I compile this tribute on March 31, 2019, after her funeral March 18, 2019. This is not in disrespect for Natalie, but a matter of being able to do so because of personal health challenges.

I met Natalie and her husband Bill Voykin, sometime in 1969. There was a call out to interested Doukhobor Youth, to discuss the possibility of unification of all Youth in Canada. In this endeavour, a convention was planned in 1970 at the Tarrys Hall in Tarrys, B.C. Natalie and Bill attended that convention. It was at this event the idea of forming groups in areas populated by Doukhobors to eventually convene a Canadian Doukhobor Youth organization.

In Castlegar, about eighteen (18) families started coming together at various homes, to initiation the idea of such a group. The name of this group started as a Doukhobor Discussion Group, then Doukhobor Youth and in time ended with Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) as the original youth matured.

Natalie was always an enthusiastic member of the DCA which coincidentally, was equally split with members of the parent groups, the Union of Spritual Communities of Christ (USCC), the Doukhobor Society of Canada (DSC) and members from the Freedomites.

In my dated blog entries, I have already noted the successful activities of the DCA and especially Natalie Voykin. This was only one of Natalie’s “families” as she referred to them.

Please feel free to read:

1. Miracle at Whatshan Lake, B.C. (construction of the Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999, Whatshan Lake Retreat)
2. Report to the Doukhobor Cultural Association final AGM, September 20, 2013
3. Some Reflections of the DCA (Doukhobor Cultural Association)
4. Grandview Seniors Speak from the Ledge (the fats about the Kootenay Columbia Seniors Housing Cooperative)
5. DHRS #1999 President’s Report AGM dated May 22, 2017
6. Doukhobor Heritage Retreat Society #1999 Retiring President’s Report dated May 21, 2018
7. Doukhobor Cultural Association (DCA) Last Supper November 18, 2018
8. Update on “Grandview Seniors Speak from the Ledge” a Grandview Seniors Story

Should the Reader now be more informed, Natalie participated in all the DCA activities with all the enthusiasm that one body could assemble. Many times, Natalie would emotionally state that being part of the DCA and its activities, was the first time she felt totally included and settled in spirit. Natalie learned how to participate in orderly meetings. DCA elected new executives on a yearly basis so that all members got to serve and apply what the Selkirk College taught the DCA on Roberts Rules of Order.

She was always a friend!

May Natalie rest in Peace in this new dimension that she is enjoying

Posted by Elmer Verigin at 1300 hours, Monday, April 01, 2019

My Cancer Journey Part V is best read after browsing through the following previous blogs:

• So Now I Know What It Feels Like To Have A Diagnosis of Cancer, followed by
• My Cancer Part II
• My Cancer Journey Part III
• My cancer Journey Part IV

Enjoy!

I need to preface this current blog entry along with the (3) previous entries, with a precautionary statement:

“Nothing in these blogs suggest that I am speaking from a position of medical professionalism. I am sharing my experience so that anyone who may read these blogs, can be informed and be reassured that Bladder Cancer can be controlled and likely cured!

Part V of my Cancer Recovery will cover the time from the time, April 14, 2019, to the current day, June 03, 2019

Castlegar Community Services kept changing my dressing on my Stoma on a regular basis, every Tuesday and Friday at 0930 hours with the last one prior this incident, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

It appeared to me that I was basically ‘listless” in general with a very limited appetite. I woke up at 0400 hours on Friday, May 24, 2019 and rummaged for Marilyn’s hamburgers of the night before when I ate one and now thought another would be just nice!

I poured a drink of Iced Tea and sat on Sofa. I felt a wetness near my stoma and assumed that my bag was leaking. I felt the are and  discovered that the bag was just fine but the wetness was just below the belly button which was strange

I stood up and suddenly a stream of liquid “shot” straight away for about three (3) feet! Of course I was shocked and realized that whatever was coming was from my abdomen and of course, an emergency!

I grabbed a towel and pressed it to my abdomen and woke Marilyn to asked if she could drive me into Emergency in Trail. Thirty (30) minutes later we were there.

The admitting people were not sure what was happening but quickly complied my records to release that I had an abcess or an erupted infection. Soft pressure was applied to the periphery o release more foul-smelling fluid.

A C-T Scan was ordered but would not be available till 0800 when the Techician would be in.

The C-T Scan reviewed a pocket of infection in an octopus shape just under the skin.

Pictures of infected area and the CT Scans were sent by cell phone to the holidaying Dr. Robinson who was away on holidays. My white cell count was over 17 (normal under 7) and Antibiotics were administrated as the staff pondered the next move.

With Dr. Robinson remote advice, the 6 mm opening was packed with absorbing materials and I was admitted to hospital.

It was a rough few days where eating was out of the question and keeping me from going into a fever was the biggest concern. On Monday May 27, 2019, Dr Robinson returned from holidays and conducted a physical exam.

The decision was to carry on with the Antibiotics and packing and repacking the wound about twice a day. I started to rebound and the decision was to release me from hospital to my home under the care of the Nurses at Castlegar Home Services.

At this time the treatment has graduated to a Suction Pump drawing liquid from my abdomen with Care Monday, Wednesday and Friday

I feel very much better and I note that there is little or no fluid flowing in the line.

My stoma separation in the meantime, has just about healed

I am told that I can expect the suction pump for a month or so. I have an appointment with Dr Robinson on June 11, 2019 at 0800 hours

Updated at 1000 hours, Sunday, June 03, 2019