$6,000 project

My first photo story of the season, "Hearts Wide Open," was/is about the relationship between husband and wife Russ and Karen Attwater. A few weeks ago, I accompanied Karen to a doctor's appointment in Midland. Here's a single from that day.

Karen Attwater, 62, of Mount Pleasant, winces as the needle is inserted during her monthly appointment Friday, October 9 at the Midland Cancer Center in Midland.

"I always get squeamish and make a big fuss," she explains, though this is old hat for her. Karen makes the hour-long trip to Midland once every four weeks to get an IVIG to combat her hypogammaglobulinia, a genetic disorder which attacks the immune system.

"Well...I take a 3-hour IV every month...to keep me alive," she says. "So that's my $6,000 project for today."