BELIEVE !!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!! I am sure happy to be celebrating another Christmas this year thanks to all of the great Doctors, Nurses, Technicians & people that work at Strong Hospital & The Wilmot Cancer Center. Not to forget my family & friends that pray for me everyday. Thank You.

As I have to told you Christmas is a special time & always has been for me. Probably because I love to get presents ! This year with the help again of Gayle & Doug Hitchcock & Leila Doll our home is decorated to the max !! Over the past 20 years I have constantly picked up Christmas decorations for the house. This years theme created by Mary, Gayle & Leila is BELIEVE !! I can’t think of a better theme.

With all that is going on in the world today it is easy to give up hope & not believe but that is what the world wants us to do. So I ask anyone who reads this blog to begin to BELIEVE again. Most importantly believe in a “HIGHER POWER” greater than yourself. With all that has taken place in my life so far I truly believe that GOD exists. No matter what your religion, there is a GOD & God’s presence can be in each & every one of us. That is a choice for each of us to make.

Anyway , BELIEVE in something because anything is possible.

My favorite news story of the year was about US Airways Flight 1549 piloted by Capt. ‘ Sully’ Sullenberger. You gotta believe after seeing that story ! Truly amazing. "The Miracle on the Hudson". Miracles do happen! I can’t imagine how the lives of everyone on that flight that day have been changed. Do you think people on Flight 1549 were praying ?

I will end with this. My friend Jim Mrva sent me a story the other day. I won’t share the whole story but I will share what the story said about “ prayer”.

THE POWER OF PRAYER

I believe God only gives three answers to prayers …

1. “YES!”

2. “ NOT YET.”

3. “ I HAVE SOMETHING BETTER IN MIND.”

All I know is the God hears all of our prayers & that whatever happens , it happens for the best. Sometimes its not the answer we want but its always the best answer. Just think about it & look at your own life.

Just remember you always gotta BELIEVE !

Update .. getting into the routine

Just a quick update 3 days before Christmas. I started week three of treatments yesterday. Everything is going well. As much as I want everyone’s sympathy I couldn’t be better.

This past weekend we had Andrew’s group home Christmas party, the Foxboro neighborhood party ( thanks Linda & John), Hot Stove League Luncheon , Buffalo Sabres game Saturday night with Brian , Ray Miller & Alec Miller. ( went to a shootout & lost to PITT – bummer). Sunday mass at Assumption & home to watch football & goof around with the family. ( and take a nap).

Needless to say my life is pretty normal. Most of you know I like to be active.

I really don’t know what to say. I think people are beginning to think I might be faking.

Anyway I am doing well at taking my MEDS. ( yuk) I am so lucky to have Chemo capsules instead of being hooked up to an IV drip. Took my Chemo capsules at the start of period three of the Sabres game Saturday night. Washed them down with a LABATTS BLUE LIGHT !! ( JUST KIDDING). I also get the weekends off from radiation. That is sweet.

Other than I cannot drive, life is pretty normal.

Oh no – just noticed hair all over the computer keyboard. Maybe headed to baldness !! Maybe things are not so normal. Just want to live each day as best I can.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF THE CARDS!! I STILL HAVE NOT CAUGHT UP TO READING ALL OF THEM.

Make sure to finish that Christmas shopping but most important try not to stress out.

PEACE – Mark.

PS- GREAT NEWS !!! THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER – MORE SUNSHINE

BIZARRE - my word of the day,month & year

BIZARRE – that is the word to describe what is happening day to day with me. I still can’t quite accept that I had/have a brain tumor. I had surgery 35 days ago but it doesn’t seem real. I feel fantastic, there is no way I could be sick.

One thing that I am thankful for is that I have the chance to still be here with my family & friends. Even though I have the dreaded disease called cancer, because of the care I have received I have the opportunity to be with all of you.

I have thought over the past 5 weeks how tragic & sad it is when someone leaves this world in an instant. Obviously, I have become more aware of my mortality since 11/8/09. I have heard stories from family & friends of people that have died suddenly over the past several weeks. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to deal with sudden death of a loved one. I am not a biblical expert by any means, but I do know that Jesus said “ that we do not know the time or the place…”. I can only think of how hard it is for the loved ones that are left behind. I guess that is where someone's faith plays a major role.

Over the past several weeks I have met so many wonderful people. People I would have never met if I was not ill. Its sounds “ BIZARRE” but I am glad I have had the opportunity to meet these people. Everyone of us is important to one another.

Only 10 more days until Christmas !! The light of the world is coming … the daylight will be longer everyday !!! Daylight gets longer after 12/21/09 !!! I always look forward to getting by the “shortest” day of the year & headed toward the longest day JUNE 21^st.

Last Friday after my 5^th radiation treatment I asked the technicians this question. “ Am I getting radiation when the flashing lights are going off ?” They answered “ What flashing lights.”

BIZARRE !!!

My Symptom story ( so I don't have to tell it anymore) ...

OK .. I have to do this for myself, my family & inquiring minds that want to know. I am asked how did his happen ? When did it start ? Why did it happen ?

I have no idea, but here is my symptom story… ( kind of detailed)

In the spring of 2009 my good friend & neighbor ( Dan Shultz) planned a golf trip to Kiawah Island. I had been lucky enough to be invited. In 2008 I played with his group of friends & was invited into the annual LINZY Cup tournament that they held annually. I am not going into details, but these guys are a blast to play golf with !!! It’s competitive, but most of all FUN – they way golf out to be played.

Fast Forward to October 17^th 2009. I made the flight to Charleston, SC the morning of 10/17/09. The guys waited for me at the airport since I was supposed to fly in the evening before. I arrived on time ( thank God) & off we went to start playing golf at Kiawah. I need to mention that Dan plans the whole trip, all we do is show up. It’s wonderful.

We played 18 holes on Saturday, 36 holes on Sunday & the final 18 holes on Monday on the OCEAN COURSE !!!! Absolutely beautiful .. but a little chilly for 10/19.

My first symptom was on the fourth tee of the Ocean Course. I walked on the tee & said to my group … “ I don’t feel right. Something is wrong with me. I need to sit down. I feel light headed.” I found a seat on a “divot repair” box on the tee. My three playing partners teed off & I followed – that was the extent of my first real symptom.

Since being allowed to sneak away for three days of golf, when I returned to home the following Saturday my wife Mary snuck away to FL for a few days with her friend. That was October 24^th. On October 24^th I took a walk with my son Chris. While walking I again experienced this “ light headedness”. I had to sit down on the ground. If I didn’t I felt like I would fall over. Chris was worried & wanted to call an ambulance, but I said no .. 20 seconds later I was walking home with him. Chris demanded ( thank God) that I see a doctor. He proceeded to take me to Urgent Care about 1 mile from home.

Urgent Care is awesome. I waited 10 minutes, they took me in & checked me out ( ekg, & some neuro tests) . We determined it could have been a possible TIA ( mini stroke). Anyway, the doctor told Chris & I if it happened again to go to the ED department at a hospital.

Sure enough, that evening on the way to the Apple store ( to play with Apple computers) THE BEST computers in the world !!, as we pulled into the mall parking lot my symptoms appeared again. I stopped, put the car in park & said “ Chris, you need to drive me to the ED.” Chris did exactly what he needed to do.

We went to the ED department at Strong Hospital – they were great. Checked me out , did blood work, & I passed the tests. I was told to follow up with Neuro Out patient which I did on Monday 10/26. During my Neuro test the doc had me Hyper-Ventilate on a hunch – sure enough that brought on my symptoms so that is what we thought it was. I followed up with my Primary physician on 10/29. I passed all of the tests.

Well I went on with my daily life. On Monday 11/3 I flew with my good friend Harvey Taylor to visit my son ( Brian ) & his son ( Arthur) to play golf where Brian was finishing a six month internship. ( Woodmont CC in Rockville MD). We played 18 holes at Woodmont … absolutely beautiful. Brian even noticed that I was not hitting the ball & my right side seemed to be “ weak”. Brian is a great teacher of the game of golf & he noticed something. I just told him I was getting “old”. We had a blast playing golf with our friends Harv & Arthur that day.

Well, the next morning while at the BWI hotel I had another “attack”. Again it lasted maybe a minute or two. Let it happen & back to getting on with the day. I flew to TPA to meet with my Mom to finalize the big 90^th party for my DAD on 12/4/09. Everything went well, it was great to visit with Mom & Dad & I flew home.

We are almost there. On Sunday 11/8 I was at the kitchen table & guess what , another episode, except this time I had witnesses. I went on the kitchen floor & told my wife don’t worry it will go away. My friends who also witnessed this event & said “ call your doctor”. I did . The doc on call said go to the ED. I did.

Finally they did a CAT scan that afternoon on Sunday 12/8. That is when they found the tumor. That afternoon they did an MRI & confirmed what I had.

I was admitted that evening& on 12/11/09 Dr . Silberstein performed a Craniotomy to remove the tumor. He was very successful in surgery & now I am in treatment to zap whatever is left.

That is my story, so if anyone asks they will have to read this because I don’t want to tell it anymore. Its time to move on.

All I can say to all of you out there, is listen to your body & mind. If it is telling you something – CHECK IT OUT. If it wasn’t for my son Chris I probably would have done nothing. ( Male EGO).

I have said for years that you can have all the riches in the world, but if you don’t have your health the riches & everything else are meaningless. So basically, take care of yourself physically, mentally & most of all SPIRITUALLY because that is what counts.

You also gotta have some fun, playing golf, sailing, climbing mountains or whatever you like to do !!

The 2009 Linzy Cup Team!

The word of the day & month ... PATIENCE !

Today is the day … Monday December 7^th 2009. Most of you know what happened 68 years ago .. the attack on Pearl Harbor & a war began. Dec 7^th 1941 – “ a day which will live in infamy.” I guess you could say my war against cancer begins today. I start my radiation & chemotherapy process today ! I can’t say I am excited about it, but it’s something that has to be done. I am a little anxious & scared, but, hopeful & optimistic that miracles happen. Miracles, have already happened in the last several weeks !

The word of the next 18 days is PATIENCE !! I say that because we are in the Advent season waiting for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Christmas time has always been a special time for me since I was a kid. ( ok – so I am still a kid !) Anyway, everyone gets wrapped up in the busyness of the season. What I hope for is that everyone can take a minute or two each day ( preferably 15 minutes) and meditate on the true meaning of Christmas. THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR. JESUS & WHAT THAT MEANS TO THE WORLD.

With our busy lives & all this new technology ( cell phones,emails,texting,facebook) it seems like we are always moving faster & faster. I know that is the way of the world but I think we begin to lose the meaning & spirit of our lives. Don’t get me wrong, all of this new technology is wonderful. It is a gift from up above. It’s amazing !! As I have told many of my health care providers over the past several weeks “ I don’t know how you do it, but I am glad you do.”

Over the past several months I began to lose patience with business, family & friends. I think it is just a sign of these stressful economic times. At times I think that “attitude” may have added to the condition I have today.

My word of advice is to be PATIENT with yourself & others during this Christmas season. Let this time be a Merry & Happy time, not a stressful time. I know its hard to do, but if you take a moment to stop & pray it will make the season more enjoyable than ever !!!

Let the games begin today … I will keep you posted on my treatment progress. Be PATIENT !! Say a prayer today that our world can find peace. The peace starts within each one of us.

PS – Just to let you know. This illness is harder on Mary & the kids than it is on me. Please keep them in your prayers also & please call in advance if you are going to visit us.

PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD !!

Time really does fly ...live in the present moment , it truly is a PRESENT!

Has it really been 8 days since Thanksgiving ? Time goes by so fast. Is it like that for all of you ? Fast motion…time to slow down a little.

This week we made the trek to the National Institute of Health in Bethesda MD. Mary & I were accompanied by our good friends John & Lauren Doyle. It was great to have them with us. Just another adventure to log in our life book. ( We have had many adventures with John & Lauren). Better yet their Children Jack & Alexandra joined us for dinner. They both live in the DC area.

The best part of the trip was dinner !! John made a reservation at BLACKSALT FISH MARKET in the Georgetown area. DELICIOUS ! Better yet – an old friend ( not really old) showed up to say Hello ! –TERRY MCAULIFFE from Syracuse NY. It was great to see him. What I love about Terry is that he is a world renowned person but best of all he is still a down to earth SYRACUSAN. Terry is an energetic guy that has seized the opportunities that have been put in front of him. He is an amazing guy!

We enjoyed the conversation with Terry and the food was UNBELIEVABLE !! FOUR STARS **** for Blacksalt Fish Market. If you are ever in the DC area make sure to give it a try.

NIH checked the protocol for my treatment at Wilmot Cancer & gave it the “thumbs up”. The NIH is quite a facility. Thanks to my neice Jennifer I was able to speak with the "docs" & learn more about tmy condition. I found out that I am blessed to have such a wonderful treatment center in my backyard. A big “thank you “ to everyone involved at the Wilmot Cancer Center. They are doing what needs to be done right here in Rochester.

Yesterday I went for my “trial run” simulation for radiation treatment. The staff was great & it only took about 15 minutes. The great news is that the radiation treatment will only take a maximum of 20-30 minutes each day Monday –Friday. It is amazing to see the equipment that is used to treat cancer patients. Thank God for scientists & inventors and the technicians that run these machines !

I just can’t believe how fast everything is moving. Has to be the Steroids ! ( they have something to do with it.) I just want you to know that we are headed in the right direction. I can’t thank you enough for all of the cards & well wishes.

THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS, CARDS, LETTERS, FLOWERS, ETC. I CAN’T KEEP UP.

I AM SPOILED – I HAVE ENOUGH – DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE LESS FORTUNATE THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON. THAT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST GIFT TO ME.

People ask “ How do I feel ?” My response is I feel great, but I am sick. It makes no sense to me. It certainly puts things in perspective. The only thing I can say is it is important to live life with a sense of BALANCE. Its important to look at your everyday life & ask yourself “ Am I in balance with myself & my community”. If the answer is yes – great. If the answer is no – then you need to step back & get back in balance --- SPIRITUALY-EMOTIONALY-PHYSICALLY.

Its not easy , nobody’s perfect but we can all work on it.

TODAY IS A GREAT DAY – IT IS MY DADS 90^TH BIRTHDAY !!

NORBERT W. MUENCH

HE IS A GREAT MAN & A GREAT DAD !! I LOVE YOU DAD !!!

Dinner @ BlackSalt Fish Market

Mary, Mark, Terry, Jack,

Alexandra, John, Lauren

Norbert W. Muench, Capt. USCG