Mary Austin
Love & Support Page
Mary Austin was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Although shaken to the core with this news, both Mary and Doug are determined to put nothing but positive energy and light into the journey they now face.
The purpose of this page is not only to give updates of Mary's progress as she faces the biggest challenge of her life, but also to provide a means of communication for all of us who care so deeply for this beautiful being.
Stories of healing and healing stories are welcome, and will be posted here. To send your love and support, click the link below. Your comments will be posted here shortly thereafter.
mary@towncrier.com
If you would like to write to Mary and Doug, their address is
P.O. Box 1250
Idyllwild, CA 92549
November 8, 2008
Dear Mary,
We think about you guys every day, and you are always in our prayers.
Mark and I send you our love, and every day see you as whole and
perfect. You are so beautiful!
Love, Rebecca
November 7, 2008
Dear Mary and Doug,
I just found your Idyllwild Town Crier blog and am reminded about your unselfish support of your community
whether it is your Idyllwild community or our NSA.
You have set the NSA achievement bar at a level we can strive for without fear of failure.
Thank you,
Bob and Sue Spradley
November 6, 2008
I am living with a "Miracle." On the nineteenth of this month Mary is a thirteen month survivor. This is unheard of in today's medical community. We contribute this to dear Mary's great eternal strength, courage, spiritual self examination and the prayers of this wonderful little village we call home.
Since I last wrote in this blog, Mary and I have taken many trips and have had many adventures to numerous to list. Mary has made an additional list of all the places and things she wants to see and enjoy. Yet nothing brings us more enjoyment than Idyllwild and the kind and caring friends that love we so much.
I have made reservations for a 12-day Mexican cruise which includes the Sea of Cortez, as well as a trip to San Francisco on the train to see the opera, a trip to the Olde Globe Theatre in San Diego to see several plays and a trip to see our beloved son and his dear wife. We are living full-out and our trips are centered around Mary's UCLA treatments, how she feels, and her best welfare.
One thing has become so very clear to us, that we all only have today. We are not our home, car or our portfolio. That our real health and future is right now. Quoting a spiritual genius "You want to live forever, then do something for another."
We again thank the Idyllwild Town Crier for this BLOG.
Doug Austin
August 26, 2008
Dear Friends,
Mary and I are doing well. We just celebrated Mary's ten months of treatment and survival. We also want all to know that Mary looks good, feels good and is in the best of spirits. Mary's successes are due to her eternal strength, belief in herself, the prayers and good wishes of our friends, our church and the ongoing love and emotional support we receive from this beautiful mountain village.
We worked the Idyllwild Jazz Festival as volunteers. Mary checked in musicians on Saturday and Sunday. And I had the privilege of working the "Green Room" both days. The Idyllwild Associates are so kind and caring and went out of their way to make us feel welcome.
The Idyllwild Rotary Club and their "Kindred Spirit" approach to all things Idyllwild keeps me busy and allows dear Mary time away from Doctor Doug and his ongoing concerns.
We enjoyed our trip to the Utah Shakespearean Festival. We allowed three days to drive to Cedar City, Utah. In days of old we drove this in one day, moreover, we have chosen to smell the roses on all of our outings. Mary and I spent five days driving up and back and six days at the Festival. We viewed four well-done plays and most enjoyed "Cyrano de Bergerac." We are planning trips in 2009 and 2010. We have our dear son Jim and his beautiful wife Mary (another Mary Austin) visiting in September. We truly look forward to their visit.
In closing Mary and I want all to know that we have accepted this medical concern in stride. No one knows how long they will live. But Mary and I intend to live with enthusiasm and full-out. Thank you all for your ongoing love and support and we thank the Town Crier for this ongoing heart-based BLOG.
Doug Austin
August 19, 2008
Hi Mary,
I have never met you, but I wanted to give you a couple of stories of encouragement!
Good friends of ours who live in Palm Desert faced what you are facing two winters ago. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and after having the dramatic whipple procedure, was told his tumors were not malignant at all! The procedure did leave him diabetic, but he is managing that well. He is fine and healthy and he and his wife are still living in Palm Desert.
One of my first cousins had pancreatic cancer about 12 years ago. He had surgery (and other treatments, too, I think) at John Hopkins, and is still cancer free! He is now in his early 70s and doing great.
You are in our prayers, that God will do wonderful things in your life!
Sincerely,
Shauna Gamble
Idyllwild
July 23, 2008
Mary and Doug are neighbors of mine in Pine Cove and they walk by with their dog on a regular basis always with a smile and a nice greeting. I feel very lucky to have such great neighbors who also made me feel very welcome when I moved to Pine Cove over 3 years ago. Wishing you well Mary. Take care and looking forward to seeing you soon. Thanks for being the kind, sweet person that you are.
Sincerely,
Mike Franich
Pine Cove
(310) 245-1945
(951) 659-8649
June 19, 2008
We will update this wonderful "blog" more often, moreover, we have received many loving calls asking about Mary. We have just returned from Sedona and Jerome, Arizona. Sedona has grown in size since our last visit nineteen years ago; but still is beautiful. California money has moved into Jerome and there is a charming Bed and Breakfast or beautiful Gallery on every corner. It is worth the visit.
We have found in all our travels that there is nothing like "HOME." And Idyllwild has no EQUAL for charm, beauty and kindness of people. Mary has made a list of all the places she would like to see, and the list continues to grow. Our next trip is to the Utah Shakespearian Festival for 10 days. Our son and daughter-in-law will visit us on Coronado Island in September. Our dear son Jim has visited us four times since Mary has had this health opportunity.
Mary visits the UCLA Medical Center every other week and she is beating the odds. We have met four-, five- and six-year survivors at Mary's doctor's office. Mary has an engaging and very strong spirit that has never diminished over the twenty-seven years I have adored her. Mary continues to be a great example of poise and courage under fire. We both have a blindfolded faith and sincere trust in the Great Spirit that all is well. There is also a great sense of freedom knowing that your future together as a couple depends on your love and respect for each other.
We again thank the people of our little mountain hamlet of Idyllwild for their ongoing love and kind thoughts.
Doug Austin
May 19, 2008
We again thank our Idyllwild family and friends for their ongoing prayers, good thoughts, caring and kindness. Mary and I enjoyed a 15-day cruise to Hawaii, five days at sea, five days in the islands and five days at sea on the way home. We have enjoyed a seven-day stay at my brother's Carlsbad beach time share. On both outings dear Mary set the pace. If she had experienced any concern or fatigue we would have simply stopped and smelt the roses.
We are grateful for the treatment she receives at UCLA Medical Center. They have embraced Mary's medical challenge with the utmost professionalism and dignity. We cannot be in better hands.
We are planning trips to Sedona, Arizona, and our annual adventure at the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City, Utah. We are also looking forward to working the Jazz Festival in August. We are continuing life as the wonderful gift that it has always been for Mary and I.
In closing, in an effort of ten years we would be unable to thank this little mountain hamlet enough for the continued kindness we receive daily. Moreover, the Rotary Ann's, the Historical Society, the Rotary Club, the Town Crier, Local Color and so many other wonderful people and groups have made our lives blessed during these months of Mary's healing.
Doug Austin
April 30, 2008
Mary,
I know from my own experience with cancer in 1999-2000 that prayer, keeping positive energy flowing through your life, and the love that surrounds you can heal. Going to your quiet place within your own Soul is the key to knowing when and how your healing will happen.
Watching your body move through its process is an important element in healing the physical illness. Finding your own, personal sense of wellness — however you define it — will give you peace as you work your own miracles.
Nancy Layton
aka "Lebhorcham"
aka "Rachel McMaster"
The Crone
February 21, 2008
Dear Family and Friends,
Today I received terrific news. The doctor told us that the tumor on my pancreas is stabilized AND has diminished by 10%, and the blood markers have gone down over 50% since October. Doug and I are so thrilled and I wanted to share the good news with all of you as soon as possible.
All your prayers, thoughts, treatments and visualizations are working and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. But most of all I thank you for your continuing Love. I am very moved and in just the past 3 weeks I have gradually seen increased energy and a desire to do more.
Since there are so many for whom I do not have emails, but they are equally sending prayers and well wishes, please feel free to pass this on to them as well for me.
God bless you all,
Your very grateful friends from Idyllwild,
Mary and Doug Austin
January 24, 2008
Dearest Mary,
Well my dear friend, you have joined the "60's" club, I will tell you it is a wonderful organization, so enjoy !!
I know you will be with two of your favorite "fella's" relaxing and celebrating your special day. Know that I will be thinking of you and wishing each of you a marvelous time in San Diego. All my love and best wishes for a year blessed with Happy Thoughts, Sweet Memories and continued GOOD RESULTS.
You are always in my Heart and Prayers. God Bless Each of You. Loves, hugs and kisses,
Marci Dobson
January 17, 2008
Dear Friends,
The following is an update on Mary.
Mary and I are at the UCLA Medical Center for three nights and four days this week for Mary's treatments. She is showing progress and is truly looking great. We have a wonderful couple overseeing our home and we hold them in the very highest regard.
Mary, our son Jim and I will celebrate Mary's 60th birthday next week in San Diego. We will spend most of our time relaxing and taking in the sea air. We have a simple itinerary of enjoying Coronado Island, whale watching, dining out and being in the moment. We have several plays to view and will relax at every opportunity. Mary's courage and ability to heal amazes myself, our family and our very loving community.
We feel thrice blessed to live in our little village of Idyllwild. Moreover, we wish to thank the "Town Crier" for providing this forum to update Mary's progress.
With Respect,
Doug Austin
December 17, 2007
Dearest Family and Friends of Idyllwild,
In deepest gratitude I write this letter of appreciation to you for all the cards, gifts, prayers, letters and positive thoughts being bestowed upon me daily to aid in my healing — and especially for the celebration of our lives together at the Rainbow Inn on December 9, 2007.
Thank you Lon and John for opening up your beautiful Inn and your hearts so we could all celebrate our Oneness in this beautiful Spiritual place called Idyllwild. Elaine and Lou Bacher, thank you for everything you did in putting together this most memorable afternoon. And, thanks to all the bands, musicians and dear John King for organizing the music and sound equipment. Doug and I sincerely appreciate all of your efforts.
Also, thank you for your most generous donations to the Idyllwild School's smARTS program. With almost $3,000.00 and 50-plus books donated, you assure the continuation of art and music and enhanced literacy opportunities for our Idyllwild School.
Everyone's energy and spirits have had a very definite impact on my life and my body and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Again, Doug and I wish to thank you for everything you do for us and our beautiful town.
May you have a very "Blessed" holiday season. With abundant love and God's grace, your friends,
Mary and Doug Austin
December 10, 2007
Mary Helene Austin is my only sibling and very dear to me.
I can always count on Mary to tell it to me straight, what’s going on. For example, she recently bought me a little chrome rocket ship for personal hair trimming. It had gotten just too disgusting. You get the picture.
Mary appreciates “coolness” and sophistication but wears her honesty and integrity on her sleeve. You probably know that about her, along with her enthusiasm for people. These are very endearing qualities.
We were born in a humble part of rural, southwestern Michigan, not far across the line from South Bend. Our father worked as a factory tool crib attendant while our mother doted on us at home, a house trailer with add-ons.
Thanks to Dad’s wanderlust we got to travel widely as children, including two extended stays in Mexico.
Mary’s interests growing up included domestic crafts projects, horses, Native Americans and biology, if I remember correctly.
Her long involvement in music included teaching herself piano on the family player piano in suburban Chicago. When we didn’t have a piano on the fryer ranch in San Diego County, she took up guitar. She got into the violin after she was given one by a Cherokee Indian chief, a friend of the family.
Mary is a devoted family person who has always worked hard. She developed a strong business sense working in a wide variety of offices, including a savings and loan, dental office, doctor’s office, escrow office, securities brokerage, law office and dairying empire.
Now she and teammate Doug can be immersed in the things they truly want to do.
Proud Mary, keep on boinin’.
Love, Win
November 30, 2007, 8:32 a.m.
An Update on Mary Austin,
Dear All,
Mary has had a blessing-laden yet challenging time since I last wrote. After each chemotherapy treatment Mary is required to wear a portable chemotherapy pump for two days or until it beeps. Mary wanted to play at our Church two Sundays ago which she had prepared for several weeks. Yet no beep from her pump, so with encouragement from several including her dear friend and fellow performer Kathy the show went on. Mary playing the piano and Kathy playing her beautiful flute, moreover, no one knew that there was an issue.
On Wednesday last due to a scheduling opportunity and pending holiday dear Mary had her complete chemotherapy session and surgery on the same day. This was general surgery so there was an hour and a half of prep and we both spoke to several Doctors. U.C.L.A. is so very professional and kind. We wanted to postpone this operation but the wisdom to provide time to heal before Mary's next chemotherapy treatment was sound and compelling. The surgery was to implant a portable-cath in her chest wall for future chemotherapy sessions. The following day at Mary's insistence we went to a beautiful Thanksgiving Day dinner at the Sycamore Inn in Rancho Cucamonga. My Brother, Sister-in-law, Mary's Brother and Mother were all there. The Thanksgiving repast was excellent only eclipsed by the great service. We spoke of only funny and silly things. The day before we had had enough serious.
The Saturday and Sunday before her last U.C.L.A visit, Mary and three hundred other "Red Hat" ladies went to San Diego for a rendezvous. I have never seen so much beautiful "Red" in my life. Mary's spirits soared and the laughter and fun-laden event was just what the Doctor's ordered. The Idyllwild "Red Hat Sisterhood" provided Mary every kindness and courtesy, moreover, they do love her so very much.
We are on our way to U.C.L.A. next week and look forward to exploring Westwood and the nine theatres and two performing arts centers all within two miles of our lodging.
In closing we thank the people of our enchanted village of Idyllwild for their love and support and the gift of living here.
We remind you of that we have dear Ron Daigh in our prayers everyday. U.C.L.A is twice-blessed to have two of Idyllwild's best representatives at there facility. It appears that this little village of Idyllwild is the home of very strong and courage-laden individuals. Thank you.
Doug Austin
November 28, 2007, 6 p.m.
My Dear Mary & Doug,
This past year, I have been blessed with two wonderful friends who have come into my life and will remain there forever.
Never have I felt such love and friendship as I have with you.
Your spirit, your enthusiam, your love for the arts and literacy programs have profoundly touched many souls.
Please know that you are both in my thoughts and my prayers constantly and whatever you need, I will be there.
All my love & friendship,
Lisa Furugen
November 28, 2007, 12:35 p.m.
Dear Mary and Doug,
Letting you know we are thinking of you. We are here for you.
Love,
Sheila and Julia Zacker
November 25, 2007, 10:28 p.m.
Hi, Mary and Doug,
As you know, you both have been in my thoughts for weeks now. There is so much positive energy powering your recovery, Mary. My mom used to do the PacMan game in her mind, and those unhealthy cells were gobbled up in no time. You are in a fantastic place for your treatments, and I know that so much of all of our healing is connected with our positive mental attitude and energy. (A good backrub doesn't hurt, either. I'm sure there is someone sitting right next to you, right, Doug?)
Charles Dickens is echoing all over my classroom walls. Students are beginning to get the essense of his need for social reform, and the avenues he took to get his message heard. The students loved it when I told them how little he charged for copies of Scrooge's tale. We are reading the play form tomorrow, and I have the "Alistair" version of the drama for them as a treat on the poster and essay due date, which is this Friday, November 30. If you're up to seeing a few posters or hearing a few essays, let me know . I'll be there in a heartbeat! I'll even come in costume!
John and I love you both.
Patty Carratello
November 24, 2007, 9:12 a.m.
Mary,
You both are the light and soul of our, as Doug calls it, Thrice blessed community. Two of those blessings are Mary and Doug. With some experience in receiving bad medical news and journeying on to health, I am here for you.
Much love,
Marshall
November 22, 2007, 2:34 p.m.
Dearest Mary and Doug,
Today we give thanks for the special people that have touched our lives, you both have done just that in your continued love and support to me. It has been two years since my sweet Bill left us. He too had pancreatic cancer. Sadly he could not get treatment but I am so glad to know that the doctors feel very confident in your progress. My prayers are filled with "hope and encouragement" for you my Dear Friend Mary and for your family. Never give up, remain strong, think positive and enjoy every minute of every day. Always remember the words "I love you" and embrace the hugs, I miss those the most. I will always cherish the many good memories we have shared, especially our 5th Anniversary, when we renewed our vows. I love and miss you both and always keep you close to my heart.
God Bless you Both,
Marci Dobson
November 19, 2007, 7:21 p.m.
Dear Mary, and Doug as well, for we cannot think of one of you without the other,
Thank you for the vibrant energy you have brought to our village. We know you through your generous work for the school and of course, that is tied in with the creative gifts of your talents as exemplified in the Dickens Festival. Your good cheer is contagious. May the joy you have brought to so many, return to you a thousand-fold .
Love,
Ron Perry
Doris Lombard
November 19, 2007, 5:32 p.m.
Hello, Dear Mary!
How was your weekend in San Diego with the Red Hatters?? We love you and want you to know that our thoughts are constantly with you and Doug.
Looking forward to an update.
Love,
Pete and Suzy
November 17, 2007, 10:08 p.m.
Dear Doug and Mary,
Ron and I are sending our positive thoughts your way. We applaud your wisdom that you have chosen UCLA as the venue for your medical treatments. As you are probably aware, Ron and I are in a similar situation, and Ron is doing FABULOUS thanks to the efforts of the UCLA staff. (Ron is enrolled in a clinical trial). It’s been 5 months since Ron’s diagnosis and surgeries, and he feels and looks wonderful. We are enjoying life to the fullest, making each and every day count, and I’m sure you are, too.
If you haven’t already discovered, the Tiverton House across from the medical center is a fantastic place to stay, if you don’t have accommodations. It’s our “home away from home” every month when we are at UCLA for appointments. Run by UCLA, the Tiverton House caters to patients and their families. The accommodations are relaxing and calming, great breakfast, coffee/tea anytime, internet, and classical music piped through the lobby.
Please feel free to call us anytime if you need any resources regarding cancer treatment and support, or if you would like to just talk. We have found comfort and strength talking with others going through this, and since you know us well, we are here for you anytime.
Much love to both of you.
Sandii Castleberry Daigh
Ron Daigh
714-290-1553 cell
951-659-6132-home
Sandii1@sbcglobal.net
November 16, 2007
Mary and Doug,
Anything we can do to help PLEASE call me at 675-0715. I would love to gift you with some Foot Reflexology sessions. We are here for you and love you. PLEASE know that.
Sheila and Julia Zacker
Nov. 15, 2007, 10:52 a.m.
An update on dear Mary from Doug:
Mary is responding well to her treatments. The Doctors and very Gifted Staff at the UCLA Medical Center are without equal.
We are wonder-found by the kindness and caring we have received in every quarter of this our twice blessed mountain hamlet. Idyllwild in itself is a healing state of mind.
At the encouragement of Mary's Husband, her Physician and her devoted & cheerfully-laden "Red Hat" Sisterhood, Mary will visit San Diego for a "Red Hat" rendezvous this weekend. She has looked forward to this event for many months. Making an effort to keep everything as normal as possible, this event is for Mary. I assure you the "Red Hat" Sisterhood could bring a smile to the face of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Moreover, lest we forget "That a Merry Heart Doth Good Like a Medicine and A Broken Spirit Doth Dryth the Bones."
We are then on our way to UCLA for several days and Thanksgiving with her Mother & Brother.
In an effort of one hundred years we would be unable to thank our town for their inspiration.
Doug Austin
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