Tip of the Week: That’s so Negative!

Tip of the Week: Wax On Wax Off

Tip of the Week: I'm Not "Feeling It!"

Tip of the Week: Could You Repeat That?

Tip of the Week: Improving your Child's Memory through Meaning

Tip of the Week: Coming soon How to Improve you Student's Memory

Thank you !

Announcement for 2019-2020

America is a Christian Nation. Maybe.

Diploma Program Course Content: Science

Diploma Program Course Content: Math

Diploma Program Course Content: English

Time: Events, Activities, and Limitations

Diploma Program Record Keeping: How to Award Credit for Non-Academic Courses

Diploma Program Record Keeping: How Much is Enough?

How Much Help Do You Need from Your Diploma Program?

How Important is an Accredited Diploma Program?

Choosing the Right Diploma Program: Freedom and Flexibility

Slow Down, Think, and Reflect

Basic Skills Slow Down, Think, and Reflect Today’s tools of communication encourage us to move faster and faster. The options are growing. Within moments you can text, tweet, post on Instagram, and comment on Facebook. Maybe like me, you’re addicted to the speed they represent. These communication channels, however, discourage things like thinking, reflecting, and calmly responding. What they encourage is the need many of us seem to have which is to get our opinion out there in public, to get it out there now! We can’t hold back. The technology at our fingertips encourages us to be in hurry-up mode. But, when we’re in a hurry, we often miss what’s important. Live in hurry-up mode too much of the time and you can easily burn through a decade or two and find yourself wondering, “How did I get where I am today?” But teaching our children to slow down, to think, to reflect, to and to calmly respond will help them be more aware of what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. Today’s communication technology isn’t going away. Neither is the speed at which most of us live. Pretending technology doesn’t exist or simply not using it doesn’t seem like a reasonable option. So, teaching your children to avoid living by impulse and in reaction mode will require you, yourself, to think, reflect, and be intentional with your home schooling and with your life. Resist going lock step through your curriculum. Resist going on auto pilot. Now is not the time to go to sleep. When it comes to pop culture music, often embedded in the lyrics of songs written and released decades ago were messages that pointed out the danger of moving through life hurriedly, day after day, without thoughtfulness and reflection. The song, Once in A Lifetime, was recorded in 1980 by the Talking Heads. Consider these lyrics: And you may find yourself/ Living in a shotgun shack And you may find yourself/ In another part of the world And you may find yourself/ Behind the wheel of a large automobile And you may find yourself in a beautiful house/ With a beautiful wife And you may ask yourself, well/ How did I get here?” In an interview, David Byrne, one of the vocalists said: “’We’re largely unconscious,’ ‘You know, we operate half awake or on autopilot and end up, whatever, with a house and family and job and everything else, and we haven’t really stopped to ask ourselves, “How did I get here?”’” Or, consider another song, Cats in the Cradle recorded in 1974 by Harry Chapin says something similar: I’ve long since retired and my son’s moved away I called him up just the other day I said, I’d like to see you if you don’t mind He said, I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time You see, my new job’s a hassle, and the kids have the flu But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad It’s been sure nice talking to you And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me He’d grown up just like me My boy was just like me Slow down so you can think and reflect and teach your children to do the same. That’s the tip of the week! Thanks for reading, Curt Bumcrot, MRESpring is days away and so is testing season. Pick up practice tests here and reserve your student’s seat for testing here in Oregon City or elsewhere around the state. The post Slow Down, Think, and Reflect appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

Time, Remission, and the Future

Basic Skills Time, Remission, and the Future Does time really fly when you’re having fun? Appears to be true. Vacations seem to be over before they begin, summer never lasts long enough, and long anticipated visits by friends and family are way too short. Time also seems to fly or at least blur for other reasons, stress and harsh circumstances being a couple of them. This occurs not when you’re in the middle of what you’re going through, but in looking back. You find yourself saying something like, “has it been a year since…” or, “Is it really that time again.” Holidays, birthdays, sports events, movie releases, and music can trigger our awareness that time has passed, and passed by very quickly. That’s where I find myself. I haven’t written anything since the end of November. That was just before the really dark effects of the chemo therapy began to surface, accompanying positive effects. In my final post of last year, The Real Jesus (Lauren, link to the post), I posed the question, “Is this treatment strategy working?” The answer was both yes and no. The purpose behind the chemo therapy was to slow down and even stop the production of amyloids. The lab results in December showed the chemo was effective in doing just that. My light chain numbers and ratio had been brought down to normal levels. I was now in a state of remission. I was also in a wheel chair. Because of my extreme fatigue, dizziness, and muscle weakness, I needed a walker to get around the house. In my mind, that was bad enough. Needing a wheel chair to get around outside the house was worse. This made my vulnerable, physical condition public, something I didn’t want to disclose being in denial about how bad things really were. While the chemo had done the job it was designed to do, my body had taken a beating in the process. In January I stopped the chemo therapy so my body could get a rest. Currently I’m on a “drug holiday.” Remission is a temporary state for those of us who have amyloidosis. It can last months, even years. Being in remission means your organs, while damaged, are no longer under attack. The “amyloid factory” as we like to call it, has been shut down. In my case, the light chain numbers are still in the normal range but are starting to creep up. I will have start chemo again soon but anticipate a less aggressive approach. Since going off chemo I’ve regained some strength, no longer using a walker or wheel chair, and am driving once again. My plan is to start writing on a more regular basis. In some ways, putting my thoughts on paper is therapeutic in and of itself. We’ll see how this goes. In terms of the services Basic Skills provides, you’re in good hands. As we enter the testing season, please visit our testing page to see when we will be testing at our Basic Skills office as well as around the state. Thank you all for your prayers and kind words. They mean a lot to Jenny and me as we move forward into 2019. Thanks for reading! Curt Bumcrot, MRE The post Time, Remission, and the Future appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

Now Accepting Group Testing Signups for Oregon City

Basic Skills Now Accepting Group Testing Signups for Oregon City Hand completing a multiple choice exam. Hello Parents, The 2019 testing season is just around the corner! We’re pleased to let you know that we are currently accepting signups for testing at our Oregon City campus. Each of the group testing opportunities conducted at Basic Skills will take place on Saturdays, on a first come first serve basis. Both morning and afternoon sessions are available to maximize home schoolers’ testing choices. To see which Saturdays testing is being offered, click here. By coming to our Basic Skills campus for your testing, you will be able to test with the new Terra Nova 3, (not Common Core aligned) which is available only through Basic Skills. I have personally reviewed this new test, like the new format, and believe it will yield accurate and helpful information to you as you evaluate the effectiveness of your curriculum and plan for next year’s curriculum choices. This test is “state of the art” allowing you to compare your student’s performance grades 3-12, with 2018 student performance. There is nothing newer on the market. This test also satisfies Oregon’s testing requirement. Call or email us to sign up for testing today. See you later this spring! Curt The post Now Accepting Group Testing Signups for Oregon City appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

Study with a Master Teacher

Basic Skills Study with a Master Teacher Looking for the opportunity to study with what I consider to be one of the master teachers in Literature? Now you can! No matter where you live, you can join her online and study a variety of courses- from Shakespeare to Classical Literature! To do so, simply go to Thelma’s Library If you live in the Portland Metro area, we’re pleased to announce that Thelma English’s literature’s classes for the 2019-2020 school year that will be held at Basic Skills have been chosen and may be viewed here We want to encourage you to consider attending one or more of her very special classes. She has been a member of our teaching staff since the beginning of Basic Skills. Each course is presented in such a way that students attending, whether in person or online, will come away with a depth of knowledge and understanding that you will find nowhere else. To attend any of Thelma’s upcoming classes held at Basic Skills, follow the simple enrollment process on her page. All classes are currently open. We encourage you to act now. You won’t be disappointed! Thanks for reading! Curt Bumcrot, MRE The post Study with a Master Teacher appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

The Real Jesus

Basic Skills The Real Jesus My journey with chemo continues, side effects notwithstanding. There have been a lot of them. In fact, I’m taking more meds to counteract the chemo side effects than the meds themselves that make up the chemo cocktail. My focus has been symptom management and staying ahead of the symptoms. In addition to dealing with the symptoms, there is a nagging question I ponder regularly. Is this treatment strategy working? I hope so. The blood work I will be having soon will give some indication. Please continue to pray for the efficacy of the treatment. Over the past week I’ve had a few conversations that eventually landed on the topic of suffering. We all want to avoid it. I do. But, it’s unavoidable contrary to what we are told by many Mega church personalities. I’m not totally down on self-help, cultivating a positive attitude, envisioning what you’re “best life now” should look like message. My issue is when this message is presented as the mission and teaching of Jesus. It’s not. Why bring this up? Because we’re entering the Christmas season! Our children, in my case, grandchildren, need to know who the baby in the manger truly is. Why he came. I’m going to do something different, something I haven’t done for awhile. I’m going to plug a book. Nothing “in it” for me, but I think you’ll find it a worthwhile read as you talk to your children about the coming of Christ this Christmas season. Matthew Richard has been a personal help to me, guiding and providing source material for a bible study I led when I taught a course on the Theology of the Cross at Imago Dei Community Church in Portland years back. Please click the link at the bottom of the page if you’re interested. Speaking of plugs, I want you to know that this coming spring Basic Skills will be offering the next generation of Terra Nova, the Terra Nova 3. While Terra Nova 2 will still be available through the next testing season, Terra Nova 3 will also be available, but exclusively through us. In conjunction with the launch of this new test will be practice tests that to help your student do his or her best. The next generation of Achieving Peak Performance and The One Hour Practice Test will be released incrementally early next year! Also scheduled to be released will be a new, Essential Learning Objectives product that simplifies and clarifies what your child needs to know at each grade level. Good things are in store for 2019! Curt Book: https://www.amazon.com/Will-Real-Jesus-Please-Stand-ebook/dp/B071L39KNF/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543406898&sr=1-1&keywords=Matthew+Richard+real+jesus The post The Real Jesus appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

Tribute

Basic Skills Tribute My life just got a little simpler, sort of. It started last week. I asked Jenny, “So What’s in the diffusor?” “It sort of reminds me of how my clothes smell. In fact, it reminds me how my food smells. Then it dawned on me. My food not only smells like my clothes and the essential oils being diffused, a combination of peppermint and lavender, it tastes like them too. I told a friend about this. She asked me what it tasted like, hoping I would say something like “ice cream” or “strawberries.” Don’t I wish! I disappointed/shocked her by saying it’s hard to describe- maybe, comparable to a fine spray of Pennzoil applied to the foods I’m eating leaving them somewhat indistinguishable from each other. Yuk! The upside, if there is one, is I don’t need to worry about food choices so much. My life just got a little simpler! Somewhat joking aside, I was told my tasting experience is a side effect of the chemo. It will not be permanent. Better not be! But, damn, what a time of year for this! As unhappy as I am about this, I can tell you there is someone else, a food lover above all food lovers, who would be more angry than I about my experience. Actually, outraged and offended at what I’m dealing with. She wasn’t just a cook, but a gourmet cook. Years ago as a young woman going through a divorce, she started a catering business to help support herself and her young daughter. She loved cooking and loved the pleasure her efforts brought to others. She loved all things chocolate, especially cakes and pies. Dark chocolate in particular. For her, chocolate deserved special recognition as a food group like fruits or vegetables. She made the best Mexican food- tamales, refried beans, enchiladas, all from scratch. She combined filet mignon steak with guacamole to make the best sandwich ever. She baked cookies. She lovingly began making them at this time of year to the delight of family and friends, shipping them nationwide. If you were lucky enough to make it on to her “Santa” list, you were truly blessed. One recipient, a family member living in California, would wait expectantly for the “package” to arrive. Once delivered by the UPS guy, he would announce “The cookies have arrived!” to his family. Moments later, the cold milk would be poured, and the indulgence would begin. Thanksgiving was a special time for her. Pies, turkey, stuffing and a gravy recipe passed down from her mother were her signature gifts. She loved this time of year more than any other. She continued her loving efforts, year after year, right up into her early nineties. She made her signature gravy for us to enjoy on what would be her last holiday before her passing just six months later. Previously, enjoying God’s presence and communing with him through the care of her visiting pastor. Now, enjoying God’s presence in a new setting, communing with Jesus along with all the saints who went before her. “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” – Revelation 19:9 Thanks, mom, for making this time of year magical for us. Love you! The post Tribute appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

The Chemo Honeymoon is Over

Basic Skills The Chemo Honeymoon is Over Some of my readers may think way differently about some of what I write here in the last half of this article. What I say, and how I say it could be considered snarky. That’s OK, of course. It is, however, simply a reflection as I wrestle and work through my new lifestyle. That’s why it falls under the category it does- Curt’s Reflections. You’re invited to journey along. I appreciate having you with me. Your mileage, though, may vary. In my last post, I mentioned going to the Verizon store to get my new phone set up. I love it! It turns on by face recognition. To set it, I had to take a couple of selfies, each from four different angles. I did this publicly while in the store. This public process felt a little awkward and I was self-conscious. It does make the new phone move quicker. Even the apps open this way too. Most of the time, that is. In the mornings when I get up, my phone doesn’t always recognize me. Shoot, looking into the mirror, I don’t recognize me either… unfortunately, this is nothing new. I have to go back to keying a code to get into my phone. Reminds me of a visit with my good friend, Michael O’Rourke, a few years back. While he’s Jenny’s cousin, he’s like a brother to me. He and his wife Kim were up visiting from California. He’s a golfer, so we played a couple of games while they were here… A few minutes before one of them, Michael was standing in front of a large mirror, not moving much. “C’mon Michael, grab your clubs. Tee time now. Time to take our beating on the course.” It was like he didn’t hear me. Looking at himself, his face mainly, he said, “How did this happen?” He made me laugh. I said to him, “I know, I know. It’s an over-a-period-of-time kind of thing. And it’s not going to get any better. But we’ve got a game waiting for us. Let’s go.” We had a great time “taking our beatings.” Time has a way of sifting things. We think we have it “under control” and then… Like I said, I was controlling my nausea with hydration and peppermint oil. My plan was working so well, in spite of not getting enough sleep over the last four nights. Steroids were the culprits. But that wasn’t stopping me. Monday night I went to the gym for a mild aerobic workout. Three of my docs recommended this as a way of strengthening and improving my heart for a possible stem cell transplant that will extend my life. After the half an hour workout, I was on a roll, or so I thought. I called Jenny on my way back home and told her I was going to cheat off my gluten/dairy free diet. I was going to pick up some Mexican food. I was actually in a bad mood when I called. I was short with her when I told her my meal plan. She saw part of the “old me,” the part that will always accompany the “new me” (aka Romans 7) for as long as I live. You see, I had lost weight in spite of my best efforts to eat and hydrate properly. I was on my way down to a one-week loss of 7 pounds. Down deep I was mad and frustrated. I was going to do something about it. Eat something cheesy and fatty with a lot of calories. I’m going to gain it back quickly. I’m in charge! And then it happened. I got sick while driving. In moments, my nausea returned and progressed, accompanied by a huge headache. I could feel my face warming up. I won’t give you the additional details except to say that I drove directly home and went to bed where I “hung out” over the next two or three days learning how much “control” I really had. Not much, really. I largely slept through the election. I wasn’t able to stay up with the commentary that was being made by the various church leaders who have an inside track on “what God is doing” to share with the faithful. I know they’re a busy group. They have books to unload, audio media, and many products to make us “better Christians.” Even emergency food just in time to use for the Thanksgiving holiday, thanks to the “ministry” of Jim Bakker. This last Thursday I went to receive my on-site treatment at Compass Oncology. Now that I was out of bed, I was feeling better, but moving at half speed. Blood drawn on from the left arm this time, injection given on the right side. I found that my labs were mostly improving with my troponin level (measures heart function) improving and moving in the right direction. But my blood sugar was off, along with a kidney number due to being dehydrated. Crap! Time to get back “in the saddle,” take control, and do something to correct this. Side effects from the treatment showed up within about two hours. These are dirty little cocktails I’m getting. I wasn’t in the saddle long. I did follow some new protocols suggested by the support staff at Compass. I got some helpful ideas to try from friends and family members too, which I followed. All of this came from outside myself. Extra Nos — a personal “intervention” of sorts by those who love me. As a result, the last two days have been decent. I made it to church, mask dawned to avoid catching the latest cold or flu if it was around. A nap in the afternoon. A really good day, actually! About this control thing, I know many of you may have a different take on this. I know I have in the past. And then AL Amyloidosis… and then treatment, and then whatever else is coming. Don’t take this as passivity. I am slowly coming to terms with what my limits are. It’s been, and continues to be, a process. God isn’t asking my permission to mess with my theology. The Holy Spirit isn’t the gentleman I once took him for, waiting to be “invited” by me to do stuff in me before acting. God can be downright in your face! But, it’s all good, and I’m in a good place, and feel well taken care of. Just today I was reading and praying Psalm 6, along with Isaiah 38. God’s way in my life seems to be one of “opposition” followed by comfort and consolation. “killing and making alive”, so to speak. At least that’s how I’m reading these passages. Seems consistent with my experience. This fall I was supposed to be teaching a Sunday school class on “The Theology of the Cross” at my church. Instead, I find myself being stretched out on a cross of Jesus’ own making for me. A tiny taste actually, probably really only a hint, of what he went through. “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. – Philippians 3:10 Do I like this? No. Am I “delighting in God” through all this, being sure not to “waste my cancer” or in my case, my cancer- like experience? You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not that spiritual. I’m more like crying out, complaining, and weeping at times. Comes and goes, really. A daily rescue from Jesus is what I desire and delight in! I am praying more, and that’s good. I thought about a short book that needs to be written on this subject. How’s this for a title? “Not Ten Steps to Improve Your Prayer Life, just one: Get Amyloidosis. Or cancer, really. Amyloidosis is in short supply.” Joking here a little; dark humor over takes me at times. So that’s been my week, ending well. Expecting to be in the office sometime tomorrow for a little while. Taking one day at a time as the saying goes. Living in the present. Learning contentment. Still struggling with denial. Adjusting, trusting. Loving the new-found time I have with my wife, family, and grandkiddos. Yes! It truly is all good in this respect. What can you pray about for me? Like my long-time friend from the 1980’s, Dr. Bryan Ray sometimes writes in his comments preceding a particular Tidbit article. “I want to be like…”, Well, I want to be like and have the experience of Hezekiah found in Isaiah 38. That would be incredible. Thanks for continued prayers and support! Curt P.S. Since I’m finding myself with more time as I will be working largely from home. I want to do something about it. I know, sounds like more “back in the saddle” kind of language from me. Hard to give it up. My daughter Natalie and I have been discussing plans for some new digital products which we plan to introduce incrementally in the new year. * Exploratory plans include a new Essential Learning Objectives product linked to Common Core objectives. If it’s doable, it will be simple and purely informative. Just a reference tool for you to help you understand what’s going on. The Essential Learning Objective product and the accompanying ELO Quick Assessments we wrote years ago, continue to stand the test of time and are very useful. * New One Hour practice tests linked to the Terra Nova 3 will be available at some levels next year. A lot depends on if the norming study by CTB, the publisher, was successful, and how quickly we can look at the norming data. . So, stay tuned. Good things are ahead! The post The Chemo Honeymoon is Over appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

Chemo Therapy Begins

Basic Skills Chemo Therapy Begins The following is a summary of my last week, written chronologically. I threw in a little theology at the end, probably the best part to read. If you’re short on time, I’d skip to the bottom of the post to see what I say. Tuesday, October 30 Prior to my first chemo session, I got a flu shot for the first time in my life. I wanted to cover all my bases even though with my decision, I’ve joined the ranks of the “never vaccine group” making me a big compromiser :). Oh well, my mom was always on me to get one, but I resisted, up until now. Finally caved. Thursday, November 1 I started my first chemo therapy session this afternoon. After meeting with a nurse, I was led to a large room in which several other patients were receiving treatments, all delivered by IV’s of some sort. I sat in my chair and was presented with 15 pills to consume, a combination of steroids and a chemo drug. “Did you want to watch me take these for your records?” “Oh no, not necessary.” Funny how this setting made me think back to eating dinner as a child, with vegetables, like lima beans, on my plate. I didn’t want to eat them, so I came up with a plan. The first step was to slide them around the plate near the perimeter to give the impression I was “making progress.” Then, I would discreetly move them off the plate, sliding them under, and eventually off the table to a waiting dog. After consuming the pills, the nurse approached me holding a syringe which would deliver the liquid chemo drug. I rolled up my arm sleeve to receive the injection. The nurse shook her head sideways. “This injection goes in your stomach,” she said. “It goes where?” I’m thinking you’ve got to be kidding. I wasn’t prepared for this, but that was probably a good thing for me not to know ahead of time. “It goes in your stomach, but you have a choice- left or right side.” I told her the left side would be fine. As she began the injection, I looked around the room. Everyone else, like I said, was hooked up to IV’s. I was merely getting an injection that would be over in 2 minutes. My experience was pretty “weak tea” compared to theirs. Jenny left the room temporarily. I think this was a tipping point for her. She just lost her sister to cancer this last summer. My mom, who lived on our property, died a little over a year ago. She needed constant care which Jenny gave lovingly and faithfully to her as part of the care giving team. My journey, which started last May, has been so hard on her to watch. My wife is strong and applied her care giving ways to me. I couldn’t ask for better. I need to tell you, though, that if I had not been so stubborn in rationalizing early symptoms, this could have been easier on both of us. As the nurse injected me with Velcade, the liquid chemo drug, she began a conversation as a way of taking my mind of what she was doing. We talked about family, adult children, grandchildren, regular stuff. This made me think of an encouraging text we received just shortly before arriving for this first treatment. It was from a couple we met at Amyloidosis meeting we attended a month ago. The text read, I’m sending you a big hug. Chemo saved my husband’s life. Here is why it is worth the fight for us. We got to see our darling “little grands” all dressed up to go trick or treating last night. Our grandaughter was only 3 years old, and her brother was just 16 months old when my husband was diagnosed and almost died. They’re now 7 1/2 and almost 6. And then there’s our “big grands.” One was born on our 30th wedding anniversary. Because of Velcade, we got to go to his graduation. He’s turning 21 this month on our 51st anniversary. His brother is a senior this year. We went to his choir concert last week, and we will go to his graduation next year. These are bonus years for us to spend together with each other and with our family. It’s worth the fight for us. Velcade may not cure Amyloidosis, but it turned off the Amyloidosis production and gave time for my husband’s organs to improve. It also bought him time for other drugs to be developed, one that he is currently taking. Who knows? Maybe it bought him time for a cure to be developed someday. That’s our prayer. Her words express what I’m feeling and desiring- gaining time to enjoy the good things God has given me. After treatment, Jenny and I went to PF Chang’s for an early dinner. I think it will be a final dinner out for me for a while as we enter the cold and flu season. My immune system will be taking a hit, a side effect from the chemo. I opened my fortune cookie. It read, “Your investment in time will lead to success later.” While not a big fan of fortune cookie or coffee mug theology, I’m taking the message at face value and hoping it’s right. Little sleep Thursday night due to the steroids being taken so late in the day, maybe getting just 2 to 3 hours. But there was an upside to this. I had extra energy. I have always been a little on the manic side, so I’m told. While fatigued lately, I felt back in the saddle. Even Jenny noticed the spring in my step. Won’t last I’m sure since I’ll be cycling through on and off the steroids. I went to work early in the morning and then, with minimal symptoms, to the Verizon store to get my upgraded iPhone configured. My millennial friends there set it up in minutes. Probably would have taken me all day. We really do need each other. November 2-4 I’m getting more sleep but experiencing some gastro issues which is nothing new. The mild nausea I have is responding pretty well to peppermint tea, topical peppermint oil, and staying hydrated. November 5, 2018 Since I’m going to be spending more time at home for the foreseeable future, I want to make the most of it. I have subscriptions to Netflix, streaming and discs, Amazon Prime, and audible. If and when the steroids keep me up at night, I’m set. As a birthday gift, my family got me a new paperwhite, 300 ppi easy on the eyes, kindle. My youngest daughter, Katelyn threw in a tablet too. Along with my upgraded phone, my technological house is well appointed! I won’t be missing any of the coming apocalypse as the republicans and democrats fight over control of the legislature. Maybe as you read this, my comments may sound a little too casual, even to the point of being flip. Maybe they are. But I don’t really know how “to be” in this uncharted territory. I’m being treated similarly to the way Multiple Myeloma cancer is treated. Technically though, Amyloidosis is still not classified cancer, but it acts like it. While I know this is my story, and all of you reading this are involved in my journey in one way or another, it’s ultimately a story about Jesus- his faithfulness, his gift of faith, his daily love, his never-ending mercies. Looked at this way, the focus and burden is off me. I’m not feeling an overwhelming need to be spiritually strong, exercise muscular faith, or work some kind of religious system to get God wake up to act on my behalf. No, the burden and focus of my life is placed right on Jesus where it belongs, and where he wants it. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. I could say that Jesus is doing the “heavy lifting” in my life. To be more accurate, he’s doing all the lifting. This brings me comfort and freedom. I’d like to think that my changed attitudes and perspectives are the work of the Holy Spirit in my life, and that God is answering your continued prayers. And having said this though, I’m not backing off on asking you to continue to pray for healing, in whatever form it comes- divine, chemo, or complementary means. I will, of course, take remission as a solid, “runner up” second choice:). I’m hopeful, but the outcome is God’s. Thanks for all your support! Curt The post Chemo Therapy Begins appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

God’s Camouflage

Basic Skills God’s Camouflage God is always camouflaging His divinity in the mundane things of the world. – Chad Bird Last Monday, Jenny and I traveled to Rochester, Minnesota. We were there to get a second opinion from the Mayo Clinic, one of the top Amyloidosis Hospitals in the nation. This trip was made possible through the generous gifts of many. Thank you! Funny, but taking this trip made me think of another journey, the one taken to the Emerald City in that classic movie many of us grew up watching once a year so long ago. I know, the association is sentimental to the point of being maudlin, but I loved that movie. That journey was full of uncertainty, hopeful expectations, fear, disappointment, and renewed hope. The Mayo Clinic deserves its reputation as the best hospital in the nation. The city’s functions seem to revolve around it and support its mission: To inspire hope and contribute to health and well-being by providing the best care to every patient through integrated clinical practice, education and research. Peace, calmness, and order surrounded the hospital. Their chief value, the needs of the patient come first, expressed the intent of the founders, Dr. Mayo and the Sisters of Saint Francis. This value characterized our every interaction with the hospital, doctors, and staff. Clothed in the expertise of the doctors, nursing staff, supporting staff, and volunteers, God was present. He was present through the driver of the shuttle bus that picked us up daily to take us to and from the hospital. He was present through the pianist playing hymns and Christian songs on the grand piano in the lobby. He was present through the staff member helping all of us navigate the elevator system leading up and down the 21 floors of the main building. He was present through the intake nurse who patiently logged into my digital record the 15 or so daily supplements and meds I take. He was present through the phlebotomist who drew my blood quickly and gently while complementing me on what good veins I had. (Not flattery. I’ve been told this by a half a dozen different phlebotomists :).) He was present through my primary doctor at Mayo who listened to our concerns, affirmed my desire to include complementary approaches, laid out a plan of action for me, and responded to after-appointment questions I had by email, even on Sunday. We returned home last Saturday night and met with an oncologist Monday to get my treatment plan going. I continue to struggle with denial and acceptance of my diagnosis. When I’m feeling good, I’m in denial. I find myself asking, can this really be happening? I know it is, but my experience in the moment is telling me otherwise. When I’m feeling bad and my energy level is low, I’m in an acceptance mode. I know that something really is wrong, and there’s no use denying it. But then, I start to feel better. I flip back and forth. Today, Thursday, though is a reality check. I’m starting chemo therapy with a view toward qualifying for a stem cell transplant once (and if) my heart becomes strong enough. While I wish there was an alternative approach that was less harsh, I haven’t seen it, beyond anecdotal stories, and some less than convincing research. I’m open to taking risks, and choosing this path is a risk given the side effects and the possibility that my body won’t respond. I don’t consider myself a gambler and to do otherwise would be for me, a roll of the dice. Thanks for your continued prayers. They mean so much to me and my family. There’ll be an update describing how this goes for me next week on a Go Fund Me Page a good friend of my mine has set up for me. In Christ, Curt The post God’s Camouflage appeared first on Basic Skills. Read more... Basic Skills Assessment & Educational Services, 19146 Molalla Ave., Oregon City, OR 97045, USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

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