ABSENTING MYSELF FROM THE SITUATION!

Being of sound mind and short fuse, I will be taking next week off. In fact, all 3 of us in the carpool are taking next week off. There's more than one reason but trust me, the traffic in The District is sufficient provocation all by itself! The influx of tourists, both in vehicles (driving badly) or on foot (ignoring the walk/don't walk signals at considerable peril) would be reason enough. The intrusive motorcades seemingly required whenever Himself goes from Point A to Point B or anywhere in between (and he isn't even inaugurated yet), but especially (for some insane reason) during rush hour, would be reason enough. Taken together - we're getting out of Dodge! 51 miles South of Dodge to be exact. There is no way in hades that the mess will be cleaned up on the day after the inauguration and call me crazy, but would YOU want to be in town while 5,000 porto potties are being flushed out and carted away? I thought not!

Primary reason for our choice to be "in absentia" is Mark, friend Joyce's husband. As I've blogged before, Mark's first surgery last year could not get all of the primary site cancerous tumor that had lodged itself in his brain. Despite aggressive chemo and radiation, the tumor has decided to return so this coming Tuesday, the neurosurgeon will be operating to remove the new growth from Mark's brain. At the same time, he will be placing a titanium plate to protect Mark's brain from insult - which was not done during the first surgery because the neurosurgeon knew that another surgery would be required. After this, no more surgeries. Whatever happens, happens apparently. This is, incidentally, the same type of tumor that is afflicting Senator Edward Kennedy, so one would suspect that within a few months he too will be needing additional surgical intervention. As the oncologist explained, when a brain tumor is caused by a primary cancer elsewhere in the body, it's easier to combat. When it is a primary site tumor and the rest of the body is cancer-free, that's a whole different and more deadly situation.

Please pray for Mark (and their entire family) if you are so inclined. They are a delightful family and although Joyce is the strongest woman I know, this has to be a huge weight on her shoulders every minute of every day. Sis and I will be there at the hospital on Tuesday and will be visiting Mark in the hospital whenever Joyce deems that it is a good idea. Throughout, we will be offering up our most sincere prayers that Mark's days far exceed the estimates given by the medical team.

Since my attention will, understandably, be directed elsewhere, it is probable that I won't be posting much to this blog. Take care and enjoy the insanity on Tuesday 1/20/09.

FOLLOW-UP FROM MY FRIEND LAURIE, IN IOWA!

Where is the Iowa disaster coverage? (We take care of our own.)

Where are all of the Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for help in restoring Iowa and helping the folks affected by the floods? (We tend to think most of them are asses and don't even want their help.)

Where is all the media asking the tough questions about why the federal government hasn't solved the problem? Asking where the FEMA trucks (and trailers) are? (We Iowans, otherwise know as "Iowegians" have neighbors who will put us up. No FEMA or trailers necessary.)

Why isn't the Federal Government relocating Iowa people to free hotels in Chicago?

(We don't want to stay in Chicago... as we'll camp out and help our neighbors at or close to home. THEN we'll take care of our own needs.)

When will Spike Lee say that the Federal Government blew up the levees that failed in Des Moines? (Spike Lee doesn't care about all of us, "Crackers" in Iowa and none of us need him anyway, so it's a "wash" hahaaha.)

Where are Sean Penn and the Dixie Chicks? (Iowans really don't think much of the Dixie Chicks, since they have been against the very standards we stand for. Seah Penn could come help when he has a few days to haul sand bags. Yeah, righty-o.)

Where are all the looters stealing high-end tennis shoes and big screen television sets? (*Note: There has been some looting reported). (For the most part... looting hasn't crossed most of Iowan's minds... too busy sandbagging and checking on neighbors.)

When will we hear Governor Chet Culver say that he wants to rebuild a "vanilla" Iowa, because that's the way God wants it? (Gov. Culver knows Iowans are busy and that they all know, "God helps those who helps themselves.")

Where is the hysterical 24/7 media coverage complete with reports of cannibalism?

(Iowans are too boring. They work and take care of whatever needs to be taken care of. No time for t.v. right now... besides the new Spears baby is what's most important to those media writers.)

Where are the people declaring that George Bush hates white, rural people?

(Again.... we're all too busy to care. Have things to do, so let's "get 'er done.")

How come in 2 weeks, you will never hear about the Iowa flooding ever again?
(Because we'll have our towns taken care of and on with our lives.)

End of story.

POSITIVE NEWS!

My friend Joyce's husband Mark appears to be in remission. X-rays of the brain tumor reveal no new tumor growth (he was diagnosed in February with what appears to be the same type of tumor afflicting Senator Kennedy). Mark has been through a lot since the diagnosis, including surgery to remove an enormous brain tumor, plus chemo and radiation treatment. He is now on a regimen of chemo once per month for 5 days, an MRI every third month. His taste buds have started working again. When they returned from the doctor appointment on Tuesday, he expressed an intention of mowing the lawn. Joyce's response was: "Not with 2 broken legs, which is what you will have if you try!" since the doctors had made it clear that he was to avoid exceedingly hot days (which Tuesday certainly was).

To all of you who prayed for Mark and for his family's well being during this highly difficult period, know that a continuation of those prayers is still needed, since Mark isn't cured. However, his quality of life would seem to be something that has improved considerably and should continue for an appreciable period of time. Total cure, probably not in the cards, however, his health has at least improved enough that he can enjoy his life and his family for an as yet unspecified period of time and that's a blessing - and being greedy on their behalf, I hope it is for a very, very long time! So thank you for the prayers already offered and those yet to come. They are a lovely bunch of people and deserve our best wishes.