Bud lost his valiant battle with leukemia late Thursday night, 12 August 2010. Many loved ones were in attendance.
As all you know, Bud was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was the type of person who knew no strangers, just friends he hadn't met. We will all miss his positive attitude, sense of humor, generosity and kindness.
At Bud's request there will be no services. If you would like to help us celebrate Bud's life, please make a contribution to the Hayfork Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 1341, or the Hayfork Volunteer Fire Department Building Fund, PO Box 613 (Hayfork, CA 96041)
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Saturday, 12 June 2010
NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!
Since our last "blog" we've been busy at the cabin trying to get all of our permit renewal issues handled with the US Forest Service. A long list . . . some very small; some large, like building a new acceptable sized shed. With the family's help, it will all be done by Sept. l.
Bud has had monthly transfusions that have kept him on his wheels. Starts running out of energy toward the end of the month but doing well. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of his diagnosis so we feel incredibly lucky. We all need to remember that every day is a gift . . . that's why they call it "the present!"
We went to Livermore with Sharron and Kayla to visit Jay and Laure and attend a matinee performance of "Wicked" . . . what a treat. Jay and Laure are always good hosts and we had a great visit.
On our 54th Wedding Anniversary we went down to the Turtle Bay aea and took a tour via the Segway travelers. What fun; would recommend it for anyone. We plan on going back for the longer upriver tour.
That's it for this time . . . take care of and enjoy each other. Love and hugs, Bud & Betty
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Time is getting short
February, 2010
We dodged our first "bullet" . . . Bud started running a fever on Saturday, January 30 and ended up at Mercy Hospital. Constant IV's of antibiotics and saline plus four units of blood and one of platelets got him back on his wheels. We got him out of Mercy on Wednesday feeling a little worse for wear but happy to be home.
His biggest disappointment is having to cancel our road trip to Arizona for February.
The next problem "arose" the next week when Bud developed a large lump under his armpit . . . back to Mercy. More antibiotics, blood, tests; never any fever (?) which left a lot of open ended questions. The up shot is: we learned a lot of things it wasn't but not what it was! Because he had no fever, he was sent home with a "wait and see" program. The lump has all but disappeared now, and we're back on a good path again . . . one day at a time! Looking forward to a "non-event" March!
Betty and I traveled to the cabin Sunday Feb 21 the South Fork and all of the surroundings are ready for Bud and Betty to go home. All is well in the cabin , no broken water pipes, no leaks, we took a few minutes and put the water in from the spring to cabin. A major chore for Bud to get to the spring but he made it. His strength is getting better each day. Our summer will be quite busy as we are going to bring the cabin into compliance with the land use lease agrement. The compliance thing will give us sometning to focus on, also plan for things we can change that will make the cabin even better.
We dodged our first "bullet" . . . Bud started running a fever on Saturday, January 30 and ended up at Mercy Hospital. Constant IV's of antibiotics and saline plus four units of blood and one of platelets got him back on his wheels. We got him out of Mercy on Wednesday feeling a little worse for wear but happy to be home.
His biggest disappointment is having to cancel our road trip to Arizona for February.
The next problem "arose" the next week when Bud developed a large lump under his armpit . . . back to Mercy. More antibiotics, blood, tests; never any fever (?) which left a lot of open ended questions. The up shot is: we learned a lot of things it wasn't but not what it was! Because he had no fever, he was sent home with a "wait and see" program. The lump has all but disappeared now, and we're back on a good path again . . . one day at a time! Looking forward to a "non-event" March!
Betty and I traveled to the cabin Sunday Feb 21 the South Fork and all of the surroundings are ready for Bud and Betty to go home. All is well in the cabin , no broken water pipes, no leaks, we took a few minutes and put the water in from the spring to cabin. A major chore for Bud to get to the spring but he made it. His strength is getting better each day. Our summer will be quite busy as we are going to bring the cabin into compliance with the land use lease agrement. The compliance thing will give us sometning to focus on, also plan for things we can change that will make the cabin even better.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
A little scare and autumn at the cabin
We just had a little scare: We were returning to the cabin for the last week and a close down, we are 2 weeks later than usual,, the solar dryer quit working about 2 weeks past. We had a great rain, a lot of water, the river level up ,the spring muddy, and the colors changed over night. One of the most colorful years in a long time. The colors changing is cause for more time at the cabin.
The scare: On our return to the cabin for the last week of fall and the closing of the cabin I discovered my legs were swollen. We did a turn around and headed back to Redding and a check up with Dr. Phillips. He couldn't see any apparent sign of infection but prescribed an extra strong antibiotic, told Bud to elevate his legs and see Dr. Martinez early Monday morn. We did all those things; Dr. Martinez could find no problem either so decided a steroidal medication he was taking was probably the culprit. We've discontinued the use of that and things are straightening up.
We're back at The Glen to enjoy one last week and then close things up . . . we come to this every year, but we're never happy to do it!
The scare: On our return to the cabin for the last week of fall and the closing of the cabin I discovered my legs were swollen. We did a turn around and headed back to Redding and a check up with Dr. Phillips. He couldn't see any apparent sign of infection but prescribed an extra strong antibiotic, told Bud to elevate his legs and see Dr. Martinez early Monday morn. We did all those things; Dr. Martinez could find no problem either so decided a steroidal medication he was taking was probably the culprit. We've discontinued the use of that and things are straightening up.
We're back at The Glen to enjoy one last week and then close things up . . . we come to this every year, but we're never happy to do it!
Sunday, 4 October 2009
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Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Time is Precious
26 September 2009
When Betty and I first found out about my health problem, we were told that I had no immune system. I needed to stay away from any infection, even the common cold. Because of this, we decided the best place to be was The Glen. At first we traveled to Redding on a weekly basis for blood tests. Right now we are up to three weeks - a good thing I hope!?! I had my fourth transfusion yesterday, and all went well. They do make me feel better but it is a two day process, with the transfusion itself taking about 7 hours. It goes a whole lot faster when there's golf on TV!
Unfortunately, we can't spend all our time at the cabin. There is not enough sun in the sky to dry our clothes in a day, or enough wood on the mountain to keep us warm through the winter. Our next line of retreat was to the ranch in Hayfork. If you did not know, we have 40 acres on Hayfork Creek, on the west side of the valley. It is a wonderful piece of land with an early ranch style house, that was the original Drinkwater homestead. We currently rent the pasture to a lady for her 30 horses. It is basically a place where old horses can come, when other options are no longer available. It's always great to see the ranch with animals in the fields.
Anyway, most everything at the ranch needed some cleaning, repairing, and/or re-plumbing. So for the past 2 months Betty and I have used our mornings building and installing new wood-framed window screens, spring cleaning, repairing fences, and collecting trash. It has kept us busy and our minds off of other things. We both agreed it was almost like when we were first married.
We've had lots of help too. Every time we turned around it seemed like someone showed up with a piece of furniture or equipment that we could use. Now we even have a pump to put in the creek that will provide irrigation water!
Bob Warren (our new ranch foreman!?!) and his truck driver friend, have been a great help with the heavy work. Bob understands leukemia as he has been challenged with chronic leukemia for the past 8 years. Although different from mine, which is acute, our battles are similar. I thank him for his help and support.
So we're off to Jay and Laure's to spend a few days with them and make our first visit to AT&T Park - GO GIANTS!!!
I do want to remind everyone, that even if you're not working on your bucket list just yet, time is precious. The future is unknown, and the present is just that - a gift. Spend as much of it as you can, doing things you love, with the ones you love.
All Our Love,
Mr. & Mrs. Tinker
DrinkWater Gulch USA
P.S. So, does anyone have information on growing grapes, or starting a vineyard? No kidding - you know it's never too late to learn something new!
P.S.S. We have been asked about donating blood. Here's the scoop. The old way of donating blood to a specific person doesn't happen anymore. When you give blood it goes to whoever needs it. There is no charge for blood. I use 2 units every month - so please keep giving. I'm not the only one who needs it :) !
When Betty and I first found out about my health problem, we were told that I had no immune system. I needed to stay away from any infection, even the common cold. Because of this, we decided the best place to be was The Glen. At first we traveled to Redding on a weekly basis for blood tests. Right now we are up to three weeks - a good thing I hope!?! I had my fourth transfusion yesterday, and all went well. They do make me feel better but it is a two day process, with the transfusion itself taking about 7 hours. It goes a whole lot faster when there's golf on TV!
Unfortunately, we can't spend all our time at the cabin. There is not enough sun in the sky to dry our clothes in a day, or enough wood on the mountain to keep us warm through the winter. Our next line of retreat was to the ranch in Hayfork. If you did not know, we have 40 acres on Hayfork Creek, on the west side of the valley. It is a wonderful piece of land with an early ranch style house, that was the original Drinkwater homestead. We currently rent the pasture to a lady for her 30 horses. It is basically a place where old horses can come, when other options are no longer available. It's always great to see the ranch with animals in the fields.
Anyway, most everything at the ranch needed some cleaning, repairing, and/or re-plumbing. So for the past 2 months Betty and I have used our mornings building and installing new wood-framed window screens, spring cleaning, repairing fences, and collecting trash. It has kept us busy and our minds off of other things. We both agreed it was almost like when we were first married.
We've had lots of help too. Every time we turned around it seemed like someone showed up with a piece of furniture or equipment that we could use. Now we even have a pump to put in the creek that will provide irrigation water!
Bob Warren (our new ranch foreman!?!) and his truck driver friend, have been a great help with the heavy work. Bob understands leukemia as he has been challenged with chronic leukemia for the past 8 years. Although different from mine, which is acute, our battles are similar. I thank him for his help and support.
So we're off to Jay and Laure's to spend a few days with them and make our first visit to AT&T Park - GO GIANTS!!!
I do want to remind everyone, that even if you're not working on your bucket list just yet, time is precious. The future is unknown, and the present is just that - a gift. Spend as much of it as you can, doing things you love, with the ones you love.
All Our Love,
Mr. & Mrs. Tinker
DrinkWater Gulch USA
P.S. So, does anyone have information on growing grapes, or starting a vineyard? No kidding - you know it's never too late to learn something new!
P.S.S. We have been asked about donating blood. Here's the scoop. The old way of donating blood to a specific person doesn't happen anymore. When you give blood it goes to whoever needs it. There is no charge for blood. I use 2 units every month - so please keep giving. I'm not the only one who needs it :) !
Monday, 14 September 2009
Head line news
June 10, 1956
Bud Felch Wins Wife Lottery
This story comes from a book I started reading during my third transfusion.
The book, “The Last Lecture”, was given to Betty by our son Jay.
Inside the book is a note from Jay saying “Thank you mom for
being here and for a wonderful week in Philly with my family.
Congratulations on winning the pinochle tournament.
I definitely won the Mom lottery.”
In one of the chapters the professor talks about his parents.
The chapter ends with the comment
“He had definitely won the parent lottery..”
I have definitely won the wife lottery!
Bud
June 10, 1956
Bud Felch Wins Wife Lottery
This story comes from a book I started reading during my third transfusion.
The book, “The Last Lecture”, was given to Betty by our son Jay.
Inside the book is a note from Jay saying “Thank you mom for
being here and for a wonderful week in Philly with my family.
Congratulations on winning the pinochle tournament.
I definitely won the Mom lottery.”
In one of the chapters the professor talks about his parents.
The chapter ends with the comment
“He had definitely won the parent lottery..”
I have definitely won the wife lottery!
Bud
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