rchurst's blog

Zeta Mu ATO brother John R. Thomas, founder and president of Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg (TX), was recently interviewed by San Antonio Magazine. He had an optimistic forecast for this year’s wildflower harvest.

Congratulations to ATO brother Richard Hainkel on becoming a first-time grandfather to close out 2011! Richard’s daughter Aubrey gave birth to Isla Blue Anders (7.5 lbs) on Saturday, December 31, 2011! Aubrey and her husband Grant welcomed their daughter into this world at 5:19 p.m. Richard and his wife Lori can be reached at (512) 423-0026.

For those of you who don’t know what the thymus is (I didn’t!), it’s where T-cells “go to school” to learn how to fend off diseases in your pre-adolescent years. As you mature and reach puberty, the thymus breaks down and absorbs itself into your body. It disappears. Except in a very small handful of people. Some bodies don’t break down the thymus while others - for reasons not yet known - develop a thymus again! Yours truly is in the “grew one again” category. (“Damn Vulcan physiology!” - Dr. McCoy, “Star Trek”) Interestingly, there are only about 400 known cases of thymoma in the U.S.

Brothers: first, I want to again thank all of you who have been keeping me and my family in your thoughts and prayers, as well as the positive energy you keep sending our way. It’s helping us during these days of uncertainty. I said I would update everyone following the visit with the oncologist on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Here is what we now know: I have thymoma, a tumor in the thymus. Mine is about 8 cm x 5 cm and located near my aorta.

Brothers: your prayers and positive thoughts worked! The biopsy results came back and I do not have lymphoma! I have thymoma. From what I understand (so far) this is a tumor of the thalmus gland. I am meeting with an oncologist later today to discuss options for its removal. I’m not out of the woods yet but things are looking much more positive! God bless all of you for your prayers, positive thoughts and words of encouragement over the past few weeks! I will update again after I meet with the next doctor. L&R

Over the past couple of weeks I have once again experienced our Brotherhood in action firsthand. As many of you may now know, I am scheduled for a biopsy on Tuesday, December 20 at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. I have a mass (8cm x 5cm) located near the left side of my heart. The doctors believe it’s lymphoma but the biopsy will confirm or negate that diagnosis. I never thought I’d be facing something like this. Since the initial diagnosis, I have spoken by phone with several of you who have given me the strength and courage to face what’s coming, as well as emails. I appreciate your outpouring of Brotherly love and concern more than you’ll ever know. As soon as I can update everyone on my diagnosis, I will do so. In the meantime, I appreciate your prayers and positive thoughts.

Love & respect to my ATO Brothers.

The Sam Houston State University Bearkats football team has now won a total of 12 games in the 2011 season and continues to hold its #1-ranking in NCAA Division 1 FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). The Bearkats defeated the Stony Brook University Seawolves 34-27 in round 2 of the subdivision playoffs on Saturday, December 3 before a crowd of 8,100 fans at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville, TX.

Lara Covell Tucker, daughter of our late brother Orin Covell, gave birth to Brooke Leigh Tucker on November 24, 2010 at 9:19 a.m. Baby Brooke weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 inches long, at birth. Lara and Brooke are doing well, as is grandmother Becky Barton Covell. The brothers of Zeta Mu extend our best wishes to the Covell and Tucker families!

Some of you may have received the following note from brother Joe Smith in the past few days. If you did, my apologies for repeating it. However, some folks may not have received it so that’s why I’m posting it here.

As many of you know, a MAJOR oil spill has taken place in the Gulf of Mexico. And our brother George Yax is at the forefront of the cleanup operations! His company, AMPOL (American Pollution Control), is hiring employees across the board to work offshore and in land-based operations during this massive undertaking.