Hello Friends,

This is a short blog entry. I just wanted you to know about my health, as usual. I saw the knee doctor on Tuesday. He looked at my X-ray and said, "Your knee is trashed." He is worried about some details regarding the surgery: my fungal infection, a blood clot that developed when I was in the hospital for so long, and the severity of the knee injury. He will talk to the doctors at Stanford. If it is a go, he will operate in January. He did not want me to be on a long plane flight to Australia with a fresh surgery. Did I mention that Meg and I are going to Australia for 3 weeks?

I know that the surgery will happen. I feel so good, except for my knee. All of my tests results are encouraging. The surgery is scheduled for Jan. 18, MLK day. Meg will have that day off to be with me and she will take the next two days off. Then Becca can help some of the time and I'll come begging at other times.

Nov.8 was Olive's birthday. She is now 4. How did that happen? For her gift, her dad built her a fairy table with stools. All of her friends want fairy tables now. So do I. I close with the photo. Surely she was about to get ready for her birthday party and not stay in her birthday suit.




Love to you all,
Diane

Dear Friends,

Thank you all so much for the wonderful lunches and visits. I truly appreciate your help and your friendship. As of Oct. 21 I can drive. Yeah! Now I able to zoom down to Draeger's and buy lunch, but it is not the same as having your company. Thanks also to all of you who gave me rides.

Health news is great (minus the knee)! My neurosurgeon and I are very pleased with the surgery results. The x-rays show that all of the screws are in place. He looked at the PET scan results with me. The news is "no metabolic activity." How sweet it is...no cancer, no fungal activity. I feel good, like I knew that I would..so nice.

I see the "5-star" orthopedic surgeon on November 3. I would love for him to say that he can perform a total knee replacement the next day. I am afraid that he is too popular for that. Now I have to use a walker most of the time. This too shall pass. The x-ray results from my left knee suggest that the knee is a total mess.

Speaking of messes....here is the view behind my computer.




Steve's brother's daughter Brigette (is she still my niece?) was married in Southern California this month. She told everyone to wear black, white or gray or a combination of these colors. When Meg and I arrived at the wedding site, we were adorned with orange marigolds. The wedding colors really stood out. Many members of the Barrager family were at the wedding and it was fun to see them again. Here are a few photos from the wedding. Meg's first cousins are in each photo.














Yesterday Meg and I went to Stanford to hear Charlie Rose moderate a panel of distinguished guests talking about the fiscal crisis. I've had a crush on Charlie Rose for many years. This is a non-reciprocal relationship. Afterwards we went to Filoli on its last day to be open until spring.






I joined a new gym last week. I am able to lift light weights, use the bicycles, and the swimming pool. The facility is fabulous. With a new knee I will enjoy all of the equipment.

On the social front, Vicky and I went to a musical last week ("Lost and Found"), sat on the first row and enjoyed watching the dancers and their great bodies. The next day we had a wonderful tour of the new exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center ("From Their Studios") and ended up at Bloomingdale's buying shoes. Michael and I both loved "Julie and Julia." Meryl Streep is incredible. When Bruce and I went to a French bistro for dinner all I could think of was Boeuf Bourguignon.

That's the news for now.
Love,
Diane

Dear Friends,

Let's get the health matters out of the way first. I am doing so well. Only the knee is bothering me and I use a walker to get around. I now have an appointment with the doctor that everyone recommends for total knee replacement. He sees patients in Palo Alto but operates in Fremont where he has his own operating room, sterile hallways and sterile rooms for post-recovery for only his patients. I saw my new oncologist this week. He called today to say that all of my blood work was normal. There are no signs of anything amiss, but he wants me to have a PET scan now and every 6 months until I am 5 years away from cancer. And adding more good news, my back feels great.

Meg is in NYC this week. Since her school is year round she gets some weeks off at odd times. She was able to get tickets to the Daily Show last night. Today she went to the Cloisters. She is having a great time.

All last week I enjoyed the Ken Burns' National Parks documentary. Now I want to see all of them.

Speaking of good documentaries, I strongly recommend "Young at Heart." Meg bought it on sale, but you can get it through Netflix.

Every year Hidden Villa has a Humanitarian Awards dinner. This is always a special event where individuals in the community and others from anywhere in the United States are honored for their good works related to the environment, for promoting better relations among people from diverse backgrounds, and for promoting love of nature in children. It is a feel good event.

Michael and I went together as guests of Jim and Vicky. Here they are and we are at the event. Michael wins the award for "going green."









I really enjoy good food and fellowship. So many friends have brought great lunches and we have had wonderful visits. I enjoyed celebrating my goddaughter's birthday at Jim and Vicky's. Thank you all for these experiences. I should also mention how much I appreciate Bruce. We enjoy dinners together once a week and he fixes everything that is broken.

I love fine dining and here are some photos from experiences at elegant restaurants with Meg and with the ladies who love to celebrate.









I am busy at the museum preparing for training the new docents-to-be in the arts of Native America. There is always something interesting happening at the Cantor Arts Center. After the neurosurgeon gives me a go-ahead to drive, I will be able to attend more of them.


Here is the schedule for October meals. I see that some have already happened. I so appreciate all of your help.

With love,
Diane

Thursday, Oct. 1 Bianca

Tuesday, Oct. 6 Margrit

Wednesday, Oct. 7: Clara and Pat

Thursday, Oct. 8: Anne S.

Friday, Oct. 9: Mary Rose

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Betty H.?

Thursday, Oct. 15

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Marilyn Fogel

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful reception Ansie (Vicky's mother) received at Kepler's when she discussed her terrific book, "Running with the Tiger." The crowd was expected to number 50, but at least 100 people were there! You can read about the book on Amazon.com.

Coincidently when we were at Keplers, Vicky noticed that my incredible oncologist was there. Vicky took a picture of the two of us. Dr Horning is leaving Stanford Hospital to join the research team at Genentech. I am sure that she will be a great addition to the team, but will be greatly missed at Stanford.




My friend, Sara from Texas was with me for a week. Now I know what it feels like to be a queen. She did so much to help me. She organized my life so that I only have to go downstairs (my nemesis) once a day. All of my breakfast needs are there in my bedroom, some in my new tiny refrigerator.

Here we are enjoying the beautiful weather on my patio.





We made many different trips to my meetings at the Cantor Arts Center, grocery stores and so forth, but we did include some fun adventures including a trip to the every changing, beautiful gardens at Filoli.







A report on my health...my back surgery was a great success and is causing me very little pain. This is in sharp contrast to the first back surgery. I was in pain for a year after that one. The only thing causing me real difficulty right now besides low energy is my left knee. It is a bone-on-bone knee brought about by a long-ago auto accident. I will have a knee replacement when I am surgery-ready again, maybe January. I saw an orthopedist this week and he injected it with cortisone, but said not to expect too much because the knee is so far gone. Knee replacement sounds like a piece of cake compared to everything else I've had done to me. And afterwards I expect to be as healthy as can be. You'll be seeing me walking briskly without all of those canes, wheelchairs and walkers!

I've certainly been spoiled with delicious lunches. The rule is - only store bought food. For those of you who know Sally P., you can imagine that she ignored the rule and brought fabulous homemade soup and chicken crepes. Here she is in my bedroom where we enjoyed this tasty fare.





October lunches. Here is the schedule. I hope to be driving near the end of the month. Then I can whip over to Draeger's and pick up whatever I need. Not being able to drive has been a drag, but I cannot thank everyone enough for being so helpful to me and bringing me such nice lunches and great company.

Thursday, Oct. 1 Bianca

Tuesday, Oct. 6 Margrit

Wednesday, Oct. 7: Clara and Pat

Thursday, Oct. 8: Anne S.

Friday, Oct. 9: Mary Rose

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Betty H.?

Thursday, Oct. 15

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Marilyn Fogel

I wish all of you well. What a blessing to have you as friends.
Love,
Diane

Dear Friends,
As Vicky explained we joined some of the figures on the "Gates of Hell" as we attempted to make scheduling so easy with a calendar. Now that we have recovered (and Vicky has left town), I'll be using the old tried and true Writing Tablet (designed for grade 3) to record luncheon engagements. I will be able to drive by the end of October so that will end my need for your generous lunches, but not my need for your friendship and companionship.

Before I get to lunches, I wish to advertise Meg's 30th birthday. She celebrated on different dates and enjoyed a nice pizza dinner at Bruce's. Here are some of us at that event:





Vicky's mother came to Kepler's for a book event. They were expecting 50 people and at least 100 showed up. It was a great success and all the books there were sold. Can you imagine doing this at age 95? She looks beautiful and her book is fascinating.

Vicky's birthday was yesterday and we were able to celebrate with her. My friend, Sara, from Texas was here for a week to help me and she joined in the festivities. It was great having her here. She is a wonderful friend and is extraordinarily helpful.

Back to business...here are dates in October when I would love to have a lunch with you. Nothing fancy. I have enjoyed every sandwich and salad (and occasional wine) with you. If you have signed before, please allow another welcome friend to participate.

Just send me an e-mail letting me know what date works. I am having problems with "comments" and that makes me a little bit nuts. I would apologize for the computer, but it doesn't seem to care!

Thursday, Oct. 1 Bianca

Tuesday, Oct. 6 Margrit

Wednesday, Oct. 7: Clara and Pat

Thursday, Oct. 8: Anne S.

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Betty H.?

Thursday, Oct. 15

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Mary Rose

I will send an e-mail to each of you, confirming your date.

I am thinking of you all and looking forward to seeing you.

Love,
Diane

Diane's September calendar

Hello friends:

Vicky here, and I do apologize for any trouble with the google calendar. I was hoping to make life easier for Diane, but instead I have complicated things because I am having trouble making it work the way I wanted. So if you experienced any trouble with the google calendar, you were not alone!

Anyway, the good news is that Diane is one popular lady (you may have guessed that already!) Her September calendar is now completely full. You are wonderful friends to Diane, thanks to all who offered to help!

With gratitude, Vicky and Diane

Dear friends:

Vicky's mother, Ansie Lee Sperry, is presenting her recently published memoirs, Running with the Tiger, at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park this Saturday, August 22 at 2 pm. She is featured in an article in the Almanac News August 19, 2009 edition, and you can read it online at www.almanacnews.com. I will be attending the author event at Kepler's and hope some of you will be able to as well. Below is some information about the book.

Thank you to all those who have offered to come visit and bring a meal. I am covered through September 1st both with friends here helping out and with one of my Texas friends who is flying in to give care. We will be in touch shortly about how to sign up for future dates.

I am doing very well, just a little low on energy. Vicky and I just returned from seeing my endocrinologist who gives me high adrenal system marks. I'm signing off now because it's naptime!

Diane





Ansie Lee Sperry's beautiful and witty memoir combines passages from her personal diaries, historical research, photos and sketches to portray the fascinating life of a woman who lived in challenging times. Ansie grew up in a prominent Hong Kong family, one of fourteen children in a household with four mothers. Sent to England for her education at the age of nine, she returned to Hong Kong after her father's murder. When WWII broke out, she left her comfortable life in Hong Kong society to volunteer for the war effort in the interior of China. She went on to travel throughout the South Pacific until the war caught up with her in the Philippines, where she was interned in a Japanese POW camp. It was there that she fell in love with her future husband.

Ansie Lee Sperry was born in 1914, the Year of the Tiger.

Running with the Tiger is available on Amazon.com and at Kepler’s Bookstore in Menlo Park, CA.