using supplemental oxygen. Dr. Walker recommended that I undergo Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT.) More importantly, he included in his report to the transplant team that treatment be delayed until after surgery. Urologist and oncologist con- sultations in Phoenix con- curred with his recommenda- tion — and the St. Joseph’s team agreed that we could wait until after the transplant to start IGRT. In June, I had the surgery for a double lung transplant in Phoenix, receiving a gift of life from a donor. Over the next three months, I recov- ered in the competent hands of the transplant team. Linda and I then returned to Florence in October. I started my 45 days of radiation therapy at OUI on Oct. 30, 2017, graduated on Jan. 5, 2018, and had the pleasure of riding the won- derful Friends of Florence bus every single day. So far, so good. Us TOO Florence has been critical in helping me through the entire process from eval- uation to the decision of what to do and where to go and into the therapy itself. The group meetings are invaluable in learning from others about their individual experiences and outcomes. (Thanks guys!) Having the OUI urologists attend meetings provides information and insights that enabled me with an engi- neer’s mind to learn about treatment options, the tech- nology used, probable out- come and potential side effects. Bob Horney has been a great resource and advocate. Thanks Bob for your leader- ship! More to come from the new masked man in town, Mark Wetzel. A nother year, another chance to show you how much we appreciate your business! We look forward to your visits in 2018! Open Mon- Sat 9am - 5 pm 1751 12th Street, Florence 541-997-2726 T he Let me Showcase your property. Chick en Coop O N M A P L E After Christmas Clearance Sale! We have beautiful Christmas merchandise now at up to 50% off! Hurry in for the best selection! Tim Sapp Owner / Principal Broker 541 999-8230 (some restrictions apply) 129 Maple Street , Old Town Florence 541-991-7739 85577 Hwy 101 – Remodeled, spacious 3 bdrm, 3 bath home with views of the Siuslaw River. Large, eat-in kitchen w/ granite counters, break- fast bar, pull-out shelving and pantry. Formal din- ing room, living room and family room. $415,000. #2777-17629512 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 L OOKING FOR USLAW SI S igns 3 S 1 Voted # r me o o r G t Pe aders 2017 Re Choice & G R A I P H C 'ų 8 INDOOR / OUTDOOR • • • • • • SIGNS & BANNERS VEHICLE GRAPHICS VINYL LETTERING STICKERS & CLINGS WINDOW GRAPHICS YARD SIGNS 997-8148 LOCATED AT: 7KH6KLSSLQ·6KDFN 2QWKHFRUQHURI th 6WUHHW +LJKZD\ B REAKING N EWS ? www.TheSiuslawNews.com
