Tuesday

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been under the weather lately. My body does strange things and I try to cope with it the best I can. Thank you all for your prayers and comments. They mean so very, very much to myself and Rebecca. It was nice seeing Nancy again the other night. She always lifts my spirits. It's starting to thunder again. Typical Florida summer day. Rain and lighting. Thanks again for all your thoughts! Peace and Love to all. Mark

Monday Evening

I think the weather is really hard on Mark. Today, he has a really bad headache, and says he thinks the rainy, stormy weather is partly to blame. He just doesn't feel good. No attempt a eating tonight. He did have a nice breakfast this morning, but now feels queasy and doesn't want to try any supper. I'm encouraging him to go to sleep early and hopefully tomorrow, he'll be feeling a little better. He is also having an unusual occurrence - he has dry, peeling skin on his face and hands. Of course, the doctor advised this is all part of the chemo; but it seems to have materialized late in the game. Mark says his fingers are very sensitive in the areas where the skin is sloughing. Poor darling - I do so want him to have a good day tomorrow. Keep the thoughts and prayers coming! I know they are working. Our love to all of you!

Sunday Night

Hi all! Rebecca again. Mark is still having vision problems and asked that I do this for him again tonight. He will try in the morning. We had a great visit with Nancy. Had great food and great conversation. She is a joy as a guest. She did try, however, to kidnap my dog . . .gonna have to watch her. Mark was able to enjoy some of the alfredo pasta with chicken and a small salad. Little victories every day! My love to you all - Rebecca

Saturday During the Daily Storm

Well, it's 5:25 p.m., and as usual, the Florida skies have opened up! Its been a quiet, uneventful day but actually, that's nice. We had a wonderful visit from Cousin Steve and his lovely wife, Lea, yesterday. She cooked Mark a favorite dish and he really enjoyed it. Last night was not as bad as I had envisioned with the fireworks and the dogs. Maybe in their old age, they are tolerating more. Dixie did keep up the barking for quite a while, but the panic I usually see in the tree of them never materialized. Mark's eyes are really bothering him today - he has "floaters" in both of them now (from the radiation) and he asked me to do this for him today. Hopefully, tomorrow, he'll be able to give you a shout. Nancy is coming for dinner tomorrow and we're looking forward to that. Everybody have a great evening and NEVER GIVE UP!

Late Friday Night

It's late and so far, I can't sleep. Mark is sleeping but seems to be tossing and turning a lot. The "goobers" in our neighborhood have already started with the fireworks and my dogs are petrified. The golden retriever is a "barker" and she's trying to tell them to stop. The chocolate lab is crying (literally) and the German Shepard is hiding in the bathtub. Only our kitty is deaf to all the noise. What a family, huh? Mark had a really good day with food (isn't it something that what somebody eats in a day is banner headlines . . .). He had an omelette for breakfast, a small hamburger patty for lunch and about a cup of spaghetti with meat sauce for dinner. I couldn't be happier. We are preparing for a visit from his cousin tomorrow. I know that will be good for us both. Well, I think I'll try to at least lay quietly for a while and who knows, I might actually fall asleep (if the fireworks stop). HAPPY 4TH AND NEVER GIVE UP! Rebecca

Wednesday Night

Just a quick up-date . . .all your positive energy has come to fruition for us. I was able to get an appointment for the MRI scan for July 10th. The downside is that we must drive to Tampa to get it, but that's ok. We have an appointment immediately afterward with the doctor at Moffitt Cancer Center for the results. We'll then take those to the doctor here on July 21st. Between now and then, we will be content knowing we are doing all we can. Mark is slowly gaining some strength and is trying small bites of different "real" food. Some things he can now tolerate, and some it will take a bit longer. We wanted you all to know we are so grateful for the continuing prayers and good wishes. Who says people don't care about their fellow human beings anymore? We are certainly blessed to have all of you who read this and share our news with others who add us to their prayer lists. Thank you all so very much. Hopefully, Mark will feel up to a note tomorrow. He went to sleep early this evening. Even with more energy and some increasing stamina, the heat still wears him out. REBECCA

Tuesday Morning

I see my good wife Rebecca went on a rant. Well, it is very, very frustrating dealing with Medicaid. Last time I called to talk to my "advisor", she told me "I thought you were dead." Medicaid considers an MRI, to see how you are progressing in your chemo, as "unnecessary to my overall health."
We were told that Medicaid can help me more if: 1) I divorce my wife, move under a bridge and give away all my positions 2) commit a Federal Crime, and go to federal prison or 3) if I was an illegal alien or from Cuba everything would be paid for. This just makes me sick!
When I told them I was a Vietnam Vet, they said my widow can contact the VA's office and fill out papers to receive $300 in funeral death benefits.
There are times I want to chain myself to the front door of the Medicaid office, light up a joint and wait for the Feds to come take me away. At least I will have the same coverage as Charlie Manson.
We have gone through all our savings, selling everything we have and it means nothing, NOTHING to Medicaid! Lets face it. They couldn't care less. 10 Billion Dollars a week on an unjust war is OK, but lets not help our own U.S. Citizens. Keep in mind, it took this administration 10 days to get water to downtown New Orleans! It's sickening.
So, I apologize for my wife's rant and also mine. I prey that none of you good friends ever find yourself in my situation. It is bad enough going through the heartache of terminal cancer, but dealing with Government red tape idiots is a slap in the face.
Peace and Love to all Mark