FOG’S ROAD TRIP

Painting of Daniel Boone Leading Settlers to New Lands

With only boring radiation cancer news, Mr. FOG decided to share his road trip on the BLOG.  Look for our big fall wedding issue as we cover Anna and Dan’s October nuptials.

 Mario is doing fine, going to radiation therapy every week day, for a total of 35 treatments.  He is about half-way through them.  It is a quick stop in on his way to work.  The radiologist radiates the leg and he is on his way.  This treatment in conjunction with the chemotherapy is being done to increase his odds that the cancer does not return.  While the chemo therapy worked very well , getting rid of every visible sign of the tumor, smaller microscopic cancer cells could still be, or perhaps more accurately, probably still are present.  The external radiation of the area where the tumor grew should kill these cells.  At first the side effects, where not noticeable, but irritation of the skin and a weakening of the leg are beginning to develop, as the radiation kills both good and bad cells in the area.

The big question is when or if, nerve function will return to the leg.  Mario walks with a pronounced limp, due to a loss of sensation on the sole of his foot, since the tibial nerve was severely damaged by the tumor.  Not until the cancer treatments stop, will we know if the body will be able to repair itself and function return to the leg.  Mr. FOG is both happy and grateful  for what God, science, the doctors, luck, and the strength of family and friends has given us.  He is hopeful that Mario will recover full function of the leg in the months to come

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park

Vista of the Cumberalnd Gap

Mr. FOG is taking the back roads of Tennessee and Kentucky to visit his sister in Chicago (Orland Park).  The first stop on the road trip was the Cumberland Gap, where the states of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee meet.  It was at this junction that the early settlers crossed to open the rich farming lands west of the Appalachians.   

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_Gap

While others may disagree, this park is perhaps not the most memorable of our nation’s parks.  While certainly historically significant, it lacks the wonder of parks having a dramatic geological feature, e.g. the Grand Canyon and some historical sites are harder present (“interpret”) .   How does one show the hope,  fear, and other emotions of the early pioneers finally going through the gap to settle new lands? 

A remote mountain top settlement of the early 20^th Century was preserved and made for a nice little tour.  Below are some pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The School House