Funeral Arrangements

Just wanted to let everyone know that the arrangements for John have been made. The visitation will be Monday, April 26th from 5-9PM with a rosary at 7:30PM at Earthman Southwest at 12555 Kirkwood Stafford, TX 77477. The funeral will follow, Tuesday April 27th at 10:30AM at Holy Family Catholic Church at 1510 5th Street Missouri City, TX 77489 and will proceed on to the gravesite at Forrest Park Lawndale. The family will also be receiving friends following the services at Roy Burger's home.

We appreciate everyones thoughts, prayers, calls and visits during this difficult time.

At Peace

We are saddened to report that after a long struggle, John has lost his battle and is now finally at peace. Arrangements have not been made but we will update the blog as soon as everything has been finalized.

Think you for all your thoughts and prayers, they have truly been appreciated.

Update from Krystle & Tiffany

It's been quite some time since the blog has been updated but this is a post that no one really wants to write. We all know John has fought as hard as he possibly can and unfortunately at this time it appears he is losing his battle. The past 7-8 months has been a wild ride and these last couple of weeks have been even harder. Last week John's oncologist decided she was going to take him off of all chemo medicine and strictly concentrate on trying to keep him comfortable.

After much thought, they decided to have hospice set up at the house and allow John to be as peaceful and comfortable as possible. Trying to get him situated with new medications has been quite the struggle but hopefully today this was finally achieved.

My mom and John wanted to thank everyone for their support and prayers along the way. It is very much appreciated and truly means the world to them. They can't thank you guys enough for all the calls, emails, cards and visits throughout the last 8 months. Please continue to keep John in your prayers.

Love,

Krystle & Tiffany

Rita and John did it!!!!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Burger

Married Thursday, February 18, 2010





St. Thomas More Catholic Church





Houston, TX

January 21, 2010

Hey Gang! Sorry it's been so long, but it has been a wild ride! I'll get back with all the boring stuff in a little bit.


Hot Chocolate...John's new coffee. The Dr. has had me off coffee and tea for a long enough time now for me to make a few comments. Cocoa is cocoa. Period. It is not coffee. It is not tea. It contains no caffiene. You can't make a pot in the morning and sip on it all day. It's hot chocolate!


Hot chocolate does have some benifits, however. Unlike coffee, the instant varieties are actually pretty good. A cup of cocoa can be prepared in about 2 1/2 minutes using a microwave. It is sweet and hopefully is partially responsible for putting some weight back on me. Hot Chocolate is creamy and does feel good on the throat. Cheap brands are usually just as good as the higher priced products available.


I also made a discovery about preparing hot chocolate. Rather than heating up the water in a measuiung cup and pouring into a cup with the mix in it, heat the water in the cup you intend to drink from, add the mix, and stir. This process heats the mug at the same keeping your liquid enjoyment hotter longer. Yes I have beeen drinking a lot of hot chocolate.


The holidays were pretty blah for us. (How would John know he slept the whole time and believe me, when I was off, I sleep just as much. I think I might could do that for a living but it takes alot to get me to that point. Imagine that!) Justin was in town and came to visit. Unfortunately I was feeling so bad I only got to spend a few short hours with him. I did make it to Mass on Christmas Eve, "the Children's Mass"but after that it all went downhill. Rita and I just sat around the house burning a fire and letting me sleep. I spent Dec. 28 through Jan. 3 in the hospital. I was prescribed an antibiotic (3 weeks earlier with the 1st round of chemo) that essentially killed everything in my stomach so they kept me in the hospital and got my stomach back to some type of functional order. ( Yeah right!!!)

Rita continiues to work an enormous amount of hours, but still loves her job. Her next road trip will be to Corpus Christi at the beginning of Feb.

My last chemo was 1/4 /2010 and my next is 2/2/2010. I will find out more details on the 2nd.

I think that's all for now. Of course if you have any questions feel free to e-mail or call.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all there emails,phone calls

text messages and last but certainally not least prayers and concerns. You have no idea how far

or how much they all mean when you get feeling pretty low and down just knowing people really do care and are concerned about you means alot.

So from the bottom of John and my heart I would truely like to Thank All of you for keeping in touch and hopefully in our next blog we will have some good news for everyone.

December 13, 2009

Dateline: Houston, TX

Headline: ELECTRIC SHAVERS SUCK!!! Details to follow.

Sorry it's been so long and I have been anything but prompt in our publications. We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We did! The pictures above somewhat depict our "Thanksgiving Buffet". We put everything on a steam table so it stays hot through out the meal; all the way down to the last person that serves them self (always Rita). I don't play the "Can you Pass the..." game. I'm busy eating. I apologize for not allowing you to have the opportunity to ensure the fact that, with proper timing and lack of interruptions, I can eat more than you! If you want more of something or something else, go get it...I'm busy!

Speaking of cornbread dressing, I received an e-mail from one of our blog followers that asked a question I am unable to answer other than "No". I thought I would post this out for your input so possibly we can help this meandering and worrisome soul. Have any of you ever seen frozen cornbread? Either pre-baked or ready to bake (similar to the frozen roll dough that is located in the freezer case at your local grocery store). If you have seen it, please respond to our e-mail so I can relay said information. Thanks in advance!

Rita has still been working her fingers to the bone trying to get the last new store of the year open. I think since last week I really haven't seen her! Pooped is an understatement.

Before I started chemo I tried to get the lights on the house. I did the normal get them out, plug them in to make sure they work, and hang 'em up. I got them all up with a lot of help. I anxiously set the timer and turned on my masterpiece so we could step back and enjoy their majesty. Although the lights had been inspected previous to their installation, about 50% failed to produce their beautiful illumination. What's a guy to do? Easy enough solved! Say to yourself "******* ****** !!!!!!!". That translates to "leave them up, pull them down when the holiday is over, and place them in a receptacle for the sanitation department to enjoy! Fresh start next year!

My first chemo went well. No nausea at all. I got my treatment on a Tuesday and was fine. I took a nap late Saturday afternoon and (with a few interruptions) woke up Tuesday morning.

He is leaving out something here he worked Thursday, Friday and 1/2 of Saturday then the nap and all the rest happened.

The biggest thing now is I must be careful of my surroundings as my immune system is low. I must avoid crowded places, sick people, and children. Next chemo - Dec. 22.

This session they are changing one of the chemos out for another to try to alleviate some of the effects that happened last time around.

NOW, TO THE HEADLINES... Along with the previously mentioned taboos, I can no longer wet shave and I am required to use an electric shaver. THEY SUCK! Who ever invented this modern day breakthrough? I want to know so I can track him down like a rabid dog. It takes 3 times longer and as far as a close shave, "bull butter"I say!

Just in case we get lazy again, Rita and I wish you a wonderful, joyous, and blessed Holiday Season!

Noverber 23, 2009

Hey Gang! Sorry it's been awhile. Everything around here is fine. Rita has been busier that a 1 legged man in a butt kicking contest, and I have too! Rita has been in town for the last 2 weeks and I have been working (yes, like on the job).

Rita finished the new store in San Antonio and she says it is doing great. She was real stressed during this store and we are glad it is completed. I have been telecommuting from the house and laboring as many hours as I can fit in. Much to my chagrin; appointments and tests require a majority of my days. I have also been going to weekday Mass anytime my schedule allows.

If you have not physically visited the Burger Abode lately, Ike along with 40 years of age, changed our backyard dramaticly. Along with destroying 4 trees, he demolished our fence. I did not insert the photos in any particular order, so let's play "Can You Guess The New From The Old" game. Rita and I are very happy with the results.

We have also been cooking for 2 weekends to prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving feast. I believe we are ready. I tried to get out of frying turkeys this year. Rita explained in the most loving, calm voiced, life threatening manner possible that not frying turkeys WAS NOT AN OPTION I WANTED TO DEAL WITH. Of course, since I only have 1/2 of a brain, I explained to Rita that I must have not been thinking with the other 1/2. Regardless, this weekend I fried 5 turkeys. I had help and thank you for your generosity. Dad helped too. I have to mention him because at 90 years old he hasn't quite gripped the whole Internet thing much less following a blog.

We also had help with the "Broccoli, Rice and Cheese", "My Mom's Dressing", "Rita's Mom's Dressing". "Turnips", "Rita's Mom's Meatballs", and all the prep work required for all of the afore mentioned. Again thanks for all the help. I know I am forgetting something but... I only got 1/2 a brain! That's my excuse and I'm going to ride that pony till it peters out!

Rita has to work Friday and will not get a chance to play cheerleader for U.T. Justin is coming in from FL and I hope to get his help with a few things around here.

Thanks to all for the greens recipes and your responses! I got the recipes but I ain't got the greens. I think I'll eat the recipes and ask the dietitian if that counts.

I'm sure I am missing something I wanted to share, but that 1/2 brain thing is kicking in. If I remember something It will give you something to loose sleep over for the next week!

From the Burger Abode to your Home, Castle, Cave, Manson, House, or whatever you call it; we pray that everyone has a safe, happy, and blessed Thanksgiving!