Saturday, Jan 12 and moving right is key

I went to rehab again yesterday. I woke up this morning hurting. They are working me in the right direction and I love this. I was told when we finished that I would probably be sore and would probably be mad at them for this. They are so far from the truth on this. Feeling pain that is there because I am moving forward is a good thing to have!
My wife is putting Christmas stuff up and I can hardly move the containers. This does not slow her down, though!
I was listening to music this morning and heard a song on one of my Lonestar CDs that really made me think about life. It was a song written as converse to God and made several comments about "Thank You God for taking care of me". This song made me realize why I am still here! God put the effort needed towards me. He is why I can breath today and this song really spells it out in plain terms. So, if you have not seen it enough from me, I would like to say "THANK YOU GOD FOR THE EFFORT YOU PUT TOWARDS KEEPING ME ALIVE". Usually, songs don't make me cry, but this one came close because of the closeness to my situation.
I am alive and doing OK. I get to go see a group of doctors on Tuesday to find out about the swelling in my right breast. Leave it to that wonderful woman I found so many years ago! She found the doctors that will be able to handle this situation and know what to do to get me where I need to be.
As some closing thoughts, if you His help, ask God for it. He took such GREAT care of me and will do the same for you if you just talk to Him. I love you all so much. Hold my hand as we reach towards the future. Believe me, it is a great feeling.
Your friend for a lifetime,
Mark 1/12/08

Thursday, Jan 10 and moving along is good....

Well, Thursday is here and all is good. Rehab called me on Tuesday and asked why I quit coming. I explained to them my insurance would not pay for it any more. They called AETNA to find out and all is covered with a small copay. I got to go back on Wednesday. It felt good to get this back in my system. I was real tired yesterday after it, but it was a good tired! I get to go back tomorrow!
Betty tried yesterday to call the doctor that did my lung work and he is no longer at the only number we could find. This was a little discouraging but you know my wife would not give up. She remembered his name, but could not locate him. She called me this morning to let me know that she scheduled my an appointment for next Tuesday for the Thorastic clinic doctors to take a look and make a determination about what needs to be done. It is getting sorer every day. It seems more swollen today than it did on Tuesday. EVERY ONE needs someone like Betty on their side. I have lost count of how many times she has saved my life!
I called a couple of guys a work today that I have not talked to in a while. I did not tell either of them who I was, but they both knew right away. We had good conversations. Most people want to have the time off like I have had, but this was not a pleasure trip! I am ready to get back in the "work routine". I only have about 10 days left! I will be so happy for a couple of weeks, then reality will hit.
If you need help for something, ask God for his help. He will help you out as He did for me! Don't be afraid to ask! I love you all so much
Mark 1/10/08

Tuesday, Jan 8 and all is good...

Another day has come and gone and I am still alive and kicking. I have been without pain medicine for most of today. I took one this morning, but none since. My doctor's appointment was another one of those good/bad episode. He like the way my back looked since he is the one that fixed me, but would not look at or comment on my swollen chest area. It was "out of his league". If there ever was a doctor that is hung on himself, this is him. He is great at his job, but can't discuss anything with patients. He should only treat people who can't talk! He has a great nurse. I don't know why she is still there.
Two people sent messages to my last BLOG. One was from Sallie, Scott and Noah Keatons and the second one was Megan. She is back from her honeymoon and had a lot of catching up to do. Her comments made me feel real good. School started for her yesterday so life is back to "normal" again. I also got two phone calls today from two guys from work. Both wanted to know how I am doing and am I ready to come back to work, yet. It was good to hear from both of them but Paul had to make sure that I knew LSU won last night. We were both pulling for them to win.
All is good for me on this end. My broken tailbone is hurting me more than usual because of the lack of medicine. It still hurts to bend over or get up or down, but I am moving in the right direction. God has gotten me this far and is helping me get all the way. He will help you to if you ask Him for help.
Love to you all,
Mark 1/8/08

Monday, Jan 7 and all is well

Well, today is Monday and all is going fine. Talk about good news and bad news all at the same time. The doctor said my infection is down. Last time we were at his office, my rate was 107 and this time is was only 13. He said anything below 15 is good. He gave me anti-biotics for another 3 weeks and said I can quit then. He was a little concerned about the swelling under my right breast and sent us to see my plastic surgeon. He was not in the office today but the nurse understood my problem. I was scheduled to see him next Tuesday but she moved me up a week so he could look at this spot. So tomorrow, I get to go back downtown for another appointment. I guess this is better than waiting until next week. Hopefully, this doctor will have an idea on what we need to do. This doctor today was not happy about this spot, but his specialty is medicines. He suggested getting someone to look at it SOON. Hopefully, something can be figured out so this problem can be handled. More on this tomorrow I guess.
I love you all so much
Mark 1/7/08

Sunday, Jan 6 and moving along

Well, another week has flown by and I am still alive and well. My pain is still here but I did a lot to help out today. We started putting up Christmas lights and stuff from the front yard. I know better than to think I can get in the garage attic to put it up, but that is where is all goes.
I have a visit with my medicine doctor tomorrow morning. I had to have a blood test done last Thursday, but I am sure this will tell me I still have a long ways to go. My stomach still hurts and I will talk to this doctor tomorrow about it. I am sure that this is from the infection still inside me. My back is not hurting as much but it still hurts to bend over or lift anything with much weight to it. Stairs are still a challenge for me, too. Getting upstairs to my bedroom is still a work out for me. Getting up and down in a chair also still hurts. I did ride my bicycle around this morning. I went farther than I usually do because I want to get better and this is the only way this will work for me. My insurance stopped paying for my rehab appointments so I have to work myself somehow.
God is there for me when I need him! He has done more for me than I ever thought was possible. He will help you too if you ask Him for help.
I love you all so much,
Mark 1/6/08

Jan 2 and all is OK

Well, the new year is upon us and things are going well. I am still in pain, but am moving along in the right direction, I hope. I had to pull down Christmas lights today. The bottom floor was a real chore, but the second floor was MUCH MORE difficult. I can not get on the roof to get them, so a fishing pole with a hook on it did a lot to help. I also rolled up some extension cords and put up the ice chests from the wedding. This was quite difficult, too. When I originally decided where these would be stored, I never thought I would be in this shape! The biggest one was quite a chore for me to get it where it needed to be. I am doing much better today that I was a week ago, so these items where difficult, but possible. Mark next door helped me out by putting the ladder up for me. I carried it out for the lights thinking I could use it, but this turned out to just be a dream. I thought if I could get on the roof, the top lights would be easy. My mind does not think things through like it used to!
Betty went back to work today. She is pretty sick from this cold she has picked up but as much as they did for her when I was down, she went in. She ended up leaving a little early because of this cold. They were very helpful to her on time because of my condition. They understood what she was going through and felt it best for her to be with me when she could. People like this have a lot of concern for others! I met her boss right after I got out and he is one of those special people. I guess we are very lucky people to have the bosses we have over us.
All is well and moving along for now. I still have a long ways to go, but will only get there with effort and time. I have to push myself without over doing anything. Life is a great thing that God has helped be here for. He can help you, too. Don't be afraid to talk to Him. He will help you solve these problems!
Mark 1/2/08

Jan 1, 2008 and all is goiing to be good

The year year is upon us and we have to make it work for us. I am still in a lot of pain, but my goal for this year is to get better. I will really have to work myself back to where I need to be. This is not a resolution for me, but more of a goal I need to achieve. The only thing I can do is work towards it. The only thing is I can't rush it. Work is just around the corner for me and I have to be ready by then. My list of things to do will get done when I feel good enough to take them on! One step at a time. God has helped me get this attitude towards my recovery. I have too many good things in my life to look anywhere else. This new year will be much better than this last one!
The wedding is behind us and we have to move forward with our lives and goals for this new year. Things will slow down for my wonderful wife now. She did so much between me and this special time for my wonderful daughter and son-in-law.
It was good to see everyone that made it to the wedding and missed those people that couldn't make it. That is how life is sometimes! God has a way of knowing what is best for each of us. Make this new year an exciting time in our life and let's all move forward to a better time.
Let God help you find what is best for you. He is a great help to you if you talk to Him. May He help you anywhere you need Him.
Love to all,
Mark 1/1/08