The Trifecta

Well, it was confirmed this weekend, the flu, bronchitis and conjunctivitis (pink eye).  Bring it on!  What's another three scripts to the current stock pile of meds. Thank goodness Mark has the codeine syrup script to kill the cough at night, cause neither of us is getting any sleep.

When we went to the pharmacy to get the scripts filled, it was if we were in a TB ward. Coughs and sneezes all around. Warning don't go to the pharmacy if you are healthy, cause you sure won't leave that way.  So between the Z-pack and eye drops, hopeful Mark will be on the mend. And here's hoping you all stay healthy as well.  Nothing is worse than being sick during the holiday's...

The Flu

Sigh!  Mark is home sick from work today.. I am pretty sure it is the start of the flu (fever, chills, temp, body aches).  I didn't have to send him back to bed, because he didn't make it out of bed this morning.

So fluids, tylenol and sleep..it is.  I was there a month ago and I know how it knocks you on your butt.  I am hoping it just the regular run of the mill flu and not that nasty H1N1.  He has not gotten the vaccine yet, so we will see what it shakes out to be.

Don't Know What is Going on..

Everything has been going fairly smoothly since the SCT.  But as of late, Mark has been developing some significant neuropathy, and pain in his back/spine.   Perhaps the thalidomide is causing these issues, even though he is at the lowest dose available. His physical activity (and my to do list) has picked up, so perhaps this is contributing to cause.  Even with these discomforts, Mark does not want to trade off his control of this disease with a discontinuation of the maintenance drug.  He has been doing fairly well with his life/work balance (although at times I can see his job is more demanding than ever).  Perhaps if this crazy economy lets up a bit, things will get a bit better.  But who knows what is going to happen.... 

MMRF Race for Research, Fairmont Park Philadelphia, PA October 3, 2009#P-49-16

MMRF Race for Research, Fairmont Park Philadelphia, PA October 3, 2009#P-49-16

And Here's Whats Happening in Our Neck of the Woods

Hello Dear Readers,

No, we did not fall off the face of the earth..

The dreaded H1N1 got me last week (and it has not been fun).

Of course, my point of panic was that Mark would become exposed and also come down with this nasty flu. Knock on wood, he has not. He also has not gotten his flu shot yet (can you hear me nagging him about this). But, in his defense, I did get the flu shot, so what good did it do for me. Today is the first day I have been out of bed to actually been able to post.

Oh well, on to life...

So.. Our MMRF TEAM MARK event was a HUGE success on Oct 3rd.

TEAM MARK 2009

We raised over $13,5K. And did Team Mark ever turn out for the event. We arrived at Fairmont Park in Philadelphia at 7:30 am to setup under our team tent. [by the way, the park is absolutely gorgeous] My mom and dad were tremendous help getting everything organized, we had a tone of energy food, drinks, signage, tshirts, bracelets, hats, you name it we were prepared. And the best part... it didn't rain, although our local weatherman "hurricane swartz" kept saying, it was going to be a rain event... HA HA .. you know where you can stick your Doppler radar that is updated 33 times an hour.... (he he) :)

Moments after we were setup.. our team members arrived... what support we received.. Mark's cousins from Mass, Kathy and Susan and their family flew down for the event.

Jenna, Amy, Jim, Susan, Matt, Kathy

Miriam and Emma and Smooches (Our TOP FUND RAISERS) drove in from NYC,

Lauren, Kim and BROOKE came over from NJ, Allison, Brian, Elaine, Paul, Andrew, Meredyth and Lilly

came in from Bucks CO; and Buddy, Robert, Alyssa and cutie Justin came in from the sticks. (I hope I did not leave anyone out from race day).

Since this was a 5K race our "in shape" team members actually ran the race; while most of the rest of the team had an enjoyable walk.

And then there was the group that walked with my dad. Now I realize that you don't know my dad, but let me just say he is the most incredibly fit person I know for his age (lets just say over 75). And for those of us who walked with him, well we might as well said we ran the race. Talk about power walking... He did not break a sweat; whereas I looked like I was hit by a tsunami wave, dripping with sweat.

Allie and Dad, Robert to the Left, and Kim, Lauren and Brooke in background

We all survived and regrouped at the tent to replenish and then were off for our official team photos.

We continued our victory with an "after party" with great eats and drink back at our house. It was so wonderful to have everyone together. My SIL, Aggie and her sister Grace and Mrs. P came over as well as our new family friend Pat.

We had some great ping pong and horse shoe competitions, followed by a fire on the patio, with s'mores for the kids (big and small alike).

I don't know where the day went, but it was one for the memory book.... it was a great day, great event for a great cause..

Yahoo

Next week will be exactly 9 months since Mark's stem cell transplant. WELL today was the follow up with the hem/onc and I am so happy to report that Mark is still in complete remission by all tests. The skeletal survey came out stable with no changes. YAHOOOOOOOO.. What a wonderful relief to know that the course we are following is working (low dose thalidomide and a very protein balanced diet). By all means and measures we could not be more thankful and blessed.

We are still very committed to our fundraising efforts with the MMRF and TEAM MARK, doing what ever we can to accelerate the research in this race for the cure. Again, we thank our family and friends for the ongoing support and love.

Stay well.. Barbara and Mark

TEAM MARK - WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yahooooooo. Team Mark has exceed their goal for our 2009 fundraising for the MMRF Race for Research - Philadelphia. YTD $10,411 raised.
So many thanks to friends, colleagues, family member for all of their hard work. An extra shout out to Miriam who really reached out to her NYC friends. Our team captain Lauren has been an extraordinary inspiration to have TEAM MARK continue in this outstanding cause. Lauren and Allison have now participated in 4 MMRF Races. Big thanks to Allison and Brian (in charge of Tshirts and signs). Our big day is coming and I know we will all have a great time as work towards finding a cure for this cancer.. Many, many thanks to all who have supported us over the years..
Barbara and Mark