It has been a busy, busy summer!

Even though it's still hot during the days, the nights are cooling off and there is a definite feel of fall in the air. Some of the leaves are already showing some color and that's happening sooner than normal.

I think most of us have been on a go, go, go treadmill for the last few months. I have been, and so have many of the people I know. Maybe we'll all get some time to rest and relax as things settle down after all the summer activities.

I've been running back and forth to doctors and hospitals all summer. (Well, that's a lie. Dena and Stacey have been driving me back and forth to appointments all summer. I'm not doing any running these days!)

It looks like I had my last surgical procedure back in July and now all the tumors have been removed or killed.

For awhile, it looked like I was going to have to have surgery on my liver, and that's a very serious operation. Fortunately, I was a good candidate for radio frequency ablation (RFA) and Dr. Moore, in Asheville, successfully destroyed the tumor in my liver using the process. Instead of having major surgery and being in the hospital for a week or more, the RFA was done by inserting three needles to surround the tumor and then using microwave-like radio waves to destroy the tumor with heat.

He had warned me to expect some serious pain after the procedure, but I was very lucky. I had almost no pain and, after spending one night at St. Joseph's, I was set free to come back home. There were a few days of discomfort, but no real pain.

So, all the surgeries are behind me and I've started chemotherapy. My oncologist is Dr. Manfredi and he works for Georgia Cancer Specialists. He has an office in Blairsville, GA and in Murphy, NC. Since I live about the same distance to each of them, I've been seeing him in his office next door to the hospital in Blairsville.

I've completed round two (out of 24) of the chemotherapy and so far it's going pretty well. I've been very tired and weak and I'm taking more naps than I normally do, but, step by step, we're killing this cancer that tried to kill me.

There is almost no comparison between how I was feeling in March and how I'm feeling now. I'm doing much better and definitely moving in the right direction. It looks like we're going to win this war!

As I get stronger and more clear-headed, I've been thinking about some of the things I want to do to help spread the word about Murphy and how much I enjoy living here. I'm not joking at all when I say that I love every day in paradise here. I can't think of any place I'd rather live and I'm very fortunate to be surrounded by great friends and a loving family. (I hope you are, too!)

I have lots of plans for the various websites and blogs I manage and I'm looking forward to doing more here at Murphy Connections.

About all I've felt like doing for the last couple of weeks is play Combine and it's quite addicting. But, there's a time and a place for everything and I can't spend all my time just playing games.

As I get stronger, I have to think about rebuilding my business and getting at least a little work done.

So, we're in that time of the year when most of us turn our attention back to school and work.

The unofficial end of summer is a couple of weeks away and there is always a big celebration for Labor Day in Murphy at the Heritage Walk and Festival which is organized every year by Heritage Partners.

If you're new to Murphy, or will be visiting over the Labor Day weekend, you are encouraged to attend the Festival and have a good time.

I'm always looking for ways to make Murphy Connections more enjoyable and more useful for our members. If you have any suggestions, I'm always happy to listen.

It won't be long before the leaves start turning and we'll be reminded of one more reason to love living in this area of scenic splendor and small town charm.

All the best,

JD