They say it's your birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YA! Today is Mom's birthday. She's 29...again. It was a bittersweet birthday but we were able to enjoy some delicious ribs from Rib City Grill (new in the Jungle Jim's strip) and pie with Greater's ice cream. She got many cards sent from loved ones, and enjoyed some beautiful smelling flowers sent from the Beechwoods Crew. We even continued a tradition spanning many years which was singing "Happy Birthday" along with an antique music box. We've all had it for every birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMMACOU!

This past Sunday was the Closing Orientation for the EF exchange students and their host families. Mom took the kids down in the basement and discussed all the hard things about their time here ending soon. There were tears that fell for leaving and for PappaCou. There was also a lot of EATING! What else happens in the Marcou house? Isn't this a great group of kids? They have had some wonderful times here and they shared many of their favorite moments at the meeting. They will be missed very much. They all have a very special place in PappaCou's heart! If you see any of our students around in school or out and about, make sure you say hello to them before they leave in June.

This great picture was only taken Sunday April 22nd, out in the back yard. ONE WEEK ago he was his old self, relaxing in the hammock in the back. Times can change so fast.

Today for Dad was the same as the last three days. He is resting most of the day and is really unable to hold conversations. Mom has done a wonderful and loving job taking care of him and making him comfortable. Sometimes he gets frustrated and a little angry, but I know that he would tell her how much he appreciates her if he could. We have been blessed by so many who care for our family, and want all the prayers to continue. He isn't feeling much pain and we all think that God is trying to make this easier for him. In looking for a way to describe this time to young grandchildren who ask about Grandpa, the best analogy is that Grandpa is resting up well for his journey to visit God. We know we are all on a path, but witnessing his journey is hard for us all. But Dad is smart. He knew that his path would have bumps and turns and twists and hills. He knew that he would need help and guidance. With the family all together, and all the wonderful visitors he's had, each person is helping him to keep straight on the path.

This Friday is our race. Thanks to all the people who love my dad so much, we beat our $1,000 goal in only five days. It is astonishing how much you all care about supporting such a wonderful cause. Thank you Thank you, from the Marcou's and the American Cancer Society.

We will keep posting to update as things change.

"You are all loved. God Bless"

Rocky Paths and Rough Roads

Sometimes in life, you have to let yourself be carried. Right now, it's too hard for PappaCou to write his own blog so his children are carrying this portion of his life for him. We are having a very hard time finding words to describe this process, these feelings, all of it. Humor is what he would have wanted, and humor is what we will try to use.
So how many kids with ADD does it take to change a lightbulb? Wanna go ride bikes?

What did the daddy tomato say to the baby tomato who was lagging behind? KETCHUP!

What type of bees make milk instead of honey? Boobees (sorry, but that's really his favorite joke).

How do you make a tissue dance? Put a little boogie in it!

How do eskimos make babies? They just rub their noses together and the little boogers just fall out.

What do you get when you cross an Elephant and a Rhino? Eleph-Ino!
Just some of his very favorites.....they probably offended somebody so we apologize to you now.

Ok ok, so now for the serious stuff...Dad has been two weeks off the chemo, and it has been a steady downhill path. Hospice has been a positive force in managing his pain and other GREMLINS (hiccups mainly. Maybe he can set a new record and beat that other little girl. 17 days was it?) His thoughts are with us all, but not always crystal clear. Every once in a while a little ray of our favorite "DORK" shines through the tired and slow moving exterior, and we get a good chuckle! Dad is resting, and some times are more comfortable than others. When he's sleeping he dreams of New Hampshire, his time in the Airforce, New York City gyros, Aglimeses Ice Cream, Braves baseball games, dunkin donuts and coffee, WHITE CASTLES, EF grillouts, Tall Stacks, happy feet slippers, Marion's Pizza, Beanie Babies, cheesy sci-fi movies. These are a few of his favorite things, as Ms Andrews would say. The time may be drawing nigh where the family and friends who have carried him this far turn that job over to a higher energy. We couldn't do this without the prayers you send. Right now, Mom is trying to return calls as quickly as possible, but isn't able to get to all of them. As we try to keep this blog updated through the next couple of days, please leave us some encouraging words with humor as well as that icky serious stuff too!

To end this blog I ask you:
What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor? Make me ONE with everything!

God Bless

RELAY FOR LIFE

Thi$ is a $ecret Blogger.....(Carrie)
I have formed a Relay for Life team called Cou's Commandos in honor of the author of this wonderful blog you read every day.
Please consider donating or even JOINING OUR TEAM IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA! I put a link on Dad's blog page on the right hand side. It will take you to the Colerain High School Relay For Life page. From there you can sponsor us with a donation or search for the team name to JOIN US!! You can donate online or if you live here find me. Checks made to American Cancer Society. I set a goal of $1,000 so lets beat it!

God bless you all for all the prayers you send for dad.

Just for Carrie, the answer!

As I noticed in many of the last blog comments the "where is Mike?" note, I realized that it was time to come back to the blogging world. So here I am. This is the first time I have had the energy to sit and open up about what's really going with me. On the last Chemo Monday, we talked more about "What's Next..." for chemo. Immediately I realized the difference$ between her thinking and mine. I thought I simply needed a break from chemo. She thought differently. When I found out what the good doctor and Cindy really felt about the "break", it wasn't what I had planned. Their idea of a break was a little more permanent. This was not what I wanted to hear. I couldn't understand why a boost in energy, a lay off in chemo, a shot of oxygen wouldn't be a great way to get me ready for another round of chemo? The doctor put her arm around me and said "Michael, it would be irresponsible of me to give you more chemo." Coming from a doctor who I respect, I trusted her. She went on to describe the man she knew who bragged about weekly 3.2 mile walks at the park, and told me it was her job to find where that man went. I didn't expect to leave the office after that news with a feeling of peace, but I was amazed. After feeling anger and sadness, I too wanted to be able to find the man who a month ago was up and moving, and I felt reassured by her (our) decision.
Let me take a moment to explain why there was a delay in when you all heard this information. I have four beautiful adult children. Each of them in different phases of their lives right now, and handling this situation quite well. With Carrie finishing her Master's thesis, and Laura finishing her Senior Comps, we just didn't have the heart to drop this news right in the middle of these events. Now the tests are over and everyone can now share in the reality of the doctor's decisions.
Lots of great things happened the last few days, but I realized they still weren't the same as what my focus has typically been for the last five months...my gold coins. One of the primary changes is a new time to do my blog. Well today I got my new oxygen toy and I can see that is really going to help me on the sleep side. I also have had my pain meds completely adjusted and that too should help me with sleeping. Between the two, I should be able to write this UPSTAIRS, during the day hours and I know I will enjoy that so much better. I am sorry there's been so much time since the last blog and I look forward to having more energy to write. You all are loved!

Explaining the delay......

I won't hold back any punches. These last few weeks of the new Chemo has been more than I could handle, and seemed to get worse every day. Finally, this Monday, I went in for round three and the computer printout on my body numbers didn't make anyone smile at all I was dehydrated, deflated, nauseated to the extreme, oh heck, everything was to the extreme. So her first concern was getting fluids into me. Then she told me she was not giving me the Chemo that day. That fact didn't bother me since all of this misery had started since the new Chemo started two weeks prior. So after a few bags of medically enhanced Evian selling for $180.00 a bag, I went home to keep suffering.
It did however start to get better slowly but not fast enough for me to make my decision to go to NYC on Wednesday. For those that don't know, Wednesday was our departure date for my yearly NYC trip where I take the exchange students and adults and we have just a wonderful time! I waited until the very last day, hoping I could muster up the physical stamina to make it, but I knew deep down it was impossible. A few of the adults going on the trip had been along with me before, in fact more than once and we had talked earlier that they certainly could handle the trip without me. It was the hardest thing, for me to wave goodbye at 4:00 AM Wednesday as they left for the airport. But I do hear they are having a wonderful time and all is well. Maybe I'll be able to go next year, who knows.
I just want you all to know that I am bringing my computer upstairs to make it a bit easier to write these because they are so very important to me to write as well as any of you reading them. I too hate when there is a delay and I want to try to avoid it as much as possible. So much has happpened lately and in a positive way so I still enjoy sharing those moments... like that wonderful snow we had last Saturday and the effects of the changing weather on all our spring flower growth. I have some great pictures to show as well. So here is the deal, I am still okay, just wasn't doing very well and I do intend to stay more current on the blog entries.
I still think of you all often, squeeze my easter bunny from Keena every day, plan to catch up on my 145 emails very soon and every day I am aware of how lucky I am to have such a group of family, friends, and loved ones like all of you. God Bless you all! You are loved.

I wasn't counting, now I'm surprised.

I didn't realize that I have written over 105 of these blog entries. Wow that's over three months worth. Those of you who know me the best probably chuckle that I have stayed committed to anything that long. At least I am chuckling. I mentioned I finished my first book in 20 years in the park walking an forgot to mention it was "Tuesdays with Morrie", a wonderful book and yes, I know , only about 6 pages long, but it was still a first for me. I'm now enjoying the sequel on Morrie in his own words, and really enjoying it now.

Wednesday was generally a crummy day physically but a great day socially. Bob and I went to lunch at Bob Evans and yes, I had fruit. Just sitting an chatting is such a reward and a peaceful thing to do. I hope that all of you when your time comes to retire or slow down, will see just how important starting friendships can be. My friend Fred also came to visit and graciously gave me a "Pedometer" which will keep track of my steps each day. I love gadgets and have never owned one so I'm looking forward to my next walk in the park. It actually will track my steps all day which should be interesting as well. Thanks Fred, sincerely. Then tomorrow I have lunch being brought over and a a chance to look a pictures with a very dear young friend. The word is good fresh vegetable soup and catching up on her travels and pictures. This young lady entered my heart years ago as a teen and now I'm enjoying her comfort and friendship as a young adult too.

Then Jim and I will do our mall walking as well so my new Pedometer will get it's first workout.

I do want to remind everyone that this is Holy Week at our local churches and each day there is some kid of service to attend that can re-awaken the spirit of the Easter season. Take time to share one of those days with those you love and are close to you, and re kinder the the story of Christ's love for all of us. It's an easy one and I can vouch for how important it gets later on when more of the fog and garbage clears from in front of your eyes. It's a wonderful time in the church to say Thank You, I love you, and I missed you.

What on earth is going on outside? I just noticed the window thermometer showing 20's. Yikes. Well if you come visit me, I have plenty of wonderful prayer shawls that so many great people have made for me to share. So come on down. My day ended once again with stress and meds, yet as they took effect, I found it so easy to reflect on the good things I have. Like spending the afternoon just snuggling with my daughter as she tried to convince me she was my favorite. But I do love her so very much. You are all loved, God bless you all.

And the path still goes on.

Tuesday was basically good day. It started with a great coffee outing with a neighbor I hadn't had much of a chance to get to know better, and now I have moved that up to a much better level and enjoyed it tremendously. We enjoyed more than a couple of cups and I ventured the new McDonald's Cinnamon treat. I think I should have warned my stomach a bit, since I think it carried it around far too long. Six or so hours later when I was in some disturbing pain after our evening wellness group, Cindy was questioning my food intake for the day and just laughed and said, "so I guess healthy eating hasn't really taken a high priority position yet?" Well many of you out there can help me answer that with gusto. You know we could bellow out a multi voice choir lick that simply sang jubilantly, NO. But I am working on volume, and content so soon things will be better.

Speaking of choir, Bob, I hope you will pass on again the next opportunity to hear the Cincinnati Comrade group. I was just not at a physical level to catch the show but still would like to very much. I'm trying to put all the school concerts in my calendar for the end of the year so that I can hear as many as possible and enjoy many of the exchange students in their final performances.

I thought yesterday the Doctor would change the Chemo quickly because I didn't feel it was doing well but now I am glad I didn't second guess the good doctor because she thought it was and now I do too. I don't feel as tight in the neck and chest as before, so keep up the supportive prayers for this new one. The side effects are hard but if it's working , then fine, a fair trade indeed.

I am close to finally fixing my last frustrating computer problems which will make things so much better and get so much more done on the web and photo pages and this blog much easier too. It is my last big effort and then no more changes in this house. Should be ready soon but for now it is my excuse for late email and slow blog publishing.. I cant tell you how much i enjoy hearing someone is reading this and even those that I don't know. I am humbled that any of you get something out of it and many have shared that you do. It is a wonderful feeling to give a silent gift that you don't know you offer. I hope this part of my attitude shines through and God''s plan allows me to continue this little effort of embracing all of you . Because that is how I look at it, a way to reach out and hug and embrace you all with true feelings of caring and love. You truly are my blessings too.

I really don't try to skip nights, honest

Okay, here it is Monday night again and today was the second round for the harsh new Chemo. The doctor saw us both and she was again feeling good about things. Thought the swelling went down and wanted to keep on this new one for a while. Of course I would have liked to change only because of the side effects. But we will push on. The few days leading up to the Monday Chemo didn't make history for me , that's for sure. What happens is, that if i have a rougher evening and push more meds, which is ok to do, then my sleeping and stamina schedule gets all out of wack. For instance. Saturday night I woke at about 3 and thought about the blog, then i immediately got smacked in the face with why i woke up and after taking the meds, i just wanted to crawl in a whole, so you see the blog lost.

Okay enough of the crappy parts. Good things happen too, remember,if you give them the chance. First, My little second cousin Alexis did her first Marcou Family New Hampshire newsletter for me to put on our page. It was exciting to read and will be exciting to post soon.

My friend Dick's hip replacement went so well he is at home in rehab all ready. This is such a good thing for him. In six weeks he will probably have the other hip done.

Carrie and Bill were chaperones on the WWHS Atlanta band and orchestra trip. Sounds like they all did well and had a good time. The WWHS play comes up in late April, so don't miss it if you can. It will not dissapoint you as a great show.

Cindy and I actually walked the park circle last night on Chemo day, go figure. I just at about 7 had to get out of the house. It was a push but such a pleasant walk. And then when I'm the most tired and wanted to quit, we run into one of my doctors and his wife and you have to know how much that impressed him to see me there, so lots of medical brownie points there for sure.

I'm getting Cindy's new computer up to speed so that will make it easier for me to write these as well.

We made contact with Elodie from Fance, Chiaki from Japan and Guro from Norway, 3 of our students for next year and that is always exciting for us. Our NY city tour is coming up on Apr 11th and I am really looking forward to that. Kristine from Norway this year, had her parents and siblings visit and momma made me and Cindy a beautiful warm pair of wool Norwegian slippers and they are great. I wore them to my Chemo session. They were a big hit.

We did some shopping for new phones so my major phone frustration has been solved. we are now in the 21st century with phones, so it should be a lot easier for me to answer them , which I really want to do so I can hear from many of you.

So the overall summary is still the same, bad days mixed with good, but the good always outweigh the bad, thanks to the will of God, and the hearts of my friends and loved ones. You are all appreciated even down to the 3 year olds and newborns. God bless you all.