Friday 4-30-10

It was an interesting night. They gave me steroids yesterday to make sure I didn't get sick or anything. However there are some side effects. Like your blood sugar going so high it just shows on the meter as HI. It also prevents you from sleeping. I went to bed at 11 pm and finally fell asleep at 5:30 am. I then got up at 7 am.



What I was able to do during that time was to correct the entire Economic Structure of the Western Hemisphere. Now it will take some time for the changes to take effect. But under my plan the elections of 1011 will see a big change in the makeup of the House and Senate. After that there will be some serious changes in some recent legislation. After that there will be lowering of the tax rates and the business people of America will show the way to recovery. I also have some plans that can't be discussed in public, but you will see them when they happen.



I was also able to design the new building project at the Assisted Living. I actually got up at 3 am and came down to my office and looked at pictures that would enable me to get the damn plans out of my head and on paper. It is genius if I have to say myself. I believe very much that the Lord does give you inspiration when you need it. I had been concerned as to how we were going to do it on the one side of the old gym, and all of a sudden it came to me as to how we could attach it to the Manor House and also connect it to the new dining hall area. I had to get up to see if there really was room to do everything I was thinking about. As it turns out it just very well might work. It will save a bundle if it works out. It also allows us to put the new ice cream parlor in front of the kitchen and does not necessitate a drive up window at all.

I'm sure that most of you wonder what the hell is he talking about, but I do hope to have all this on my blog. as you may see there are pictures of the Manor House and Essen House now. Take a look, it is genius you know. I also have some great pictures of the boys and me down in Cabo. I think there is also some Aspen pictures there. You know my kids love to take pictures. Darrin and Brian both have degrees in film. I try to claim all the credit for their abilities to take pictures, but I think they think their education helped them more than my genes.

I thought the computer crashed, but it just farted I guess. If all is well with it, I write tomorrow. Love to all Tom

Thursday 4-29-10

Day one of the second to the last chemo session. As I finished my chemo I called Sharon to see how everything was going and she could hardly take the time to talk to me. She was jammed and the cook got sick and Anna had to take over the grill. Her words were, CAN YOU HELP??? I quickly got on 469 and headed to 24 to Antwerp. When I got there she was full in the back room with quickly arriving rotary people and in the middle section with residents and in the front with hungry customers. Since I have not been trained to take a customers order, I was assigned the residents. It used to be that I knew almost all the residents by name and what they liked to drink etc. Well guess what. We now have 41 residents and many of them are brand new. We lost three residents to the Lord and then added a bunch of new ones. I quickly went into funny mode and tried to use what names I could remember and then laughed about chemo brain. Since we have a special of the day, most of the residents want food ASAP so if you just say: Want the menu today or do you want the special, they will say OK and it is somewhat easy. Since Anna and I used to work together on feeding the residents it went pretty smooth. You see I don't write anything down and just shout out: I need three menues or three specials. If they get them too me quickly, I can remember who I was suppose to serve the specials too.

After about twenty minutes of mayhem the chemo started to do it's business and I was whipped out. I was able to see one of my chemo friends, Diana, who had just graduated from her chemo after one year and a day. She had breast cancer and is now cancer free. She came in to celebrate. Sharon comped the meals, and they were truly happy. They are heading to the Blue Chip Casino and for some reason feel REAL LUCKY!! God love them, they have been in my prayers ever since I met them a year ago. You can beat this stuff, at least for a while. And sometimes, forever. Only God knows which way that's going to go. We can only accept what he has in store for us.

I'm now home watching Sammy, and we have this agreement: Help grampie with what he has to do and the treats are yours. She is like any kid at that age and will usually start with the sweet stuff, but she also like the healthy stuff. Today it was two sweet and one healthy. Well that was Brian on the phone and grampie just ordered a subway, BMT for me. I'll have enough for at least three meals. When I get the chemo I feel hungry, but I never can eat much. I have not taste buds and food soon becomes uninteresting and I just stop eating. I will usually loose 6 to 8 lbs in the two weeks of chemo. I don't stop eating, I just don't eat near as much.

Well time to go, Brian is on his way. Love to all

Wed. 4-28-10

Well tomorrow is the first day of the chemo and then just three more and I will be done. I have one next Thursday and then I'm off for a week and then I have another on Thursday and then the last one and I'm finished with chemo. It is something I look forward too but not something I want to think much about. You just have to raise your head above it and know it will soon be over. I still need your prayers.

Today was a very interesting day, I had to get everyone in the family on the same page. It's like a Chinese fire drill trying to find out who is coming when and with whom. I will report her on what I know for sure. Moe is coming on Saturday as are Don and Margo. D&M will be at the Essen House at 11:30 so Don can try the Saturday morning buffet. Moe is also invited if she wants to meet us there. Cate said she may also meet us at the Essen House, she will leave Indy at about 9 or 9:30. David is coming on Saturday also, but no one know what David will do, not even David. He does want to do his fryer, so get ready for Onion rings and potato chips and French fries. It will a very healthy First Communion party. It gives you a chance to be sure and pray for your health at mass on Sunday. Since David will not be attending the mass, we will pray for him.

It's great having these family get togethers. We used to do it, but when we lived in California and we had to fly everyone out there, it just wasn't near as often. Sammy is the guest of honor this time. She has her First Communion on Sunday at the 11 am Mass. After mass we will have our full family gathering. Bring your camera.

As for me, I'm feeling much better with the caught. The medicine that Carol gave me as certainly stopped the caught. There is still some junk down there that I need to bring up, but I'm not continually coughing. BP 125/67 HR 84 and BS 149 this morning. I was able to get out and get some walking in today. I went shopping and made a point of walking fast and going up and down all the isles. The problem with that approach is you buy too much #$#%% . I'll let you know how it went tomorrow. Love Tom

Tuesday 4-27-10

I had a very interesting thing happen yesterday. I actually had my diabetes doctor call just to see how I was doing. I'm not all that surprised, considering the type of person she is, but when she said she was thinking about me and wanted to call, that really got to me. She then mentioned that she had a bad caught last week, and was going to call me then, but just got to busy with all she had to do. I then coughed for her quite by accident and she said: you've got that caught too don't you. That's one of the reasons I called she said. I figure with the low resistance that you might very well get this. She then said she is sending a prescription to the drug store and I could pick it up in an hour.

Last week I had called her office because I had one prescription for the gout that I have had for years with another doctor who has now retired. He and I were friendly and he knew Carol Burns my diabetes doctor. I had received a call from the doctor who was taking over his practice and wanted me to come in and see her. I explained to the lady that called me that I was in the midst of chemo etc. and did not have the time to come in, could they just order the medicine for me. I got a call back explaining how dangerous it would be for them to just order a prescription for someone they had not given a full physical too. I then tried to explain my situation, I have three cancer doctors and Carol Burns and they have given me every kind of evaluation known to man. I tried to explain that I had the gout since I was in my twenties and that I had been to the University of Michigan to the top gout clinic in America and that they were the ones that had prescribed the medication and that I had been receiving that same thing since 1978 and have never had the gout since. She finally said: sir, if you want this prescription, you will have to come in a have a complete physical. I told her to kiss my back side and that I would never cross their office doors again. That's when I called Carol's office and asked if she would write the order. Debby, Carol's nurse, called back in about fifteen minutes and told me to go pick it up.

I tell this story only to show the difference between great health care providers and the rest of the medical profession. Believe it or not, I do understand why a doctor would not write a prescription for someone they didn't know or had no records on. I had been going to that same office since 1997. All they would have had to do was to call and talk to Dr Jones and he would have OK the medicine, but someone just didn't feel like doing a complete job. It was just easier to tell the patient to come in or else. Can you imagine what it's going to like when the Obama Care kicks in. YOU VILL DO IT AND YOU VILL LIKE IT, OR DIE POND SCUM!!

As for me today, I do have a bad cought, I do have some good medicine that seems to be helping. My BP 122/68, my HR was high today because I had been up running around first 98 and my BS was 109. I wanted to go work out, but I just have no energy with my lungs full of junk. I just hope I can get this under control before Thursday, my first chemo day. I'll keep you informed. Love to all. Tom

Monday 4-26-10

The past few days have been very interesting. Facebook has drawn together some of the people of my past that I would never have known how to reach. I now know where four of my past neighbors are that I have wondered about for years. It's funny that you never seem to forget your youth. My daughter has even ribbed me about not knowing all the ladies that I dated. The girls I understand, but I have gotten in touch with many of the guys. There all over the world. That is what is so amazing about facebook.

When I grew up we lived at 560 N. Nixon. It was a middle class neighborhood with mostly newer homes. That was homes built sometime in the 40's and 50's. In our case we had neighbors on all sides that had kids our own age. The McKinley's, the Knisley's, the Quinn's, the Kettering's, the Faurote's, that was just the people who's house was with in a block of us. You expand that two to three blocks and it went crazy. We then moved to the corner of Wendell and Pears and the same kind of thing happened. By that time I was in the 8th grade, but it is also when you started really meeting neighbors. St Charles was a new school and I was in the first graduating class. So were a great many people I have not seen or heard from for a long time.

I'm now facebook friends with four of my Wendell neighbors and three of my Nixon neighbors. I've actually gotten in touch with some others that are not on facebook but that have contacted me from friends on facebook.

It's funny, Dr. Rushing told me that many of his patients find that cancer teaches them things that they have long forgotten. It also teaches them to appreciate thing they might have in the past. If this has taught me anything, it's that you really do find who your friends are when you are sick. Many are afraid to talk to you for one reason or another. Others just don't want to be bothered with someone they can't relate to anymore. Then there are a lot that you find that only liked you for what you can do for them. I've been blessed to find many of my old friends.

As for my medical report. I've gotten a &^$^$ chest cold. That is what I was getting just before I went to the doctor. It is in my lungs and making it hard to breath. My BP 130/69, HR 80 and BS 129 this morning. I helped Sharon get the bread and took some money to the Bank. I went to Wendy's for lunch and came home and took an hours nap. I've now gotten on the computer, answered some e-mails and written my blog. I must now go take another nap. Not really, but I don't have a bunch of energy today. More tomorrow.
See Yea Tom

Sunday 4-25-10

Well I do want to say at 6am it was a beautiful day. As a matter of fact in Church today they didn't have to turn on the lights in the church. I know that because I sit in the back chapel and that's where they control all the lights. It is so pretty when they can leave the lights off and let the leaded glass windows shine all their colors through the church. You do feel like you are in a real special place. It also keeps the people in church much longer after mass. We all have to feel the same feelings about how beautiful it is.

So after Mass I went back and fixed a little breakfast and then took off in search of some switches for the gas stoves over at the Essen House. I can't figure out why the people that sell industrial equipment don't stock any kind of replacement parts. They honest to God wanted to know if we needed a new gas grill. I was like, Yea and I'm going to buy it from the dealership that stocks replacement parts. Now do you have any?????? So when I ask where he thought I might get some he said try the big box stores, they sell everything else. I said: they don't sell Industrial Equipment, why should they have parts for them. I don't know, but I know we don't sell them.

So off to the Big Box stores and after about thirty minutes I finally found some on my own. I had to ask four or five "Industrial Engineers" before one of them knew what exactly I was hunting for. The one guy knew it would be in the KNOB department. When I went there it was for knobs for like your kitchen drawer. Then another sent me to the outdoor gas grill department. He knew for sure they were over there. I finally found them by accident on the shelves behind where the regular kitchen gas grills were sold.

But find them I did, and that makes Sharon happy when she can send me on a mission and I come back with something. They have been looking for three weeks. I now have four more days of normal times before I start the chemo again. Sammy is going to have here First Communion next Sunday and I have to get everything ready for food etc. before the chem brain and the chemo effect start to come on. I did get some beautiful beef tenderloin now I have to stay healthy enough to cook it. If not Don Sullivan is a good griller and David is always ready to lend a hand. My BS has gone high again 200 but my BP was 124/65 and my HR was 84. I went over to the gym, but was not able to do as much as yesterday. I was pretty tired after the hunt for the gas knobs. I never realized how far I used to walk in those big box stores until I had to hunt for this stuff. I usually exercise on the equipment for 30 minutes, and I was as tired when I got done looking as I am when I exercise.

It rained so hard today that it flooded the Essen House, thank God it was after the big crowd's had already eaten. Poor Sharon had already arrived home when they called her to please bring over fans and other equipment. Isn't owning your own business a kick??? Thank God for Sharon, I would have said: do the best with what you got, Sharon was out of the house with equipment in hand in five minutes. She did not get back until after 5pm.

Well it's now 6:45 and I'm about to sit down and watch some TV. I have a very hard live these days. Love to all. Tom

Saturday 4-24-10

I wanted to wait until the end of the day because it was such a nice day for me. The weather was not all that great, but I had a great day. I actually sleep 7 hours non stop. That's the first time in months. I got up and went to my favorite breakfast restaurant, Coney Island. They have a great $5.00 special of two eggs, hash browns, toast or one pancake, and coffee or tea. I had one pancake today, because they have non-sugar diabetic syrup. the waitress has been serving me since I moved to Fort Wayne. She knows I own the Essen House and has gone to Antwerp just to see how good it is. I also found out today that she is a 11 year cancer survivor. That damn stuff is everywhere. I told her about my sister Margo and how she has helped and supported so many woman who have had breast cancer. After you have had it you realize the importance of support groups. It's the first time you have faced cancer, but it ain't the first time it's been faced.

After breakfast I headed to the gym, a place that I have not been for a while. I sat down and tried to figure out what settings I could use so I could go for thirty minutes. When I was very fit, about 40 years ago, no I mean in my 60's, I could do the 9 or 10 for as long as I like or until someone else wanted to use the machine. Today I picked 6 and went for 30 minutes. My left arm was really screaming right away. I looked at the timer after about 5 minutes and thought there was no way I'm going to last. And like most things in life, it got to the point I could not feel the pain any more. At about 15 minutes, I was ready to throw in the towel when the last night highlights of the all the basketball games came on the Sports channel. I told myself to go until the highlights were over and then stop. When that happened, I had five more minutes for the full 30 minute workout. I made it, I was proud of myself and felt OK when I got done. I then went over to the machine that takes your BP and HR and sat down. It only can register my left arm, so I have to be very careful as to how I sit in the chair. My first reading was like 107/55 and 110 HR. In a way that scared me so I then went over to one of the trainers and asked him to do it on one of the regular machines. 122/67 and 103 HR. That seemed much more like it. I've learned over the years, if it doesn't seem right have someone else do it for you. I have one at home that sometimes goes crazy, but when it does, I just go to the gym and have them take it again.

After the gym I went home for a while and then out to see Louis. Since I had not seen him for more than a week, he wanted me to bring him up to speed. As we talked, am Amish man called about his brother who also has cancer. He told us the kind of cancer, but it was as long as the full name of what I have. The last Louis heard the cancer was all over his body. The report today was that his cancer was in remission. He now has to get a bone marrow transfer, but his cancer is in remission for at least the time being. We then talked about why it happens to certain people and not others. After fifteen minutes on the subject, we decided, only God could answer that question and he doesn't think it's much of our business we decided. We all decided we would find out in heaven.

Louis and I have to talk very quickly during these chemo times. I can talk with some ability during this week just before the next session. After about next Saturday, one week from tonight, I start that damn chemo brain, I think I know what I'm saying, but I will not do well when it comes time to remember what I said and to whom. We got a lot talked out and it looks like there is a lot of work ahead of us. You can keep us in your prayers for the restaurant and assisted living also. We need 12 more as of tonight to be full. It's amazing what happens when some people see you coming close to a successful finish. Many people love what we have done in Antwerp, others still don't like they fact that we didn't graduate from Antwerp High.

I headed home to play a little Omaha High Low 8. It's my favorite because there are so many different things that can change the hands on 5th. street. I also use it as a way to keep my mind going. It's much like Texas Hold'em but you have a low had if it adds up to under 8. It's split pot game or high can take it all if there is no low hand under 8. I won a bunch today.

I then went to the kitchen where I made a rue for some Chinese food that we had in Indy yesterday. After I doctored it up, it was much better than what we had from the restaurant. They can use a Wok, but they no nothing about how to season their food. It's all raw and cooked well, just no taste at all. I then had a small piece of candy and came to write the blog. So it was a good day and thank you for reading this and careing. Love yea, Tom

Friday 4-23-10 A

Well here goes kids. We drove down to Indy at 7am this morning and neither one of us were in too good a mood. I have not been feeling well for the last few days and had a tough time during this last chemo session. I'm really not sure what is going to happen. Since I was not feeling well, I figured the Sarcoma's had increased, or the size has grown, and the chemo is not working like it should.

When we first see the Dr., he comes in with the same greeting: How's my survivor? He's a great guy and I love his attitude, so I respond in a very positive way and said I was OK today, but that I was not well during the chemo at all. We then went over some of the real bad times when I was in the Hospital and all, and he assured me that I was strong and very healthy for having this cancer. My blood work was doing exactly as it was to do, and that my BP was 130/70, and I had to be feeling some anxiety today. My pulse was 81 and my temp was 99. Weigh was 10lbs less than the last visit. They don't want you to loose a bunch of weight, but since I have it to loose, they done mind the loss.

After we talked for about an hour he then examined me and and said he would be gone for a while to look at the CT Scan results. When he came back it was just like no big deal, everything is just the same as the last time. You still have 5 sarcoma's in your lungs and they are the same size as last time. It was then that we started to discuss what exactly did that mean. He then explained how what he tries to do is to find the correct combination of chemo medicines that will stop the growth of any new sarcoma's, and to keep the one's that do exist, in the same form and size. As he then explained to me again, I do have sarcoma's on my lungs, and that is the worst place to have them. However since he has been able to determine the correct formulation to stop any further growth, it means that he has not cured a sarcoma, but he has stoped any further spread. It is now possible to remove the one's that are there, and we should not have any further sarcoma's for the foreseeable future. They will never say that you are cured, because like he said, we have successfully killed every kind of cancer cell in a test tube. However you body is not a test tube and we don't know how you get this cancer and how to cure it. We can do what we can do and hope they never come back. Does that always work? No, but it feels pretty damn good from where I sit. If I can come back on this blog after my surgery and tell everyone, I have no detectable cancers in my body, I will be as cured as I can get. Then it's just a matter of time as to how long that lasts. I'm telling you now, it sure feels good now. I'm back on the positive track again. I fell off this past couple weeks. Oh yea of little faith. I have to keep positive, I know that, that's why I didn't write in this for about a week or so.

I do have some interesting things to share that did happen the past week or so and will share those thoughts in the next few blogs. Thanks for all the prayers and support. It means so much to me. Tom

Friday 4-23-10

On our way to Indy for results of the CT Scan. Will let you know later. Love Tom and Sharon

Wed. 4-21-10

Today's blog is about my oldest daughter and her daughter Caila. Maura graduated with honors from University of Michigan. On her own she left everyone she knew and everything she had ever done and went to LA. Why? because she wanted to do what she wanted to do. Be creative, artistic, let people know who she is and what she wanted to be. She asked me to spot her the first months rent, because as she told me, she would be working by the end of the month. She did find a job and she did pay me back by the end of the month. She had several jobs at first, but ended up at Warner Brothers. As many of you know by now, she met and produced a number of album covers for some pretty famous artists.

I can go on about her career but that is not the point of this discussion. What she also wanted for her children was a good Christian Education. She has sent her two children to Catholic schools since first grade. She has spent thousands of dollars on all kinds of special projects that she has spear headed to help the church, the school and her children. Caila has attended a Private Girls Catholic Prep School for four years. She has had problems with ADHA and a number of other problems that I can't even begin to explain. If you are interested in finding out go to Maura McCarthey's facebook and become her friend. The crux of the problem is that they suspended Caila 9 weeks before graduation. I can't even write this without going crazy. I've defended the Catholic Church for most of my adult life. I know there were times when I too was not happy with what was going on in the Church. I've had to defend it to my Catholic friends who I went to high school and grade school with. I've tried to defend it to my own family. In this case, I can no longer defend it's attitude or it's behaviour.

Maura has a very close friend who has been very fortunate in life and has pledged to help her in her battle against this wrong doing. She is not a Catholic, but a Christian, and someone who has a blind child. She has already faced what happens when someone doesn't think you are normal. No Caila is not normal, but she is a Catholic, and she is human, and she has not been treated like she is either.

For all of you that follow this blog, forget about me, I'm a hopeless case. They can't cure what's wrong with me, but we can get behind Maura and Caila before this school ruins her life for good. I don't know what one person can do, I only know what many people can do in a case like this. Support Caila and Maura, go on her Facebook page, she has a web site offthewallgraffiti.com. If you can think of something for them to do, let her know or just do what you have been doing for me, support.

As for me, I've not been feeling well that is why I have not written, I have my CT Scan tomorrow and my follow up appointment Friday. The way I feel now, I have a feeling that I will be facing surgery soon. I'll keep you all informed. Thanks again for listing and keep the faith. Tom

Monday 4-19-10

Still have the flue symptoms and not feeling at all like writing. I've been on the bed and head most of the last two days. I want to keep it positive, so I'll see how I feel later. Love Tom

Saturday 4-17-10

I'm feeling well today so I'm heading for the Essen House for the wonderful Breakfast Buffet. I also want to let everyone know about my friend Tom Whitney. He is now stranded in Iceland. He went for three or four days and has been there since the eruption. God only know when he will be able to leave. As I told him, he will have a story to tell the rest of his life. Right now it is hell I'm sure, but he will know for sure he will not want to be in a place like that for an eternity. And there isn't even any fire there. Oh yes he did send out some new information on the 50th. reunion and even sent it the second time in a format that yours truly could open. I'm so cheap that I have a very old version of MS WORD. Thanks Tom, I told you I would give you your praise. That's from me but I'm sure the class mates appreciated it also

Myles and David were in Iceland last year and said it was just beautiful. They actually mixed up the names from Iceland and Greenland. Iceland is green much like Ireland at times. I guess Greenland, Not so much.

David and I had a good time yesterday looking over all the old red maple doors and paneling that I saved from the old school. I spent many hours in 2005 with the idea that I would be able to use all that in the restoration, however, under the new code, etc. the solid oak doors that I saved, that just happen to weigh more than 80 lbs per door did not have a fire rating on them so no can use. They are at least an inch thick and beautiful. He's going to use 4 or so to make a guy a bar. I do have an Amish friend that will refinish one of them to brand new look, for about $200+ depending on the finish you might want. I have also have several that have glass panels in them also. If anyone is interested let me know. I had forgotten about them because I had them stored in a Barn of the Amish man who will refinish them for you. They are housed in Grabill IN area.

As for my health, blood sugar still in the 400 but that should end today. I have taken the last of the pills that make that happen. BP 123/74 and HR 78 this morning. Now the shot that I got yesterday to make the white cell count get back in the safe area does cause your joints to ake, so I must be on the pain pills, but I have learned when I can drive and when I shouldn't. If I wait about two hours after I have taken them I can control the symptoms. I still have no pain, but I can concentrate OK, I think, Of course with Chemo brain, I don't much remember anything anyway.

Well it has been two hours and I'm hungary so of to the EH.

More tomorrow. SEE YA Tom

Friday 4-16-10

I don't know about anyone else but I can't get signed on to AOL to get anything. But I did want everyone to know that I made it through Chemo day and I'm feeling OK but very shaky. My blood sugar is right at 400 and I need the pain pills and the gels for my radiation recall. I am going out today for meat for the Essen House and David is coming over and we are going to see about some red oak 70 year old doors that I have stored at an Amish barn and he wants to make a large Bar for one of his paying customers. By the way if you need a great Handy Man in the Greater Lima area he is available for a couple of months. He is very reasonable and do almost anything that does not require large heights.

Maybe more later, It is very difficult to type today because of the shakes.

Thursday 4-15-10

That's right guy, the dreaded TAX DAY. Since I know all of my friends are on top of the ball, I'm sure this is just another day for most of you. I can remember back in the old RIA days, we had not been able to see anyone on books ect. for at least a month. Autotax was another thing all together. On the West Coast it was hard to sell because we did not have all the states we needed and their was a little company, I can't remember the name now that was cheap and had all the states for the people who had moved to the West.

For me it was day two of the Chemo and it was a comedy of errors. Keeping it light, I had a 7:45 Appointment for which I was there by 7:20am. as usual. Of course the check in Lady was there but no one else was around so I could drop off the Cherry Cheese Cake I had made for them. I finally found a lady in the infustion area about 7:45 so she could put it in the refr. My next important move was to get into the blood drawing area so they could access my port. I sat there until about 8:30 when a lady from the pick your vain not your port side came out and called my name. Ane of course at that time I had to inform her that I had a Port and needed to go into that area. Her comment: Well it not on the schedule that way !!!! well that's just wonderful I said. Whose responsibility is it to read the medical file on me? I don't know who does that, all I get is the order. I then said: I want to see that person, now !! or their supervisor, ASAP. She then admitted that she guessed it was her responsibility to do that today because she was the only one in the department. I then asked how long before I can have an RN access my port ?? She said it would be so time because the elderly man that just went in is having a problem with his port and she is having trouble flushing it and being able to draw any blood.

At 9:10 I was finally in the port area and it took about 10 minutes to stick me. The nurse said she saw me at 7:40 and wondered why I was not coming in to see her as usual. She again said she has no control of the schedule, she just sees whoever is on the orders. She apologized and then we had a chat for the next 10 minutes because Adahmi was running and probably not see me until closer to 10 am.

She right, he came in about 9:40 and apologized for being late and started looking at my chart I'm sure for the first time since the last time I saw him. We discussed what had happened the past week with all the problems etc. I had been having. He also saw that I was pretty close on the white blood cell count and to low on some other things they check, but he felt I would probably very tired and sluggish for the next three to four days, but didn't think I should put off the chemo. He then put me on the exam table and had me do the usual breathing and taking deep breaths and felt for lumps all over my body. he said he thought everything else was fine. My blood pressure was 130/70 and my heart rate was 80. However my blood sugar, because of the medication I have to take for three days was 479. I have to carry another form of insulin so I can bring it down into a saver area like in the 200.

So next thing I finally do, at 10:20 am, was to go into the infusion room and the first thing they want to give me was the intravenous version of the pills I had been taking that kick my blood all to hell. So she then goes over and looks at the chart and come back and tells me I smart to bring the pill that I had been taking, becaue I was right, I should not have the IV and she can't understand why the mixed it that way in the first place. We then got into how you should always have a advocate with you in a doctors office and the infusion room. You should also have everything written down so you know what you got and for what reason. Believe it or not, the rest of the day, until 1:35pm went much smoother. They also went crazy for the treat. I watched several of what we call the Fort Wayners go back for seconds and a couple went back for thirds. I call them the woddlers. There legs are so large the can actually only waddle. It's impossible for them to walk like you or me. For the size of peace they took each time, it had to be at least 400 calories. Plus they had a lunch delivered, that looked like a full picnic basket of all the goodies.

Other than that, I come home to catch up on some aol communication, and they are having problems and there were 187 calls ahead of me. So if anyone emailed me on AOL, it will probably be late tonight or tomorrow.

That' all FOLKS Tom

Wed. 4-14-10

To all you procrastinators, tomorrow is the day you need to at least file your tax return. You can file and not pay you know, but if you don't want trouble, you do need to file at least an extension. And for those who didn't get what Tom Whitney had sent around, here it is. I've had several requests for it http://www.whitneysoftware.com/xLCC1960/eMail.php

As for my situation, for some damn reason this radiation recall has decided to raise it's ugly head. It makes that radiated area look like I have a very bad sun burn and it swells up about twice the size of normal. As long as I take the pain pills I don't feel it so much, I just don't want those damn doctors to see it and send me back to the hospital. That's where they make the big bucks you know. If I'm lucky, I will start my second day of the chemo and then I should only have one more round before I have surgery. My blood count has to be high enough tomorrow and if so they will give both infusions of chemo. I don't like how that makes me feel, but I want to get this %$#^^%$ over with so I can have surgery and maybe be better for a while.

I don't know about any where else in the country, but it is starting out to be a beautiful day. We and the neighbors are going to have a garage sale on or around the 30th. They have one about every other year or so. With all the kids they have, it's usually well attended because everyone loves to get small kids clothes at a discount. Now if we can convince Brian that Sammy is not going to stay the same size the rest of her life, maybe we can get ride of 10 or so boxes of old clothes. To say nothing of an entire garage he brought with him when he moved in. We also have a refrigerator, a lawn mower , and more junk than ten households should have. My job it seems is to price it all. Being the tight wad that I am, I start everything as high as I think it can go, and then love to haggle. My two favorite shows on TV are Pawn Stars and American Pickers. I just wish I had all those experts that I could call on. I just know I sold the best antique for way to little money. Even when I know I got a good price, I always wonder if I could have held out for more. I'm a friggin mess after it all over. The only good way to do it is, I price everything, and then leave, and don't look again until after it is all cleaned up, and Sharon lies about how much we made.

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Oh by the way, David, my baby brother was let go yesterday from his construction job. He lives in Elida and is a Plumber, Electrician, finished carpenter, can lay wood floors and tile. He is not the fastest person in the world, but did one hell of a job on my $80,000.00 rehab of my basement that had to be torn down to the studs because of mold. If you need him give me an email. I'll give him your number. Tom. P.S. Margo, he loves you, but doesn't want to have to go to Cincinnati if he doesn't have to.

Tuesday 4-12-10

You know one of the things that keeps happening to me with all the damn pills I have to take is, I going blind. I have to take these steroids and for some reason they cause your close up eyesight to get real fuzzy and distorted. Of course all my family says I can't spell anyway so what difference does it make. You know to a certain extent that is true, but because I have been writing this blog each day, my typing skills have improved so much my fingers can see what my eyes can't. But what I really wanted to comment on today was Tom Whitney.

I know he sent me an email saying he was going out of the country to see some of his family members. I'm not sure how many of the classmates know how much work he put into getting that roster together. He and I spent a day together one Saturday and he was explaining just what king of work it was to put that thing together. He then spent the time to do it for the class of '61 because his wife graduated with them. I guess she only went to LCC for one year, but somehow he was able to assemble just about as much info. on them as he did for us. I've written to some of the class that are not on Facebook and tried to get them to do so. I know that some are not as computer knowledgeable as others, but I think it would be neat to have as many as we could on the FB by the time we had the 50th. We might be old in the eyes of some of the students at LCC, but we all know we are still young at heart. I think it's a kick to hear from someone you have not spoken too for 30 or 40 years. Believe it or not they do remember who the hell you are. The other thing is they have probably forgotten why they didn't ever want to speak to you again anyway. That's the great thing about getting old. You can't remember pain, and they BAD things you remember don't seem so bad anymore. It's much easier to forgive someone when you can't really remember why you didn't like them in the first place. I know I have forgiven two people that I had not spoken with in many a year, and found out I still did like them down deep. What seemed so important then, seems so damn silly now. Let's get all the old %#%^%$^$ out of the way and have a 50th that we well only remember the good times. I'll never forget how funny Gary and Ted were at the 40th. Let's all have those kinds of memories for the 50th. God only know when we will see and hear from each other again.

Again Tom Whitney, thanks for all the hard work.

About me, screw it, I'm fine. Tom

Monday 4-12-10

You know there is a thing called Chemo Brain that everyone who has had Chemp will tell you about. You think you know exactly what's going on, but in reality you don't know, or remember anything. I saw this picture on Facebook today and mentioned that I was pissed that I was not in it. Maura then sent me a not mentioning the fact that I took the picture. I then got a note for Cate saying I did take the picture. A few minutes later I was told by Brian that Maura took the picture using a Tripod. See how they try to screw the old man up.

Number one they don't want me in the picture, then they try to pacify me by saying I took the the picture and then Brian, who lives with us and should know how screwed up I can get, tells me not only was I not the picture, but Maura took it and I was not even in the room. You see what I have to live with. I feel like Rodny Dangerfield !!! See if there is anything left when I finally do kick the bucket. I will have take a picture of where I put it, but I'm sure I will have forgotten where I put the picture. Check in Cabo thought. That's where Sharon wants to scatter my ashes. If it's not down there, GOOD LUCK !!! Don't look in the banks though, I promise I will have nothing left in there.

Now about today, what a beautiful day. Again I sleep until 9am. God I love doing that. Got up, took my shower, and then watched the great coverage of Phil and the Masters win. You talk about someone who deserved that win. I've always admired Tiger's play, but I always felt Phil was the peoples champ. He certainly got what he deserved. I didn't get to see the end because I went to dinner with John, Pat and Sharon, but it was great to have a chance to see it all over again this morning. Tiger, if you ever think your going to come back from your BS you better take a close look at Phil and who and what he is and what he means to Golf.

All is well with me today, BS a little high 145, BP 130/71 and HR 82. I finally got rid of the flue like symptoms. Every joint in my body was crying out yesterday. Today, not so much. Enjoy this beautiful day. Tom

Sunday 4-11-10

We had a very nice dinner last night at the Essen House. They still have the best salad bar around. To say nothing about the potato dumpling soup. Actually if I didn't love to eat, that should be enough. But the fish and chicken and the mash potatoes and gravy just call out to me. I also don't don't want the girls up set that I didn't try their casseroles then I saw the coconut cream pie and didn't want Mary to be slighted in the least. At the end we all decided it was well worth the calories.

We also showed them the Manor House and all the other features that make the Place a home. We now have more bunnies than you can count. Those rabbits do stay busy. We must have 12 if we have any. One of the residents had one in the hall tonight and was somewhat up set that it got her all wet. I explained that they mark their friends that way so none of the other rabbits will think they can horn in on them. She then asked how many time they would do that. I said it was best to leave them in the box once they had bonded. I also told her she could wear an apron if she wanted to.

It looks like the Nursing Home that we were trying to help is going to have to shut down. The union voted again, nut they refused to take any of the cuts that would allow it to stay open. Some of the workers are very upset about looking their jobs, but I guess the others don't believe we will have to shut the doors. Our job now will be to help the residents find other places to live. We can probably take a few, but there is quite a difference from a person who needs nursing care and on that just needs assistance.

I didn't get to mass today. I was not feeling well during the night, so I had to take some medication that helps me get through the flue like symptoms that come around after the third day. At least the Masters is on, do I'll have something to watch. BS a little high 168, BP 134/76 and my HB is 89 today. I've got pain in every joint and it is very difficult getting around. The other thing that has happened though is the Hyaluronic Acid has been back ordered and I know that helps with my joints. No, not that one, but the other one's for sure.

More later, Tom

Saturday 4-10-10

You know It never ceases to amaze how powerful this FB is. I'm starting to hear from people I have not seen or heard from in 30 or 40 years. It's great to finally find out what happened to people after their working years.

I just heard from my wife's uncle who we tried to work with for ten years here in Fort Wayne but we fought most every day all day. He always wanted to control the business but was unable to do so because of the family situation. Sharon finally grew the business back to where it could be sold, and asked no one about selling it, she just did it. At the time, she was so looked down upon by her family it was hard to take. I had to leave because I could not take the attitude any more.

What finally happened was the economy, all of a sudden the family has realized that she was the smart one and knew when it was time to get out. What is really great is the fact that the entire side of the family is now back together. The one Uncle that we were friendly with passed away about a week ago and it was great seeing the family. I was sick and unable to attend, but what has been great is that they have all called me and asked how I was doing and letting me know that they pray for me each day.

John, the one we had all the trouble with, actually called yesterday and he and his wife had a 25 minute conversation. We talked about our golf games and the fact they don't get better as you age. What you have to remember is, why do I play this game, is it for fun? or do I think I'm going to get better. We both know the answer to that question. We also talked about the wild animals that we both have living in our back yard. There are time that you would like to kill them for the stuff they do to your yard etc. but then you quickly realize you would miss all the times you laugh at them as well. Neither of us are much into killing anything.

At the end of the conversation he asked me if we would ever like o go out to dinner. After I got all over him for never having been to the Essen House of the Manor House, he said he would love to see it. Believe it or not, I just heard from his wife Pat, that they will be picking me up at 5:30 and we are going to the Essen House for dinner.

I've actually known Pat, for as long or maybe even longer than John. She was a friend of my neighbor in Lima and they went to Nursing school together in Dayton. She a great gal and prays for me each day.

I've also heard from 9 of my old employees. As many of you know I was terminated from RIA in '92 because they said I was in the Real Estate business. Well after a year of fighting, I finally won a large settlement and have been able to parlay that into some rather large sums. However all the employees were told they were not permitted to talk to me ever again. I was told that if I ever told anyone how much the settlement was for they would come after the money. I also had to sign an agreement that I would never work for a company that they owned or controlled. I signed it now problem, only later to find out they purchased a company that I was working for call Barkleys. Just two short weeks after the final paper work was finished, I got a call for a young lady in HR and she had to tell me I was terminated one more time by Thomson. Believe it or not, I saw her about a year later in a Hotel in LA and she came over to me and explained how difficult it was for her to have to call me. We had met a few times at the home office and she said she really like me. She also said her boss and the owner of the company said he didn't want to be the one to tell me either. He had been to my home and seen my Harley and love it soooo much he went out and bought one. After he sold the company, he purchased a Harley dealership and still ownes it today. I called him about two years after that and let him know that all was forgiven.

Well that all for today, check it out tomorrow, I feel gust fine today, blood sugar 104, blood pressure 112/60 and heart rate 81. I did exercise to hard yesterday and my leg does not feel all that well, but that doesn't matter at all.

Tom

Friday 4-9-10

First day after chemo and I'm feeling OK. Now I must say I'm still on some pretty medication, but as long as I'm not in the hospital or praying to the circle basin, I'm happy. I actually got to sleep until 9am.

I did have another thing that happened yesterday at the doctors office with Sue. At the end of the examination she wanted to look at my arm where the operation had been and the radiation recall had flared. When she saw it she noticed that I had some creams on the area. She then says; You know we really need to know what your are putting on that area. I then asked her if it wasn't in the medical records she had in her hands? Nothing she said that she saw. I then mentioned if she had read anything that Dr Rushing had sent them. With a sheepish grin on her face she said that she had not. As she went to that section of the report, there in yellow underlining were the names as well as the directions for what I had on my arm. She then tells me how important it is to have all the information on my records, because of how rare my cancer is and that the radiation recall is the first recorded case in history.

You had to know what was going through my mind as she said it. They practice medicine and it you let them they will practice on you. Why the &%&%%( do they have this information if they don't read it before they come in to see me. As a good attorney will tell you, never ask a question you don't already know the answer too. Otherwise you look like the fool.

As I said befor, I like Sue, she just needs to learn who to prepare for a meeting with her patients. Or the best thing I can think of is that I meet with Adahmi and Sue can be in there watching.

More tomorrow. Tom

Thursday 4-8-10

So I get to the chemo doctor at 7:45 to find they switched my appointment to 9am. It seems Adahmi will not be in an I get to see Sue again. As I have said before, she is nice and all, but not my doctor.

In reviewing my file, I ask her about the anti nausea medication that I thought last time before my first round of chemo. She said that it is safer to take the pills a day before, the day of, and the day after the chemo. She said she noticed that I did not take the pill this time. Is there a reason I didn't want to or something. I don't think soooooo!!!! I told her I call to check on it and was told I didn't need tooooo. She then tries to cover for the PHONE NURSE, who I still think is a $3.50 phone nurse for someones fantasy, by saying she only went back to your last week of chemo and not your first week. It is better to take the pills, but we will give you the infusion today instead. It ain't the best thing for you Tom, but frankly Tom, I don't give a damn. If it were me, Yes, but you, tough it out big boy.

I then ask her about the diarrhea medicine she told me about that didn't work, Imodium. It's over the counter but in my case it just didn't stop the diarrhea. She then blurts out, oh yea, Taxitear is known to cause severe diarrhea. I guess I should have given you a scrip for this other stuff. I'll do that for you this week. Again she is a very nice lady, but they just don't listen to your concerns. She then comes out the real beauty. Today you l0ok so healthy and in good shape. I guess I need to see you when you have lost the 10 lbs and can't get out of bed. I'm really sorry you were sick, maybe this time we can catch it early.

I left feeling sooooooooo confident about this week. Oh yea, she thinks I'm supposed to get a CT Scan before the 23rd, but she will know for sure when I come back next week. Will I be seeing you? Or will I finally get to see Adahmi? Well you know Dr. Adahmi really doesn't work in Fort Wayne on Thursday, but I will see if he can see you first thing in the morning. About an hour later while I was take the chemo, I did get a card saying I will be seeing Adahmi at 7:45 next Thursday. I wonder if I didn't say anything if I would have see Sue again. I think she let him know that I want to see the DOCTOR. He is the one making the BIG BUCKS!!

We will see what comes next. I'll keep you up to date day by day to see what happens this week. I'll try to keep it up beat no matter how I feel.

I'm such a real trooper aren't I. My friggen arm got stuck behing my back. I'll try to have it back by tomorrow. Tom

Thursday 4-8-10

Not much happened yesterday. Sammy has been sick and on Spring break, so Grampie has been baby sitting. She and Brian both have bad cold's.

Off to Chemo today. Wish me luck and prayers. I write some more later today if all is well.

Tuesday 4-06-10

Another fun fact about health care. The last time I started my chemo I was given a prescription for a medication that I was told to take one the day before chemo. Then take another one the day of chemo and then one after chemo. Since it is now Tuesday and I have not been given any script, I called Dr. Adami's office to see what was up. Of course you can't talk directly to anyone. You have to leave a message telling them your full name, spelled out, your date of birth, what Dr. you are seeing, and what is your question. So I take the time to do everything I've been told to do and then I get a message that once they have reviewed my file they would be back to me with an answer.

It's now two hours later and I get a call from the PHONE NURSE, doesn't that sound dirty. Like you have to pay $3.50 and hour to talk to the Phone Nurse. Well any way, this one is brilliant. The first thing she asks is "What do you need? I then asked if she had my file in front of her. No she said, I usually can answer most questions without it. So I told her about the pills before during and after chemo. She immediately responds, I'll send something to the pharmacy. Which one do you use. I then asked what is the prescription for? She gave me the name and said it for nausea etc. for when I take the Takatear. I then explained that I was not scheduled to get that this week. She then says well then ask the nurse when you come in to have some ready for you for next week.

If I had not asked what was the medication for, she would have had me taking this stuff this week and probably nothing next week when I actually do need it. I then said I remembered taking something last the last time before the first round of chemo. Her answer, well maybe they did the same thing last time. I don't know why someone would have told you to take this the first week. She then asked if I got sick the last time. I said that I did get sick. She said it should not have been from the chemo, maybe you just ate something bad, yea, like the pills I should not have taken. That would never happen.

Just remember you have to ask questions. You have to know what they are going to do and what can you expect. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't forget my motto: IYLTTWPOY.

Butler gave those Blue Devils all they wanted. You could have made a bundle if you took Butler and the points. They have a lot to be proud of.

Two more days until it starts all over again. I just pray the CT Scan shows no more sacroma's and no larger.

See ya, Tom

Monday 4-05-10

I'm not at all sure what is going around, but I see from FB that Cate is sick, and I stayed home all day with Sammy, who is also sick. I got sick in the morning myself, but it's not as bad as right after chemo. I was hoping I would not get this again until after chemo. I was able to have dinner and so far so good.

I'm looking forward to watching basketball to night. If Butler wins it will really be exciting for the Indy crowd. It's such a small school with a very young head coach. Good Luck Boys!!!

I don't know if everyone saw what happened to that young man that was on Spring break and fell to his death. He had everything to live for and felt the need to get wild and crazy and ended in tragedy. I understand he had a full ride to Notre Dame and probably a professional career also. All I can say is I was at a couple of Spring breaks and advised the parents to not encourage drinking. However I can remember many of the dads who thought they were big shots, buy drinks for 17 and 18 year old boys and girls. I'm not saying they didn't have drinks at my home, but it was never encouraged and never supplied by us. They grow up fast enough, if they do drink, don't let them leave. If they are drinking, don' t let them get crazy. We are the only one's who can watch over them until they are 21. After that, God help them.

I have heard from my California friends and family and all is clear. I do have some good friends in Cabo, I've not heard anything bad about that area. I know the hotels are built to a strong code, but most of the houses are one story and made with not re-bar. I guess the only good thing is that the palm frons that they cover the roofs with are not all that heavy.

That's all for now folks, I'm going to get ready for the game. Tom

Sunday 4-4-10 Easter

Cate and I are getting ready to go pick up David and head to Larry's in Dayton. Sharon is at the Essen House trying to figure out how she is going to seat 81 reservations with God only knows how many people in each one, in about a hour. Our best servers have decided they need to be with family, which we totally understand, but it does put added pressure on Sharon. We do have a great staff, but on big days like this it is scary. It always seems to work it self out, but until it's over, it is a lot of pressure. The great thing about Antwerp, and most small towns, is that the people who are there will help out if they see you are in trouble. We have volunteers that will actually get up from their meal and help if they see someone needs it.

All's well that ends well. Great day, great fun, great meal, long drive home.

Cate and I are driving to Lima and picking up David and then Sharon will meat us there and we will all drive to Larry's together. I hope you all have a great Easter with friends and family. May God bless you all. Tom

Sat 4-3-10

Sharon actually slept until 7:30 this morning. I couldn't believe it, but the Essen House actually functioned with out her for the first two hours. I will have to admit that she got a call from the kitchen as we were pulling into Antwerp. It was not a bad emergency, but still needed her decission making ability. We were pretty busy, but nothing like tomorrow will be. The big problem is that everyone gets out of church at the same time and they all want to eat Brunch at the same time. We have put a breakfast buffet in for Sunday, that's for the one's that don't go to church and only want breakfast.

As we were leaving we heard from Cate, and she was on her way home from Indy. We made a quick stop at the Amish market and then headed for home. It is sooo nice to have her home for a little while.

Cate and Sharon went shopping and I was able to take a nap. You see Sharon got to sleep until 7:30, but I had been up since 4:45. I haven't had to take any kind of medicine for the last two days so I feel good about that. I still have no energy, but my blood pressure is 125/64 and my heart rate is about 82. Now how many guys heart rate would be 82 when your 23 year old daughter comes home and brings the gals with her. Do you think they might hit the bars tonight?? I guess it is OK since Lent is over and I have absolutely no control over any of them any more. Cate is home today and then leaves on her own to go to Dayton to have dinnere with the family, and then she is headed back to Indy and Sharon and I are headed back Home. Happy Easter to one and all. Hope you enjoyed the picture of the girls.

Friday 4-2-10

It's very seldom that I have written in the blog twice in the same day. However, today I was doing something that I very rarely ever do. I was watching the history channel and a story came on about the real Last Supper. Having gone to Xavier University to college, you learn that the Jesuits tell you that is wise to question just about everything. One thing you probably don't know about the Jesuits is: They don't necessarily follow the Pope on everything he says. Since there was a time when we actually had three different Popes and the same time, there not toooo sure if the one we have now is the correct one. They don't make a big deal out of it, but if you ask them they will give you their interpretation of the situation.

This being said, I watched a program today on the History Channel about the REAL LAST SUPPER. It was given by an archaeologist and a biblical scholar. The most interesting part was what the archaeologist has found out about how and where the Last Supper was held. It's interesting that the Bible was written as you know, by at least four different authors about 40 or 50 years after the death of Christ. Three of the authors seem to indicate that the Last Supper was also a Pass Over Seder. Only John says it was a day before the Seder. The guy that really has screwed up most of our thinking on the Last Supper is Leonardo da Vinci. He's got it all screwed up. First of all, if it was the Seder meal, then the families and men and woman would have been invited. They would not be sitting at a table with everyone facing the same direction. History of the times, tell us that most likely they were seated on the floor or reclining. The Seder meal is for the entire family, and epically children. The idea was to educate the children about the flight into Egypt and the Pass Over itself. Jesus would certainly have had his mother and Mary Magdalene and other family members of his apostles and followers. Since it was at least Pass Over week, Jerusalem would have been packed, and they would have more than likely been in a poorer section of the city. Most commonly they would have been on a flat roof of a home with a make shift roof above their heads. They would have sat in a circle so everyone could see each other.

The other interesting thing is what they would have eaten on. They would have eaten out of bowls. Each person would have had their own drinking container, and most likely it would have been made of stone. They did have pottery in those days, but they mostly drank out of stone cups as apposed to pottery cups. If you drank out of a stone cup, it was considered clean. This is why the archaeologist feels that the Holy Grail will never be found. First, it was probably not a decorated object at all. It was more than likely just like all the other stone cups that everyone else was drinking out of. Since the meal would have been served by a family, the dishes would have been collected after the meal and the one Jesus used would resemble all the others.

As I said before, Leonardo da Vinci probably has crewed up the Christian view of the Last Supper more than anyone else. On his table he shows loaves of bread, since it was Pass Over week for sure, there would be no loaves of bread. During that week the Jews eliminated all Leaven out of their homes. They cleaned their homes so well as to not even have dust that would have Leaven in it. Again the table is all wrong and it shows that the time of day is early. For sure the Seder is celebrated in the evening. As to how Jesus was pictured, Leonardo made him look more modern than he would have been. The archaeologists feels that he would have looked much like a man from the AD 33. Shorter hair and a full beard. Leonardo has him looking more like a man of Leonardo's time.

The other thing I found interesting is that they know the time of year that Jesus died because of the Pass Over Week. I never realized why the time of Pass Over and Easter were also so closely linked. I also realize now as to why Lamb is served for both Easter and the Seder meal.

They also mentioned about the fact that it has never been realistically proven that Jesus was born on the 25th of December. As they said, if you listen to the Bible, the Shepard's didn't tend their sheep in December. Not that it makes that much difference, but it is interesting that they have the time and place of his death exact.

Just a little history for you on Good Friday. Also I wanted to Mention that Myles McLaughlin becomes a Catholic tomorrow. He will be Baptised and Confirmed on the same day. Congratulations Myles, I know you have worked very hard to make this day come true. We will all say a prayer for you. We are very proud of what you have accomplished.

Tom

Friday 4-2-10

It's Good Friday and many of us are not having to work today, or the young ones don't have school. I always remember this time as exciting because it meant two more days and all the Easter candy you can find. However, I also remember the deal with the rain etc. from twelve noon until three. The time that Christ suffered and finally died on the cross. We were to spend some time reflecting on that during those three hours. As a kid, maybe 12 years old or so, I was old enough to see why we were to do that, but not sure how the hell God was able to control the weather all over the world so it was rainy during that time. I can still remember the Good Friday when it was just beautiful the entire day. It was that year that I realized that the important thing about the day was not the weather, but that we were to reflect on what happen that day and how it now effects our lives today.

After I wrote my blog. yesterday, I started to reflect on who had come back into my live in the past year and how that has affected my life. Yesterday alone I heard from an old college friend that I have not heard from in over a year. His life is again all upside down because he is going through a very bad divorce. As we talked about how I was etc. it was apparent he had bigger issues at this time than I did. He did want to know about my situation, but what I got out of it was how I could give him some sound advice about his own life. He has tried to live with an drunk for the past 18 years. He was never a heavy drinker, but in order to cope, he started drinking with her. Thank God he did make it back to church and was able to realize that sometimes the best and only way to cope with a drunk is to leave them. After about an hour we both felt sooo good about having this time to talk. It used to always be that we would talk, but since I did not want to get involved with the two of them, we have not seen each other for about six years. We now plan to see each other this summer. If it were not for both of our problems, we would not have communicated this season.

I also talked to an old old classmate, we went to kindergarten together. We were talking because her brother was out West to see her and fell and broke his hip. I was calling to see if he was doing OK. As it turned out he had been unemployed for a few months back in NC and came to help her fix up her house for some extra money. As it turned out, his friend told him to get food stamps since he was not receiving any income. When he went to do so, the lady at the agency said he should apply for Medicaid at the same time. He was just 60 and was lucky he decided to do so. He is a very proud man, but realized he had no insurance and could not take the risk of going without coverage. Had he not done that, he would have been on the hook for the $40,000.00 hospital stay plus the recovery cost. They actually made him leave the hospital and put him on a plain back to NC because Medicaid covered the cost of an accident, but nothing more. In order to get coverage, he had to be in NC. So even though I'm not for the Health Care issue, I do see how it can rune someone who has no coverage.

I also heard from a high school friend who has it all. His father was the largest independent oil distributor in the Midwest. He has two very large ranches in Montana and Arizona, yet he calls me each week to see how I am. He has also had cancer, and is now trying to recover from a crushed lag that he suffered some five years ago. A mule rolled over on his leg and he would have die if he had not mustered the strength to crawl over a half mile to a road that was actually his drive way so to speak, 26 miles long. As it turned out there were some neighbors, from 30 miles away, that just happened to have gone out for a evening ride, that found him. The leg was smashed in 12 places and he has had to have it redone three different times. The last of it, is his ankle, he has been in a cast for the past four months, and has been unable to ride his horses or mules. He called to let me know he was feeling better and felt he was going to be able to get back on the golf course soon. When he was recovering from prostate cancer, I did call him also, but never once a week. At best once a month, when he fell of the mule, I also checked on him, but again once a month or so. But this guy, one of the hardest, toughest guys alive, checks on me once a week. How does a guy like me get so lucky. Yes, I've got cancer, and they say there is no cure, but I have felt so lucky this past week, that I really feel alive and happy to have so many wonderful friends. Thanks to all of you who constantely check on me. I love you all. Tom

Thursday 4-1-10

Happy April Fools Day. I laid awake for about three hours last night trying to get to sleep in the middle of the night. I sometimes have my best ideas at that time, and sometimes I feel real sorry for myself. Last night was really a good night after all. The one thing that happened was I sleep until 8am. When I did wake up it was beautiful outside. I was also very excited because I had some ideas that I was able think through about some things at the school. When I first took over the project I had some very definite ideas and would not let my mind think about any other way to accomplish certain things. That changed last night about 3:30 am. When I was finally able to talk the right people, they agreed it was a workable idea after all.

Since I was feeling much better I decided to make a quick breakfast and head for the Essen House. When I arrived the residents were just having their late breakfasts. The early one's are finished by 8:30am. As I approached a corner booth there were four residents talking about how nice the day was. I just happened to mention that it reminded me of San Diego and or Phoenix. The one lady said: I always wanted to go out West, but the furthest I got was St. Louis. Is it always nice in San Diego? It was then I realized how really lucky I've been. Not only did I live in San Diego for 13 years, but got involved with the Carlsbad Inn and have been on the Board ever since. We lived in Phoenix for 7 years and have some of the best friends we have from there. My closest friend helped me purchase real estate and managed it for me. His wife still does it for me today. What great friends.

Speaking of friends, I have been so fortunate lately to have sooooo many of them come back into my life. Today for instance I heard from one of my oldest friends from for Arizona. He calls me each week to see how I'm doing. I heard from another one who I've known for 30 some years that used to work with me. I also learned that many of my old friends are actually much more liberal than I am. I've also noticed that they are all still good friends. My oldest daughter is one of them. The one great thing about all of them is they all know I'm RIGHT. You know for many years I was not permitted to talk about politics, so I never knew how many of my employees and good friends thought differently about how we view the world. As I get older, and can look back on it. Who really cares. What is really important is how do you feel about each other. I now know that they all seem to care about how I'm doing, and I'm damn glad to call them friends.

This is the time of year that all Christians reflect on what happened 2010 years ago. It was a very sad time for Jesus, but look what it did for all of us. He knew what he had to do and did it. As I go forward I need to keep that thought in mind. We all have to do what we got to do. I thank all of you for taking the time to include me in your time. I promise I will do everything in my power to do the best I can do also. It's great to be alive, let's all celebrate that thought on Easter.

I know that I also have some great Jewish friends and this is the time of Pass Over for you. I hope you are all able to celebrate this time with your friends and family. Thank you also for your support. I look forward to seeing some of you in Carlsbad in June. By the way, Wayne and Bob Wilson want to be included.

Go out and celebrate the day. Tom