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!

November 9, 2009

Wow, what an exciting week! NO, I really mean it!!!

Monday I had a full body PET scan. It's some kind of scan that makes cancer show up bright yellow. I had several spots throughout my body that the oncologist was concerned about other than the one on my lung they already know about. ALL of the suspected spots results came back NEGATIVE!!! I think that's good news! I also had an appointment with my oncologist the same day. She already had the report of the scan and relayed the findings to me. This outcome has also made her reconsider my future treatments. She is going to correspond with some of her cronies at the M. D. Anderson "Main Campus" to determine whether she can get more aggressive with the one spot in question.

Wednesday evening my neurologist's nurse called and awarded me with the return of my driving privileges! WOW!

Thursday I was put back on the payroll of the greatest coffee company in the world, Community Coffee! I am on a part time to as much as I can work-from-home basis which I am THRILLED about! I started work that day. Do you realize how much time is required to go through almost 2 months of "Inbox"? That was pretty much Thursday. I began meaningful labor Friday. Please show your thank you to the company by purchasing vast amounts of Community Coffee. DON'T DO IT YET. I will let you know when I get back on the bonus program, and you can make your abnormal purchases then!

Friday I got a surprise present of a new cap from a friend of 20 or so years. Unfortunately I was not home but out at a "soon to open" Kroger store. We did get together for a lengthy telephone visit. Thanks Lynn! Please see the attached photo.

Rita's childhood friend (since 3rd grade) and her significant other from Oklahoma City came to town and spent the weekend with us. It was great! We sat around, told lies, picked on each other, played Wii, and just played "catch up" on our lives. That's our photo attached sitting under our soon to be (probably 20 years or so) shade tree. Pictured are Nanette & Ty, and Rita & some goofy guy. As most of you know we used to have parties under 3 shade trees in the backyard until "Ike" came through and decided 1 of 2 things. Either "Ike" was upset about us having parties or "Ike" didn't like our shade. Anyway we are going to have our parties back under our new shade tree. Please mark your calendar for this date 20 years from now!!!

The result of the "Greens" cookoff really suprised me. I got a response from Cousin Shirley last week and one from Cousin Patty today. I figured with all the Hillbilly friends we've got, the response would be greater! I guess you feel the same way about them that I do! I did get questioned if squash (including zucchinni) or other types of geen vegetables were considered "greens". Unfortunately no as they are not green enough. I think I will use that line next time I run into a Martian! "Hey Dude, you can't be a Martian. you're not green enough!" I'll look for more recipies before the next posting of the Burger Abode!

Rita was out of town all week and is going back to San Antonio tomorrow. I guess I need to re-schedule the dancing girls! I miss her a lot, but at least now I have work to help me through the long days.

Until next time, remember Paul Harvey and...Good Day!

October 31,2009

Happy Halloween!

Rita has been out of town since Wednesday. The ole Burger Abode gets pretty quiet when you're hanging out looking forward to nothing but your next treatment. However, after 2 days of torrential downpours, being cooped up in the house, and completeing my 2 weeks of radiation treatment, God sent me a "Good job John!" sunset message Friday. Please see the first photo attachment. I hope you enjoy.

Today is Halloween! I bought a bunch of candy. Some of which I hope to hand out to the children that come "Trick or Treating". I also bought a bunch of candy for the children that I hope do not come "Trick or Treating"! Ain't leftovers great?

The second photo is not a photo! It is a very special video message from the Burger Abode to your household. You may and/or may not have to turn your volume way up for this. Press on the arrow button and see what happens! I hope it works but if not, blame Rita. It's all her fault!!! I know a lot of people have a lot of differing opinions about Holloween, but I just look at it as a fun day to dress up silly and hand out treats to kids that also dress silly. One day when they become doctors and lawyers they will have an excuse to cuss me out because of the total of their dental bills. That'll serve them right! What goes around comes around! Do kids that want to grow up to be dentists go "Trick or Treating"? Hmmmmm.....

Tim and Elaine stopped by this evening. They were all fancied up and came to wish us a Happy Trick or Treat. I asked them where they were going wearing their Sunday-go-to-Meeting duds. Tim said they were going to Papa's Steakhouse and ordering some BEEF! They made me chuckle. I am sure they had a costume party to go to that was not serving beef, but probably beer. Most likely plenty of it...but just a guess. If you click on the pictures, they should open up and enlarge. I don't know if you want to subject yourself to such, but if you do remember to not shoot the messenger! Rita and I handed out candy, and yes, I have leftovers!!!

Rita got in from San Antonio this afternoon not feeling well and she went directly to bed. She has to go back Monday. I miss her being around but I know the little get-aways do her good. If she could only relax a little and not labor the entire time she is away. She needs a break in the action. I get mine...I close my eyes and go to sleep!

October 25, 2009

Rita successfuly escaped going out of town this week, but I never would have known it. She has been laboring so many hours it was like she wasn't here. I went to work with her at a store Saturday and I had a ball. I got out of the house, performed multiple necessary tasks, and got to utilize the half a brain (figuratively, gang) I have left. Afterward we went to Mass and to dinner. We didn't get home until 10 PM!!! An all day outing away from the house! I was like a canary liberated from the confines of the 3' X 3' cage where you captively sit and view outside, you just can't travel to the great beyond.

Above you will notice the "Emporer's New Hats". My little sister Elaine picked them up for me Friday. They are dancing chili peppers, Charlie Brown and Snoopy with autumn leaves, multi colored peace signs, flags, and pumpkins with spider webs. I have been wearing the pumpkins constantly since the shelf life is relatively short at this time.

One week of radiation down and one to go! The treatments are really no big deal. I walk in, Lisa and Tanya strap me to the bed, 15 seconds worth of "zapping" on each side, and I'm done! The total proceedure takes about 5 minutes. I feel nothing. It is comperable to getting an x-ray. Many thanks to the volunteers that took time out of their busy schedule to haul me to the hospital. I appreciate you all! I may be able to start driving myself Thursday and Friday (depending on the results of my EEG on Wednesday).

It appears Rita will be going to San Antonio this week to set up a new store. Details are still sketchy as of now.

I talked to a dietician Friday. She said I should not have any more than 18 oz of red meat (beef and pork) a week! How is that possible? Does beef come in anything less than 18oz? I guess I have to learn how to make a rib eye last 3 meals!?! Unheard of and proposterous!

That there food lady 'splained ta me that I should be eatin' lotsa greens. I 'spect she means collard, turnip, mustard, and spinach. I ain't never much been one with a hankerin' fer greens. Mom used ta make em, but me, I never paid her no 'tention ta fixen um 'cause I never et um. If"n some one out there can give me some 'structions on the cookin' of greens I'd be deeply appreciative! Send the simple 'structions to the same ole address: burgeradodeupdate@sbcglobal.net If'n I gets enough recipies we may jest have to have us a good ole genuine "Greens Cook-Off"! Now that would be somethin' 'xcitin"!!!

October 21, 2009

Damn, Another dish to wash!!!