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August 12, 2002
The Vasilator Presiding

Play it again . . . Jamie
Jamie Tory makes her piano debut to wild applause.

Greeter David Cassidy introduced:

See Live Free for a Year Details

Frank reminds us to make submissions for the Rotary Awards Program

Noteworthy Rotarian
Congratulations to Phil North noted in the Lethbridge Herald as celebrating thirty years at the (Legal) bar. Also thanks to Phil for his many community contributions.

Rotary Foundation
Pat Killoran tells us of the upcoming foundation information meeting in Taber on October 5 where we can become more conversant in the programs under the foundation. Let's fill a bus and get a make-up-meeting as well as meet other clubs and Rotarians.

Group Study Exchange
Ian Cameron reminds us of the August 31 deadline for applications to participate in the exchange to India in January and February. See the above link for more details.

Memberships Due
Memberships are now full price at $250 if you missed the early bird price. The SAA views the list of tardy members as a source of weekly fines too.

Hanna Is Coming
Our latest exchange student will be arriving from Finland soon.

Sergeant At Arms
Rotarian Ed turned in another stellar performance with his off the cuff fines and retorts.

John Hoopfer paid to be happy that he now has a name badge at the Sunrise Club. Frank was fined for trying to get rid of John, and fined again for trying to sass the SAA. Lloyd Hickman was happy that is daughter was called to the bar (legal bar again), and that he was appointed to the UofL Senate. Dave Cassidy was happy to have attended Pincher Creek and learn they were happy to be rid of Wayne Hawthorne. He kept throwing loonies into the pot and announced 23 years of wedded blitz, er, I mean BLISS.

Dennis Chinner paid to crow about his recent golf prowess, our treasurer Gord was happy to return from a safe six day bike trip, Mike McGuire is celebrating 30 years married, Jennifer pushed the limits of non-politics by announcing the Lethbridge West BBQ at Pavan Park coming on Tuesday evening.Lottie is happy that her niece is enjoying a Rotary exchange in Germany. Robin Hood is happily married to Sharon, not (Maid) Marian for 34 years. Doug McArthur is happy to see daughter number two working as an RN at the children's hospital, making him an empty nester, with money jingling in his jeans.

Lloyd Hickman was fined for depriving television stations of (bad) news stories at the recent G8 summit. Jack paid for instigating laughter during the singing grace, and Cole Fetting was clobbered to the tune of five bucks for taking two desserts while not finishing is vegetables. Eating vegetables pays eh Cole?

New Members Opportunity
Ed is calling for volunteer Sergeant's At Arm. Are you waiting for the tap on the shoulder? Volunteer ealry to pick your spot.

Guest Speaker
Doug McArthur has a whole slate of upcoming speakers, beginning with our own Lottie Austin. Lottie came from Nova Scotia, earned degrees in Music, served on many committees and was declared "Woman of Distiction" by the YWCA. She lives in Lethbridge with her husband George and two children. She is a Certified Financial Planner at Nesbitt Burns.

Lotties powerful message on attitude centres around the four way test.

On March 14, 2001, Lottie was diagnosed with a rare plasma cell tumour called Amyloidosis which is rare, affecting only about 8 out of every 1 million Americans annually. The cause of the disease is unknown.

Yes, it is life threatening, especially if found in the heart. Lottie was stunned, speechless and afraid but kept thinking it would go away by itself. On a trip away, she was afflicted with severe hemorrhaging resulting in an ambulance trip to a hospital where she had no friends. She was able to return to Lethbridge, but recurrent bleeding and an insistent daughter became another trip, this time to the Lethbridge Hospital. Her attitude of fear and hope and a belief that she was making a turn for the better allowed her to think that maybe a different diagnosis would be made.

While undergoing an ECG, Lottie looked up into the white light and prayed the amylite would not be found in her heart. When she closed her eyes, a green light appeared which she took as a sign to "Go-Girl-Go". The technician couldn't say what he saw, except to say that it looked okay, a tremendous ray of hope for Lottie.

Husband George researched the disease, and found that Mayo Clinic in Rochester specialized in the treatment of Amyloidosis, and is one of only two centres to do so. They booked three days of tests at Mayo, where they do not accept results from any other health institution. They started their investigations from scratch, "thank-goodness", says Lottie.

Acceptance
During an "Education Session" Lottie learned that a stem cell transplant would be part of the treatment protocol. So facing the Rotary test "Is It The Truth", yes she had Primary Amyloidosis, but Mayo confirmed it had not affected her heart.

A stem cell transplant was required after high doses of chemotherapy taht would destroy her marrow. Stem cells are collected before treatment, then infused into the bone marrow after treatment to begin rebuilding the marrow's ability to produce blood. Stem cells are the basic parent cells that carry basic genetic information. The severe side effects of chemo cause major damage that necessitates this rescue with stem cells.

Is It Fair To All Concerned?
No, a life of healthy living should not be rewarded with this disease. Is it traumatic? Yes! Lottie required ten units of blood, and thirty units of platelets. She was tired, sick, weak and loosing her hair from the chemo. Her daughter told her to wear her baldness as a trophy to give others the strength to carry on.

Will It Build Good Will & Better Friendships?
You bet it will. While some friends have difficulty dealing with terminal illness and their absence is noted, other people did everything. Brothers and Sisters flew in to help and impart an attitude that she was not alone. Lottie thanks Rotarians: Mike McGuire, David Hughes, Phil North, Murray Anderson, John Hoopfer, Pat Baskerville, Cathy Warren, friends from Bermuda and Halifax as well as neighbours who brought meals twice a week.

Donating Stem Cells
Lottie expected to have 17,000 stem cells harvested from her, but would only need 400 infused back into her marrow cavity after chemo. She agreed to donate the extra cells to research, however they only managed to get half the needed 400, and the normally well tolerated procedure cause her much grief. But they tried a second time after she assured the doctor that she had the strength and attitude to make everybody a success, even though they had so much trouble before they got to the hard stuff.

While at the Tom Baker Centre, Lottie looked out the window to rejoice in the sight of not just any rainbow, but a double rainbow. That was her second sign that she was on the right path. The third sign came at home when her son saw a prism of light beam onto her face from across the room. He cheerfully proclaimed that to be the third sign.

Will It Be Beneficial To All Concerned?
Yes, Lottie has learned to enjoy the gift of time, how to share and care with that gift. To enjoy the gift of friends and friends we do not yet know. Lottie certainly has that attitude of gratitude. Thanks for being a big part of Rotary and an inspiration through explaining the four way test in such unforgettable terms.

Draw
Lottie received a certificate proclaiming her gift of sight, then drew John Hoopfer as winner of $10, and Pat Killoran for $5. Good choices Lottie.

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