Update 12/4/10

It has been awhile since I updated the blog. The family and I attended my father's funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral went very well and my father received full military honors. You can view photos from the funeral at: http://www.mattoxphotography.com/anc (Password: Muench).

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.

Update 10/3/10

Just an update on where I am in regards to my progress. The shingles are still with me but are not as painful as they were. I am doing ok. Right now I am lying down watching the Ryder Cup with my son Chris. Go USA! I will keep you updated on my progress over the next week.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Mark

Starting a New Treatment

Mary taking me for a walk

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 7^th, 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.

Chris and I walking through the neighborhood. Like my Sox?

We discussed the options and I am going to start a clinical trial at Strong, which should begin on September 20^th. 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.

My View from hospital of:

University of Rochester "Nipple of Knowledge"

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 30^th. 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.

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

Gone Home ...

Norbert W. Muench

12/4/1919 – 8/2/2010  (around 9 pm)

THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS READ BY HIS BEDSIDE AFTER DAD WENT HOME TO GOD.  AT HIS BEDSIDE WERE MOM, BILL, ROBERTA (BOBBIE), RACHEL, ROLLIE & VICTORIA THE HOSPICE NURSE.

KATHY & DAN , MARK & MARY, BRIAN & CHRIS WERE TELE CONFERENCED IN.

AFTER THE READING – A HARMONICA PLAYER PLAYED TAPS.

*** Thank you to the Veterans Affairs Hospice & Pallative Care staff for being so kind to DAD & our family.  God bless all of you !

I'm Free

by Anonymous

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God has laid you see.
I took His hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now; He set me free

THE FINAL FLIGHT ......

I have arrived home . I spent M-F with my Mom & brother moving  Dad into the VA Hospice at Bay Pines – St. Petersburg , FL. Brian flew in with me on Monday &flew back to Fairport on Monday. Kathy flew home on Sunday. Her husband Dan had prostrate surgery on Wednesday 7/28 . Please keep Dan in your prayers.

My Dad planned it right. This is not the first time he has been at the VA, but it will be his last. His nurses & caregiver’s at the VA are wonderful. They are great at what they do !!! THANK YOU !!! They make DAD as comfortable as possible.

Thanks to my brother Bill & his family Bobbie, Rachel & Rollie for being with my Mom & Dad this week.  I truly believe DAD would be proud of us at this moment.  He taught us well & we all played our roles. I am PROUD to be a MUENCH !!!!

Anytime now DAD will take his final flight.  You are the greatest DAD & PILOT I have ever known. 

THANKS DAD FOR YOUR LOYALTY & NEVER ENDING LOVE FOR OUR FAMILY WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE HAD YOU IN OUR LIVES FOR SO MANY YEARS .

WE ALL LOVE YOU !

Love   …. Mark.


PS: To see more photos click the Flickr Photostream at the top right hand corner of the page.

The Dash (Moments with My Father)

It’s been 9 weeks since I have really written anything in my blog. It’s been a busy 9 weeks. Like I said before it’s a rollercoaster ride. The good news is, I am feeling stronger than ever, although I am still weak on my right side and don’t have a lot of stamina. I have mastered the motorized carts while shopping at Wegmans. Forward & Reverse !
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!

My Dad is struggling with in an infection in his foot and congestive heart failure. Mary and I were down to visit Dad and Mom 2 weeks ago. Kathy has been down helping Mom out  & " Little" Danny flew down to see grandpa. Bill arrived in Tampa on  Saturday, & Chuck Marvin on Sunday. Brian and I are headed down tomorrow. Dad is an inspiration to all of us, he has fought hard over the years and he continues to do so.   

I am not sure how many of you have read the poem THE DASH; its about what you do between your birth and your death with your life. I would like to share with you THE DASH as I know it between my father and myself -

October 23^rd 1955. SYRACUSE NY. 22 Beach Drive Darien, Ct. the Convent. Tennis Courts. Jerry LaRoque saved boys life ( mine ). Taking the train into NYC from Ct. The barber school in New York City. Walking the streets of NYC with Dad 2 blocks ahead. Governors’ Island. Subway. Maps. Hurricane Donna. YMCA walking home from Y when I was 6 years old. Grandpa and Grandma Muench & Grandpa and Grandma Marvin Sunday Evenings after going to Valley plaza Carrols. Herb Slotnick. Dewitt drive in - PHSYCO + many other movies at Dewitt drive in. Erie Blvd. 1^st flight with Dad from Weedsport N5127A. Family gatherings at Otisco Lake. Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s at Robineau Rd. Sunday visits to Grandpa and Grandma Marvin and Muench. Basket of wooden blocks at Grandma Muench’s. Colored TV. Wonderful World of Disney. Grandpa Muench’s licorice and Cigar boxes. Civil War. Poly and O’melia. Gertie. 108 Hilltop Rd. St. Anns. CYO basketball games. The Wall St. Journal. The daily shower at BCC. 6pm dinner followed by 9 holes at BCC. (With GG) Lemonade and Ice Cream. (10 cans for a dollar) Station wagon full of kids each with a dollar in their hand. Playing basketball at the Y downtown. Riding home through the hood. Washington DC. Marymount. Ertha Kitt. Climbing the Washington Monument. Reading the newspaper outside the white house. Gettysburg. MAME. St. Ann’s. Bishop Ludden. St. John Fisher College. 6/3/78.TRIPLETS 7/16/86 AB&C. Florida. Disney World. Universal Studios. JB Rudolph Inc. Salina Street. Kemper building. Maas Brothers. Dillards. Lake Seminole CC. Coke with no ice. NYAC. Berns Steakhouse. Taxes. Tennis at Fernwood Circle. Swimming at Fernwood circle. Station wagons. The Vista Cruiser station wagon. Barr Lewellyn Buick. Roog the Doog. Willy Wompers. Marcus Aurlies. GOLF. Touch and go practice Tampa, Clearwater area. Leaning the fuel out. COAST GUARD.

These are just a few of the events to fill in the dash of times between my father and myself. Anyone who knows my Dad would have a story or two to tell. He has taught me a great deal and wouldn’t be the man I am if it wasn’t for his example. Thanks Dad.

Please view the video of my father talking about his flying days in the Coast Guard.

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;

The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left,

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

And more often wear a smile

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

NEW UPDATE THIS WEEK !!!

HEY EVERYONE ! SORRY IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME. I AM STILL HERE & GETTING STRONGER.

I AM ON REGULAR TREATMENT SCHEDULE.

THANKS AGAIN & AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS & SUPPORT.

I AM BEING KIDNAPPED TO FLY TO CHICAGO FOR A CUBS GAME TONIGHT. PHOTOS TO FOLLOW.

MARK

A Super Week!

It has been a Super week ! Last Wednesday 5/12/10 I was honored at the 61^st 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.

Click on the play button below to view:

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 !!!

HAPPY EASTER!

He has risen!!! We are saved!!

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!”

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad”

“The Lord is Risen, He is truly risen”

Spring has Sprung

This is your 3 week update. I can't believe how time flies. I have finished round 2 of chemotherapy and will start round 3 sometime in the next 7-10 days.

These past 3 weeks have been a roller-coaster. Some days are better than others. Unfortunately my seizures returned a few weeks ago and have affected the right side of my body. They have increased my seizure medication and also started me back on steroids. I hope that it gets the seizures under control.

The good news is the snow has melted and spring is on its way. My goal is to be able to play some golf this summer. At this point I have a ways to go to be able to accomplish this goal.

For all of you Orange basketball fans last night was a major disappointment. Oh well.

Thanks again for all of your support and prayers. I will just take it day by day. Have a great day.

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.

For the love of the sport

What a week!!  I love the Winter Olympics.  With no energy to speak of I watched a lot of the Winter Olympics & also the showdown between BIG EAST rivals Syracuse & Villanova.

Before getting into the sports I just want to let you know that round two of Chemotherapy has been completed!! It would not have happened if it wasn’t for my wife Mary & my friend Peter Waters.  I did not want to “poison” my body anymore. I spoke with Mary & she suggested I call Peter. I did not want to bother him so I just went to bed . My cell phone rang 2 minutes later & who was it … it was Peter !  I did not answer the phone, I just wanted to be left alone.  I waited a minute & said that is too weird. I called Peter right back.  I told him I didn’t want to do it anymore. We spoke & he put a different perspective on things. Thanks to him I was able to take my medicine and I made it through the week.

How about the Orange! I had to DVR the game since I can’t stay up that late. Impressive. Hope they do well in the NCAA tournament.

The Olympics were unbelievable. What I love is that the athletes train for the love of the sport. Sure, some of the athletes get endorsements but they have to perform in order to get the endorsements. From a tragic beginning on Friday for the Georgian luger that was killed to the very end yesterday when the USA went to overtime with Canada in the hockey golf medal game the games were terrific.

I believe the most heroic performance to be that of Joannie Rochette in the women’s figure skating. I admire her determination and I believe that her mom skated with her during her bronze medal performance.

I hope everyone is enjoying the snowy winter. I am looking forward to Spring!

On my way back ... Thanks to all of you !

Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank You ! Because of all your prayers I received a good report from my Oncologist yesterday. I had my MRI at 8 am & visited with the doctors at 12 noon to review it. Great news – the treatment is working ! The tumor has not grown & the swelling in my brain is normal.

Now it is on to round 2 of Chemo. Also my blood platelets have rebounded back to normal so my bone marrow is working properly.

Most of all I can’t thank all of you enough for the outpouring of love & support over the past 90 days. I have heard from people that I have not spoken with in over 30 years !! It has been so great to reconnect with grammar school friends ( St. Ann’s) & HS friends. Thank you so much for your cards & prayers.

On Monday a good friend ( JOE MADISON) stopped by to see me while driving back to Michigan. He is a good friend of my brother Bill. We all grew up together in Syracuse. Joe is a special guy & it was great to see him. On his way east to meet up with Peter Waters ( along with David Tobin & Peters cousin Mike Connor) they stopped by to vist our 4^th grade teacher from St. Ann’s ( Sr. Jane Mary ). Anyway , Joe brought me some beautiful music & a prayer & some wisdom from Sr. Jane Mary. I can’t explain it, but what Joe brought me was what I needed at that moment. It is amazing how present God is in our lives though all of the people we interact with.

Another highlight of the week was a trip to Skaneateles to see the the NYS HS Girls Frozen Four & see the new addition to the family ( Nathaniel Orsen) son of Jennifer ( my niece) & Joe Orsen. It was great to make a road trip & even better to see everyone.

MAKE SURE TO VIEW THE PHOTOS THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE BLOG. ( FLICKER)

I am blessed to have all of you around me. Thanks for being there for me.

-------- Mark Muench

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 12^th 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.

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 .”

Challenger Baseball Video made for Mark Muench

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 !!

A Winter Wonderland in Rochester NY