September, 2008
In this Issue:
FIRST THINGS
MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT
Dear PRIME TIMERS:
This summer has not been good to me. In late spring I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. I started treatment at the beginning of summer. The first step was to give me a Lupron injection. This is a medication which reduces the amount of testosterone, a hormone that accelerates the spread of cancer. The next step on July 25 was to surgically implant around 90 radioactive seeds in the prostrate. I then four days later had a second shot of Lupron.
For about ten days after the surgery, I had a relatively easy recovery. With this experience, I optimistically made a lot of commitments. On August 9, I was taken to the emergency room with severe and persistent pains in my chest, stomach, and while urinating. I spent nine hours there, was temporarily catheterized, and given medication for the pain. My life continued to be dominated by the complications of both the Lupron injections and the July 25 surgery. I was dizzy and weak, depressed, and I had severe pains in my limbs and stomach. With these symptoms, it was difficult to do every-day activities let alone have the energy and interest to regularly checking my e-mail or go about normal business activities and leave the house except for doctor’s appointments.
In the early morning of Saturday, August 30, I set out to an appointment at the Kaiser Urgent Care in Bedford. After talking with the Kaiser urgent care physician in Bedford, I was sent to the emergency room at Parma Kaiser Hospital. I received a battery of diagnostic tests including several x-rays, Barium CT-Scan, Blood panel, and EKG. I was given a semi-permanent catheterization and after ten hours in the emergency room, I was admitted to the hospital for further testing and observation. I was discharged a day later. The discharge diagnosis was severe anemia, impacted colon, neuropathy, and acute parncreatitis. I am also being put on insulin for diabetes. I was taken to my son’s house to recover.
Given these health concerns, I will attempt to hold to my professional and personal commitments. I am, however, declaring a moratorium for the weeks of September 1 through 6, and September 7 through 13 for recovery. I may be able to take on light work during that time but the physicians have advised me to devote most of my time and energy to strengthening my body and overcoming these latest problems. THE ABOVE MAY EXPLAIN WHY I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE NEWSLETTER OUT ON A TIMELY BASIS AND TO PERFORM SOME OF MY OTHER DUTIES. I will attempt to keep you informed as to my health and working ability.
Jim
PRESIDENT
The September Meeting… will be held on September 21, 2008 at a private residence in Lakewood.
Bill T. and Ron D. will supply the main dish.
Members are asked to bring appetizers, side dishes, and desserts according to the schedule below:
| First letter of last name | Bring |
| A – F | Side Dishes |
| L – M | Appetizers |
| N – Z | Desserts |
Starting time will be 4:00 pm.
Please call the Chapter Phone 216-556-0019 to bake a reservation. Please call by Thursday afternoon, September 18, so that we will know how many people to prepare for. There will be the usual $8.00 fee to cover the cost of church rental, main course, paper supplies and beverages. Guests are charged $10.00 unless it is their first meeting. Please call the chapter phone or e-mail Info@PTCleveland.org
A program on Hospice Care will be given by Bill T.
LAST MONTH
YOU DIDN’T WANT TO MISS THE JULY OR AUGUST MEETINGS.
IN JULY, Clifford will made Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Baked Chicken, a Tossed Salad and wine for the main course. There was a silent auction of expensive items before dinner. A special feature of this meeting was that members of several groups were also invited so that Prime Timers got to meet and talk with a variety of people from the community. It was one of the largest attended meetings in our history. There were guest from Youngstown, Warren, and a number of surrounding counties.
The program was given by Clifford. He showed us films and talk about the fun and protocol of a Gay Cruise ship. This was an opportunity to get in on the know.
IN AUGUST , Jerry McC. entertained us at his home. The tables were set with elegance and the food was gourmand. Again, a good attendance of 24 members and guests.
The program was presented by Tom H. We learned some practical tips on how to keep our computers safe, well running, and fun to use.
I apologize! I am working on this at my son’s house and do not have my list of birthdays. In the October Newsletter, I will update the birthdays for August, and September.
| POT LUCK HOSTS | PRESENTERS |
| Jan 20 | Maria's Roman Room |
| Feb 17 | Unitarian Church |
| March 16: Bob F. | Unitarian Church, George N. Hart Crane |
| April 20: | |
| May 18: Scott S. | Making Strudel |
| June 15: Phil K | |
| July 20: Clifford B. | Gay Cruises |
| Aug 17: Jerry McC | Regular Computer Maintenance (Tom H.) |
| Sept 24: Bill T. and Ron B. | Bill T.: Hospice |
| Oct 19: Tim C. and Nick C. | George N. Talk on Josephine Baker |
| Nov 16: Ralph & Jim | Unitarian Church |
| Dec 21 |
The Treasurer, Ralph S., reports that Dues have been collected from 30 members. The balance at the end of August 2008 was $1,378.48.
This is your Newsletter. Your opinions and articles are always welcome.
Jim W.
The following is taken from the Miami Valley Newsletter.
Click image for a full-size version.
INSIGHT: This social and networking group meets monthly at a different restaurant. Call (216)556-0576 OR PO Box 21425, Cleveland, OH 44125. Chuck and Don, the chairmen of Insight, both attend Prime Timers meetings. Talk with them about Insight at the next meeting.
Thanks
to the generous support of the California-based David Bohnett Foundation, The
Center is proud to announce the grand opening of its latest endeavor — the David
Bohnett CyberCenter, an eight-station computer lab complete with
Internet access, the Microsoft Office suite, printing and scanning stations
and more! Now you can stop by the Center to check your e-mail, surf the
web or do some work — for free!
This is a all purpose web site with News, Forums, Travel Guide, Dating Services, Links to other sites, Health Tips, Book Reviews, and Advice Columns. It is extremely easy to navigate and packed with useful information. YES, it is FREE.
SENIORS OUT & ABOUTThis is a all purpose web site with News, Forums, Travel Guide, Dating Services, Links to other sites, Health Tips, Book Reviews, and Advice Columns. It is extremely easy to navigate and packed with useful information. YES, it is FREE.
This web site is sponsored by the Cleveland Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender Center. The group meets at the center twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday, 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM (6600 Detroit near W. 65th St.). There is usually a lunch, program, and aerobic exercise session. They welcome guests, so don’t be shy. The group has been sponsoring wonderful field trips to churches, museums, gardens, the Plain Dealer, the Chronicle, and so many other places.
For more information on Seniors Out and About, contact Calvin at cedwards@lgcsc.org or 216.651.5428 ext 14
Unfortunately Nick has shut his blog site down. If any of you visited this site in the three years that it was active, you know that it offered a lot more than naked men. The Naked Workshops were memorable for their content. They were serious learning endeavors done with an interesting twist – the participants and speakers were naked. Time move on but it is a shame to lose this local resource.
NAKED YOGA: Three days a week at No Place Like Om Yoga Studio. Instructor Buck Harris. Link: bucknakedyoga.eventbrite.com
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day you’ll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks. Then try 50-lb potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each sack.
Drop-In Program, Events and Day Trips for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Seniors
As LGBT seniors, we are an integral part of the community. Celebrating our ethnic, racial and gender diversity, we gather to create a safe and nurturing environment.
We are not invisible. We are fabulous!
Drop-in Meets Mondays and Wednesdays
11 am – 2:30 pm at the Center
(6600 Detroit Ave at West 65th)
For more information on Seniors Out and About, contact Jeff at 216.651.5428 ext 24.
If you have any club or social events that you would like listed here, let me know.
WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP? Some of the possible groups are: Bridge, Opera, Poker, Language Study, Art class, Calligraphy, Movies, Theatre, Travel, Lunch, Antiquing, Model Trains, Gay Literature, Computer Learning, Cooking, Dress Making, Gay History. It takes only a couple of guys to get one going. Let me know.
Who To Contact: These are your officers! Please call them with any information, questions or concerns you may have about our chapter.
Jim W. (President)
Ralph S. (V.P. Secretary-Treasurer)
Chapter Website: www.PTCleveland.org
Chapter E-mail: info@ptcleveland.org
Chapter Phone: (216) 556-0019
Chapter Address: PO Box 91683, Cleveland, OH 44101-9683
Meetings & Pot Luck Dinner: Third Sunday of each month at 4:00 PM; Guests are always welcome. The first meeting/Pot Luck is free.
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