LEG THANKS ARM

You may recall the BLOG posting dated April 27—“Running For Mario” showing Richard (Dick) Correa with his arm sporting the message “4 Mario & Jack”.  Dick is a college buddy of Tom the Often Wise, Nurse Sherry’s Dad.  He ran the Boston Marathon for Mario and his friend Jack, with “4 Mario & Jack“ written on his arm.  Spectators cheered and shouted words of encouragement as Dick made it the 26 miles. 

When we showed Mario’s leg the picture and explained what Dick’s arm had done, the leg was so overcome that it wanted to say thanks in the same way. 

Mario, Nurse Sherry and the Butler decided it was good idea, and using the logic of what is good enough for an arm is good enough for a leg, came up with a way for Mario’s leg to show its appreciation.  Thanks again Dick for a fine run.  We hope that you and your arm can compete in many future marathons and that you have cooler weather next year.

More Thanks

Mr. FOG has three get well cards to share.  Bettina, Bopsy and Jim choose dogs to cheer up Mario.  A sleepy shaggy white dog with the message “things will get better”, contrasted nicely with a pack of frisky dash hounds with the thought that even dogs with short legs can make it, “one step at a time”.  Jim and Ellen’s card conveyed “a glass is half full attitude” with the message that although hospital bills are high, you still get breakfast in bed. 

Unfortunately this reminded Mr. FOG that he has not gotten breakfast in bed in long, long, time.  Although he prefers to get up for breakfast, preferably “al fresco”, he may have to make his own breakfast and take it back to bed.  Perhaps tomorrow he will have his breakfast on the Vinings Mountain Castle balcony and wave to the neighbors as they go off to work. 

Thanks again to all for the words of encouragement.  I know Mario and Sherry appreciate your cards very much and I get a laugh, inspiration, or some self-reflection from your messages.  Also a big thanks to   Hillary, Beth Anne, and Roberta from AT&T for the Whole Foods gift card, and to the Smiths, Susie, Eric, and Bucky for the Trader Joes gift card.    The newlyweds will put them to good use, and sometimes Mr. FOG gets a tasty treat.

Being away, Mr. FOG may have missed your card, so if yours has not been listed, please blame Mr. FOG and hold Nurse Sherry and Mario harmless. They have a lot on their plates.

New Orleans Revisited

While we may have more New Orleans flash backs, since Mr. FOG still has a photo tour of the New Orleans Marigny neighborhood he has not shared. For now you get to see what appears to be the world’s shortest man with the world’s tallest one. Below are the pictures of Mario and Mr. FOG at an AT&T corporate brunch reception held at Redfish. In addition to the Bloody Marys and fresh oysters, the highlight of the activity was a photo op with basketball legend Moses Malone a NBA hall of famer.

Today’s Cancer Update

For Chemo #5 the symptoms seem to come and apparently go away quickly and unexpectedly.   Mario drove himself to work on Wednesday, but once there, he started getting severe chills, a precursor of a fever; and had to come back home.   At home he generally was fine, and able to take conference calls and work from his computer. He actually sounded pretty good and involved in his work. The fever this time was not as bad as the one on Monday. He is hurting at times, but works through the symptoms. 

Thursday was not a good day. Generally he was in bed and working but in pain. Tomorrow we see the doctor and a recheck his hemoglobin levels. Hopefully they will be OK and he will not need a blood transfusion. To his credit, he has not complained, wasted time on self-pity, or had a harsh word for those helping him get through this.