Mikey's Cup of Coffee

Lighthouses

2010-09-28T14:28:00.010-04:00

Does everyone know the current Keebler commercial? The one with the two girls just getting home from school and there's only one cookie left and the big sister finally relents and gives her little sister (with her puppy dog eyes) the last cookie? The head Keebler dude makes a dash for it and replaces the last cookie with another one and scoots outta sight before the big sister knows what happened. And everything is right with the world once again. I hope I'm not the only one that think it's a pretty cool commercial.

I love a good story where the underdog defies the odds, the losers become winners or even something as simple as a cookie commercial displays the good nature that I believe exists in all of us.

The stories are out there. Sometimes even Hollywood gets it right. Rudy and his lifelong quest of Blue and Gold. Remember the Titans moves beyond racism to triumph. Hoosiers is a modern day David versus Goliath. Or the story of lending a hand and giving a stranger the one thing he desires most (a family) in The Blind Side. Movies like Rudy, Remember the Titans, Hoosiers or The Blind Side show us the heroism that exists in all of us, even in someone that isn't heroic. That the best role models aren't heroic or geniuses at all, but real people that have real problems. That the strongest, the smartest, the most beautiful or the most charismatic is, in reality, just a Hollywood fairy tale. But, even then, sometimes it seems as if Hollywood does get it right, if only occasionally.

The real heroes are regular Joes and Janes. Their lives are flawed. Their characters are not-so-pretty and average. Their circumstances are dismal. Their problems are real. But their spirits live and soar. Their passions are real and contagious. Their stories inspire us and make us believe. Their inspirations give us hope and fuel our own dreams. They are slices from the American Dream, the indomitable spirit that exists in each of us.

Is it ultimately a product of our American civilization, our amazing country in which we are so privileged to reside, the ideals that we believe in and strive to achieve that inspire these regular Joes and Janes to dream farther than we can see and to believe that the impossible is indeed possible? Would a person in an oppressive society allow themselves these same dreams and beliefs as easily as the same person in a society that values freedom as a way of life as we do? Would they be encouraged to follow those dreams as easily as they could in a society such as we are privileged to be a part of? Would they even be aware that such opportunities even exist?

Honestly, I'd hate for those questions to be merely rhetorical. I'd hate that what I just asked be true. The American spirit is, in truth, the Human Spirit, personified. That spirit is what makes each individual human unique, but also the same. It's what separates us from the other members of the animal kingdom. The sad reality is that unless you were or are one of the fortunate few to be born in these United States of America, then much of what we take for granted isn't even a glimmer of a thought in the mind's eye.

Can we fully appreciate these gifts that we take for granted? Sometimes I feel as if we don't appreciate these gifts, these freedoms, that we do enjoy. Do we remember; do we appreciate what those before us endured? Americans wept, argued, sweated, fought, bled, killed and died so that we could enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy today. Each American generation has known adversity, privilege, wealth, poverty, sorrow and happiness. As much as I do believe that America and its ideals are a microcosm for the entire human race, for humanity; it remains a beacon for that same humanity as well. When the rest of humanity seems as if in a fog, it looks to the light that shine bright upon our shores, guiding the lost to liberty, to freedom.

These stories of adversity: our Hoosiers, our Titans, our Rudy Reuttigers and our Michael Ohers are our lights and our inspirations. They show the rest of us, the rest of humanity, what we can do when faced with adversity, how we can overcome that adversity, and how we can prosper and triumph in spite of that adversity.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

2009-12-15T14:17:00.002-05:00

Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

DEAR EDITOR:

I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

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Just BELIEVE!

Merry Christmas!

The Stuff of Dreams

2009-09-13T16:40:00.001-04:00

Been kinda weird lately.

I don't usually dream...but I have been of late. Vivid dreams of me in the Navy again. Working the road as a medic. Back when I was a child growing up. High school. A little bit of everything. I know that they're not recollections. Sort of like alternate reality with people I've know in the past. Especially the navy stuff. The people haven't changed at all and I'm pretty darn sure the things I'm dreaming about never occurred. It's been almost 16 years since I've been in and almost exactly 16 years since I've been underway. They (the individuals) haven't changed.

Dreams are crazy things. Sometimes they're bad, sometimes good. Can't remember a darn thing about them the next morning after having one. Fantastical. Real. Strange.

Sometimes their prophetic. I've had feelings of deja vu where I've dreamed something in the future and then that scenario (however mundane it might be) occurs later and I realize it right after it happens. Sometimes the time differential is days, other times months and even years later.

September update!

2009-09-13T16:20:00.000-04:00

It's been a long while since I've done an update. Ya know how it is...things get busy, especially in the summer.

I also wanted to wait for an appropriate time. I didn't quite know when that appropriate time was. First I thought it might be after the fourth cycle of chemo...then it was after the last PET/CT scan. Then it was after the sixth cycle of chemo. Now it's the start of radiation therapy. It's been busy.

Most/some of you are aware that my cancer is technically in remission. Dr. Al-Katib is comfortable calling the ball. The last PET/CT in July confirmed that there was little to no uptake of the radioactive sugar water anywhere in my body and especially in the tumor. That's usually the tell-tale sign that the cancer cells are dead. That was after the fourth cycle of chemo.

At that point I did the preliminary stuff for radiation therapy. CT's, molds and tatooing. Dr. Aref (the radiation oncologist) did his 3D modeling and decided that he couldn't safely do his thing (radiating the tumor) without significantly damaging my lung. The lung was almost encircling the tumor (I'd say close to 60% or so), which made it difficult to radiate the tumor without collateral damage. So it was decided to do two more cycles (two treatments per cycle) of chemo to try to shrink the tumor some more. Then Dr. Aref can use a smaller/tighter and less-concentrated beam of energy to get the job done without the collateral damage.

During this time, I also had an appointment with my pulmonologist to see what the condition of my lung was. Happy to report that my lung reinflated to full use (he said 98% which is damn close). I didn't really notice any significant difference but that was probably due to the chemo treatments. Both Al-Katib and my pulmonologist figured that was probably the case. Those chemo drugs take quite a bit out of ya.

Someone asked me what it feels like. It's hard to describe, but the best description I could give them was that it felt like someone or something was squeezing every single cell/tissue/organ in my body at the same time. Add the bone pain from the Neupogen shots and it really wasn't a pretty picture. It hurt alot! Some days I had to use a cane to get around, some days I was fine.

One of those things I never figured out (and the doc's really didn't have an answer for either) was why my hips kept on trying to pop out of their sockets if I moved too quickly or the wrong way. All I know is that it hurts like eternal damnation. Hasn't happened since chemo and the Neupogen shots were finished. Knock on wood!

Through it all, I tried to do as much as possible. Bowling on Thursdays was (and still is) alot of fun. It was a little tough to do occasionally. We gradually got me down to two Neupogen shots after chemo, which was a great thing since it meant two less days of agony during that two week time. Hung out with friends and family as much as possible. Even had a family reunion that turned out quite well considering how much we didn't plan it (like we usually do).

My last chemo treatment was August 25th. Since then, I've gone in for additional CT's and radiation mapping. I had a dry run on Friday to make sure everything is in place and running smoothly for Monday.

I officially have to be out of my house by September 28th. Some times I felt/wished that I could stay in it but without a steady income...it just isn't possible. I'm better off starting over. Moving date is this weekend coming up. Everything will go into storage until I can get back to work full-time. Then I can get an apartment or something and get my life back to normal. I'm also probably going to take that opportunity to move a bit further north maybe up to Algonac area. It'll be a bit closer to work and, as much as I love the city, I think I was born to be a country boy. Gimme a nice country house with a wrap-around porch and a white picket fence and I'll be a happy camper. Oh...and since I'm dreaming...a lake I can go fishing any time I want. With a gin and tonic!

Believe it or not, this past Thursday (September 10th) was my six-month anniversary since all of this happened. Well, at least since I went into the hospital at Regional. Hard to believe. March 10 will always be hardwired into my brain from here on out. Expect a party around that anniversary date. Don't know what I'll be planning yet...but I'm planning something. Or I could use September 10th...dunno yet. March isn't really conducive to parties and barbecues...still a bit snowy and cold. I'll have to give it some thought.

A couple of things on the horizon. Moving day, of course. Also, since it is six months since all of this started, I also have to face realization that short-term disability payments are at an end and I also have to expect my insurance to revert to COBRA. I do have to express my undying gratitude to my employers, Trish and Ken over at Tri-Hospital EMS for their supreme generosity. Sure, the insurance and short-term disability may be somewhat dictated by policy and the law, but they made it very easy for me to rest easy and concentrate on getting better. I was, after all, only employed there for only a month-and-a-half when the crap hit the fan.

I actually had hoped to have gone back to work a while ago. I actually started thinking about it in June. Sure, it would have only been part-time or contingent status. I also couldn't go back to working the road because I couldn't lift anything with my left arm because that's where the med port is. I can drive a desk or teach is pretty much it...maybe dispatch or something like that. The problem was the chronic fatigue and everything else that goes with cancer and it's treatments.

Now, I have a bit more freedom and ability to do so (go back to work). I'll still be fatigued quite a bit...fatigue appears to be the number one side effect of radiation therapy...but I'd love to do something, especially if I can keep the insurance going without switching over to COBRA. Hopefully part-time. That's something we'll have to sit down and discuss.

Since I've been talking about generosity, I also wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone again for everything. Generosity, prayers, thoughts, deeds, kind words, love, friendship. There was/is absolutely no way I would have been able to do this without the support of all of you. I am, and always be, eternally grateful for everything you have provided me in these past six months.

I promise I won't wait so long until the next update!

God bless!

Books, newspapers, magazines and toothpaste tubes!

2009-07-24T00:02:00.002-04:00

What am I getting at here? Reading of course!

I was perusing another blog site the other day. You should really check it out, it's flat-out hilarious. I have it on the side bar. Cake Wrecks and the name should pretty much spell it out for you for it's subject matter.

Anyways, I missed the actual discussion as it occurred since it occurred on July 12th. The discussion started innocently enough with the subject matter. Harry Potter and in particular Harry Potter cakes. Ohhhh...and reading. From there it just bloomed and ran rampant. I wouldn't say that it got out of hand per se (the hosts kept everything in check), but there were a couple tangents that led off the subject. Feel free to indulge yourself.

Anyways, my concern lies in the fact that several (I'll say...more christian) participants felt it was necessary to proclaim that they would never allow their children to read any of the Harry Potter novels because they expoused witchcraft and sorcery and the fantastical.

On the other side you have the more "open-minded" folks (and I'll use that term loosely) that are berating the religious-types to no end for their close-mindedness.

Personally, I'm a voracious reader. I'll read anything and everything. I'm not so much big on novels and fiction but I do have my favorites that I'll occasionally indulge myself. One of these days I'll get down to reading the Harry Potter series myself.

And yes...I do find myself reading toothpaste tubes if for any reason to do something while I'm brushing my teeth. I scare myself sometimes.

I'll go out on a limb here and say this: I'm what I'd call a non (or semi)-practicing Roman Catholic. I definitely don't go to church every week and I know I probably should. I'll also say that I'm definitely not in lock-step with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. I'd say that their is a fair amount of hypocrisy within the Church and it's clergy. Always has been, always will be. I've also come to believe that there is an unknown amount of conspiracy within the Church as well. Regardless, that doesn't make me a non-believer. I guess I don't believe that I need to switch religions to practice my faith the way I wish.

Anyways, what I want to say is that I grew up in a Catholic environment. Not a strict environment but one that I think was typical for the time. You said your prayers, said grace before meals, went to church on Sundays, did the Lent thing..that kinda thing. But the one thing that my parents didn't do was censure what we could or could not read. I didn't go out on a limb and test his patience...but he understood that reading was the path to enlightenment (so to speak). He wanted us to be smart, go to college, and make something for ourselves, like any parent (I would hope).

At the same time...I don't believe that anyone should be chastised for their beliefs, no matter what we think personally. I don't agree with a lot of things out there. I don't agree with some/much of what my family and friends believe. We call it agreeing to disagree, and I can live with that. It's called being mutually respectful of each other and our beliefs and opinions. Golden rule stuff.

In today's society...I think that's something many of us lack or forget.

Yay!!! I'm all done posting my MySpace blogs!

2009-06-15T20:54:00.002-04:00

Ok...it took a little while and a lot of cut-and-pasting...but all my MySpace blogs are now here. I think only one of them is out of order chronologically...and that would be the first one I posted here.

I forgot that I had previous blogs before that post and I posted it before I realized it. Then I went and posted everything else. I suppose I could have erased it and done them all in order...but it was an ordeal in itself anyways.

Regardless, all the blogs are posted and now I'll start posting again. I took a little hiatus for a little while, but I have my mojo on again.

God Bless!

Thank You All SO VERY MUCH!!!

2009-06-15T20:16:00.003-04:00

[17 Aug 2008 | Sunday]

Thank you all SO VERY MUCH!!!
Current mood: thankful
Category: Life

Firstly I want to take the time to THANK YOU all for the great concern and the prayers and the support that you have provided my family and I in our little family crisis. I know that every little prayer and thought helped and was very much appreciated.

I guess I should explain what happened.

Mom was traveling with my Aunt Jeanette and my cousin Jeanelle to Raleigh, North Carolina to go to my other cousin's (Jenna) wedding. They had practically just arrived in the area and went out to do a little last minute shopping. As my mother was trying to get back in my aunt's 4x4 truck (a little taller than your average pickup) and she reached to close the passenger side door, she lost her balance while sitting on the edge of the seat and tumbled "flipped" out of the truck and landed on her head, neck and back. A couple of passerbys stopped to help my aunt with Mom and (rather than call EMS) put Mom in a wheelchair that was in the back of the pickup (my cousin has severe rheumatoid arthritis and needs a wheelchair occasionally) and wheeled her across the street to the nearby ER.

Dad received a phone call from the ER doc and I managed to call back and talk to her. At that point she had already been thru x-rays and CT and was immobilized on a backboard with a cervical collar awaiting transport to WakeMed Trauma Center.

My brother Matt left from Tennessee immediately and Dad and I left at daybreak on Sunday for the 13 hour drive. Mom was immediately admitted to Neuro ICU and diagnosed with a displacement of the C-6 and C-7 vertebrae. We talked with the neurosurgeon and I was able to look at the CT. The neurodoc stated that it was a miracle that my mother did not have complete lower body paralysis. Both vertebrae were displaced several centimeters and actually the edge of C-7 vertebrae was resting on top of the edge of C-6. According to the doc, Mom was "blessed" with "a generous spinal canal" (the area where the spinal cord goes thru) which resulted in very little neurological deficits. The only thing my mom was complaining about (aside from the neck pain) was bilateral upper arm weakness and pain.

Mom spent the weekend horizontal in NICU with about 40 pounds of traction on her head and neck, trying to get the vertebrae to go back into place naturally. Well, naturally, that didn't happen. Mom's first surgery was Monday afternoon and lasted for 4 hours. The neurosurgeon reported that the vertebrae went back into "perfect alignment" and had to insert a titanium plate and screws on the posterior side of C-6&7.

Mom spent the next two days recovering from surgery and we finally got her back eating and drinking, though she was in extreme pain (was on a morphine and then a fentanyl PCA pump for a day and a half). On Thursday it was decided that she would go back into surgery on Friday to place a second plate and screws on the anterior aspect of C-6&7, basically to strengthen the neck for the long term and per the doc "would improve her long term recovery significantly". So that surgery went without a hitch. She was transferred out of NICU on Thursday night to a private room in the neuro step-down unit and had her surgery the following morning.

As of right now, Mom is recovering tremendously (though Dad would believe otherwise). I guess this paramedic stuff doesn't hurt. It was a bit tough with it being my mom and all, but I was able to stay objective and managed to keep both Mom and Dad informed of all the different aspects of care and what to expect and etcetera.

Mom is almost her sassy self. She was to remain horizontal until Saturday and gradually be allowed to sit up. Just talked to Dad a little while ago and Mom was sitting up, they had removed her catheter and got her standing and walking a little bit this morning. Everything is progressing very nicely from my point of view. Wild guess, but I think Mom will be able to return home late next week or so.

Mom, Dad and I all decided that I should probably get my butt back to work so I managed to grab a flight on Saturday. I spent the rest of the day with my Aunt Jeanette and Jeanelle (who had hip surgery on Wednesday) at UofM Hospital. I just got back home about an hour and a half ago.

Again, thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. They were very much appreciated. Once again, I know without a doubt that I have the VERY BEST family and friends that a man could ever hope for.

Love you all!!!

Mikey

21:01 3 Comments 2 Kudos

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Wow, and I thought my situation was bad! Pleas let your mom know I am thinking of her... And tell dad not to worry too much... Let them both know how much I love them, and love you. I will place a blog for my circumsances because this is not the place for it.
Love you, Mike...
Sonja

Posted by Andi on [17 Aug 2008 | Sunday] - 20:1

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Mikey, I had no clue but I am so glad your mom is ok. I will be praying for her and your family. Hang in there.. Love, Brenda

Posted by BRENDA on [17 Aug 2008 | Sunday] - 21:19

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Mikey

So sorry to hear about your mom. I will say a prayer for her. I see her alot at Sunnybrook for the fundraiser events as of late. I hope she has a speedy recovery and is back to her "sassy" self as soon as possible.
I will keep everyone in my thoughts. Wishing you and your mom the best.
John

Posted by Duckstr on [17 Aug 2008 | Sunday] - 21:30

My 40th Birthday...and My New House!

2009-06-15T20:11:00.002-04:00

[01 Jun 2007 | Friday]

My 40th Birthday...and my new house!
Current mood: relieved
Category: Life

First, let me apologize to everyone out there for not writing more lately, but if you're one of those that actually knows what's been going on, Bless you for understanding. If you're not...please read on with this one caveat: If you're approaching a milestone birthday, I got one word for you...Beware!

Lemmee tell you about my birthday…it wasn't exactly what I expected it to be. I don't know how I survived. Maybe good genes or a whole lot of patience. I dunno. I do know that I think a lesser person would've run down the street screaming like he was on fire and flung themselves in front of a semi. Believe me...I thought about it. Anyways...on with the story.

I took the day off from work to do my normal birthday stuff (go to the Secretary of State's, etc.). Other things on the docket that morning included getting my homeowner's insurance, a union grievance meeting at work at 2 pm and teaching the EMT class at work from 6-10 pm. I decided to get the easy stuff out of the way first. Off to the Secretary of State's office!

Well, it seemed all good at first glance. Nobody waiting in line. Cool! I'll be done in no time and I might actually have some time to sit around and do nothing for a little while today. I had no problem re-registering my truck, but I also had to renew my driver's license. Well, apparently, now they do a check on a national driver's database when you renew your license. And guess what…something came up. An incident in New York. They gave me a contact number and an incident number so I could resolve it…but I couldn't renew my license until the incident was resolved. Right about now, I start to get a little worried.

I call the contact number and then I remember what happened. I was involved in an accident back in 1988 in upstate NY. A couple of friends and I went up to Montreal to celebrate the Fourth of July in my buddy's truck. I was the designated driver and the two guys were plowed. Unfortunately, I fell asleep while driving, ran off the interstate, and hit a tree. Nothing major for injuries but apparently (unbeknownst to me) the cops cited me for an uninsured accident (I didn't have my insurance on me because it was in my own vehicle at the time) and apparently revoked my driving privileges for a year. I don't remember receiving any mail or anything like this (but that's probably because I had most of my mail go to my parent's house and it might have gotten lost somewhere….who knows). Anyways I find out from the NY DMV what I have to do (download a form from the internet and sign it and mail it) but the guy on the phone tells me it'll take four to six weeks to process. Now I start freaking out.

I need a license. Secretary of State says they can't do squat until the incident in NY is cleared off of my record. I need a license so I can go to work, so I can work and also because I need a valid ID for that Friday because I'm closing on my house. I leave the SOS office and go home to tell my dad what's going on. I download the form and get it ready to mail. While I'm talking with my dad, I get a phone call from my soon-to-be roommate, telling me to get my ass over to my house (the one that I'm buying and closing on Friday).

I jump in my truck and blaze over there (two miles away). My roommate meets me at the door, telling me this story: She came over to the house to finish painting her room and the first thing she sees is one of the builders there at the house. Just to back up a second; my dad owns the property (has the mortgage and the lien), and a real good friend of ours (Mark) along with a friend of his (Pete) did most of the rebuilding of the house. They went in on the deal together to basically try to make some money (buy a fix-it-upper, redo it and resell it for a profit). Well, the housing market went south and they couldn't sell. Dad basically begged me to buy the house from him to salvage whatever he could from the deal. He was losing over $2000 a month and was already $20,000 in the hole. The builders weren't going to do much better. They were going to lose about $15,000 a piece. But, that's better than losing more than what they were already.

Ok…back to the story. Pete is over at the house. The first thing my friend sees is his minivan and him shoveling stuff into it. My friend runs into the house to use the bathroom and discovers that the electricity isn't working (as was previously). She goes back out to talk to Pete and asks him about the electricity not working and he tells her that he'll look into it. Anyways, as soon as she turns her back, he jumps into his van and takes off like a bat outta hell. Then she goes back into the house, figures out why, and calls me.

I walk into the house to discover that all of the kitchen cupboard drawers, the cupboard doors, the garbage disposal, the sink fixtures and the lighting fixtures (in the kitchen and the three baths) are all gone! I go downstairs and discover that the circuit breaker box for the electricity is gone! The electric garage door opener is gone (so I can't get into the garage)!

I was too dumbfounded to be flaming pissed. WTF!!!! The first thing I did was call Dad up and let him know what was going on. As soon as I hang up with him, Dad's on the phone with Mark wondering what the hell is going on. I'm taking pictures of everything missing and making a list. My roomie comes back to the house and I get her and her friend (who also witnessed the incident with Pete) to write a statement, just in case. Meanwhile I'm still trying to figure out what to do about my driver's license. I had gotten online at the State of Michigan website before I left Mom and Dad's and grabbed a phone number or two for the state DMV and start calling. Nobody can help me, saying that I have to get the NY thing off my record. I talk to one lady and then her supervisor and then her supervisor. Always the same thing.

Also about the same time, I realize that there's just too much going on right now. I call up the boss and my union representative and tell them I have to cancel the grievance meeting. I also cancel my teaching stint, just in case. This day just got a whole lot longer.

Dad finally calls back and said he finally got a hold of Mark and Mark called Pete and then Mark called Dad back. Basically, Pete wasn't happy with the deal he's gonna be getting by selling the house (apparently he wants to lose even more money), so apparently, we decide that this (stealing everything—and probably more if my roomie hadn't interrupted him) was his way of blackmailing my dad for a better deal. Dad finally makes it over to the house to see the damage and then we also find one of those flyers that has all the house information on it for potential sellers and the latest one has Pete as the seller-owner and he was the person that reduced the price of the house from $194,500 (my Dad's original asking price) to the present $180,000. So once again, Pete was the one that slit his own throat by lowering the price anyways. We're starting to conclude that Pete's not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Anyways, Dad and I finally decided that it wouldn't hurt to call the police and at least get the ball rolling. Dad's already told Mark to tell Pete that there will be no negotiations until the house is back to it's original condition or he's going right to jail. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. In the midst of all this, I'm still freaking out about my license. So Dad and I decide that we need to call in the big guns. Boy, I'll tell you it is a good thing we got our noses in politics. We always try to help during the campaign seasons and we figure that our State Representative would be a good first choice. So I call up the office and talk to the legislative aide (who it turns out is a good friend of the family) and tell him my story. He takes my information and says it might take a bit of time (since it's now about 3 pm) but he'll get back to me. A police officer finally shows up and we tell him the story, but we decide that we'll hold off for now on the police report and if we need to do anything about it, just to bring the pictures, statements and everything down to the police station and they'll proceed.

We went back to my parents, downloaded all the photos and then ran over to the post office to stand in line for a half-hour. I send the form next-day priority mail to New York DMV and then a trip over to Home Depot to buy some new locks. The last thing we did on my birthday was change the locks on all the doors of my new house, finishing up about 8 pm.

The next day (Thursday) started just a little bit less hectic. Dad was already on the phone with Mark and Pete by the time I got rolling. He had scheduled a quick meeting with both of them already that morning. Basically, the same as before: Pete puts everything back by 5 pm or he's going to jail. No negotiating. Nothing. I'm off and running up to State Farm to get my homeowner's insurance, but first a quick stop at the house to let Mark and Pete into the house so they can start putting everything back. After I let them in, I'm off to State Farm. I get a call from Dad stating that the legislative aide from the State Representative's office just called and told me to go to the Secretary of State's office and have them call a phone number (that he provided) and talk to a lady at the other end.

So, ok, everything's starting to look up. I get to the State Farm office; find out my agent is gone to lunch. So I take the time to run to downtown Mt. Clemens (not too far) and visit the Secretary of State office there. Have the lady at the counter do what I was told to have her do and call the phone number. Presto, chango. It (the NY incident) still needs to be addressed and taken care of but at least I got my license! Took my picture for my new license (a pretty good one, actually, for a change). Ok…that's done. Run back up to the State Farm agent and get my homeowner's insurance taken care of. That gets done in about 20 minutes and a chunk of change. WOOT! I'm on a roll for a change!

During all these goings-ons I'm keeping Nicole updated and we decide to meet up for lunch. She's at the doctor's office (down in my neck of the woods) and I'm up in her territory. We decide to meet up at Applebee's up near her house. While I'm waiting for her I decide to do a little window shopping while I'm waiting. I run over to the furniture store (Art Van's) to do a little browsing. I walk thru the door and suddenly wish I had a million dollars. I just about fell in love with the set sitting right in front of me right inside the doors. Just a gorgeous four-poster bedroom set with kitchen and sofa sets to match! All told probably 6-7 grand. Obviously, I can't afford it right now so I do some asking and get a brochure on the set so hopefully one day I'll be able to get it. I wish I would've gotten some pictures of the set. Modern with an antique feel to it. Fit me to a tee.

Off to Applebee's. Get there a little early and get myself a beer. Finally! Didn't have any Guinness so I have to settle for a Killian's tall. Nicole finally arrives and gives me my birthday card. What a hoot! Star Wars themed…you know the opening lines: "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…." Open the card to hear the Star Wars theme in music and the punch line…"You were born!" Best card I've ever gotten from her! Got a good laugh from that one. Anyways we both had a great lunch with good conversation and good food.

After that, I ran back towards my house to find that Mark and Pete had finished putting everything back. Well, mostly, anyways. Missing a couple of light bulbs and the sink leaked a little bit. After that, back to Medstar to teach the paramedic class for the evening.

Friday morning found myself back at Medstar to teach the 800 MHz radio operator class for the latest group of new-hires. Then off to sign on my house. At 3:56, I was a new homeowner and my Mom and Dad were ecstatic that the gorilla was finally off their back. Me? I guess my first thought was…"Wow!" As soon as I signed the papers, I was off again to the city offices to file my paperwork and then off to teach again that evening. My students got their (rather amusing) explanation of why I couldn't teach on Wednesday. I think I was forgiven.

Epilogue:

That's my story and I'm sticking to it! Sorry for the verbosity. I get crazy like that sometimes.

It's now been a month to the day that I signed on my house and moved my butt into my house. The place looks like a demilitarized zone on a daily basis, but I'm slowly getting my stuff unpacked and stowed away.

My first meal was spaghetti with homemade sauce. No I don't have a recipe…It's on the spot, but it was damn good! Actually, most of my meals are home cooked…I'm not much of a TV dinner guy. I got Mom and Dad to thank for that. All those years of spending time in the kitchen are finally starting to pay off. No offense to anyone else (especially my cousin who's the personal chef of Mr. Joe Dumars) but, I got dibs on the best cook on the planet! Learned how to cook from Mom and how to bake from Dad (not that Mom can't bake, mind you…she can bake like Betty Crocker!), but Dad can get the job done too!

I'll say this much about being a new homeowner. It's a different ride. Not that I was Mr. Irresponsibility by any stretch of the imagination, but now it's a bit more; sometimes it feels like I bit off more than I can chew (and obviously, I can chew a lot!).

Anyways, you guys have been clamoring for pictures of my house. So, don't say I didn't warn you….without further ado…my house!

Me signing my life away. At least it was for a good cause!

Mom and Dad were especially happy!!! Look at them! All serious!

My lil' ol' house! Probably can't see the weeds in the flowerbeds...rest assured, they're there!

The back deck. Not much to look at but it's a deck!

A better view of the backyard and a hint of a garage! More weeds in the flowerbeds! Aaauuuggghhh!

One view of the kitchen

And another view of the kitchen.

The front room...notice the hardwood floors. WOOOOT!

Not sure exactly what to call this room...it's connected to the kitchen and obviously has the back doorwall. Also connects to my bedroom on the right. I guess it could be the dining room...at least for the time being...something for me to think about.

A view from the back yard. The two windows on the right are to my bedroom and a half bath just for me! Sorry...no pics of the bedroom yet...if there is a demilitarized zone in the house, that's where it's concentrated the most!

Except maybe here...the basement and my pile o' shit. Amazing that I had all this (and more) wedged in my parent's house. I used a shoehorn apparently!

And this is proof that I actually did celebrate my birthday on my birthday...I had to improvise because a little blonde birdy that lives in some mountains said I had to. Yes I enjoyed my twinkie!! Couldn't fit 40 candles on two twinkies tho.

Ok folks, that's pretty much it for now. As things get back to normal (whatever that may mean), I'll write more and snap more pictures. I'm also getting pressure to have a house-warming party so stay tooned for more information on that!

God Bless "Me...you...everybody! Everybody!"

Mikey

20:32 3 Comments 4 Kudos

----------------------------------------

Only you Mikey!!! The house looks great. Whats for dinner Drew and I are hungry? Love ya nicole

Posted by Nicole on [02 Jun 2007 | Saturday] - 00:28

--------------------------------------------

congrats on the house...Let me know well ahead of time about the house warming so that I can send you a gift

Posted by Andi on [02 Jun 2007 | Saturday] - 20:48

------------------------------------------

Mikey!

Congratulations on your new purchase! Welcome to the debtors club!!!! What a feelin!

Hey also, by the way, happy 40th you old man! Glad you were first....it was cool to see your parents in the pics too. I haven't seen them in years! They look great.

Anyhow, where is this purchase at? Is it in our wonderful St. Clair Shores?

All the best!
john

Posted by Duckstr on [13 Jun 2007 | Wednesday] - 18:55

EMS Expo 2007 at Grand Rapids

2009-06-15T19:31:00.003-04:00

[23 Apr 2007 | Monday]

EMS Expo 2007 at Grand Rapids
Current mood: rejuvenated
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

Hi Everyone!

Michigan's EMS Expo was this weekend in Grand Rapids. Kinda quiet for Medstar's standards. There was only a few of us (and I do mean a few!) that attended. Nicole and I made the most of it!

Got a later start than we wanted to on Friday (not too mention bogged down by traffic), but we arrived safe and sound at the Amway Grand at noon. Got settled in, took in a couple of classes and then the fun began.

We were invited to a meet and greet for a very special person early Friday evening. Here's a pic to prove it (see if you can guess who the guy in the middle is before you go farther).

That is none other than Mr. Randolph Mantooth....better known to the EMS community as Johnny Gage from Emergency!

This all took place on the 28th floor of the Amway Grand in the reserved section of Cygnus 27, pretty much a 5 star restaurant/martini bar. After that we went down a level to the restaurant proper and had a very excellent dinner! The lobster bisque was sensational and if I didn't think they could top that...the dinner was even better! The sea bass was phenomenal!! I don't know if I've ever had better fish (and I've had my fair share of fish over the years). Just exquisite! Dessert was excellent. I recommend trying the trio sampler...you'll know when you see it! The martini's were outstanding! All in all...a great evening (just to get started)!

There's the desert trio (finished of course!) on the table!

I don't think Nikki ever takes a bad picture! If she does, this isn't it! Looking faaaabulous, dahling!

A little fondue to finish the dinner off!

Two peas in a pod! THe sister I never had and the brother she never had!

I'm not exactly sure what this was...but it tasted delish!!!! And a none-to-subtle reminder of somebody's birthday!

Like I said...the night was just getting started! Next stop...

http://www.mojospianobar.com/index.html

Lemmee tell you....Rag's to Riches (our old EMS Expo hangout) is history! This place rocks! We had a veritable blast! The drinks are cold and the show is awesome! I never thought that I'd have a blast in a piano bar of all places. Of course Nicole got me up on the stage for my birthday! Everybody had fun at everybody's expense!

All of the pianists were tremendous, but one of them stood head and shoulders above the rest. His name is Andy. Andy just didn't play the piano or the guitar or the bass guitar or the trumpet. He sings just as well as he plays. And they played everything! Concertos, old rock, country, pop, new stuff, old stuff....everything! We talked to Andy after the show and found out that the only instrument that he doesn't play (and he is so frustrated by the fact that he can't get it down) is the sax. His parents came up all the way from Columbus, OH to see him play (for the very first time ever) and I found out that his mother is collecting money to do a 60 mile walk for breast cancer. Of course I gave her a donation. A buck a mile. Good money well spent! A truly tremendous family!

Andy (sorry I didn't get his last name) is playing in Ypsilanti at Pub 13 on July 14th and August 4th. I'm gonna be planning a little road trip! Stay tuned! Everyone is invited!

Ooops! I kinda forgot my camera when we went to Mojo's (both day's even...boy, I'm getting old!). I'll do better next time!

Well, I was pretty whipped after that so we went back to the Grand after that and crashed...apparently very hard (for me at least). Nicole went over to bother Brook Atkinson for an hour or so. I left a dent in my pillow! I was poooped! So pooped that I don't remember yelling at Nicole for jumping on my bed when she got back to the room. I also don't remember her trying to get me up in the morning to go to Melissa Gladieux's class at 0800. After that we went to see Randy's (Johhny Gage) keynote session on the beginnings of EMS, of which Emergency! was a big part.

After that...time to work...if you want to call spending three hours at an arm's length from Mr. Mantooth work. We helped everyone get their autographs. He did the autographs for free, we just sold the pics and other memorabilia so he could raise money for the County of Los Angeles Fire Museum which is going to include the start of EMS, EMT's and Paramedics within the exhibits.

http://www.clafma.org/

Here's Randy's official website:

http://www.randymantooth.com/

Had a blast...another job where you can have fun while working! Always works for me!

The man...the legend himself!

Nikki and Randy!

Mikey and Randy!

Randy signing one of many photographs. He went through almost a dozen sharpies in the three hours he was signing! And only one potty break! Now that's dedication!

After that we attended the Award's Banquet and Dinner like we always do. Luckily, Kolby's got contacts. He lost the banquet tickets! We still got it though! Good dinner! I even had seconds (ok...so it was whatever Melissa couldn't finish)! After that...martini's up in the tower again at Cygnus 27.

Then back to Mojo's to finish the night off. Once again, a great time! Jerod (from Macomb County Medcom fame) joined us for dinner, martini's and Mojo's. Even an old sourpuss (JK Jerod!!!) like him had a great time!

We crashed again and slept in a bit on Sunday morning. Grabbed a great breakfast at Bentham's after checking out (can't beat the sausage gravy and biscuits!). We finished our little vacation by taking a little trip through history at The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Jerod and another friend Kim joined us on our jaunt through history. Well worth it...I'll recommend it to anybody!

And then the reluctant drive home...

Epilogue:

I am coming to the distinct impression that Grand Rapids is my singular choice for a weekend getaway. The city is absolutely gorgeous. Downtown is clean and well organized. It might be a little on the expensive side for a getaway but the amenities make it all worth it. And it's growing rather than the decay we see around here. Of course...I'll always be the eternal optimist. It is possible that Detroit could rebound and be as nice as Grand Rapids is. It's going to take a lot of work, though.

Next blog is coming soon...featuring my new house!!! Pictures to be included! Stay tuned!

God Bless!

Mikey

21:19 2 Comments 0 Kudos

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Well said Mikey!!! Let's do it again next year!!! Love ya nicole

Posted by Nicole on [24 Apr 2007 | Tuesday] - 12:12

------------------------------------------

You know it Beautiful!!!!

I also wanted to add...because I was woefully neglectful...Randy Mantooth is the genuine article, folks! He doesn't act standoffish or celebrity. Heck, before the banquet I saw him standing in line with the rest of us waiting to get a drink.

He is a genuine, down-to-earth, good-hearted individual on a mission. His only use of his celebrity status is to advance a good cause. Maybe that's why (well, there's plenty of other reasons too!) I remain the optimist in an ocean of pessimism...most people are basically good and good-hearted. And another reason I do what I do. Because I'm surrounded by good people and great friends.

Muppet and I talked a little bit last night (while I was writing my blog) and we came to the conclusion (not a bit overly obvious) that, no matter how much our family and our friends love us and support us, unless they do what we do, day in and day out, they will NEVER completely understand us and why we do what we do. This is not said out of contempt, it's just the way it is, God bless them. And Us.

God Bless!

Mikey

Posted by Mikey on [24 Apr 2007 | Tuesday] - 19:44

Back from Washington and Other Stuff

2009-06-15T19:27:00.000-04:00

[07 Apr 2007 | Saturday]

Back from Washington and other stuff
Current mood: chipper
Category: Life

Hello all!

Yes it's been a little while (almost a month). Busy, busy....

Firstly, my vacation was just that...a well deserved vacation. I enjoyed every minute of it. It's one of those vacations that you don't want to ever get back to reality. There's a little bit of beautiful in Washington, and I think I found it. There's a little bit here as well, but sometimes you just gotta put on your walking shoes and go see what's out there.

Holly and her family were more than just a bit accomodating to me and I sincerely appreciate it. Holly and I took a little walk (HAH!) up the mountain to her little slice of the planet and it was well worth every out-of-breath and out-of-shape minute. I realize that pictures don't really do any view justice but here are a couple.

In case you all are wondering about the last pic, that's my yearly snow angel. Been doing them for as long as I can remember. Pretty good for an old guy!

Let's see....I got Holly's myspace page up and looking good. We tweaked it and she's looking good!

Other news from the front...

I guess the biggest news of late is that I'm in the works of buying my first home. I should be closing on it at the end of this month. Details and pictures to follow (eventually). Be prepared for a house warming party of some sort!

Work's work. Busier than ever. Had a few decent calls lately. They generally are good for me and my students/third riders...bad for the patients. Always doing my best to kick the reaper in the drawers and away from my patients. Doesn't always work, but I got good odds .

Well, I promise not to be a stranger...hopefully I got myself in a routine for a little while. I'll be back soon. Until then...

Have a happy and blessed Easter!

God Bless,

Mikey

18:50

0 Comments

0 Kudos

2009-06-15T19:22:00.003-04:00

[05 Mar 2007 | Monday]

Cle Elum, Washington 2 of ?
Current mood: relaxed
Category: Travel and Places

Hello all!

Doing well. Doing nothing is good! Relaxing is even better!! Boy, I had no idea how much I needed this. Being able to sleep in til noon (if I want to) is a good thing.

Been seeing the sights, so to speak. If you're looking for monuments and skyscrapers, this is the wrong part of the universe. If you're looking for nature at it's finest, then this is God's country!

Lots and lots of snow. If you were paying attention to the news on Wednesday (February 28th), the sixty-car pileup was about 20 miles or so from where I'm at. I was safe at home watching all the snow fall, drinking my hot coffee. Really, the weather isn't bad at all, if you're used to the snow every day. Temperatures have been pretty reasonable. Good thing I didn't bring a bulky jacket. I can get by just fine with a fleece jacket.

Here are some pictures of the surrounding area:

Holly's (and her parent's) driveway:

Holly's house:

A view of the countryside (with lots and lots of snow):

And last-but-not-least...downtown Cle Elum:

Okay, gotta go...they're kicking me out of the internet cafe again. More tomorrow!

Mikey

21:01 3 Comments 2 Kudos

---------------------------------------

Beautiful pictures!!! Are you sure you want to come home? I'm glad your having a relaxing time we miss ya. Tell Holly I said hi. That is to much snow for me I need a beach and some palm tree's because I am having cabin fever. Love ya Nicole

Posted by Nicole on [06 Mar 2007 | Tuesday] - 01:05

--------------------------------

Mikey,

It is so pretty there. I would not want to shovel all that snow. Make an igloo for me. Tell Holly and her family I said hi.

Love,

Cherie

Posted by Cherie on [07 Mar 2007 | Wednesday] - 00:27

-------------------------------------

LOL, You two crack me up! No shoveling up here (at least for the most part). They got a couple of back-hoe's to do the job. Been pretty mild this week. Lots of melting snow and even some rain today

Love you two!

Mikey

Posted by Mikey on [07 Mar 2007 | Wednesday] - 20:00

Cle Elum, Washington (1 of ?)

2009-06-15T19:17:00.002-04:00

[24 Feb 2007 | Saturday]

Cle Elum, Washington (1 of ?)
Current mood: calm
Category: Travel and Places

Hiya Folks!

Made it ok (if it wasn't too obvious). Didn't get hijacked or anything disturbing like that. Mostly slept on the way over here (almost eight hours total travel time with one layover in Cincinatti).

Seattle's pretty much the same as I left it (at least I think so). I didn't spend too much time seeing the sights. I have quite enought time to do that. Rented a 4WD and I'm damn glad I did. I got nothing but mounds of snow everywhere, and it's snowing as I type this in the local internet cafe. Just had to buy a coffee to use it. Cheap at that, WOOOOT!

Cle Elum is probably pretty close to any small town up in northern Michigan. Cle Elum is about 70 miles east of Seattle/Tacoma. Not too far up the mountains (we're about 2500 feet above sea level) but the balmy feel of Seattle (no snow anywhere to be found) changed tremendously in that 70 miles of travel. At about 40 miles or so, snow was evident on the ground and it only got higher and higher as I drove. We got probably 3-4 feet of snow on the ground and almost 10 feet drifts. Cle Elum is your typical small town, a couple of street lights and its got that rustic feel. Believe it or not...just what I was looking for.

Ooops gotta go...they're closing up shop all around me...typical small town...everything closes up early.

Will write more soon.

God bless!

--------------------------------------------------------

Yeah Mikey,

I am glad you are in Washington. I visited Medstar on Saturday with Jacob and he wanted to know where Uncle Mikey was? I made everyone look twice. They were confused because I looked so much like Nicole. It really messed with some of them. It was very funny. Good job with your class. You and Nicole rock!

Love Ya,

Cherie

Posted by Cherie on [26 Feb 2007 | Monday] - 15:14

-------------------------------------------------

LOL! I'm not suprised. I'm sorry I missed you two, but I had a date with a plane trip as you well know. I'm actually suprised that you haven't been up (at Medstar) before now.

And thank you for the kind comments as always. I've been up here for four days now and we've had snow everyday to add to the multitudes already fallen. Good thing I packed for this weather. I even brought my boots. Good thing too!

Will write more soon!

Love you too!

Posted by Mikey on [26 Feb 2007 | Monday] - 18:49

Vacation

2009-06-15T19:16:00.001-04:00

[23 Feb 2007 | Friday]

Vacation
Current mood: energetic
Category: Travel and Places

I will be on my way to Washington State very soon. I'll be gone for two weeks and I am so looking forward to it. Dunno if I'll be looking forward to the 17 feet of snow that I'll be anticipating in the mountains but I'll be sure to relax and have some fun. I don't know what kind of internet access I'll have but if I have to hike it back to Seattle to use a internet cafe then so be it.

Later peeps!

Mikey

10:07 0 Comments 0 Kudos

EMT Class Final Exam

2009-06-15T19:11:00.004-04:00

[22 Feb 2007 | Thursday]

EMT Class final exam

Current mood: tired
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

22 February 2007

Sitting in front of my computer (at oh-dark-thirty in the morning) and way too tired to sleep; I just had to write something, to do something after what transpired earlier this evening.

I don't know how to describe what I'm feeling presently. Yeah I'm truly exhausted and way past tired, but I think the feeling is an overwhelming gratitude that I feel for "my peeps" and "my posse" that went well over what most would describe as the call of duty. You are the truly dedicated and you are true professionals. You are also truly great friends.

What you guys and gals accomplished tonight to ensure that all the EMT students received a fair (albeit long) final practical and to finish what Nicole so eloquently remarked we should have done in two days (due to the large number of students [twenty-two]) is nothing short of amazing. What started at 1800 ended shortly after midnight, and I will tell you that every single EMT student appreciated what you (forever known as "my posse") did for them tonight. You gave them a chance to be EMT's.

In no particular order (and not wanting to diminish the importance of any):

Frannie Forsythe: You've come a long way, baby! It seems like only yesterday that you just started here. You are welcome to come teach (or work) with me any day you wish! It is obvious to me that you love to help others and that you love to teach. You are an excellent EMT and you will be a great medic (soon)!

Rob Limpert: Partner, you may not look it and you certainly don't act like it, but you, sir, are a consummate professional! You should have been an I/C a long time ago. You love what you do. You are passionate and you take the extra time and energy to ensure that your FTOlings know their profession. You should have been a great medic a long time ago as well (and we will rectify that situation soon)! There is no "basic" in EMT!

Allison Biliti: Thank you for the "drop of the hat" help tonight. You came through in the clutch! You may not have stayed to the bitter end, but your timely assist has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. It's hard to believe that you were once an EMT student not so long ago yourself.

Tammie Mandeville: Another one that answered the call to the medic class. You were a great patient all night long! I think you might be a bit taller in the morning after oh-so-many traction splints! And yes, I believe you! Your daughter didn't need any help in the least! Your daughter has a dedicated mom!

Richard Tripp: My good friend, you didn't start with the rest of us, but you finished with the rest of us! You are truly a dedicated student to the science of ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />EMS. You are an EMS sponge! You are always willing to help out! My thanks to Tracy and Olivia as well for your assist tonight. You'd better not get into trouble for it! Lego Star Wars rules!

Kelly Soulliere: I asked for some help from the medic class, and you answered in spades! It takes a truly dedicated person to subject yourself to (almost) twenty-two EMT students at the longest station in the practical (the airway station). You are to be commended for your dedication and your fortitude! A great medic in the making!

Amy DelVecchio and (so cute!) Melina: You didn't have a babysitter but you came anyways to help out like you always do! That's dedication from a great friend! Melina was the belle of the ball tonight! I think she gathered more looks than anyone else! You da Mom!! I think it's time for another I/C to be born!

Tim Swinyer: Another assist from a clutch player! Couldn't have asked for any more than you gave tonight. The crazy man of the group, you're always keeping it light! Thank you, sir! Peace out!

And last…but certainly not least:

Nicole Plauman: How can I thank a best friend for just being you? You kept us all organized at the end and you bugged the hell out of me all night long! You keep me on the straight and narrow. Best friends compliment each other, pick up each other, and make up for the faults of each other. The proverbial yin and yang! I couldn't do this job and my life certainly wouldn't be as much fun if you weren't in it!

There are no words that I can think of or say so mightily that would accurately express my thanks to each and every one of you for your help, your dedication, and your passion tonight. You made a long night truly memorable. As far as my students are concerned (and they made it quite clear to me tonight), you are the BEST! May God bless you all!

I need to thank a couple of others as well:

Melissa Gladieux: You got the ball rolling for me and did the things that I couldn't do tonight. I honestly don't know how you do the things you do sometimes, but that's what makes a good person great. You are truly a great friend and we always seem to complement each other exceptionally well in the classroom! Good Cop, Bad Cop! We do it all! I also want to take the time to thank you for another exceptional opportunity to teach our students. I think we both paid our dues with this class. You will not be disappointed!

Julie Szuminski and the rest of the Medstar Management Staff: Thank you again for another great opportunity to instruct and teach our students. I didn't have a whole lot of time with them but I assure you that you will not be disappointed with the results.

Respectfully,

Mikey

---------------------------------------

Thanks Mikey,

That's what friends are for. Besides I like bugging you even if you were in the bathroom!! ha ha I think it was a great night with friends. We all multi-tasked. I would not have wanted to be Kelly she did have the lllllllongest station in the world but she got it done and even helped on the other stations in the end. The only thing we did not accomplish was a drink and a burger from The hut so put that class on the back burner. I truely love working with everyone at Medstar we are a team and will always be a team. Next time though we do need 2 days that way I can go get my drink and a burger with no problem. I think you have a great basic class they just need to take a breath and have faith in themselves because did show us they can do it. I love ya Mikey don't ever change and keep on writing because it makes me smile everytime I read your blogs. Medstar needs Mikey's cup of coffee again we miss it. (I can do the proof reading to make sure you are politically correct lol) I love ya have fun in Washington this is how I felt this morning.. Let me know if you need help tonight. You can call me anytime and I will be there.

Posted by Nicole on [22 Feb 2007 | Thursday] - 12:27

--------------------------------------

You are truly the coolest friend I could ever hope to have!! Love you!!

Posted by Mikey on [22 Feb 2007 | Thursday] - 15:17

Another Perspective!!

2009-06-15T19:07:00.002-04:00

[20 Jan 2007 | Saturday]

Another Perspective!!
Current mood: enthralled
Category: Life

Wouldn't you know it...I finally get around to writing an entry into my blog and now I'm provoked to add another one. This one is a short one.

This morning we (the Medstar Paramedic class and some of the students from the EMT class) went to the Detroit Science Center to view the exhibit OUR BODY: THE UNIVERSE WITHIN.

Firstly, I'll highly recommend it to anyone. Completely and utterly fascinating. The two exhibit areas are completely mesmerizing. Supposedly there were two short videos in the IMAX theater, which I didn't get to see, but just to see the exhibit was well worth the price of admission. A couple of the students did see the video presentation and said it was very informative and well produced.

As for another perspective...Yes! In a way you'd never think possible. I've been to morgues and to A&P cadaver labs and this exhibit beats either one hands down as far as being able to see every single body part.

So, just to pass along a firm vote of confidence: I'd recommend it! For more information I've provided the DSC link and the actual exhibit link below.

http://www.ourbodytheuniversewithin.com/about.htm

http://www.detroitsciencecenter.org/home.htm

Respectfully,

Mikey

14:20 0 Comments 0 Kudos

Merry Christmas to All!

2009-06-15T19:05:00.000-04:00

[25 Dec 2006 | Monday]

Merry Christmas to All!!
Current mood: peaceful
Category: Life

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. It's the one season—although it can be hectic and stressful—that brings everything into perspective. Everybody (for the most part) is a little less angry and a little more pleasant. It is a time to get together and celebrate with friends and family alike. If you ignore—or attempt to shut it out—the commercialism that a capitalist society such as ours generates, you see and remember what Christmas is really about.

It's about a little baby being born, a celebration of life. It's about a jolly old elf spreading goodwill and presents to all the good little girls and boys. It's about friends and family. It's about kindness and goodwill towards your fellow man. It's the only time of the year that I wish and hope that we could spread to the other 364 days of the year.

It's no secret that I believe in Santa Claus. The man exists. The editor of The Sun is absolutely right. You may spend every waking moment of the rest of your life attempting to prove he does or doesn't exist, but you'll never find any physical proof. The proof lies in your heart. To see the goodwill, the compassion, and the love is physical proof enough that Mr. Claus exists. He exists because we celebrate the life's beginning of Jesus Christ, another man that existed to prove to the rest of us that goodwill, compassion and love can exist every single day of the year, not just on his celebration of his birth.

May your Christmas season and the coming year be blessed to you. May your needs be fulfilled and your wants be cared for. May your health be good and your illnesses lessened. Celebrate every day of the coming year with the goodwill, compassion and love that you will experience this Christmas season. Believe in the spirit of Christmas, in Santa Claus, in Jesus and your burdens will be lessened.

Just believe.

A very Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year to all.

God Bless,

Mikey

02:47 0 Comments 0 Kudos

Holly

2009-06-15T18:56:00.004-04:00

[13 Dec 2006 | Wednesday]

Holly

Current mood: morose
Category: Friends

I don't really know how to start this one so...

First, a preface: Holly (or anyone who might also agree) if you are in any way embarrassed by this blog, just say the word. It's not meant to embarrass you or I. I'll delete this blog without a second thought. I just feel that it's a story of life that needs to be told.

Holly is a friend near and dear to my heart. We met online (on AOL) when this online thing was just getting off the ground back in 1995 or so. She was going through a separation/divorce at the time and I (like now) was looking around. We hit it off pretty good.

Long story short, she has some medical problems that prompted her to move back home with her parents so they could provide some much needed help and support for her and her children. At the time, I was pretty smitten with her. Right then and there, I would've married her on the spot, even knowing all of her medical problems and family problems and such. At the time, I didn't want her to leave (me...being selfish...go figure!) but I realize now that it was probably the best thing for her. And that was good enough for me; I just didn't realize it at the time.

We never really lost touch with each other, but there were a few years where we only talked or emailed occasionally. Nevertheless, she was never far from my thoughts. I always keep a picture of her (that she hates but I love) near my bed that I took of her when we went camping early on. It's a very poignant semi-profile shot that I think shows her sweetness and her back-country determination and feistiness. That's one thing I really love about her. She's a tiny one but she'll give you what for when she needs to. Kind of like some other friends I know and love.

Anyways, we've been talking quite a bit (emailing) this past year. I wish it was good news but it isn't. At the beginning of the year, Holly was basically told that she had about a year to live. Her medical problems had become so out of control that the combination of her diagnoses was literally killing her. She hasn't been able to work, so she can't pay her bills. She can barely afford to take care of herself and her kids. Anything that she gets, it goes to support her family. Anything she does, it's to support her kids. She does without so her kids can have what they need.

Why am I writing this? Because I received an email from her the other day. She has finally given up (or really, really wants to). Her children are still children (and they act accordingly), never giving her a break or a rest. They can't (and don't) appreciate her difficulties, her illness and her concerns. Her children aren't giving her the respect that she feels she deserves.

She is in constant pain, physically and mentally. She has no energy when she wakes up in the morning to face the multitude of challenges that await her, and she goes to bed just as tired as she woke up.

Her words: "I have nothing, nobody, no reason." When I read it, it hit me like a ton of bricks. How does someone get to that point in their lives? Being in EMS, I do see it, have seen it and will see it again. Regardless, it is a hard thing for me to understand, the eternal optimist that I am (or think I am). Now, from somebody that close to me, to hear (or read) those words, it's akin to a knife in the gut, slowly turning, the pain never ending, never abating.

Here I am, three thousand miles away from her, and I know she needs someone to support her. The best I can do right now is email her or call her. I feel like I could do more for her, but I know she wouldn't allow me to even do that (whatever more I could think of). I know she waits with bated breath to see the next email from me, offering whatever encouragement I can give her. To me, it never feels like enough. To her, it's a rush of energy as if the written word can make things all better, if only for a moment.

I wrote her back immediately to tell her that she does have something, somebody and some reason to keep on going. She knows that. But I'm not there to witness the trials and tribulations of her everyday life.

I just realized that I can't do justice to our emails by paraphrasing them. So here are the emails in their entirety:

Holly:

Hiya Sweetie,

Sorry, didn't mean to make ya worry. Just haven't been doin so good physically or mentally lately. Just kinda goin through the motions the best I can. With the holidays comin up and bills piling up health gettin worse, no end in sight for pain at this point, kids not listenin to me, I guess you can say I haven't found a reason yet the past couple of weeks to keep me goin. No reason to keep fightin to live. And to tell ya the truth, it is really dissappointing. I thought I had more, but when it all comes down to it, I have nothing, nobody, no reason.

A friend of mine took me to Oregon for the weekend, get me away from all this. Well I got home and told them how much I missed them and they told me how much they missed me etc....2 hours later....same ole shit. Disrespecting me, not listening, argueing, making me feel like a worthless piece of shit. I bought them things while I was gone, because I wanted to, to show them I love them.....what do I get in return....same ole attitude, mom is gettin mad over nothin. "Mom, you just got home and your already yellin at me for nothin, all I did was throw a cup that accidentally hit you, I didn't mean for it to hit you. What are you gettin all riled up for?" I only ask every day ....every single day....at least 3 times a day....DO NOT THROW THINGS IN THE HOUSE. I ask every day, every day I get disrespected by something flyin through the air in the house and I am not suppose to get upset when one of those things ACCIDENTALLY hits me. I have lost all respect for life, it sucks, it isn't worth all the pain and the headaches that I have to endure every day. It isn't that rewarding basically. Bills keep gettin worse, no more money comin in, medical bills etc..... just more and more....it has to stop. Either I just die, or I just stop goin to the doctor and hopefully soon I will just croak.

My parents don't listen to me, my kids don't listen to me, the friend that took me to Oregon for the weekend doesn't listen.....I swear I have no voice.....nobody hears the words that come out. Only I hear them. It is like a bad dream. I bet that after I die and everyone reads the letters I have written, then they will hear my words. But you know what.....it will be too late.

I am sure this isn't what you want to hear. I'm sorry, that is partly why I haven't written sooner, I didn't have anything good to say. Other than I miss you.....love you. Hopefully soon I will get out of this rut. Christmas should be fun, happy and giving. And I don't see any of that right now. I have had a few friends ask me what I want for Xmas....I just tell them to buy groceries for my kids. I took some stuff to the pawn shop last week, they wouldn't even give me what the stuff was worth. So that was a waste of time and rip off. With gold up to $633 an ounce, I should be able to find enough jewelry to equal an ounce hopefully more.

Anyway, I am goin to get in tub and soak my legs, hopefully the pain and swellin will go down a little. I will write more tomorrow night. Hopefully I'll have more of a positive outlook on things.....Hopefully your eye is better and your doin great and gettin tons of rest. :-)

Love and miss ya,

MMMMMMMMMMMMWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Holly

Me:

Hiya Beautiful,

WOW!

I'm really at a loss for words. I keep hoping and praying that things will get better; that you will get better. I've been thinking about you quite a bit…yes, you could say that I was just a little worried. I don't know if terrified would be the right word, but it would be pretty close.

Well, I do know that you're a little wrong. I'm still listening and hearing you. I have been from the beginning. But, it's different. I'm not there. I don't see the everyday things. I guess I would call it "my mind's eye" view. In my mind's eye, the world is perfect. You're perfect. I guess I'm feeling that I'm somehow deluding myself with my view. I know—really know—that the world isn't like that. The world isn't perfect. You aren't perfect. I (obviously) know that I'm not perfect. But, I can't stop thinking that this—all this—really isn't what we—God—intended.

Be assured that you have something, somebody, some reason. I've seen people that feel like they have nothing, nobody, no reason. I've tried to tell those people that it just isn't true. I've never seen that in you, until now. And that scares me to the core. I, the eternal optimist, am feeling a bit helpless at the moment. If I were to have one wish it would be to take you away from everything, just so you could be happy. I don't want to say it…

There's only one being that can do that. I can't. Only He can. And if he does that, then I've lost one of the most important people in my life. Lost but NEVER EVER forgotten.

I'm really surprised I can even type right now. I'm a f****** wreck. I can barely see the screen right now. I've just killed a half box of tissues and working damn hard on the other half.

But, you're right—partially. Life does suck (occasionally). It sure isn't fair (sometimes). But, regardless, I'll never stop being the eternal optimist. I've been doing this for 12 years now (EMS) and I know the reality of life (at least I think I do). I'll keep doing what I can to save the world from itself, one person at a time, until I'm physically and mentally unable to do so. What scares me so is that I've just now been beset with a person who—normally full of life and energy and zest and zeal—has turned into the pessimist that I abhor. And, to tell you the absolutely unvarnished truth, I honestly don't blame you one iota for feeling like you do. I don't like it. But I understand (absolutely!) where you are coming from. I just wish (again) that it wasn't so.

I understand now that no matter what I say or do, or try to do, or wish I could do, that it isn't going to make it better. I have a very good friend with a grandfather. Again, true to my nature, I'm part of the family, so to speak. Her grandfather is ready to go. His wife of 55 years passed away a year or so ago. He's told me that he's just waiting until God's done with him. His wife was his life and he has had a good life. I can respect that. Not exactly the same for you, but I understand you and I respect you when you say that you need to move on. It doesn't make me feel any better inside (just like my friend). I do hope and pray when that moment comes, that you feel fulfilled and loved. That you gave it your all and you gave the world something to remember. Even if it's only two other beings (besides yourself) that believes you: myself and God.

Well, the crying is almost stopped and I can see the screen just a little better. I DO hope and pray that things will get better. For everything to get better. But please know that there is one person that believes in you, that you have something, somebody and some reason. That your life, though not what you expected, does mean something.

I Love You!!

MMMMMMMMMMWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

-------<--@

Remember those?

Mikey

I had a hard time writing that. I have a hard time writing this. I'm surprised I'm even writing all of this. It's hard. Probably the hardest thing I've ever done or been exposed to. There are questions. And somewhere in all this, I'd expect there are probably answers. Just not as apparent as Holly and I would like.

I am the product of a fairly strict Roman-Catholic household and upbringing. It probably pains my parents to no end that I do not attend church on a regular basis (work beckons), but His teachings have not been forgotten by me. I recognize God and his works on my own terms and I proclaim my faith in my own way. The fact that I haven't been struck down tells me that He respects that.

The reason I bring this up is that one thought I have: How much is enough? We are taught that God only gives so much that one can handle (good things, bad things, etc.). I believe when you get to that point (such as I believe Holly has), that things will happen. How, why, where, when and what do we recognize that moment or event? It's not like we get a bright red neon sign telling us what to do, where to go, etc.

Sometimes it seems there are only more questions, never answers. I guess I'm finally looking for an answer, even though there isn't one forthcoming. My wish isn't something that I could even grant. Only He can do that. And that scares me to an extent, because when he does grant my wish, I'll be without someone that I love and care about. I'm sure I'll continue on with my life until God's done with me. But, it won't ever be the same. And I will have some questions for Him.

Questions without answers.

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affections of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends'; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I LOVE YOU, HOLLY!

22:42 7 Comments 4 Kudos

------------------------------------------------

Hi Mikey,

I think it's time you take a vacation to Washington and while you are there you can go and give Holly a great big hug and kiss and then she will know that people do care and think about her. I know you have often thought about her and keep her near to your heart so I think since you have not been on a vacation in over a year you should go and see her. Besides I think you need to take a little rest it would do you some good to get away and be with somebody you care about. That's why so many people love you because you always keep the faith and are positive. Love ya Nicole

Posted by Nicole on [14 Dec 2006 | Thursday] - 13:46

-----------------------------------------

Mikey, I agree with Nicole. GET OFF your ASS and go see her. She needs to see you, not read e-mails. Look at how wonderful it would be to hold her and try to enjoy Christmas together. My heart goes out to her and hope she over comes her sickness, but my heart goes out to you to for being such a loving, supportive person. You are a wonderful person and thats why "I LOVE YOU!"....Brenda

PS...Take a belt or switch with you, and teach them kids how to respect and honor their Mother!....lol

Posted by BRENDA on [14 Dec 2006 | Thursday] - 14:33

------------------------------------------

You two are the greatest!

I've been giving it some serious thought. Money's a bit tight right now, but as soon as I can scrape together the cash, I've pretty much decided to go out there.

She needs something to look forward to...and maybe so do I.

Love you both!

Posted by Mikey on [14 Dec 2006 | Thursday] - 20:24

------------------------------------------

Hi Mikey I love you too. That's what credit cards are for. I know you don't like to use them but in this case I would book a flight in a heart beat and so should you. All you have to do is teach more when you get back and we can pick up so overtime shifts together and your all set. Just trying to help. Love ya nicole

I know if you don't go you will be a mess and get all crabby and then I will have to send you in a box and that won't be very comfortable. LOL Last time you were crabby we didn't talk for a month. So book a flight tonight!! I love ya

Posted by Nicole on [14 Dec 2006 | Thursday] - 20:39

-------------------------------------

Hey hon, I happen to know a bit of what she is going through, and though e-mails and phone calls are nice, the real live person is what is best. Sounds like her parents don't respect her either. She does need you in the flesh and I am hoping you can be a Christmas present for her. Show those kids what a great person there mom is and how much they will miss her when and if she is gone. Keep me posted and let me know if I can do any thing. I have a friend that has family in Lakewood WA and I know that they would lay down thier life if it would give her more time with her kids.

Love ya, Sonja

(p.s. Remember that I always loved you first.....)

Posted by Andi on [17 Dec 2006 | Sunday] - 20:01

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank Sonja,

And yes...I do remember. Thanks for the support.

Posted by Mikey on [17 Dec 2006 | Sunday] - 22:14
--------------------------------------------
Hi Mikey,

You are such an awesome person. I think you should visit her. I think her children also need some hope. Children tend to act out when situations are out of control. The children are trying to cope and survive just like her. I really feel for them. Have the children had counseling? They can recieve it free from their school district. I am not sticking up for their behavior but I do understand why they are acting out. They are frightened and confused. They might loose their Mom!! I would act out in this situation and I am an adult. I wish I could hug all of them. Let Holly know that they do love her but are experiencing a tremdous amount of anxiety also.

Holly,

I do not know you, but I know Mickey. He loves you and I know you are special to him. Do not give up!!!!! People believe and care for you. Fight with every once you have. Your children need you, even if you feel they do not care. They are frightened and confused. I don't know what you are going through but know that people far away are praying for you.

Love, Cherie

Posted by Cherie on [21 Dec 2006 | Thursday] - 23:47

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

2009-06-15T18:55:00.000-04:00

[23 Nov 2006 | Thursday]

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Current mood: thankful
Category: Life

Just wanted to wish all a very Blessed Thanksgiving!

Every day I am appreciative and give thanks for what I have, the family and friends that I love, the job that I have and especially love, the community that I live in and the country that allows me to do everything I want to do.

Thanksgiving is but once a year, a reflection of everything that all of us should be thankful for not just in the past year, but for every day of our lives.

I am. Your presence in my life is a blessing. Just wanted all of you to know.

God Bless!

13:39 0 Comments 0 Kudos

Not-So-Random Musings

2009-06-15T18:52:00.002-04:00

[22 Nov 2006 | Wednesday]

Not-so-random musings
Current mood: peaceful
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

Yeah, yeah...I know. I've been neglecting my blog. Sometimes, it seems like life just gets in the way of the important things. And, yes, I do consider my blog to be important. Not just to me, but to all of you as well.

Well, on to my not-so-random musings…

First off, I need to offer an apology to Muppet. I actually promised that I'd publish a new blog yesterday. But (as usual) something important came up. Amy called me right after I'd just got done talking to Nicole and asked me to come over. Her blood pressure was running a bit on the high side, so she asked me to come over and take it for her. So I did. I kept her company for a couple of hours, while we waited for her pressure to come back to normal. I got to see all the pictures of the newest and tiniest baby in town. Melina is a verifiable cutie. In fact, on my way home from work tonight, I gave Amy a call to see how she was doing, and Melina is now home and doing great. She's still tiny (just under four pounds) but she's home after a week at St. John's (and that's what's important). Congrats to both Amy and Keith on a job well done! Welcome to your world, Melina! Give it hell!

My second week of tactical school (uggh—just realized that my last post was almost a month ago) went extremely well. My final verdict on Palm Springs: nice place to visit, don't want to live there. I'm glad to be back in my own little part of the universe. I can honestly say that I now know why California is known as the land of fruits, nuts and flakes. I'll leave it at that.

The International School of Tactical Medicine (ISTM) was a great school. Way too much to learn in two weeks, but just enough to wet your whistle. Hopefully we can put that knowledge gained to good use and help out Macomb County Sherriff and Clinton Township PD. I believe that only good can come from this.

Something that Dr. Lawrence Heiskell (the Medical Director of ISTM) said struck me as being absolutely true and one of the many reasons I love this field: "The things that we teach you today is not what we will be teaching five years from now." I guess you could call it an absolute of EMS, emergency medicine, tactical medicine and the practice of medicine in general. What I learned as an EMT and a paramedic student is not what I'm teaching the EMT and paramedic students today. Sure, the "basics" never change (or don't seem to) to any great degree, but the little nuances, the foci of our knowledge, the treatment(s), and the protocols have varied even over the twelve years that I've been living this EMS life.

I'm absolutely positive that Beasy can relate. Not that I'm calling you old, Beasy. That would be too bold! Let's chalk it up as "experienced." Love ya, Beasy!

Michigan-Ohio State. I've probably said too much already. Never in my lifetime have I seen such a build-up, scrutiny, analysis or retrospection on any sporting event. In the end, it was as advertised. In all my 34 years of following Meeechigan football (yes, I started listening to the Michigan Wolverines on the radio when I was just five-years-old), I had never sat on the edge of my seat an entire game or paced the room the final five minutes of a game. I did just that on Saturday. This game will forever be THE GAME. This rivalry, "The Hundred-yard War," will forever be THE RIVALRY. There are many rivalries in college sports and a few great professional sports rivalries, but they all pale in comparison to Michigan-OSU. Obviously, I am very disappointed that Meeechigan lost, but that was, bar-none, the greatest sports event I have or will ever have the privilege of witnessing.

Yeah, I know that some of you think very little of sports or some people's obsession about sports, but think how boring it would be on this rock without it. Competition is probably the basest instinct that we have—that and procreation—and even that is a competition! Sometimes we don't even realize it, but we compete over almost everything. It provides us with the drive to excel; it allows us to reach that (seemingly) unreachable goal. It provides purpose in our lives. What a dull and drab life we would live without competition and sports.

If you're wondering about the "Meeechigan," then you need to learn a little bit more about Michigan football. The real reason I grew to love Meeechigan football and why I started listening every fall Saturday religiously can be traced to two people. Bob Ufer was the voice I listened to every Saturday when the Wolverines went to war. There was no better example of a man who bled maize and blue than that man. He lived and died for every game; he lived and died during every game. There was never one so energetic, so faithful, so poetic, so passionate, so absolutely "cotton-pickin" crazy about Michigan football than that man. I love listening to my CD of Bob Ufer. It drives my Dad crazy. My Dad didn't like Ufer much, basically because "all he does is scream." He tolerated me listening to football every Saturday. This is where I have to disagree with my Dad. I'll call it unmitigated passion. That's Bob Ufer.

That second person is Bo. Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler died Friday morning. I was absolutely stunned when I heard the news. I'll tell you now that I didn't do much else on Friday than listen to the radio and read the articles on the internet as everybody reminisced about Bo. The man is legend. "The General" is probably shaking hands and having a good laugh with Woody right now. I can honestly tell you that he is one of my icons, one of my heroes.

Why? Because of his determination, his passion, and his humanity. He cared about everyone and always had something to say. It didn't matter who you were, he cared. He listened to you. He lived by a couple of axioms: "What the mind can believe and conceive; the mind can achieve." He lived by those words and his players did as well. Bo had a plaque made shortly after he arrived at Michigan in 1969: "Those who stay will be Champions." He just didn't mean on the field either. He meant it for life. He demanded the very best from everyone who played for him and Michigan. It meant that you had to work hard for everything: football, classes, work, and life. It's hard not to respect that.

Even I have a "Bo" story. I actually met the man, very briefly, at Bon Secours Hospital. He was visiting one of his former players (good guess). I had brought a patient into the ER and he practically walked right by me. It wasn't hard for me to recognize him. He stands out like maize and blue. But he did take the time to shake my hand and say "Hello."

So…what am I trying to say? I guess I'm trying to say this: Be rich. Not in money, for that only goes so far. What really matters in life, in love, in your job, in anything you may do, is—in a word—passion. Be rich in character, rich in your beliefs, your desires, and in what or how you do something—anything. Be passionate. Bo and Bob cared so much in what they did and how they did it. They epitomize Michigan football. When you think of Michigan football, its traditions, and what it means to millions of people, you think of Bo and Bob Ufer. That's what people will remember the most about them.

But it isn't just that. Sure, on the surface, this all seems like sports. Dig deep and you can see how and why it means so much (or should) to all of us. What or who I care about, how I do my job, how I live my life, what I do with my life.

That's what I hope people remember most about me: that I'm truly passionate about everything I do, who I care about and what I care about.

Hail to the Victors!

May God bless you Bo!

Respectfully,

Mikey

P.S.: Here are a couple of articles that fit the bill:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2666291

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2666059

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2666106

Here's something else I found that doesn't really fit in with the topic, but should be a vivid reminder of why we do what we do. It's to give opportunity.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=2666130

Mikey 00:57 0 Comments 0 Kudos

Tactical Medic Class

2009-06-15T18:49:00.001-04:00

[27 Oct 2006 | Friday]

Tactical Medic Class
Current mood: tired
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

Hiya Everybody from warm and sunny southern California! Yeah, yeah. I know all of you are really jealous of me right now (well...except maybe Beasy) for being in some place warm. Heard it's pretty chilly up Michigan way. Just so I can brag a bit...I'm in Palm Springs. Basically a little oasis in the middle of the desert. Appears to be quite the place for the rich and famous. Gorgeous mountain scenery and beautiful weather. 90's, sunny and no humidity...perfect!

Anyways, I'm almost at the end of the first week of Tactical Medic school. Pretty cool class. Really awesome in fact. Lots of tactics and shooting. I'll be honest...there is NOTHING like shooting a MP5 at full automatic. Basically, this class (school) tries to turn a lil' old Medic like me into a SWAT Medic.

The class itself is actually two classes. The first week is all "basic" stuff. Learning how to work as a team, shooting, tactical movement, etc. Everything you see from a real SWAT team performance. Next week is the advanced course. More tactics, shooting and a bit more medical treatment.

Quite an eye-opener of sorts. Most of the class is geared toward teaching tactics but what really does it for me is the teamwork and the medical treatments. Very unlike being a paramedic in the field. Being a field medic is (for anyone that's done it for a while) is pretty straightforward. You and your partner fixing people. You're in charge. You do what needs to get done.

Tactical EMS is a whole new ballgame. You got to work as a team with a lot more than just one partner. Try six or more. Your objective is not treating the patient (at least not at first). It's get the bad guy, save the good people and fix them afterwards. Very different perspective, to say the least.

Well, it's late. I got finals in the morning and our "practical" finals in the afternoon. Time for bed!

Take care all!

Mikey

--------------------------------------------------------------

Lucky MFer!

Posted by We be Jommin', Mon! on [08 Nov 2006 | Wednesday] - 23:21

Rewind Button?

2009-06-15T18:48:00.002-04:00

[20 Oct 2006 | Friday]

Rewind Button?
Current mood: peaceful
Category: Life

Every once in a while, the subject comes up. It came up again while working this week. The subject? How could I have turned down an $80,000 per year (to start) job to be an EMT (and eventually a paramedic)?

Well, if you've read my short history, you can probably figure out what kind of job it would have been. Long story short, I turned down a job at Detroit Edison's Fermi 2 nuclear power plant (in Monroe) way back in 1994 (has it really been that long?), pretty much right after I got out of the Navy.

I went through the entire interview process after being selected in the top 20 of over 2000 applicants, and was offered the job at the end of the interview process. I turned it down, because I wanted to give EMS a try. That's what I told them.

Nicole (Muppet) and a few others who already know the story have a hard time agreeing with what I did. That's when I hear "You're a flippin' idiot" or "You're crazy" or something similar. Why did I do it? To be honest, I couldn't really give you an answer that you'd accept, let alone one that I'd really believe. I don't really know, other than I do remember really wanting to give EMS a try. I think I had just finished my EMT course. Heck, I'm getting old. I might not even have signed up to take the course yet, for all I know. Had absolutely NO IDEA if I'd like it or if would be something I could call a career. I did know that I did like my job in the Navy but I wasn't entirely sure if I could do it for the rest of my life, even for the money.

I'm absolutely positive that if I had taken the job at Fermi that I'd easily be making six figures by now. I'd probably be married and have a couple of kids, a nice house and a few nice cars. Probably a nice life. Wild guesses to be sure, but when you think about "what would've happened if....", I think you can grant me a few wild, educated guesses.

I guess the most important question would be: Was it the right choice? Or: If I had or could do it all over again, what would I do? Obviously, there is tremendous speculation any time you have a chance to hit the rewind button, but the question still remains. I am fairly certain that any and all of us wish we had a rewind button at some point in our life. We said the wrong thing; made a right turn instead of a left; basically made a wrong decision. I guess that the reason we don't have a rewind button is because we need to learn and grow as we age, regardless of the decision made. If you make a wrong decision, well...you have to live with the consequences of your actions. It's called building character, taking responsibility for your actions, and learning from your mistakes.

No matter whether the decision you made is the right decision or the wrong decision (or even no decision), there is always repercussions (effects). Those repercussions or effects may be felt immediately or possibly not for years. Your life changes a little bit on every decision you make or don't make. Left or right, right or wrong, black or white, night or day. What may seem like a small decision might turn out to be life-altering. I think that some of my patients over the years would agree with me on that one. The best that any of us could possibly hope for is that when you go to bed after a day of hard decisions, is that you're able to sleep soundly. And I sleep soundly.

So, to answer the question: Yes! I think I made the right decision. Did I think so at the time? Probably not. I am fairly positive that I knew there was a lot of unknowns that didn't have answers at the time. There were lots of uncertainties. Did everybody think I was crazy? Absolutely!

I know that today, right now, I can honestly say that I did make the right decision. How could I pass up the money? I don't know...but I did. For some reason, I guess I felt it was just the right thing to do at the time.

Why do I think I made the right decision? Imagine looking through my eyes for a second. What do I see when I wake up every morning? I see two loving parents that wish their son was married and had a few kids that they could call grandchildren. But I know that they love and respect me for who I am regardless. They know I love my job and that I am happy. I see my brothers, my aunts and uncles and my cousins. I see Nicole, Cherie and their families. I see John and Karin and their family. I see Kimmy and Chuck and their family. I see Dave and Kyrsten and their family. I see Amy and Keith and their soon-to-be family. I see Melissa and Mike and their family. I see Marianne and Mike and their family. I see Beasy and Mike and their family. I see Mary, Rob, Sarah and Steve, Rich, Ryan, Holly, Christie, Megan, Apes, Sandy, Heather, Lisa, Poonie and Lucy, Sassypants and Alex and Grandpa, Eric, Jeff, Alyshia, Carmen and Jim, Trina and Mark, Andy and Sandy, Carrie and Jason and all of their families (if I didn't include you, it's not because I didn't think of you. I'd be here all night!). I see literally hundreds of friends. I see people I didn't know two minutes ago, with pained eyes and hearts, pleading to me to make them feel better. I see doctors, nurses, unit clerks, PCA's, EMT's, and paramedics. I see EMT and paramedic students. I see police officers, sherriff deputies and firefighters.

When I finally close my eyes at night to rest a tired mind, body and soul, I sleep soundly because I am blessed to know each and every one of you, to be able to call you my friends and my family, because I helped you or taught you or just because I know you. And (as it turns out 12 years later), I have the best job on the planet! I have a job that I love to come to work to every day. That's how I know I made the right decision.

The other answer? Not on my life would I want to do it over again! One tiny decision made everything right in my world. I can sleep soundly with that decision. Throw away the rewind button. I don't need it. I'll live with my decisions, good or bad. I don't need the money either. I have something far more valuable!

God Bless!

02:03 0 Comments

Stories Told

2009-06-15T18:27:00.004-04:00

[16 Oct 2006 | Monday]

Stories told
Current mood: touched
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

Why do you do what you do? Crazy question, but can anyone answer it? Why did I become a paramedic? Was it for the excitement (right!)? Was it because I love blood and guts and puke and pee and poop (doubt it!)? Was it for the money (what planet am I from?)? Or was it because I wanted to help people? All of us, no matter the job, have the same or similar questions that we can ask each other or of ourselves.

Anyone that really knows me, knows that I absolutely, positively, without reservation, love what I do. Sure there's excitement. Lot's of pee, puke and other bodily substances that most normal people wouldn't touch with a ten meter cattle prod. The money wasn't great when I started and I'd probably agree with the rest of the planet that what I'm making now isn't what I am worth or should be getting.

And I sure do help people! I've saved more than a few lives, helped many people suffering suffer a little less, and I've helped little old ladies and gentlemen to their feet after they've fallen. I've made people breathe just a little easier, I've reduced the catastrophic effects of full-bore heart attacks, I've stopped people from seizing and, (The Lord only knows) how many diabetic emergencies I've fixed. I've dropped probably a hundred tubes, started thousands of IV's and interpreted just as many ECG's. I've stopped allergic and anaphylactic reactions, chemically and electrically cardioverted tachycardias, and paced bradycardias or complete heart blocks. I've administered hundreds of medications and (it seems) millions of liters of oxygen.

Does it "do" it for me? Sure it does. All of us have our favorite war stories. I make a difference. People are glad, happy and relieved (and angry) that I've stepped on their doorstep or visited them in the middle of a busy intersection. But does it really "do" it for me? Not as much as I'd like to think.

What really does it for me is just being there. I've had some great calls. Calls where I've really actually, positively, beyond-a-shadow-of-doubt saved someone's life. I am so proud that I did it, have done it and I'll probably do it again tomorrow. But my BEST calls are the ones where I can just sit there and talk. Get to really know someone. Most of those tend to be transfers from one health care facility to another. Woooohoooo! A transfer! Everybody loves transfers (can you sense the sarcasm?)! What happens on most transfers? You just put the patient on the stretcher, take the patient from point A to point B, maybe get a set of vital signs, and drop the patient off and then you get ready to take another transfer. No interaction whatsoever with the patient (or very little).

Sure doesn't sound very exciting, but that's the fact of life in a private ambulance company. The bread-and-butter-pays-your-bills isn't the emergency with all the excitement, it's the boring transfer. Believe me, some of my transfers are just that...boring as hell. But I like to take the time to get to know someone. And sometimes, just sometimes, it's worth more than each and every exciting balls-to-the wall emergencies you'll ever take in your lifetime as an EMT or a paramedic. Most of our patients tend to be elderly; there is no disagreement with that. But I do not think for a moment that every single patient I've ever had has led a dull, boring existence on this rock. Each one of us suffers the full range of emotions and experiences at some point in our lives. In short, everybody has a story. I love stories and these patients of ours love, absolutely love, to tell their story! I love to listen and they love to talk. They love to talk because nobody seems to want to listen to them anymore. They feel discarded, worn, old, and displaced.

It seems to me that we, as a culture or even as a generation, tend to or have forgotten the old, the forlorn, the weak, the displaced, or the discarded. When something breaks, we get a new one, a better one. Fix something? Pah! It's easier and quicker to replace it. The world is revolving way to quickly lately. Way too busy. Everything has to be instantaneously, now or quicker. Well, I'll clue you in. You can't replace your parents or your grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. We can't trade them in for newer ones that work better. So we tuck them away in nursing homes and forget about them. It's easier to do that then to slow down to their pace and to take some extra time out of our busy lives.

I met a gentleman today, not too much younger than my own father (on a transfer believe it or not), whose story enamored me such that I stopped my life for a moment to listen to his. Well, I guess I didn't really listen to him. I read him. He has a tracheostomy and is on a ventilator. So he wrote his story to me and I listened to it. We both laughed, remembered, loved, anguished and were saddened. We experienced and enjoyed each other. I enjoyed it so much I went back for more. After work, I went back to the facility where I dropped him off and spent another hour and a half talking with him. He had a rather tragic story that he told rather tragically. But it was worth the mistiness that I felt well up in my soul and I showed in my eyes. And I saw the happiness in his eyes, that someone he had never met but several hours earlier, because I took time out of my busy life to spend it with him. To listen to his story.

I'm going back again to listen to him. We already promised each other we'd go fishing together when he gets back home. And I know he's going back home. He's not the sort to have it any other way.

Everybody loves a good story. There are many great books of fiction to be read. Great movies to watch. But the greatest stories to be told aren't works of fiction, they are works of life. And all you have to do is take the time and listen to them. I am and I am better for it, for it enriches my own life and it makes my own story worth telling. You just gotta listen.

God Bless,

Mikey

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Amen, you are such a CHAMP! It is soooooo true . I do love and miss the gore of EMS and people think I'm a bitch, but when it comes to my patients and the elderly., Listening and holding their hands somtimes is all the medicine they need. Society has forgotten the people that brought our parents and us into this world, you call (ROCK!)..lol.I love you Mikey and you are 100% right on everything you said. Tell your new friend, I said hello. God Bless, Brenda

----------------------------------------

Posted by BRENDA on [17 Oct 2006 | Tuesday] - 14:59

Mikey I just love ya and I think you are truly amazing. I am honored to call you my best friend /brother Love ya nicole

Posted by Nicole on [20 Oct 2006 | Friday] - 01:46

Neglecting!!

2009-06-15T18:25:00.000-04:00

[27 Sep 2006 | Wednesday]

Neglecting!!
Current mood: distressed
Category: Life

Sorry folks, it's been a little while. Life finally caught up with me. I've been neglecting my site and all of you!

Been a little busy of late. Right now I'm dealing with a little medical problem. One of my eyeballs (the left) isn't up to par. Weird, but my left eye is a little blurry and doubled vision (20/60 on that eye with my glasses) and my right is just fine (normal 20/10 with my glasses). Also have a little bit of pressure behind the eye (sort of like a sinus headache, I guess). The doctors seem to think it's an infection so they got me on four antibiotics. CT was negative and I'm assuming that the blood work was all negative as well. I go back to the eye doc tomorrow so I'll give you an update as soon as I can.

Anyways, it's been making me think what would happen if it kept getting worse and I lost my vision (nothing like pessimism from an optimist!!). Pretty scary how we depend on something that, on the surface seems relatively obscure, but could change one's life so drastically. Firstly, I probably couldn't drive because I'd lose my peripheral vision, not to mention perspective and depth. That would probably be the worst. I could probably be able to continue to work, within limits. As it was, when it first started happening, I had a hard time focusing on my writing and even when I was trying to start an IV. There would be quite a few changes to my lifestyle, not being able to do quite a few things. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little bit scared. I'm practically terrified, though you probably couldn't tell just by looking or talking to me.

The best thing that could happen if I lost my vision in that eye would be I could wear a cool eye patch! Personally, I'll pass!

Ok, folks. Got things to do, so I'll say cyanosis for now!!

21:04 0 Comments

You Never Know Who You'll Meet

2009-06-15T18:24:00.001-04:00

[12 Sep 2006 | Tuesday]

You never know who you'll meet
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

Crazy story. I had to come all the way back home just to write this (well, not really...I had to teach, too).

Anyways, I was up north (Barton City) like I said I was going to do. My parents and most of my aunts and uncles all had a swell time talking and reminiscing about the old days when they were growing up. Anyways, mid-Sunday, they all headed back home, leaving my Uncle Paul and I to fend for ourselves for the day. First day of the NFL football season, seemed pretty easy to fend for. After the Lion's game, we headed to Mikado, where we had gone to church earlier that day, but also because there also happened to be an American Legion Post there. My uncle is prior Navy as well, and we figured to grab a few beers.

We walked in, there is about ten people huddled around the bar with only two seats left, way back in the far corner of the bar. We sat down at the bar and ordered a couple beers. The guy next to me introduces himself as Dennis, and then proceeds to introduce us to everybody else at the bar. Really friendly fellow, exactly what you'd expect in a one-horse town like Mikado. Dennis owns a local business up there and lives up there all year round. He mentioned that he was prior Navy as well, and we started chatting like we had known each other for years.

I somehow mentioned that I was a paramedic and Dennis finally launched into "my story". I won't be able to do it justice, but it's something I just had to tell. Dennis said he started his Navy career (10 years all told) at boot camp in San Diego way back in the late 50's. After that he went to Corpsman school, where he obviously became a corpsman (read: military paramedic for those of you that don't know). After that, his first duty station was to be a submarine, the USS Thresher, one of the first nuclear submarines ever built. Due to a flight scheduling problem with TWA, he made it to Maine to join the crew just a tad late.

Good thing too, because the Thresher, after going out on sea trials without Dennis, never came back. It was one of two US Navy nuclear submarines that went down with all hands aboard. The Scorpion was the other submarine that was lost. Both went down relatively around the same time in the early 60's. The US Navy, after both disasters, revamped a couple of major programs that they believe was the cause of both sinkings. The US Navy has not had a problem since then and has since not lost a nuclear ship or submarine. It also just so happens that my Uncle Paul was on one of the ships that was sent out to look for the Thresher after it went down. Weird coincidence!

Dennis was reassigned (he never got on a submarine the rest of his career) to a Marine unit and saw duty as a corpsman/medic in Vietnam. He was doing helivacs, riding the side baskets of helicopters, caring for his injured. He gave me a unique perspective to really think about. Anybody in our line of work knows how amazed some of these docs and nurses are when we bring a patient after we intubated the patient in a snowbank in the middle of the night or lying in vomit (or worse) or having gotten large bore IV's while driving pell-mell through the streets. Some of these nurses have a hard enough time getting a 20 or a 22 gage IV in an AC. Some of these docs can't or couldn't intubate in a nice clean and sterile ER (with lots of lights). We do the impossible. Well, I think Dennis did it one better. He used to do all that, including surgical airways and other field surgeries, while hanging in a patient's helo basket while flying through the air! Perspective is everything!

He eventually got out and came back to Michigan where he became a police officer in Detroit. He then joined Detroit FD as a firefighter and when Detroit EMS split off from FD, he became an EMT and a paramedic. He was one of the first paramedics in the State of Michigan. He also described a CPR assist device designed by himself and a few other EMT's/medics that basically incorporated a belt that alternately tightened and loosened (compressing the chest) using a Briggs and Stratton 1 1/2 HP gasoline motor that sat on top of the patient during CPR. He said it worked pretty good except for the (obvious) carbon monoxide poisoning that some of them got.

It became fairly obvious to me over the course of our two hour conversation that he was particularly proud to have done what he did over the course of his life. He has no regrets and he made the most out of the life he was given. To really give it perspective, imagine if TWA hadn't screwed up his flight plans and he had gotten on board the Thresher. Nobody would've been there hanging from a helicoptor saving a fellow soldier's life as he did. Nobody would've been there to pull trapped people out of burning buildings or destroyed cars as he did. Nobody would've been there to help deliver the children he helped deliver. Nobody would've been there to administer CPR, intubate, defibrillate and administer drugs to the people he gave a new lease on life to, and nobody would've driven the ambulance to the hospital because he wouldn't have been there.

I'm not a big believer in fate or destiny, but it appears to me that there was a reason there were only two seats left at the back of the bar, next to a certain kindly gentleman in a small town called Mikado.....

Dennis, may the wind be at your back and the sun in your face!

Respectfully,

Mikey

02:29 0 Comments

Vacation!! (at least for a couple of days!)

2009-06-15T18:22:00.001-04:00

[09 Sep 2006 | Saturday]

Vacation!! (at least for a couple of days!)
Current mood: relieved
Category: Life

Short and sweet, I'm outta here for a couple of days. Going to do some visiting of family and hopefully get some fishing in. I'll be back Monday for most of the day and then hopefully more fishing!

This will be one of the few times I won't be tagging along with Muppet and her family down to Florida. Would've loved to go, but I need some me time. So, instead of beach and sun, it'll be bugs, rivers and fish (hopefully).

Nic, I hope that everybody enjoys themselves down in (hopefully) sunny Florida. I'll be thinking about you, probably wishing I went with.

This thing is going into automatic until then. Hopefully it won't break!

God Bless all!

Mikey

13:08

Tell Me about Yourself - The Survey

2009-06-15T18:16:00.001-04:00

[09 Sep 2006 | Saturday]

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Current mood: productive
Category: Quiz/Survey

I decided to move my survey to my blog to save some room, so here it is!

Name: Michael Clinton Ulrich
Birthday: April 25, 1967
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan USA
Current Location: St. Clair Shores, Michigan USA
Eye Color: Hazel
Hair Color: Brown with gray on the sides (Distinguished!)
Height: 5'9"
Right Handed or Left Handed: Right
Your Heritage: Polish, German, English, Irish, Scotch, Welsh, Bohemian
The Shoes You Wore Today: Brown Aldo dress shoes
Your Weakness: A pretty face and "Please???"
Your Fears: Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane
Your Perfect Pizza: Mushroom and pepperoni
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Buy a house, find a girlfriend, get married, have lots of kids! :)
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger: LMAO
Thoughts First Waking Up: "Already???"
Your Best Physical Feature: My smile
Your Bedtime: When I get tired
Your Most Missed Memory: Grandpa Ulrich
Pepsi or Coke: Coke all the way!
MacDonalds or Burger King: Mickey Dees!
Single or Group Dates: Single
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Cappuccino or Coffee: Coffee but latte's when I can get them
Do you Smoke: Yes
Do you Swear: Yes, dammit!
Do you Sing: Yep
Do you Shower Daily: Always
Have you Been in Love: Yes
Do you want to go to College: Lifelong student
Do you want to get Married: Yes
Do you belive in yourself: Yes
Do you get Motion Sickness: Nope
Do you think you are Attractive: Nobody's told me otherwise
Are you a Health Freak: Running is for freaks!
Do you get along with your Parents: 99.9% of the time
Do you like Thunderstorms: Yes
Do you play an Instrument: Does a kazoo count?
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol: yes. Guiness Stout and Tequila (not together!)
In the past month have you Smoked: Yes (answered that already)
In the past month have you been on Drugs: High on life, caffeine, and nicotine
In the past month have you gone on a Date: Yes, technically
In the past month have you gone to a Mall:
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos: Nope
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: Yes
In the past month have you been on Stage: No
In the past month have you been Dumped: No
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: No, darn it!
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: Hell no!
Ever been Drunk: Been quite a while!
Ever been called a Tease: Don't think so
Ever been Beaten up: Fifth grade
Ever Shoplifted: Hell no!
How do you want to Die: fighting, kicking and screaming
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: A good husband and a better dad
What country would you most like to Visit: Let's just say Europe
In a Boy/Girl..
Favourite Eye Color: Green or blue
Favourite Hair Color: Black or red
Short or Long Hair: Medium length
Height: My height or just below
Weight: less than 170 lbs.
Best Clothing Style: Comfortable
Number of Drugs I have taken: None!
Number of CDs I own: Whatever floats your boat
Number of Piercings: Less than six
Number of Tattoos: If you look like one big tattoo, that's too much!
Number of things in my Past I Regret: Lots!

13:00

Me Being an Idiot

2009-06-15T18:15:00.001-04:00

[05 Sep 2006 | Tuesday]

Me being an Idiot
Current mood: embarrassed
Category: Friends

I probably don't need to say this (because you guys already know me and would probably take it upon yourself to do something anyways), but I was reminded today about me being an idiot.

Amy, Rich Tripp and I were sitting around chatting and for some reason, Amy and Rich started talking about their "Mikey" moments, and not necessarily their best memories of me either. It felt pretty awkward, but I really didn't know what else to feel, except I was wishing that some of those things hadn't happened. You know those days when you'd give your left testicle to be able to hit a rewind button? Yeah, THOSE days.

I got plenty of those days. Ain't particularly proud of them, to be sure. Well, I'm giving you all permission to remind me when I'm being an idiot. Subtle probably won't work, so if you have a spare two by four handy, whack me with it. I'll be better off, believe me.

Ok. I promised myself I'd make this entry a short one. So, it's short and to the point.

Cyanosis!

23:32

My Cuppa Coffee II - Grandfathers and families

2009-06-15T18:08:00.002-04:00

[04 Sep 2006 | Monday]

My Cuppa Coffee II - Grandfathers and families
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Life

So strange to see a bulletin from Sarah about the loss of her grandfather today. I truly feel her loss as I was also particularly close to my Grandpa Ulrich (who I was named after). I can still vividly recall many "special moments" even though it's been over 20 years since they departed. Sarah, I hope you have many vivid memories of your Grandpa many years down the road.

I also transported a friend's grandfather to MCRMC ER earlier today at their specific request. I have known her family for the past ten years and her grandfather and I have had a few beers and chatted over the years. She was particularly emotional. At first, as I saw her as we approached her grandfather's house, she was tired, scared, and upset. She felt very relieved that someone who she trusted implicitly would be caring for her grandfather. She doesn't trust too many people, but she trusts me to make sure that her family is well taken care of.

Crazy as all this seems, my Uncle Paul, spending the summer with us, asked me about my Grandpa's briefcase tonight. My Dad and his brothers and sisters (Uncle Paul is his older brother) try to get together once a month for dinner and to catch up. Well, apparently one of the siblings asked about the briefcase. Grandpa's briefcase holds his life's work. The family tree.

I've had the briefcase for several years (probably going on ten, now that I think about it). I had inherited my grandfather's quest to trace the family tree and received it (I'd say inherited since I'm named after Grandpa and none of my other 28 cousins wanted to do it). I did a little bit of work on it way back when, but it has been sitting in my closet for the better part of those ten years, mainly because life happened and priorities changed.

So, for the better part of the last couple of hours, we've been reminiscing about Grandpa and Grandma and wondering about the whole family tree thing. Those vivid memories came flooding back. They were very welcome.

Cosmic forces aligning or coincidence, it just doesn't really matter. What I do find (probably so not) amazing is that those of us in our profession have such a connection with our extended families and those of our friends. Unless I'm just unique in that respect, which I sincerely doubt.

It seems (to me anyways) that I have some sort of need to not only know my friends, but to know their family as well. I guess I would categorize it as a desire or a need or requirement or something to that effect. I don't know all of my friends families, but those I do know, I consider to be an extension of my friend(s) and therefore it is almost an obligation (on my part) to get to know them as well. And I've done my best to do that, partly because of that obligation, partly because I just want to.

Having been summarily "adopted" by Nicole's family, Kimmy's family, and John's family (see my history); I feel particularly blessed and honored. "Uncle Mikey" to so many friend's children is a honorary I feel particularly proud of. And I'll be damned to have it any other way.

If I were to have a legacy that I'd be proud of passing on to my children and to history, it wouldn't be necessarily that I was a paramedic and I touched many lives being a paramedic, but that I touched so many lives and I was a part of those lives, regardless of the reason.

I also sometimes wonder whether I'm setting myself up for much sadness and grief when those friends and their family members pass away. I guess I might. But I also know that that would only be an excuse. My life is much more enjoyable and fulfilling to be a part of their lives and if that's all that it means then I want to be that person. To "make a difference" whether it's as a paramedic or as "Uncle Mikey."

God Bless you all,

Uncle Mikey

23:16

My Cuppa Coffee

2009-06-15T17:58:00.004-04:00

[I'll pretext this particular blog by mentioning that this isn't exactly the first post on the MySpace blog but it's the first meaningful one that is more than one paragraph and that garnered some responses.]

[04 Sep 2006 | Monday]

My Cuppa Coffee

Category: Life

Just a couple thoughts on my mind after a particularly tiring week at work. Over the course of the week and all the classes that took place, it occurred to me (more than once) that it becomes particularly apparent who really gives a shit about working, and about life in general.

There seems to be those people who, no matter how easy you try to make something available to them, that they have no appreciation for that fact and for the fact that they are getting paid (in this case) for two hours to learn about something that (hopefully) will make their job easier. They just view it as an inconvienence to their supposedly busy schedule and to their supposedly valuable lives. In retrospect, I believe that I was probably annoyed at the time, but as I thought about it, I realized that I actually pitied them because they will never fully realize the impact that something as insignificant as two hours might actually be something worthwhile and significant. At this point I'm not even referring to the class in particular, but to everything that they do or experience.

On the opposite side of the coin, I was particularly pleased and appreciable of the fact that most people thought the training valuable and had the realization that there was a need for the training. Sure, it took two hours out of their day, but they were compensated for it. For those people, it was worthwhile and meaningful, even if it was slightly inconvienent. I felt appreciated and I was thanked many times for what they thought was valuable information and for the fact that I even tried to make what they thought was a dull subject into something they could laugh about as they learned about it.This, I believe, transfers to how they live their own lives: anticipating and valuing all their experiences to more fully enrich their time here. I probably realized it quite a while ago, but those people are the ones worth hanging on to and experiencing life along with them.

As for the actual training, I'll admit I was particularly relieved when the week was finally over. 90 hours and one particularly weird dream about a radio chasing me around doesn't do much for my mental health, let alone my physical well-being. I was extremely exhausted, but even I found a little bit more energy to expend to experience a helluva great time at the ballgame on Friday night. I wish that more people could have attended, but I know those that did experienced not just a great game, but much, much more besides. It is things like this that make everything worthwhile and enriching, not just to me but to everybody.

Respectfully,

Mikey

--------------------------------------

Mikey,

I don't know who or what you were teaching but I'm sure you did a good job. And for those that were bored or felt it was unnecessary, Well they are the ones that need to be off the streets. Down here, the old saying is."When you think you know it all, it's time to get off the truck!" and I hate to say this but there was no trianing to speak of there when I was there.So, whatever you were teaching, they should be thankful. You all need to be current ACLS, Advanced BTLS and PALS!!! I mean two 8 hr day classes, Not on a computer or sign a sheet and get a card. I know there's good Medics there and you are one of the best! But there is piss poor ones too. It's pretty bad when I was there and the one everyone thought was "GOD" there was smoking a cigg on the way to the Hosptal while I was treating a Cardiac Pt. in the back.....I call that very unprofessional, but what do I know. I've only been certified since 1987! Keep up your good work for the ones that do appreciate it. I hope this wasn't too blunt. Love you! Brenda

Posted by BRENDA on [04 Sep 2006 | Monday] - 13:19
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Beasy,

You never need to worry about being blunt. That's what you do best! :)

Things have indeed changed here at Medstar. Classes and CE's are now being offered. Many things have changed for the good, a few for the bad. But, as you know (probably better than some) that the more things change, the more things remain the same. I have a pretty good idea who you are referring to, so I am not going to name names.

You always have permission to be yourself. Be blunt! Be southern! That's what I love about you! Too few people out there can tell it like it is. I could probably write a fictional story about a person, their trials and tribulations, loves and hates, how they lived, the lives they touched, and how they died and everybody might love it. You'd say: "A man lived, worked, paid taxes and died!" and I'd love that! Sometimes it's the perfect perspective to have. Keep it up! I wouldn't expect anything less from you!

Love ya,

Mikey

Posted by Mikey on [04 Sep 2006 | Monday] - 19:55

-----------------------------------------

Mikey, Thanks!!! That's what I loved about you. You liked me for who I was....Not everyone can handle my BIG mouth...lol. I love you buddy and you take care. Keep up the good work. Love,Brenda

Posted by BRENDA on [05 Sep 2006 | Tuesday] - 11:02

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Hey Mikey,

Well I went through the class and I survived. Can't say that I will ever know everything about it but I always have you to call. Like when I called you Saturday fives times when we couldn't figure it out and everytime I called you said you were never bothered. Now that is a dedicated person. People don't realize that sometimes you may not agree with them you will always be there is they need help with anything. I love ya

ps Brenda I miss ya You were a great medic to work with

Posted by Nicole on [05 Sep 2006 | Tuesday] - 00:13

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Thanks Nicole, I miss ya' too. You were also a great Medic. Take care of Mikey for me. Love,Brenda

Posted by BRENDA on [05 Sep 2006 | Tuesday] - 11:04

-------------------------------------------------------

OK Mikey and Nichole, I feel like a real ASS-HOLE! While washing dishes tonight ,it dawned on me that Nichole was an EMT and not a Paramedic and I left a comment saying Nichole you were a great Paramedic too. Well, not that it matters what your title is, I just didn't want you all thinking I was going Senile or anything like that...lol. Bye the way Nichole, You know the old saying.Paramedics saves lives and EMT's save Paramedics...It's the Damn truth, LOL, Love and miss you guys,Brenda

Posted by BRENDA on [06 Sep 2006 | Wednesday] - 21:21

The Beauty of Perspective

2009-06-15T17:37:00.004-04:00

[20 Jan 2007 | Saturday] The Beauty of Perspective
Current mood: peaceful
Category: Life

Sometimes I need a little inspiration before I can write. I know a lot of you have been clamoring for a new blog from me. I've been just a bit busy of late and just haven't had the time. The other problem is what to write about. It seems that most of my writing needs an impetus, a catalyst of sorts. Well, I finally got one, and, as usual, I find it in a most unlikely and unexpected source. And, unfortunately for me, that inspiration came just after midnight this morning, and so here I am, writing when I should be sleeping. Ah, well. I'll get enough sleep when I'm dead.

The Perspective of Beauty

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Everyone has heard that saying. We all mark what is esthetically pleasing to ourselves; everyone has their favorite things (no matter what the reason it is a favorite).

To some degree, the individual differences in what pleases us are what make us human and rather unique as a species when compared to the rest of the animal kingdom. We actually take pleasure in seeing things for what they are or what they will be or what they have been, much unlike any other species. Beauty is not just something visually pleasing. It is everywhere and it affects all of our senses. Tonight, it was a voice, a smell and a smile. It will probably be something entirely different tomorrow.

Obviously our sight is our most important sense and the one sense we think of when we think a particular object is beautiful. Mother Nature has gifted us with many beautiful sights: trees, flowers, mountains, lakes, and animals (just to name a few). The beauty that nature provides is endlessly entertaining to us, a beauty to behold. Sometimes we have to go out of our way a bit to find it, but eventually we will find the rawness of Nature's wild. And it is a picturesque cascade, an assault on all of our senses.

Close your eyes and envision a storm. "What?" you say. Yes, a storm. We see the big pillows of clouds, the thunderheads forming before our eyes, the anvil and the hammer before the symphony of sound. Our eyes get wide with anticipation or resignation. The white turns to silver and grey, eventually to black.

Imagine the lightning streaking from the clouds to the ground. It zigs and it zags; it eventually finds a target and strikes. Seemingly hundreds of branches appear in that split second that it strikes, like branches of a tree. Every single part crackles with power and we witness the awesomeness of Nature at its fury.

We smell the muskiness of the coming storm, especially prominent in the summer. We smell the ionized air as the lightning tears through the air, ripping electrons from each atom as it slices through to the ground. The wind picks up, we feel it as it brushes our cheeks and we hear it as it wisps by our ears. A few moments later we hear a thundering crescendo as the hammer finally strikes the anvil, echoing throughout the land as the sound waves bounce off all the objects in its path before reaching our ears.

Finally, the rain. We hear the drops individually as they hit the earth, slowly gathering its momentum until we can't hear the singular drops but sheets of water, a waterfall without the river and mountains. We feel the drops as they hit our face, each one followed closely by another. We stick out our tongues to catch the drops, much like we remember doing as children. We taste the raw water, newly formed and almost pure. Nothing like the fresh taste of water. Never thought about it like that, did you? Perfect beauty.

In this crazy age of information and instantaneous gratification, sometimes it just feels right to slow it down a bit and enjoy the things that just seem to zip by.

We all are different and we enjoy different things. There is a certain beauty in music, whether it is Nature, Mozart, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Brightman, or Rage Against the Machine. Each of us have our preferences in music, of course, but who of us is to say it isn't beautiful. The voice of a dear friend, calm and reassuring, helps to calm us in a time of need. There is beauty in that as well.

Our taste for seafood, soups, meats, breads, pastas, fruits and vegetables, and drinks all vary. There are favorites in every category. Each has its own uniqueness, a taste that no other food can provide. What man can say that a perfectly cooked steak isn't a beautiful thing to behold, and even better to taste?

We are inundated with smells, fragrances from every source. Our sense of taste is relatively primitive when compared to our sense of smell. We can literally distinguish thousands of smells, even from the most minute of quantities. Flowers, perfumes, and food are our most favorite of smells. The daily assault on our noses is a beautiful thing.

Our sense of touch, though limited, is important. The roughness of a tree's bark, the softness of a loved one's hands, the lapping of water against our skin, or the pelting of rain against our face. What more to be said?

This brings us back to sight. Architecture (whether it be old or new), people, objects, paintings, colors, tints, and the vagaries of nature inundate us with sights to behold and wonder. A virtual kaleidoscope of objects and forms, aesthetic wonders to observe.

What set me off on this tangent tonight? A cute little smile from a pretty girl (and a good friend), her voice, some good music and the smell of a flowery perfume. Beautiful.

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Damn Mikey, That was deep!!!! I actually got lost in the thunderstorm...AWESOME!!! Ever thought of giving up EMS and smoking dope and becoming a writer like Steven King? LOL.

Love ya' Sweetness, Brenda
Posted by BRENDA on [21 Jan 2007 | Sunday] - 02:05

--------------------------------------

Actually, no I haven't given it much thought. I'm having too much fun with everything else right now. Might consider it later in life, though.

Don't know where it came from, but there it was!

Love ya!

Older stuff!

2009-06-15T17:28:00.003-04:00

I'm going to be reposting all my older stuff (from MySpace and eventually from way back when). Some of them are time-sensitive stuff, some aren't. Either way, I'm not going to be changing anything, I'll just post as is. That includes any responses. I'll include the responses in order at the end of each separate post.

The main reason is I don't want to lose them and I really want to keep them kinda centrally located. Since I don't use MySpace anymore, I need to move those over. I'm not going to cancel my MySpace account or anything, but I'm lucky to check up on it once a month.

My other stuff (from way early Medstar days) are currently stuck on my broke-ass laptop. Once I can access that, then I'll get off my butt and repost those as well.

God Bless!

A Passing....

2009-04-03T16:54:00.004-04:00

It really was iconic. The television series ER completed its memorable run last night in grand fashion...ending just as it began 15 years ago. I won't reveal any details for those of you who were unable to see the finale. It did throw a wrinkle in there and set up the ending. It was a great ending. something I'll remember for quite some time.

I'll admit that I lost interest in watching the series after Dr. Greene was killed off. I'd watch it occasionally after that, but it really upset me that Dr. Greene died. Me, of all people, upset over the death of a fictional character. But, to me, Greene and Carter were ER, moreso than any of the others.

When I was a kid, I watched television as much as I could get away with...almost 42 years later, I find that television doesn't interest me as much as it used to. Honestly, I probably average under ten hours a week. Jeopardy is the only show I watch on a regular basis. I'm sure that's some kind of record...somewhere.

I wanted to watch the ER finale though. The series did actually mean quite a bit to me. Shortly after I started this career in EMS, ER started it's amazing run. I could relate to it, to almost all of it. I'd learn something new in EMT or specialist or medic class and then I could
reinforce that learning experience by just watching a television show. Pretty remarkable.

I'd find myself yelling at the television, almost constantly. "Secure the tube!", "Use a bigger IV catheter!" "It's CHF!" "Awww, it's probably !" I found myself guessing at the diagnoses as EMS wheeled in the patients. I'd explain things to Mom or Dad if they wanted clarification. I cried when patients (or a character) died and I yelled in triumph when they'd bring one back from the brink.

I suppose that we won't be so lucky to get another series like ER anytime soon. I'd almost be tempted to try to break my record at watching television...

Home!

2009-03-28T14:57:00.006-04:00

It's officially been 48 hours or so since I was discharged.

Overall...I've been feeling pretty decently. I've been a little tired every once in a while, yesterday especially for some reason.

The thing I was most afraid of...breathing problems...has been great. No issues whatsoever. Haven't needed a treatment or to use the MDI (inhaler). I've been a tiny bit short of breath occasionally but that's after or while I was doing something like carrying something. Just sat down and I was good in a minute or two. Been checking my own lung sounds...no crackles or wheezes to speak of...still no (or very little) sounds in the bottom left.

Had some coughing fits yesterday too, but those were short. None today.

The other thing I was to look out for was the heartburn. Woke up with it yesterday morning and was dealing with it on and off all day yesterday...but doing good today.

The rest of the time I've been making appointments and whatnot. Next week is pretty full up. Have to drop in for a quick fingerstick on Tuesday for a blood glucose level. Wednesday is my PET scan. Thursday I get a med port inserted in my arm. I think they're calling it a "pass port" or something normal like that. Still a central line so to speak, but doesn't require sedation or anything like that. If it does...no chances...I'll get a PICC inserted. Not going to La La land with one lung. Hmmmm...oh...Friday is my second dose of chemo. Yay!!! I'm so not looking forward to that...well, I am...but, you know what I'm trying to say.

Other things? Will have a call back from Dr. Al-Katib's office (over at St. John's) on Monday. Prudent to get a second opinion. They're gonna wait until after the PET but possibly Friday after chemo. As far as I'm concerned, as long as I'm not crappy and whatnot, I'll go. The doctors said I'd probably feel like a bazillion bucks after chemo because of the IV steroids...so I'm looking forward to seeing him. Supposedly one of the best. I'll let him have a crack at me.

One thing that does hurt so far has been the pocket book. Even with insurance...I spent $480 in co-pays to get my scripts filled...not including the Neulasta (for boosting the WBC after Chemo). Don't need that one yet..not until Saturday after chemo. That one is gonna kill me...and I'm not talking about the side effects (ARDS, DIB, SOB are my red flags on the side effects)...the co-pay is $662 and change. I almost choked when I saw that!

Other than that...surfing on FB, checking on BCBS to get a benefits package so I know what I'm entitled to. Just little things that might help. Nicky and Kimmy and Megan have been on my ass big time. Well, truth be told...all you guys have. And I'm very appreciative. I know and understand how many lives and friends and family are affected by this. I'll promise you this: I will go and get the best treatment that I can. Period. I know that some of you think I'll go back to being just Mikey and being passive and selfless (unless I'm teaching or saving someone's life).

This is a life-altering thing. It's gonna take some time to think selfishly. I don't think you guys can drive it out of me totally (I won't let you). But, I'm gonna do it for me so I can do it for you. I owe you guys at least that. You won't let me fail. If you guys don't think I'm thinking right, just give me some time...I'm coming around. It's alot to just put on a plate...even for me...and you guys know how much I can eat!

Ok...enough for now...time for dinner...that's the best thing about being home...good food! Chuck and Deb and Trina made it a little more homely with some home-cooked meals. Pulled pork, beef barley soup and chocolate cake! Great stuff!

God Bless!!

What I'll do for now...

2009-03-28T14:43:00.004-04:00

Not that my blog will take a back seat to anything, but I do have a bunch of stuff going on that commands my attention.

For the time being, I'll be posting my Facebook updates from my notes section on my blog. It seems to be a good way to save a little bit of time and not to repeat myself.

I'll still throw in my odd-and-end stuff on my blog. I want to continue my favorites and I've got other stories to tell and memories to ruminate about. Those I'll throw in between the NSHL (Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkin's Lymphoma) updates.

I've just got a lot of reading ahead of me to find out as much as I can about NSHL, my particular condition and my treatments and what lies ahead for me for the forseeable future. That takes a lot of time and energy.

All I did...

2009-03-28T14:39:00.007-04:00

Here I am...just got off the phone with Andy and Nicole...she figured out how to do a 3-way call (I don't even know how to to that), trying to regain what little composure I have left.

I've been reduced to a blubbering idiot a few times already these past two weeks...Nicole and Andy did it to me again. Just about an hour ago. And that was after last night.

I wish I could've gone to the hockey game. Well, if you don't know yet...we won. Then I get text messages from Frank and Andy saying that they won and that they dedicated that game to me. Of course I'm getting all emotional about that. I've been doing that alot lately...I'm beginning to think I'm just a big sap. :D

I keep telling myself..."all I did..." All I did was sit on the bench with those guys, keep a stopwatch, call out line changes and fill the water bottles. "Coach" Mikey. I was happy to help.

Just like everything else..."all I did was..." help my students study; take the garbage out on Sunday mornings when I got to work; stay after work talking to anyone that wanted to stay and chat; listen to someone bitch about this, that or the other thing; help someone get their truck together after a bad call; help out in the trauma room with a bad patient that I or another crew just brought in; made my partners/students/fto-lings learn not just the what, but the why's, the how's, and the when's; ask about your family and your husband/wife and your kids and make sure that you knew that they were important to me also; be "Uncle Mikey" to a bunch of your kids just because I am (still acting like one) a kid; Hang out at the bars/restaurants/clubs and be the last to leave nobody should leave alone; stay after work, or after class just to go over or review that one little detail so that proverbial light came on; let my students stab me repeatedly trying to get their IV skills up to par; I think I can keep going on but you get the picture.

All I did was do what I do like I've done for many years and will do for many years to come. That's what I do and I don't think it's all that special. I guess I'm wrong.

I'll let Nicole and Andy provide the details...but keep the May 3rd open on your calendar. Apparently, a bunch of you went and did some stuff for me. We have a hockey game that day. I am sooooo looking forward to it...mostly because you guys are gonna be there.On the medical front...gonna be a busy week. PET, med port, chemo, second opinion...I'll keep the updates coming!

God Bless!

My Ongoing Saga...

2009-03-28T14:33:00.007-04:00

Well...(if that wasn't a pretty deep subject)

It's Saturday (March 28, 2009) and I'm under self-imposed house arrest.

Recap:

Tuesday: Semi-busy day, running around. I had to run into Regional really quick for a blood glucose fingerstick. 167 mg/dL. A bit high for me but I was finishing up my solu-medrol dose pack and steroids tends to make blood glucose run a bit high. If my sugar had been over 180, then I wouldn't have been able to get my PET...I think it's a matter of the fact that they inject me with radioactive sugar water.

We ended Tuesday on a fantastic note. Rob and Pat Willoughby graced my parent's household with their presence and their cooking skills. Just a phenomenal dinner. Nicole also came over with Rylee. Just utterly fantastic food. Indian. Homemade cheeses, lamb, saffron and yellow rice...and so much more great food. Great company.

Christie Gordon also stopped by to drop off a book. "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. Why is it that all the women in the house (Mom, Pat, Nicole, and Christie) knew about the book...I must live in a cave occasionally or something. Anyways...just a phenomenal book. The author is (well, was...he passed away) a virtual reality professor at Carniege Mellon who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He was given the opportunity to provide a "Last Lecture" and did so..celebrating life. He wrote a book about it (with the help of a Detroiter journalist). I recommend it!
Wednesday: Woke up with bad heartburn. It was ultimately worth the pain. Luckily it went away by the time I had to go to do the...PET scan was first thing on Wednesday morning. Blood glucose was 89 mg/dL...right where I like it. Pretty boring for the most part. Get injected with FDG (radioactive sugar water). I'll say that it was the first time I ever saw a shielded syringe though...kinda neat.

Then you sit on your butt for an hour to let it circulate. I knocked off about half of "The Last Lecture" doing that. Then you get scanned for a half hour. Then I went home with instructions. The one that stood out for me was avoid children 13 and under (because of the radiation). I thought about running thru a grade school for a split second...that lark passed quickly. Getting arrested is not on my list of things to do.

Finished off Wednesday by going to the Shorewood Kiwanis Annual Wild Game Dinner at the Polish-American Club at 14 and Hoover area. Just great food. Not as good as Rob's...not even close...but different and good just the same. Elk, moose, rabbit, phesant, boar, and venison were just the tip of the iceberg. It was recommended to me that I premedicate myself for the heartburn...did that. WOOOOO. Great idea!

Thursday: Arrived at Regional...got signed in quickly...sticky note on my chart (ironically enough) was to cancel my blood draw and go right to Special Procedures. So I did...Mom had to come with me to drive me home. Got me on the table at 0915 and started working at 0930 (the doc...not me). I thought I was awake for the entire thing, but I thought the time went by pretty quick. Apparently I wasn't...and apparently I'm really a lightweight. A milligram of Versed and I was sleeping like a baby. They wrapped up at 1040 and now I got a med port in my left bicep. Hurts like heck. Discharged with Motrin and Keflex.

Friday: Wooooo! Next chemo treatment! Or so I thought. Arrived at the Cancer Center office an hour early...wasn't paying attention apparently. Or I'm reeeaaaaly eager. Had to run downstairs for a blood draw (the ironic thing from yesterday). Result came back bad. Overall it's not too bad. My RBC, HgB and Hematocrit are decent enough...WBC tanked at 2.3k (the lowest they allow for chemo to proceed is 3k) but even more important is Neutrophils tanking at 37%. Normal range for WBC is generally anything over 6k and Neutrophil normal range is 50-70%.

Dunno exactly what's going on. I'm surmising at this point. Kimmy had a chance or two to check my CBC blood draws while I was in-hospital...she though I might be anemic. Dunno if that's true or not...maybe some truth to that, but my WBC was 6k towards the end of my stay. It's gone down since then. Anyways, I walked out of there with a shot of Leukine instead of chemo.

Have to go back in on Monday, Tuesday for more shots of the same. Basically a growth factor drug that promotes growth of white blood cells. If I had gotten my chemo yesterday, I would have given myself a shot of basically the same thing today, Neulasta. Really expensive drug...$1000 per shot or something obscene like that.

Right now I'm under a self-imposed house arrest. Ain't going anywhere. Just to make sure I don't run into someone that could give me something bad...because that would be....bad. I feel pretty good otherwise. A little achy but they said to expect that with the shot.

I was looking forward to going out and doing things. Dad and I were gonna go hang out with Wally and do some shooting after chemo on Friday and I was planning to hang out with the Hunter's today until my crappy blood work came back.

On the horizon, I have to go back to Regional for shots on Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday afternoon I go for my second opinion with Dr. Al-Katib at St. John's. Looking forward to that. Things might (secretly hoping I think) change radically from that point.

I am scheduled to go in for a blood draw at Regional on Wednesday as a continuation of the Leukine shots...but that will most likely change after the appointment with Al-Katib.

Oh...almost forgot...the best news! I got a copy of the PET scan results. Don't have the pictures, but I got the written results. As far as I can tell...the only place that the Hodgkin's appears to be is in the mass in the middle of my chest. No lymph nodes appear to be affected anywhere else. So, woe is me for the WBC, but Happy Happy is me for the PET scan results! WOOOOO!

In case you haven't heard, Nicole and Andy and many others have started a fundraiser for me...there is a link on my profile page for more information. I really didn't know what to say when they told me about it on Monday when Nicole set up the three-way call with us and Andy. I'll say this...you guys are sneaky. Managed to keep me in the dark. That's never been easy to do. But so far the response has been incredible and very much appreciated. I've been doing my part...helping with the flyer and the tickets. The flyers should be distributed starting Monday when they get done at the printer and tickets will be available soon afterwards.

And I just realized that I really hate self-promoting...it just doesn't feel right to me. I'm glad I'm not running for political office or something like that. I don't think I'd be able to say "VOTE FOR ME." I'm not that selfish (yet) to think I'm better than anyone else, or that I deserve something more than someone else.

And through it all...my phone has been literally ringing off the hook...you guys have been taking it easy on me today so far. Text messages are streaming in and you guys are gang-tackling me on FB. I can only say THANK YOU!

God Bless!

Kicking Hodgkin's Ass!!

2009-03-13T23:42:00.007-04:00

Sorry folks...I got sidetracked.

Right now, this very minute, I'm receiving the last dose of chemotherapy tonight. We got a late start. We started with some Decadron (steroids), then Zofran (anti-nausea) and then four chemo drugs: Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Velban and DTIC.

So...unless you're on Facebook...you're probably wondering why I'm sitting in Mt. Clemens Regional Medical Center room 409 getting chemotherapy. Well...I guess it's time for a little story.

This story starts some time back, the exact date is unknown but a good guess would be within the last year or so.

In an unfortunate series of random events or periods, I was having some issues. Fevers, night sweats, aches and pains, flu-like symptoms, tiredness and a increasingly more forceful dry cough (after I quit smoking the day after Thanksgiving) were popping up here and there, along with other mundane complaints. I took care of them the best I could, but in retrospect, there were a lot of those kinda things that occurred too frequently to be merely circumstance.

The shit hit the proverbial fan this past weekend, on Friday (March 6). It may have even started the night before. I became short of breath. I really couldn't breath really well at all. In EMS circles we know the patients that have a history of emphysema or bronchitis that get really bad have the same problems: they get winded after taking a few steps, they can't lift or carry things without getting winded, they can't talk for very long without getting out of breath. That was me. It wasn't too bad at first but it got worse as the day went on.

I had considered talking with one of the ER docs but I really didn't exert myself too much and toughed it out (stupid me). I was going to go to my personal physician on Saturday morning after work, but I ended up having a late call and then I was exhausted when I got home. I fell asleep and never made it. In fact, I slept a good portion of the day. I toughed it out Sunday and went back to work Monday. That was a busy day and I was hurting bad. I was constantly out of breath, but I kept on plugging away. I went to my doc's first thing after getting off of work Tuesday morning. I was out of breath just driving to my doctor's office.

I immediately had a chest x-ray at my doc's office. He pulled me into the consult room and threw up the x-ray. "Holy Shit" were my exact words. Dr. Emerick said he had said the same thing. The right side of my chest looked pretty normal (nice and black). There wasn't any black to see on the left side of my chest (white is bad--it usually means fluid or other (bad) stuff in the lung). The left side was totally opaque (white) and even more disconcerting was noting that my mediastinum was shifted to the right side of my chest instead of being in the middle like normal (the mediastinum is a loose term for the area in the middle of the chest under the sternum and includes the heart, the aorta, and the superior vena cava. Not good at all.

Up to that point, I was pretty certain that all I had was pneumonia and that I'd get some steroids, some antibiotics, maybe an updraft and possibly an inhaler. I'd go home, have a couple of days to get better and I'd be all fat, gum and happy. After seeing the x-ray, I knew that would not be the case. Something was waaaaaay wrong. Dr. Emerick called ahead to Mt. Clemens Regional ER and I was on my way. Stupid me, I decided that I'd drive to the ER rather than take the offered ambulance ride.

I got to Regional's ER Triage area and I didn't even make it to triage. My friends Jason and Pam recognized me, ordered me to a wheelchair and threw a pulse ox on me (I think it was reading 87-88%)and wheeled me into the trauma room (where they treat their priority one patients).

Let me tell you now being a paramedic doesn't have many advantages, but this is one of those times that it does. The response, the generosity, the love and the caring has been overwhelming. I can't compare it to anything that I've ever experienced in my life. I hate to compare it to the stereotypical "rock star" life (since I'm so NOT a self-centered ass like most of them), but that's what it feels like. I haven't wanted for anything. You guys and gals have been tremendous!

I got fast-tracked almost immediately. IV, O2, ECG, 12-lead, chest x-ray (again), IV steroids and breathing treatments in a row. Then I went for my chest CT. That's when we became concerned. The CT revealed a mass (approximately 11 x 13 cm) "wrapped around my heart and my aorta" and compressing my pulmonary arteries and bronchi leading to my left lung, collapsing my lung. Basically, I'm functioning on only one good lung. The mass itself is not completely encircling the heart or the aorta, it's more like if you were to pick up a glass with one hand and the fingers go around the glass to hold onto the glass properly to prevent it from falling.

At that point, I was on the A-train to intensive care. I spent a few more hours down in the ER while they debated a few orders and had all the primary doctors come in [oncology (cancer), pulmonology (lungs), cardiology (heart), internal medicine (organs) and hematology (blood)]. I was wheeled up to ICU 17 and I got settled a little. I had full monitoring of all vital signs, ECG, and pulse oximetry. Basically chained to the bed. As I start to right this (two days later), technically I still am; but what they don't know won't hurt them either.

I've been having a steady stream of visitors as the word gets out. All the ER personnel, nurses, doctors, techs, x-ray, labs, RT's, security...everybody. Mom and Dad and Nicole are at bedside. Dad's freaking out but he still has time to ask if all the pretty ladies are available for number one son because he still wants more grandbabies. So I'm going through all of them as they come by...married, two kids....married, three kids...single, seeing someone....single, might be available...married, no kids, etcetera. That's my dad. Middle of a crisis and he wants more grandbabies.

I was NPO from the minute I entered the ER (Nothing Per Oral for you non-medical types). Can't eat or drink anything and I'm starving. My stomach was full...full of air. I had finally noticed that my breathing was so bad that I was overcompensating...I was trying to breath so hard that I was gulping the stuff besides breathing it. Burping all over the place. My coughing fits were frequent and painful too. But everybody was keeping me laughing and making me talk too much. That caused my nurses to run in and pipe me down because I kept on desatting, my pulse ox was dropping like a rock. Then everybody got into the act. I start talking too much (like that was hard to do) and then everybody was telling me to zip it. My pulse ox never made it past 94 the rest of the day.

Kimmy kept me company on her breaks, God bless her sweet soul. She'd come up from the ER for her half hour and sit at the bedside and hold my hand. I don't think I slept at all that first night.

First thing on the agenda for Wednesday was the most important thing that could be done...find out what the heck was sitting in my chest. I saw most of my doc's that morning and then I went down to CT for a CT-guided biopsy. I got wheeled down for that, got a couple of milligrams of Versed and don't remember anything after that. I woke up with a hole in my upper chest and a nice little bandage covering it. Wonderful drug!

I was finally off NPO status, so I got to eat lunch and dinner before going back on NPO status for a test the next day. Wasn't really great food, but it wasn't bad either. It was food was the important part. And I had some wonderful coffee!!!!

Ok...gonna publish this one...otherwise it will be another few days before you all see something. Look for part two soon.

Thunderstorms

2009-03-08T00:51:00.000-05:00

We had a thunderstorm today. The first one of the season, I think.

I recall that I used to be scared of thunderstorms. I think it’s a prerequisite that small children are scared of thunderstorms and its companion, lightning. Unwritten rules of childhood or something like that. I outgrew it eventually and I’ve come to respect thunderstorms.

I’m not going to say I love thunderstorms, because as I say that, I envision myself prancing about like a ninny in the middle of a thunderstorm holding a golf club when I say something like that. I also don’t like them so much when I’m driving and I have my wipers on warp speed and I still can’t see crap out of the windshield. I also don’t like thunderstorms when the basement floods.

Therefore, I’ll respect the awesomeness of the thunder and lightning shows that we’re treated to occasionally during the spring and summer months. We always knew when the angels were bowling and when they got a strike! I sat by the window and watched for the big flashes of lightning, hoping to see where it struck. Then the thunder clapped and I became a little scared until the next lightning strike. I was also amazed how dark it would get during a storm. At night, it made me wonder if the dark just got darker. I don’t think I ever got that question answered.

I especially liked the flooded streets afterwards when we (my brothers and I) were kids. We weren’t lucky enough to be able to afford a pool, so we took advantage of any standing water that we could, frolicking and playing until we were soaked through and through.

Racing paper boats (toothpicks, popsicle sticks or even just regular sticks or whatever we could find that would float) from the middle of the street to the drains was pretty cool, unless a car came and swamped us as it drove by. We also liked mucking waterlogged worms. Back then, the entire world was our playground. Everything was fascinating; everything was worth exploring. As I grew older, I liked going outside right after the rain had ended, searching for that summer “just rained” smell that summer is famous for.

As a teenager, I started hanging out in the garage with the door open, watching and listening to the rain, and the thunder and lightning. I had learned that thunder always followed the lightning because the speed of sound was a lot slower than the speed of light. I also learned that I could kinda measure how far away the storm was based upon this phenomenon. I’d start “one-Mississippi, two Mississippi…” until I heard the thunderclap after the lightning flashed.

I like the thunderstorms that accompany the tornadoes in the middle of the summer. The clouds become a sickly green color. If you were lucky, you got to see the hammer and the anvil that seem to hide within the clouds themselves. You felt the lightning strikes and the thunderclaps rattled you to the core, making your bones ache. So loud!

Then the winds would pick up and the sky would get darker and greener. The rain would start with sprinkles and then, if you were really fortunate, the hail would start. That’s when you knew you had to seek cover, lest you looked like a big huge bruise the next day. We’d turn the radio on at that point (unless it was already on), listening to hear where the tornado hit and what kind of damage it caused. I remember generally being disappointed by the lack of damage that the storm had caused.

Thunderstorms make me think. Is it the rhythm of the raindrops? Is it the hammer beating on the anvil? Did Saint Michael get that strike to beat out Saint Gabriel in a heavenly game of bowling? How far away was that lightning strike? What or who did it hit? Is there an electric acrid smell where it hit or does it smell more of ozone? Who’s lining up all those positive and negative electrons? Why wasn’t I invited? What’s the meaning of life? Such questions deserve answers, but will we like the answers?

Nowadays, I tend to be generally annoyed by thunderstorms. I think that’s the curse of growing up. Every once in a while though…I remember all of these wonderful things that occurred when I was growing up. That’s when it’s time to forget about life for a while. It’s time to play. Anyone for a paper boat race?

Astounded!!

2009-03-05T18:32:00.000-05:00

Well…I was going to write about a book I’m reading (one of several—four I think), but it seems that I will change tack (once again) to something completely different. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation, a phone call at an opportune time. Sometimes it’s a nudge, at other times it’s akin to a shove. This was decidedly a push.

It started with a conversation on the phone. It didn’t end there though. I was catching up with a friend from World of Warcraft. Yes, I even have friends on WoW! Sure, it’s “just” a game, and I can spend multiple hours of a day playing it, but the friends I’ve made are just as concerned and thoughtful. It really is somewhat nice to slip away into a different world every occasionally.

We were chatting about my stolen truck (still no word…yet), and it occurred to me that I used the same word multiple times and that struck me as a bit strange. Nevertheless, I couldn’t really come up with a different word to describe the feelings that I was feeling at the time. I was [still am] simply astounded that my family and my friends were concerned about me. Little old me. My soap opera life. That they wanted to know what was going on with me. To provide offerings of help in my time(s) of need. That they were concerned and took the time to say so. That they meant it. That they truly care about me, love me. Unexpected. Maybe not.

I felt bad, because I thought that my family and my friends would be offended by such a thought as me being astounded by such things. I didn’t know what to think next because I thought that I wasn’t astounded by it all, precisely for the fact that they are my family and my friends, and such things as kindness and love and caring and concern and friendship are common things for the companions that I keep. I’m beginning to think that such things aren’t as common elsewhere. I hope not.

I was then humbled by my astonishment that such a thing was truly possible. How is such a thing possible? Moreover, if such a thing is possible, why do I see a shortage of it everywhere else? [Thus ends the socio-political commentary that could happen—would go on for weeks or months on end—with nothing getting accomplished—before it even starts. Maybe another day, another blog.]

I was warned by my parents, my grandparents, my God and my other authoritative figures in my life (including the Bible) that what you put into something, you get back ten-fold. Good or bad. I honestly believe (and several of you have confirmed this fact of life for me) that is precisely what is occurring. I would disagree and I might even throw a little tantrum if I could explain it any other way. I can’t. I can’t measure the value of friends or friendship. They just are and they exist. Simple. It isn’t that simple.

I don’t really know how to explain what I’m thinking right now because it is so extraordinary as to be ordinary. As plain as the nose on my face. I am not an extraordinary person. I am an average Joe. I grew up in a pretty normal household, went to public schools, went to church, got a job…ok, ok…I don’t have a wife yet…or kids…but I surely don’t think that’s truly any different than anyone else I know.

I learned to treat others with respect, follow the Golden Rule, don’t do bad things, and help those less fortunate than I. Simple things. I am, once again, astounded that a simple person as I, doing simple things, can truly have such family and friends as these. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. If I did, then maybe I should be a little bit scared.

Through it all, I realize that I am blessed. I’ve realized it many times. I try to express my gratitude to my friends and my family for what they mean to me and I fail every time. I’ve failed again. There are no words that can describe it. I’ll keep trying.

I truly do not feel worthy. I remain humbled.

God Bless you all!

Kicking me while I'm down!!!

2009-02-25T10:41:00.001-05:00

“Ooooooooooooooooooh look...Mikey's getting out of the hole that we dug for him...WHACK!! (With a shovel on the noggin) WHACK! WHACKITY WHACK! …..WHACK (one last one for the ‘make sure you kick him while he’s down’ group)!”

“There! Take that!!”

“Climb out of that hole now...beeeeeoootch!”

Such is my thoughts as I wake up after finding out my truck got stolen (again) last night. I was kinda looking forward to working today too. Well…that got shot right out of the water. Sitting at the computer right now, waiting to hear back from the insurance company.

Bad jujus, karma, luck, call it what you want. That’s all it is. Mix one 2003 Dodge Ram pickup with nice and shiny 20 inch rims that sell for 400-800 dollars apiece on the black market with an easy-access-to-the-freeway neighborhood and you have the makings of a truck thief’s dream!

If I can get on the freeway from my parent’s house in less than a minute without even trying, imagine how long it takes for someone who is driving like they stole it.

I think I should just chalk this up as just one more subtle reminder that the Ulrich Family and vehicles do not get along with each other. However, that’s an entirely different post that I could make in the future. I could actually write an essay on why members of the Ulrich Family should not own vehicles…hmmmm…maybe I will.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Ok…I feel a little better…a little.

March of the Peeps!

2009-02-23T12:49:00.017-05:00

I just realized that I’m going to be kinda perturbed this Lenten season. Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday; Paczki Day for us Metro-Detroit Polacks, and Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the official start to Lent for Christians.

It’s not so much that it’s Lent. It is more of the fact of what Lent leads up to…Easter. As a Catholic, I understand the religious implications and I will do my best as a Catholic to sacrifice something for the season, although I am not really sure what else I can do at this point. I already gave up smoking, I don’t really go out drinking to excess, I’ve lost weight (not that I was planning on doing that), and I’ve really already hit the bottom. I’m climbing out now. I’ll have to give it a thought or two. I might have to force myself to do something rather than give something up. Might have to put a butt in the pews.

Anyways, what’s really going to chafe my behind this season is that I’m not going to be able to participate in an annual practical joke that I’ve helped with for the past 12 years or so (for all I know it’s been going on longer than that). It’s not what we would describe as a sacrifice per se. It’s more like taking something to excess…I know, I know…not very Catholic of me…but it is funnier than hell!

I guess I have set up the situation for you. One of my first partners, a good man by the name of Jim Borkowski, an EMT who’s probably been in EMS since dirt was invented, has a bit of a phobia. Bork hates Peeps! Actually, he abhors Peeps. If you threw one at him, he’d probably have a stroke. If you ever wanted to see a grown man flee for his life from something as benign as a super-sugary, brightly colored, marshmallowy-goodness chickies (or rabbits now)…now is the time to be hanging out in Jim’s office area of the garage at Medstar. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen another individual on this planet hate something as much as Bork hates Peeps. He’d probably nuke the Peep production facility if he had the opportunity to do it properly. Did I mention that Jim reeaallly hates Peeps? Ok, just checking.

I’m not really sure how we (the Medstar/Ruehle’s/Lifestat rats) found out, but find out we did. He might have even told us himself. I can’t quite remember. Supposedly, Jimbo’s brothers held him down when he was a kid, chewed up a bunch of Peeps and spit them out at Bork (possibly into his unwilling mouth). Apparently, Bork was (and still is) a bit scarred from the ordeal. Neurotic is a good word.

Of course, when you’re in a profession such as EMS, where we sometimes need to laugh at unfortunate souls and unfortunate situations (because it helps us maintain our own fragile sanities), you do not need to tell your partners and co-workers about such neuroses. It usually leads to more insanity and hilarity.

Last year I bought 20 full packages of Peeps. I’m not talking the 10 count packages; I’m talking the larger packages that had three or four of the 10 count packages. Rough estimate: somewhere around 600 Peeps total, maybe more. I’m pretty sure I didn’t have any left over by the time Easter rolled around. I easily had enough for each of the 40 days of Lent. I gave him a break occasionally…not so much to spare Jimbo the indignity as much as I wanted to keep him guessing.

After my shifts, (Jimbo was usually home because he did eight-hour shifts and I did 12-hour shifts), I’d wander into his office and start hiding Peeps. Anywhere was good. In coffee cups (he loves his coffee), drawers, refrigerators, cabinets, behind keyboards, anywhere we could think of. We didn’t try to make it too difficult to find them, because that was part of the fun. Usually we put one out in the open just to let him know what kind of day he was in for.

Invariably, he’d come in to work the next morning and, after suffering a coronary from a well placed Peep, you’d see Bork dig out the three-foot barbeque tongs and begin his morning hunt for the rest of the Peeps. It was truly epic to see Bork walking around the garage, holding a lone, innocent Peep with the three-foot tongs at full arms length away as he made his way for the garbage can to dispose of the evil Peep. Sort of like a snake handler holding a highly poisonous snake as far away as possible. Truly hilarious stuff!

I’ll even be so gracious as to take full responsibility for torturing Bork the last seven or eight years, even though I did have some help over the years. I’m not even sure that Bork even really knew it was me, but he’s smart enough to figure out that I’ll not be present to win this year. He can put two and two together and get five. He’s a smart cookie.

Last year we even outdid ourselves. The other thing you need to know about Bork is that he reeeeallly loves his coffee. He loves really strong coffee. Coffee that will take the varnish off the paint job on the ambulances. So much so that he has his own coffee pot and we know that only “Jimbo coffee” goes in that pot. There is no such thing as decaffeinated coffee at an EMS company. I think it’s against the Code or something.

I think the picture speaks for itself. Apparently, it took Jim about an hour to get all the bad Peeps out of their hiding spot. It didn’t help the situation that he couldn’t make his “Jimbo coffee” to placate himself during that hour.

For a job/profession where we need to be 100 percent focused when the crap hits the fan, it’s things like this that really make this job truly worth doing day in and day out.

Bork, I love ya! I'm gonna miss you and Kat! PEACE!

Ok, ok...I couldn't resist: http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/

God Bless!

Favorites!

2009-02-18T14:33:00.005-05:00

Here I am looking at my Facebook page and I realize that the venerable Yoda graces my profile picture. Spiderman makes an “Amazing” appearance as well. My favorites! Why they my favorites and what are are the rest of my favorites? Time to go strollin’.

Yoda is my favorite Star Wars character because he is the venerable and wise teacher, but he can kick butt when he needs to. He is a character that exudes and demands respect, not because he is the head of the Jedi Order, but because he is wise and good. He is the veritable old man on the top of the mountain that you seek out for answers to life’s questions.

Spiderman is my favorite super hero. He is the reluctant hero that is all of us. He has the problems that any of us have: bringing in a paycheck, paying the rent, keeping the girlfriend/wife happy, those sorts of things. He isn’t a hero seeking glory or honor, but it is honor and responsibility that guide him, to do the right thing when there is nobody else to do the right thing.

The Lord of the Rings is my favorite story. J. R. R. Tolkien created a masterpiece that has withstood the tests of time. It is the tale of sacrifice and how even the smallest of creatures (hobbits) can accomplish the mightiest of deeds. It is a tale that has all the elements that make a great story: good, evil, hope, despair, courage and cowardice. It is a story that makes you cry and, at the same time, shout with pride when the deed is done. I try to read the trilogy every few years…at least 15 times already.

My favorite poetry is Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. Yes, it is the longest poem ever written, it is technically written in Italian, and I don’t understand a lick of Italian. The translation is admirable. It’s a veritable window into Dante’s society, the good, the bad and the not-so-bad. A first person perspective of a walk through the two worst places imaginable (Hell and Purgatory) and then the best place imaginable (Heaven). A long, difficult read but it’s worth it. I’ve also read this at least eight times in its entirety.

My favorite person from history is Leonardo Da Vinci. Truly a remarkable individual. More knowledgeable in more subjects than anyone else in history. Probably the premier Renaissance painter as well. The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are the two most recognizable paintings in history. His codices (his journals) fetch millions of dollars and are resplendent with notes, diagrams, drawings, recipes and essays of every imaginable topic you can think of. I have a minimum of 30 books on Da Vinci that I have read cover to cover. I’d love to sit down to dinner with this guy!

My favorite era from history is the Revolutionary War and the birth of our great nation. The struggles to win our independence and then the struggles to birth this great nation and create two of the most famous documents in history: the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America (three if you include the Bill of Rights). Our founding fathers are truly legendary and without peer from their era and every era since then.

My favorite piece of technology is the submarine. I’ve grown quite attached to submarines but more so to the crews of the submarines. Each crewmember truly was an iron man in an iron boat, somebody that you expected to be at your back when the shit hit the fan. You depended on each other and you were never disappointed. Being stuck in a steel tube for months at a time is truly a unique experience, something that you’d never forget. Lifelong friendships are made here.

I’ll admit…I had a hard time picking the nuclear reactor over the submarine as a favorite piece of technology, because it is nuclear power that got me interested in submarines in the first place. When I graduated high school, my career goal was to be a nuclear engineer. I went to the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan for a year to become a nuclear engineer…I goofed that all up and boom…I signed up in the Navy to do the next best thing…operate a nuclear power plant aboard a submarine.

Which leads me to…

My favorite school is Naval Nuclear Power School (NNPS). I’m a diehard UofM fan (and have been since I was five years old), but this school was the school that turned my life around. It is THE HARDEST school you (or anyone else) can ever go to. This school makes or breaks people and their careers. Six months of hell on earth is the best description I can give you. Nuclear and reactor physics, calculus, fluid and thermal dynamics, metallurgy, advanced algebra, frictional dynamics, advanced chemistry and more! Full third and fourth-year college courses jammed into six months. I averaged over 100 hours a week getting through this school and when I graduated; I knew that any class or school that I’d take for the rest of my life would be a piece of cake compared to this. It has.

My favorite college/university is easily the University of Michigan and its Wolverines! I started listening to Bob Ufer when I was five and he kept me glued to that transistor radio for many years. I lived and died with the Wolverines and Mr. Ufer. My Dad hated Bob (he never understood how one person could be so crazy about a football team and that he never acted his age). I think that’s why I loved listening to Mr. Ufer. I live and die with our Wolverines and have many fond memories of “The General” Bo, AC, Johnny Wrangler, The Big House, “The 10 Year War,” 1997, the yearly OSU rivalry known as simply “The Game”, and so many more. I will bleed maize and blue until I’m dead.

Bo is near the top the list of individuals that I respect because he believed in and exuded hard work and integrity, two things that seem to have taken a back seat in today's society. He was a fighter for things and people he believed in and he never backed down from a fight. He did things by the book. "Those who stay will be champions!"

Hmmmm…I’m realizing that I just might have to continue this later…already two pages!

The strangest places...

2009-02-18T13:12:00.004-05:00

I’m going off on a tangent again. I was sitting down watching the newest addition to the Star Wars genre: the animated movie “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” I started thinking. Things generally happen when that happens. Gears start turning and smoke starts pouring out. I started writing because I have thoughts. Damn irritating things…sometimes.

What is it about Star Wars? From the fruitfully imaginative mind of a relative unknown (at the time), George Lucas created the greatest series of movies that the world has ever known. He created a world “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” unlike anyone could have envisioned. What resulted was more that Mr. Lucas could have ever anticipated or foreseen.

Star Wars and everything that was, is or will be forever associated with it is, in its own right, an industry of several billion dollars (maybe tens of billions by now). 31 years later, it is still a relevant slice of society. Why? How can one thing impact society such as it has? Simply, Mr. Lucas knows how to tell a good yarn. His stories, his world, his galaxy has everything that you would expect in a great story. Good versus evil, courage and cowardice, Truth and deceit, conviction and exoneration, hope and despair, and love and hate. Elements that have always existed in society; that define a society as a whole, or individually in its singular members.

After I finished watching the movie on DVD, I watched the trailers and special features DVD that came with it (I bought the two-disc special edition). If you weren’t aware of it yet, you would be after watching the first section of the special features. “It” is the weekly animated television series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” I was barely made aware of this series by my brother David, who just so happened to turn it on after Christmas dinner at the parents. I knew of the movie, but I was not aware of the series, simply because I really do not watch much television. If I watch television it’s Jeopardy, Law and Order, or CSI (the original or the New York version—I was never a fan of anything Florida except vacations and Walt Disney World). That’s pretty much it for my television viewing habits.

What struck me about the series was that each episode is intended to be a stand-alone, even though some stories can envelop several episodes. Each episode has a “theme” that is stated at the beginning of each episode. As the DVD special feature described the making of the series, it showed several themes (statements) and described briefly each episode. To no surprise of my own, each statement was what most of us would describe as a social more or value, while others describe them as moments of inspiration or the thoughts of an enlightened individual. Some of them sound like they just fell out of Poor Richard’s Almanac:

“Belief is not a matter of choice, but of conviction.”

“A plan is only as good as those who see it through.”

“The best confidence builder is experience.”

“Great leaders inspire greatness in others.”

“Trust in your friends, and they’ll have reason to trust in you.”

“It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.”

Each of these themes resonates with those of good and noble hearts. They remind us that those life’s lessons we learned from our parents or their parents or their parents are not merely words. They are values that we respect and keep close to our hearts. They remind us that the worst that life seems to offer is not always as bad as it seems. They remind us that the hardest path taken is always the most rewarding.

Star Wars succeeds because the characters, their stories and their world represent us, our stories and our world. For all of our faults and our imperfections, we also retain our strengths. The Jedi Knights are the heroes of the stories, but we have our own heroes. They might not be as clearly evident as a Jedi might be, but they exist nonetheless. We have our own Sith, our own worlds and our own societies. A society cannot exist without any of these things. There will always be (to varying degrees) good and evil, heroes and villains, hope, despair, love and hate. There is never a black without a white.

We all (to some degree) strive to be the hero, if only in our imagination. That is enough to get us by the day-to-day doldrums that we are usually faced with. It’s enough to allow us to escape for a few minutes or an hour or two, to give us the strength to carry on, to hope for better days and to realize that it really isn’t as bad as we think.

Most people would look at Star Wars as strictly entertainment. When you dig a little deeper, you notice things that would not necessarily appear on the surface. Sort of like the Force…

May the Force be with you!

Decadence...dieters beware!!

2009-02-13T21:40:00.006-05:00

First of all, Mark...I want to apologize in advance...what you are about to see here might just kill your diet, but I can't resist...I wanna!!!

I've heard of them before...a "Turducken." Basically it's a Thanksgiving Day dinner on steroids. A chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey. I've seen a few recipies for the darn things and one of these days, I'm treating myself (and a bunch of other people) to one.

Well, now I've found something even better. A "Turbaconducken." My mouth is watering just typing this. Imagine a turducken wrapped in bacon. Yep...I'm thinking "a heart attack just waiting for a poor soul to happen along." Mmmmmmm. Yep, I'm sure Mark is not going to be too happy with me.

http://bacontoday.com/turbaconducken-turducken-wrapped-in-bacon/

The other thing I found is the Bacon Explosion. I can feel my arteries hardening already. I'm so making myself one of these babies!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm goooooooood!

http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/recipes/bacon-explosion/

I might need to have an ambulance standing by when I make these two monstrosities...I feel a heart attack coming on!

I am sooooooo going to Hell for tempting Mark and any other person even considering a diet by even thinking about posting something as decadent as this.

Which reminds me...when Christmas rolls around...I got a desert that I cut out of the Free Press waaaay back when... I have to find it though. My ultimate desert. Cover your eyes, Mark. It has over 1000 calories per slice! WOOOOOO!

It'll be worth it, no matter what happens to me...

Calvin and Hobbes

2009-02-09T17:32:00.002-05:00

It's funny how you can be doing something, important or not, and you find something that just picks you up, shaves off a few years, and drops you off back in the middle of good memories.

I was on Facebook, replying to somebody's comment and I noticed over in the right margin the links to groups or pages, and lo and behold, I saw two very familiar figures from my earlier years: Calvin and Hobbes! Of course, I clicked on the link and I immediately was transported to 1985...the first year that Calvin and Hobbes hit the comic pages of the newspapers.

I still remember the very first cartoon. I also remember the very last one, and every single one in between. I read that cartoon religiously. When I was in the Navy for the last few years of the 80's and thru the mid 90's, I missed a few when I was in school or underway. I played catch up by buying every single Calvin and Hobbes book that Bill Watterson published.

Calvin, the impetuous youth that all of us wish we were and weren't, did everything that we couldn't but always longed of doing when we were young. To chronicle the affair and to make it more believable is an unlikely sidekick, a stuffed tiger named Hobbes, Calvin's best and most imaginary friend. Calvin couldn't be separated from Hobbes, and indeed, it wouldn't have been a comic strip sensation without the hi-jinxs of the both of them. The yin and the yang, so to speak.

Each Sunday comic strip was a masterpiece in itself, especially if Calvin happened to be time traveling in the Jurassic period that Sunday. Never would you expect a comic strip to be so detailed, so colorful, so beautiful! Truly unbelievable and special works of art.

There wasn't a day gone by that we weren't treated to Calvin's very own special philosophy, a philosophy that sometimes changed as quickly as a child's attention span, but it was, again, a philosophy that you could identify with, even to some small degree. Calvin's irrational innocence (or not so innocence as the case may be) tempered by a more rational Hobbes was something we could all identify with and escape back into our childhood to.

I cannot begin to recall all the stories, the characters or even the multitude of plots that I experienced reading that strip. It was an experience. Sure, you read it...but you actually experienced it, being sucked into the comic with Calvin and Hobbes. That was the creative genius of Bill Watterson. Spaceman Spiff, Stupendous Boy, and Tracer Bullet were just a few of Calvin's alter ego's that kept us longing for our own childhoods.

Where else can you read about "the Noodle Incident", Hamster Huey and the Gooey Kablooie, dinosaurs flying F14's, and transmogrifiers and time machines and cloning machines? Calvinball, the super-secret club G.R.O.S.S., creating snowman sculptures from hell, taking a trip to the Yukon armed with a helmet, a globe and a couple of sandwiches, racing snow sleds and wagons from dizzying precipices downhill to certain almost-death, dancing to classical music on an old 33 1/3 vinyl record at 78 rpm (though I thought it was 72 rpm in real life...I could be wrong) when he should have been asleep, mertilizing humongous space aliens on uncharted worlds, and Rosalyn, Calvin's arch-nemesis the babysitter.

Trying to escape from school any one of a thousand different ways, and doing things that no rational child would conceive of doing; and of course...Hobbes waiting to exuberantly pounce on Calvin as soon as he walked through the door after school, happy and grateful to see his best friend once again. All trademark Calvin and Hobbes. These are good memories indeed!

I cannot pick one favorite strip of all time. I can identify with Calvin or Hobbes or Calvin's parents or little Susie Derkins in every single strip. They are all my favorites, and it would be akin to torture to make me pick just one strip over all the other masterpieces.

I read a lot if not all of the interviews that Bill Watterson did/granted over the years, his epic fights for creative license for his strip, and at the same time, against the syndicate over trademark and ownership rights and marketing. Mr. Watterson didn't write Calvin and Hobbes to become rich, though I am sure he did. He did not want marketers to cheapen his creations by creating Calvin and Hobbes toilet covers or whatever lame marketing ploy somebody could think of. He could have kept on writing Calvin and Hobbes for many years after the ten years he gave us, but he chose not to. He gave everything he had into Calvin and Hobbes, and when he couldn't give any more, he stopped. He wanted to keep Calvin and Hobbes pure for people like me.

That last day of Calvin and Hobbes was a bittersweet day. An instant classic was pure Calvin and Hobbes. Nevertheless, you realized that it WAS the last strip. A melancholy day but when you got done experiencing his last strip, you realized that Bill Watterson did what he wanted to do and that he stuck to his principles. Calvin and Hobbes left us wondering what the next hi-jinx would be and what new trouble he'd be causing for his parents. I was satisfied. I still miss Calvin and Hobbes.

I'm going to dig out my collection tonight and do some catching up.

God Bless!

Strollin'

2009-02-08T22:21:00.001-05:00

I think there are few that would disagree that the Emergency Medical Services field has changed significantly over the years. In fact, I think you could say that the one constant in EMS is change. There are always new treatments, new equipment, new drugs, new protocols, new laws, and, (of course) new expectations. I’ll touch on more of these topics in later posts…today I’m just “a-strollin’.”

There are things that we were able to do way back when, that would (most likely), get us fired nowadays. The EMS version of torture: back boarding, body runs, baby powder in the vents, garbage bags of water in the wheel wells, and defibrillator gel under the windshield wipers. Well…if it didn’t get us fired nowadays, it would definitely buy us a verbal warning at the very least.

I kinda got into EMS towards the later stages of the practical jokes. I heard about more over previous years than I did actually see or participate in. All I know is that I laughed so hard I cried more than once to hear the stories of the “good ol’ days.” Mary, Dave and Eric spring to mind as epic storytellers of the days of yore. Mary used to keep me riveted night after night with stories that were just too funny to be true, but they were. I had many a beer trying to pry good war stories out of Eric. Dave was the easy one…he’d invite me over for dinner and tell me stories. I never had the opportunity to work with Dave for some reason. It just never worked out that way with the scheduling. Nevertheless, we’re pretty darn good friends anyways. I probably owe him a few dinners at this point.

I kinda felt like strolling down memory lane a little bit. I also couldn’t help but think about Gary Zingler. After Gary’s death, I wrote a column for the company newsletter about its impact on all of us but myself in particular. I have been contemplating reposting the column, but I kinda feel like I should wait for the anniversary of his death (which will be in November…meaning I kinda just missed it or I got 9 months to prepare for it). At any rate, I had many good memories run rampant in the past few days. Another thing that strayed thru the cobwebs was “The Shadow.” “The Shadow” was a mysterious figure who kinda tried to stay mysterious, but I’m not entirely sure “The Shadow” did manage that. Anyways…I’ll make a decision shortly…I think this year will be ten years since Gary’s passing. It might be appropriate to wait.

I found a bunch of pictures recently…a lot of them were Expo pictures…but was still pretty cool going backwards for a bit…I’m gonna scan them when I get a chance and I’ll probably post most of them on Facebook…I might post a few on here, I haven’t decided yet.

Aiiiiiiigggggghhhhh!!!

2009-02-05T18:36:00.004-05:00

I hate it when I start writing and my mind starts going off in different tangents. Here i am, sitting at the computer, mulling over something that was bugging me, figuring that it would make a good blog entry.

I start writing the damn thing and, after seven or nine paragraphs, I realize that what I'm talking about now has absolutely nothing to do with what I started with. Then I re-read the entire thing and realize that the subject matter of a middle paragraph is completely different from the beginning and the ending subjects.

I now realize that it must have been by the Grace of God that I actually passed Honors English and History in high school. I can't believe that I actually stayed on one single subject for my essays and my term papers. It's nigh impossible now, it seems.

Anyways, my train of thought left me at the boarding station at that point. Now I have three (possibly four) different subjects for future blogs. Not exactly what I had planned...but who plans these things anyways? And in case anyone's asking...yes...I've had my fair share of caffiene today. It might have something to do with what transpired.

Supermom/Superdad or two parents? A question.

2009-02-04T13:14:00.003-05:00

It kinda came up in a conversation I was having with a friend.

I've been fortunate enough to have grown up in a two parent (a mom and a dad) household. In my job and my travels through life I've met and known people that have had two parents and some that have had one parent (mainly) or that the parents were separated/divorced (probably 90% of the occurances) and they split the time/responsibilities of raising a child(ren).

It has been my experience (and as such...my belief) that children seem to be more well-rounded/adjusted when they have both parents present in the household. They seem to have less psychological problems, they do better in school, etcetera (they have generally less issues growing up).

I've seen enough research, anecdotal evidence, and stories over the years that suggest similar outcomes. I guess I'd like to hear your sides, your stories. All I know is that being a single parent must suck like no tomorrow. Having both parents around isn't easy either...I know I made life hell for my parents growing up.

So is it the single parent thing...the double parent thing? Is it just kids in general, or today's general state of society/technology/social mores and values? What makes the difference between being well-adjusted or a sociopathic nightmare?

I'd really like to know and just maybe there's something that you did or experienced that might make the difference for someone else.

God Bless!!

My old columns/essays...

2009-02-03T15:57:00.002-05:00

Well, I found most of my old columns/essays/etcetera. It's a good thing I'm a pack rat. Apparently I'm gonna be one of those patient's I really hate when I get old and decrepit. The ones with stacks and stacks of stuff all over the place where you can't get in the door and whatnot.

I haven't really gone back and read them all but I'm not exactly ignorant of what each was about, even though some were over ten years ago. I scare myself sometimes.

I guess the problem with reposting them is that I'm not quite sure how to do it. Of course, I could just cut and paste and post them as easy as pie. I'm referring to the fact that the articles/columns are kinda dated to that particular time. Some of them don't mean a damn thing nowadays. And if you weren't there when I published them...you aren't gonna get the "full effect" so to speak. The context just isn't there. In order to do it properly, I'm going to have to preface them somehow to kinda get them from the past into the present...if that is even possible.

Another thing I'm kinda worried about is that I can't really archive them...to blogger.com it's just another blog...not one from 10 years ago. Sure, they'll be archived...but it'll be chronologically with all my present stuff. For whatever reason...it's bugging me. Maybe I'm just being nitpicky.

I'll do my best, regardless. Just have to put my thinking cap on and screw it on a little bit tighter for these "blasts from the past."

The other thing I have to remember...I'm not exactly writing for a captive audience anymore. Most of my past stuff was EMS related. I'll have to expand my horizons. If you non-EMS types don't understand something I've posted, please let me know. I'll clarify wherever and whenever possible.

God Bless!

Strange Twists and Turns

2009-02-02T21:00:00.002-05:00

The end of the 2008 was a bit different for me this past year. Something that I hadn't had to worry about in almost 13 years. Being unemployed (especially right now in the midst of Michigan's economic woes) was very disconcerting and frankly...quite scary.

It's hard to appreciate the security blanket that having a job means...until you lose it. All that security, that safe feeling you have but are not necessarily aware of, just disappears. Everything is day-to-day; sometimes it almost feels like it's hour-to-hour. Being unemployed is not a vacation. Sure, you don't have to go to work...but it isn't a vacation. I'd say my perspective is a bit skewed at this point, if only because I'm only supporting myself. Luckily, I don't have to worry about a family. There would be no time for self-pity because I'd be acutely more concerned with the welfare of my family.

You're more acutely aware that, even though you lived pretty much paycheck-to-paycheck anyways, the money isn't coming in anymore and it might not be there tomorrow. You budget every single penny.

You don't do anything that requires money unless you absolutely need to. Going to the movies or going to a restaurant is pretty much out of the question. Fast food? Forget it! That package of Oreo's that you buy (because you absolutely love Oreo's and milk) every time you go grocery shopping? It stays on the shelf because you can't afford it. You do without the amenities that make you comfortable. Every physical thing that you just took for granted previously, that made you feel comfortable...is gone.

I quit smoking the day after Thanksgiving. After 20 years, it's still a major struggle, every single day, every single hour. But that's besides the point. I bring it up because it's one of those things that make you feel comfortable. Honestly, I don't know why I stopped. I wasn't planning on it. I was averaging more than a pack-a-day until that point. I was on my computer playing World of Warcraft that night and I just ran out of cigarettes. I forgot to go to the corner store that day. But I started running around the house checking all my hiding spots, looking for another pack. I didn't find another pack. I signed off of WoW and went to bed.

To be honest, I'd tell you that I was just plain lazy and I didn't feel like going to the corner store. Looking back, I'd say that maybe not having the money to keep supporting the habit was sitting in the back of my mind. I know that I had the money in my pocket. I could have easily paid for another pack. Kinda one of those times when the angel on your shoulder says you don't need them anymore...without really needing to say anything. My little angel kicked the devil sitting on my other shoulder in the chops and that was it. I woke up the next morning and I haven't had a cigarette since. I wake up every morning looking for that cigarette.

I'm not proclaiming my victory over smoking just yet. It's only been two and a half months, for God's sakes. Maybe in a year...maybe in 20 years. I don't know. All I know is that it's a daily struggle.

As far as the self-pity thing goes...yep, I was probably a bit depressed for a while. There was a stretch where I didn't do too much. I think that was pretty much a normal reaction. The problem becomes a problem when you let your life be encapsulated by it. Luckily for me...that's why I got friends. I know that I would have had a rougher time of it getting through some of the tough spots without the support of my family and my friends.

In many previous blogs/letters/posts, I've tried to acknowledge the importance that my family and friends have in my life. I don't know if you can truly appreciate it or not. I don't know if I can truly appreciate the importance of it. It's not something that you can quantify or qualify. Having X number of friends might mean something when we're growing up, especially when you have X and I have X+1 and I'm gloating about it because we're playing "I'm better than you!". You can't qualify it by saying that X friend is better than Y friend. At least I can't. Sure, I have a best friend...heck, I got two. But every friend is truly special and purposeful in their own special way and I can't categorize or qualify a friendship like that.

John isn't my best friend just because I've known him since sixth grade (that's 1979 for those of you keeping score). Nicole isn't my best friend just because we've known each other and went thru God know's how much in EMT Class back in 1994 and at Medstar in the years following. All my other friends aren't in second or third or fourth or even 50th. They're my friends, plain and simple. And no matter who you are or where your are, be assured that you've done something to enrich my life and make it better and more meaningful. I couldn't even begin to describe what you might have done or what you might have said, but it meant something to me.

Life took a drastic turn for me in October. Even thought I like to reminisce and laugh about the "good ol' days", I've since realized that I can't go back. Life works because you go forward, never backwards. Probably one question that I've heard more than any other is "If you had the chance, would you go back?" I've thought about that question a lot in the past couple of months and I've gone through the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" stage too.

As much as I miss my friends at Medstar and the fun (and the seniority and my meager pay), my answer is an absolute "NO." We all kinda answered that question once or twice when we were growing up: "What would you do differently if you could go through high school again?" (or a similar question). I don't think I can answer that question any more, because I wouldn't want to. I don't need a "do over." I don't need a rewind button (well, I might need a rewind button for those times when my mouth gets me in trouble).

Everything that has occurred up to this point in my life has occurred for some reason, some purpose. That means everything that I've ever done, every thought or word that I thought or spoke or heard or read, or every person that I have ever encountered was there for some purpose or some reason. I can't give that up. That's who I am.

I'll keep moving forward and see what life has in store for me. I have a new job, with new challenges and new experiences just waiting for me. But I also know that I have lots of friends and family that got me to this point, that helped me to this point of my life. That is something I cannot...will not...forget.

I'm not rich, at least not in the monetary sense. I'm not perfect, not by any simple definition of the word. But I am the richest person I know with the most perfect life I can imagine.

The Revival of Mikey's Cup of Coffee!

2009-02-02T17:02:00.000-05:00

On a dare...OK...more like a whim and a suggestion from a good friend who shall remain nameless on the grounds that she might incriminate herself totally...(Thanks, Val!)

Mikey's Cup of Coffee exists again! And...no..it isn't about coffee...rather it's more about what I might muse about over a cup of coffee. Or two. Or three.

For those of you who don't know what the hell I'm talking about...Mikey's Cup of Coffee was started by me back in 1998 after I started a company newsletter at Medstar Ambulance...I got permission to have my own column...so to speak...and I really started off with a bang.

Through the years, Mikey's Cup of Coffee has been an off-again-on-again project. The topic of my notes/essays has varied...sometimes it was about our job in Emergency Medical Services as EMT's and paramedics, sometimes it was just about life, sometimes it was about nothing. But I always had a loyal readership of at least one person (Insert note of thanks to Nicole here!). And that always made the difference...the fact that people cared to read whatever I had to write about.

Anyways, I do plan on finding all my previous posts from the newsletter and from my myspace page and relocating them here for posterity's sake if nothing else.

Give me a few days to get my butt in gear and then we'll see where this takes off to. I make no excuses about what I might write about. I don't particularly like writing about politics and religion...but those topics aren't off the table either. Most people that know me know my political slant and my religion of choice. But I try to be open-minded about things and consider all avenues and opinions.

God Bless!