Saturday, December 4, 2010
Update 12/4/10
Also recently I had a MRI and the results were pretty good. The swelling of the tumor went down significantly and the size of the tumor shrunk a little. The doctors were so excited to let me know about the results they called the morning of the follow up appointment. The results can be attributed to the XL-184 clinical trial that I am on.
Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving and enjoyed the turkey. Our family went to my sisters house and had a great meal.
Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to fight the cancer.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Update 10/3/10
Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Mark
Friday, September 10, 2010
Starting a New Treatment
I have been home now for 11 days making a slow recovery from shingles. My neck and face still have pain but it gets better everyday. I can’t wait for the pain to go away.
They did an MRI scan on Tuesday the 7th, and we reviewed it with the doctors on Wednesday. The scan showed that the swelling has moved into the other part of my brain and the tumor has grown a little bit.
We discussed the options and I am going to start a clinical trial at Strong, which should begin on September 20th. It is called XL184. You can look it up on the web.
Just to look back over the past month. My father’s funeral at St. Ann’s was very well done. Everybody did a great job especially my brother and niece who gave nice and hilarious talks and captured Dad accurately. It was especially good seeing all of the people at church and at Bellevue CC. 105 people showed up. Thanks for showing up. It meant a lot to my Mom.
It’s nice to be home, I am trying to get out more although I have to use a walker and wheelchair to get around. Thanks to Chris for being my chauffer. He watches over me and makes sure I don’t fall down.
That’s its for now. I will keep you posted on my progress. Need to get back walking.
Friday, September 3, 2010
If its not one thing, its another thing
Just in case you were wondering where I have been, the day after my fathers service at St. Anns, I was taken to the hospital with a case of the shingles. (The second coming of the chicken pox.)
I was hoping that it would not be serious, but it ended up being a lot more serious than expected. They put me on a mega dose of an antibiotic that reacted with my seizure medicine and caused my Kidneys to start to fail. They immediately took me off the antibiotic and I began to improve. The good news is that my shingles are starting to heal and I am thankful to be home after 9 days in the hospital. I came home on
Monday August 30th. The bad news is even though the shingles are clearing up. My face and my neck are burning off; it is very painful. Please keep me in your prayers and I pray the burning effect of the shingles goes away soon. Thanks again for your continued support.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Mom & Dad ( ashes) arrived in Rochester last evening
Mom & Dad arrived in Rochester last night. We are headed to St. Ann’s to plan the mass for Dad this coming Saturday @ 11: 00 am.
Below are the details for the mass at
St. Ann’s
4471 Onondaga Boulevard
Syracuse, NY 13219
NORBERT W “ BUD “ MUENCH
CALLING HOUR 10-11AM @ CHURCH
FUNERAL MASS 11-12PM
RECEPTION IMMEDIATLEY FOLLOWING @
BELLEVUE COUNTRY CLUB
1901 Glenwood Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13207
Monday, August 2, 2010
Gone Home ...
Sunday, August 1, 2010
THE FINAL FLIGHT ......
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Dash (Moments with My Father)
I am continuing my Chemotherapy. My blood platelets continue to fluctuate so I am not on a regular schedule. Steroids are still part of the daily routine of meds. I have gained back the 30 lbs. I dropped. One day at a time!
Monday, July 19, 2010
NEW UPDATE THIS WEEK !!!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
A Super Week!
It has been a Super week ! Last Wednesday 5/12/10 I was honored at the 61st Rochester Press-Radio Club dinner. I received the Christine Wagner-Welch Inspiration award. I had a blast ! The headliner for the dinner & winner of the Coca-Cola Sports Personality of the year award was DREW BREES. The best thing of all is that the dinner raised a bunch of $$$$ for local Charities !! One of which includes the Challenger baseball league which I am involved with.
There is a lot of history that goes with the Press Radio Club Dinner. Also check out
· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickok_Belt
· http://www.hickoksports.com/history/hickbelt.shtml
· http://www.nndb.com/honors/155/000108828/
We are truly blessed in the Rochester area with generous companies & people. This is a GREAT city.
Thank you to the 300+ people that came out to support me last Wednesday evening. The event was sold out ( 1200 people). Thanks for the bidding on the auction items. Two golf rounds – one at Oakmont CC & the other at my home course Monroe Golf Club brought in over $ 10,000 !!!! As I told you in my previous blog I am blessed to have so many great friends & family to support me.
So how am I doing ? I am working with the oncologists to get a regular schedule for my chemo treatments. We are going in the right direction. The goal is to keep the tumor from growing or better yet get it to shrink. Over the past three weeks I have met some amazing people that have brain tumors. One is a 15 year survivor & the other is a 12 year survivor. What I have learned is that each person with cancer is unique in his/her own way. I have also learned there are so many different types of cancer it is mind boggling. Through research they are making tremendous progress at treating this horrible disease.
So the battle will continue. Thanks to all of you & my doctors. In the long run it is up to the good LORD what the outcome will be. I will continue to do my best everyday.
THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT & REMEMBER TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF & DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE LESS FORTUNATE.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Roller Coaster Ride
What a ride. It’s been a physical & emotional roller coaster over these past 3 weeks since Easter. By the way on Easter Sunday my great friend & neighbor from Hilltop Rd. in Syracuse Peter Waters flew myself, Mike Thornton, and my son Brian to opening day for MLB baseball. Red Sox vs. Yankees . It was a beautiful day & perfect day & evening for baseball. It was great game with the Red Sox coming from behind to win 9-7! I now have a favorite MLB baseball player – Dustin Pedroia. He gives 120% all of the time.
Thanks Peter & Janet for a great time !!! Fenway on opening day. Stephen Tyler ( God Bless America) & Neil Diamond ( Sweet Caroline). Unbelievable !
That was at the top of the roller coaster with the rush of going down the hill. Unfortunately, there was a low period when the Chemo was kicking my butt. Oh well that’s to be expected. My blood platelets do not like Temodar ( chemo ). They drop to real low levels. I am working with the doctors to come up with a plan so we can keep a better schedule.
I did have an MRI scan one week ago. Not to bad but that is why I need to keep a regular Chemo schedule. That will keep the stupid tumor in check.
Last week I did get out to walk a few holes & play some golf with Brian. Can’t play to well. That sucks. My stamina & swing are not to good. It’s very frustrating. It was good to get out on the golf course.
I have been getting to spend a lot of time with Christopher ( my Chauffer) he drives me to a lot of my doctors appointments. Unfortunately for Chris he has to listen to me “ backseat drive” telling him to change lanes & most of all “ make the light” ! For all my family members that sounds familiar. He is a great young adult.
Andrew picked up a cold so have not seen him much. A few times over the past week. I hope he gets over his virus soon.
Mary has been busy keeping the household running. She is amazing. She took off for Florida on Wednesday 4/21 with her brother Patrick ( his 3 kids) & sister Amy to my parents condo in Seminole FL for some R&R. I think they are having a blast !! The boys & Mary are at he TB Rays game tonight in St. Pete. I am sure they are having fun.
The highlight of the week for me was the St. John Fisher Scholarship golf tournament cocktail party at Oak Hill CC. I am Honorary Chairperson this year. It was great event & I got to see some people I have not seen in awhile. I am looking forward to the tournament on June 7th.
It has been a beautiful spring here in Rochester. Hope all of you are doing well & enjoying the weather. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT & PRAYERS !!!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
HAPPY EASTER!
Thank You Jesus! Happy Easter everyone! I look forward to this day every year. It is most important since Jesus died so I may
live. Doesn’t make much sense does it.
Why would he do that for me? Back in 1976 I wore a wooden cross around my neck that I had picked up in Vanceburg KY while on a mission with Glenmary Missionaries. In the summer of 1976 while working for Vogel Van Lines one of the guys I was working with saw the cross on my neck & said “ Why do you wear that cross ? That guy died. Why do you want to wear something representing death ?”
I have never been quick with comebac
ks so I was kind of dumbfounded. I wish I could have come back with a quick “ HE DIED SO I MAY
LIVE!”
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTEgpD_ShGiEPHw8q-QnlsRnx9iKHaZXvZ58fQRxpOUQCuvh6dVsngQXWPVqvowieyBvpFaEne_E4Vnwr2Ru5MSV61cTIDZnSlx9OOdbkoGU8AoLJGs4LUb5ekSqCs4tBZkYPY97DMn0/s320/cross.jpg)
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“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad”
“The Lord is Risen, He is truly risen”
Friday, March 26, 2010
Spring has Sprung
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Breaking News ... USA adds another Gold Medal
Mary Muench was awarded a GOLD MEDAL this past week. It was presented to her for her outstanding performance as a wife & mother !! I don’t know how she does it.
THANKS MARY FOR YOUR LOYALTY & NEVER ENDING LOVE FOR OUR FAMILY WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU IN OUR LIVES.Monday, March 1, 2010
For the love of the sport
Thursday, February 18, 2010
On my way back ... Thanks to all of you !
Sunday, February 7, 2010
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY ....
Super Bowl Sunday … the memories of 43 years ago when the the Green Bay Packers won the first Super Bowl against the KC Chiefs. VINCE LOMBARDI !!!
We probably had a pre Super Bowl game in Waters backyard. We would have played in two feet of snow. It was a blast past playing football in Waters backyard. I grew up in the best neighborhood in America back in the 1960’s & ‘70s.
I was 11 years old & most likely watched the game at 108 Hilltop Rd. with my family. Mom probably went to Danzer’s on the North side to pick us up sandwiches !!! Those were the days.
Fast forward to today. We have had two weeks of Super Bowl hype. Lets see who wins today the Saints or the Colts. I am rooting for the Saints for obvious reasons ! Anyway , I will be watching the game later since it is likely I will be asleep for the night at 5:30 pm.
That kind of tells you what I have been feeling like for the past several weeks. The radiation & chemo finally caught up with me. Since January 12th my energy level has decreased dramatically. They told me this could happen & it did. I basically am good in the morning & fade throughout the day. I have developed a condition which they call “ Diabetes Insipidus”. This can happen with brain tumors. Basically it effects the pituitary gland. I cannot quench my thirst & have signs of dehydration. The biggest thing is that it zaps all of my energy. The great news is that it is treatable.
In closing the good news is that I was able to get to Florida to visit my Mom & Dad for a few days. Thanks to my doctors who got me an IV for fluids the day before I left for Florida. I would not have made it to FL if I did not get that IV. It was great to get to FL & feel some warmth !! Mom & Dad are doing well. I was able to make it to my Dad’s exercise class ( I could barely keep up) & was able to play a game of Wii Bowling with my mom.
Now I am back in the beautiful cold & snowy weather of Rochester. It has been quite a winter. Thank God I have my family & friends to keep me me warm.
GO SAINTS !!!
Peace – Mark.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time to make a comeback ...
Ever heard the saying … Today is the first day of the rest of you life ? That is what today seems like for me. Yesterday was my last radiation treatment at the Wilmot Cancer Center. I would like to thank all of the Doctors, Nurses, Technicians & people that have helped me over the past 6 weeks. You all do an awesome job. Thank You !
The past 10 days have not been great. The cumulative effects of the Radiation & chemo certainly zaps the energy out of you body. I must admit I am glad round one is over.
I cannot say what the future may bring. The only thing I know is that I appreciate all of the love & prayers you have sent me since 11/8/09. So today starts the day to rebuild my body’s strength. One day at a time.
During the past year I saw the following at one of my customers … I thought I would share it with you.
“ BUILD A BETTER WORLD “
“ God said .. Build a better world and I replied .. This world is such a cold and dark place and is so complicated now. I am so young & useless there is nothing I can do .
But God in all his wisdom said … “ JUST BUILD A BETTER YOU .”
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
A New Decade Begins ...
Greetings everyone ! It has been awhile. Welcome to the new decade. I can’t believe we have already gone through ten years since Y2K !! Remember the world was supposed to stop. Here we are 10 years later !
I am ending week 5 of my treatment today. Only 7 more radiation treatments after today !! I love all of my radiation technicians but I will be happy when its over.
Between the radiation & chemotherapy it has definitely worn me down. This week has not been pleasant. Not feeling to well. I just need to balance everything out & I believe I can make it down the homestretch thanks to my family & friends that support me.
It has been interesting watching the news & sporting events over the past few weeks. My only thought is that everything revolves around the media & money $$$$. That includes the President of the United States & Tiger Woods among many others.
I have come to the conclusion that all public figures are now ENTERTAINERS. That includes our government officials & sports athletes. The media claims to be the source where we would get the “ truth” . They are so caught up in their world they don’t even know how to report the truth or facts anymore. They are the true capitalists – all they care about is $$$$. I think we should all turn off our televisions & stop reading the newspapers & all just sit down & talk again. Its time we all visited Washington DC. ALL OF US . Lets all show up on the same day sometime this summer.
I could go on & on. All I can say is I wasn’t a proponent of blogs & some of the new technology, but at least you are hearing from me directly & know you are getting facts & comments from me directly. Thanks to my Son Chris & John Doyle who set up this “blog” back in November.
I apologize for not writing earlier but just was not feeling well.
Many people have asked “ Why can I not comment ?” Its not open to the entire public. You have to have a google account to comment. Then you can sign in to comment. For those of you that have my email you can send me an email.
Anyway I am glad the way Chris & John set it up.
Lastly, I want to thank EVERYONE for the cards & everything I have received over the past few months. PLEASE ACCEPT MY GRATITUDE THROUGH THIS “BLOG”.
Your love & support has been overwhelming. Love to all of you & hope everyone has a great 2010 & a fantastic second decade !!