PHOTO LIFE - THE BLOG

Final Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:37:00 +0000

To all that have been reading the blog and providing support and comfort to Mark through these times, Mark passed away Sunday morning. I'm comforted by the fact that he is more comfortable now and in a better place.

Sue

Drifting & Disappoinyments

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:57:00 +0000

To Ron and Photobabe, thanks for reading and your comments. As far as Porters goes, I still stop in every now and then but I haven't taken any photos in some time so have very little to contribute. My eyesight is still poor and with these new seziures I just don'y feel like doing much. I was in the emergency room twice this week (once via 911 and ambulance)

Sue and I did go to the show at the Pickneyville Community Center again this year. It was terrible! They had new organizers and it sucked. The price almost doubled,. Last year the vendors were given a goodie bag containing some candy and snacks and a Christmas ornament - this year nothing. The food service very limited, no fries only chips with main selections of a hotdog, chicken fingers (ice cold) and chili.

Traffic was nonexistent. No postcards were sent out this year advertising the event. I sold 2 matted prints, 2 note cards and a single postcard and those were to other vendors at the show! We will not go back next year and from what I was hearing neither will most of the others.

As for me, other than the seizures my rye sight seems to have gotten worse not better. Y am at a loss and it kills me just having bought all this new camera equipment and not being able to use it. I pray it will change, I miss taking`photos

Where Are We Now?

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:22:00 +0000

Another long time between post again. When I first started this blog I posted daily sometimes twice a day but I've been worn down. I know my body is failing - more problems it seems like occur daily. If anyone still reads this I would be greatly surprised.

Most of the time now I either don't feel good enough to post or I cannot see well enough to write. (yes, the vision problem still exist - sometimes better or worse. No steady improvement.) My weeks are now filled with more bad days than good and now comes more problems - SEIZURES. More test, Cat scans, multiple MRI's and of course the blood test too.

I still haven't gained my balance and strength to get away from this damned wheelchair and it's been a year now. Part of it is my fault for not trying harder ut I can't seem to do it.

Sue has hired a caretaker to help out - she comes 5 times a week picks me up from dialysis at 10:30 & stays with me until 5 on Tue & Thur. On Mon. Wed. & Fri. it's 9 - 3:30. She is very nice and also does house work and errands. It's an attempt to give my Mom and Dad their life back but they're back right now because Sue is out of town for a couple of weeks and everyone doesn't want me to be alone for that long. Even I have to admit I couldn't get along without the help.

I haven't shot any photos in several months but I am hoping to do so soon. (Wishful thinking, maybe so, but it's all I have). I am reworking some photos into B&W's and that's working out well most of the time.

So, where are we now? Closer to the end, yes but I still can't see it.

If you're reading this - Thanks, it's therapy for me again. - Mark

Photo for today - Effie's Bridge, Stone Mountain Park, GA

Seems Like Forever!

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 03:44:00 +0000

Poole's Mill Bridge

It does seem like forever since I last posted anything. i've been here, just unable to see to read and write until today. My eyesight has returned somewhat. Its still weak. I oftsn have to rest my eyes and anything outside in bright light is out of the question for now. The Doc says it may be 6 more months before we'll know if this new medicine is really working, so until then I've got my fingers crossed.

Still missing Miss Kitty. Both Sue & I sometimes "feel" her jump up on the bed at night or expect to see her tucked on the blanket on the sofa.

Sue is well - out of town as usual on business. She'll be goneb3out oe 4 weeks in October too. So much for less travel with this job.

My eyes are beginning to tire so this will be a short one.

Thanks as always for reading and sending your comments - Mark

General Update

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:43:00 +0000

Just a general update to let you know what is going on. It has been several weeks since I have let you know what is going on, this is primarily due to eyesight troubles. Swelling & dryness have made it nearly impossible for me to read or write.

First I want to thank everyone for their sentiments about Miss Kitty. She wasn't very noisy but the house sure seems quiet without her. I miss her fuzzy face and her snoring in my ear.

Entered 2 more photos in the jurored art show. It seems to be more of a popularity contest, but I will keep trying and it is good exposure. I recieved good interest from the last 2 I entered.

Hopefully I will be back more regularly when my eyesight improves. In the meantime, I will dictate updates to Sue.

IN MEMORY

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 05:28:00 +0000

MISS KITTY 1987 -2007

It is with a heavy heart I write this post. many people may never understand why others can become so attached to a pet. To us, Sue and I, Miss Kitty was more like our child.

Everyone that meet Miss Kitty liked her and also treated her like a full member of our family.

Sue brought Miss Kitty home after we played cards at a friend's house. Miss Kitty and her brothers and sisters were there, all Tennessee barn cats. They were just small kittens but this one kept coming over to Sue and untying her shoe. After the third time, Sue knew she had to take her home. This one was so cute and playful. (at the time we didn't realize it was Miss Kitty picking us out to go home with.) She was the runt of the litter but the most curious and active. You could fit her in one hand at this time.

She was the sweetest cat always wanting to take care of us too. The day I fell down the stairs and broke my hip I was lying on the floor by the front door and Sue had gone to call 911. Miss Kitty had been sitting on the stairs watching what was going on. Miss Kitty came over to me and sat down right up against me and gently put her paw on my hand and held it there until the firemen arrived. when the firemen got there she moved back to the stairs to watch. I was in such pain that when they tried to roll me over I screamed and Miss Kitty came bounding down the stairs screeching at the firemen to stop hurting me.

When ever Sue didn't feel well it was the same thing. Miss Kitty would sit with her holding that tiny paw on her. Miss Kitty would stay like that until she thought Sue was feeling better. Miss kitty would even ignore food until she was sure Sue was better she just stayed by her side.

We got to where we called her Baby kitty, I was Daddy kitty and Sue was Momma kitty. My parents also fell in love with Miss Kitty bringing her all sorts of gifts - play toys and home-made catnip sewn into hand-made mice,candy canes,turkey legs and a whole host of other shapes.

We all loved Miss Kitty and she loved us too. She was the best cat she never once bit or nipped at us or anyone never scratch anybody. She was always friendly warm and happy to see you.

Miss Kitty had recently eaten some of the tainted Menu pet food and gotten very sick. We had taken her to the vet close to a dozen times in the last couple of months trying to get her well and we thought she was improving. She seemed like she was back to her old sele. She was playing with Sue like she did when she was a kitten and eating well but I guess the taint food and her advanced kept her from a full recovery.

Please join with us and say a final prayer for our child, our friend, our Miss Kitty.

Thank you - Mark & Sue

The Clock Strikes Midnightand Death is Cheated Again

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:35:00 +0000

The morning started the same as it has for the past year or so. It's 5:30 and Sue is up and in the shower getting ready for another commute into work. I'm awake and getting ready for another day at the dialysis clinic. I test my blood sugar and find a little high at 203 so I take 3 units of novolog insulin. I've done the same thing many times before in the 36 years of having diabetes.

This morning something was not the same, what we're still not sure. I felt like my blood pressure might be low. Sue helped me check it and it was normal but I still had an uneasy, light-headed feeling. That's the last thing I remember before "my dream"

I thought I was dreaming and it wasn't a pleasant one. I said Oh Damn, I'm in the hospital again! It was the sounds and smells that flooded my head. I could feel people lifting my arms and yelling my name. I couldn't move, open my eyes or speak no matter how hard I tried.

The sounds were those of Sue and the first responder firemen that arrived a minute before the paramedics. For some reason my blood sugar had dropped to 20 in a little over 15 minutes and I had gone from having seizures to slipping into a coma-like state.

I remember my tongue and lips feeling thick and heavy. It was the " instant glucose" the firemen had put in my mouth and all over my lips. It's a jelly-like substance used to combat low blood sugar in a unconscious person. It wasn't having much of an effect in this case. When the EMT's arrived they started an IV and started giving me D-50 (intravenous glucose). I felt myself put into a wheelchair and moved to the door. I still couldn't move, speak or open my eyes at this time. I felt myself being loaded into the ambulance and starting the ride to the hospital.

While on the way to the hospital I began to come to. I could open my eyes only to have them slam shut again. As the minutes passed I was able to hold them open longer and speak a little. I was now fully aware of what had happened and what was going on around me.

Over the next few hours in the hospital my blood sugar would continue to drop and I would get more D-50. This went on for what seemed like forever. Finally my sugar stabilized and I was released to go to dialysis.

Since then all I've wanted to do is sleep. I've been exhausted from the seizures and lack of eating anything for a day and a half. Lunch today was my first real meal but I still feel tired and weak.

Of course Sue was with me throughout all this. The EMT's said her calling so quickly had saved my life. She had to go to MN today for work and my parents are here until she gets back on Friday. I miss her so much. She has to leave again on Monday for the entire week she'll be in Belgium and return on Saturday. After that she's taking a week off to be with me and we'll be together.

Thanks for reading -Mark

Photo - An Old Homestead ( and how I feel)

The Clock is Ticking

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:23:00 +0000

PHOTOGRAPHED 6/07

It seems like it is always about time. It's not the right time or we don't have enough time. The doctors have given me a 50% chance of two more years. More than two years will be bonus time. I look forward to beating those odds and making it to at least 55 and taht's SEVEN more years.

My eyes are still giving me fits. Some day are OK, others are abysmal and now come with migraine-like headaches the likes I've never experienced before. Miss Kitty and I are much alike. We are both holding our own having both some good days and more often so-so days with occasional BAD days.

My dialysis time has changed again so they can accommodate new people. It's a little later, from 7 to 11 am on Tue, Thur & Sat. I have finally graduated to their largest needles which means more blood can be cleaned during my four hours. During my last treatment they cleaned 107 liters of my blood. This will hopefully lead to better numbers and eventually shorter times.

I got two photos into a jurried show at a small local art gallery last week - nothing big but at least it's some exposure. I've been working on getting things ready for the upcoming sale at the antique market this weekend ( Fri, Sat & Sun) but still have a way to go. I have some new images and replaced the few that sold last time. I'm hoping this time we'll do better.

It's been great! Sue has been home for two weeks straight. It's so good to be with her. Next week she's on the go again but she (as of now) has no out of town plans in August. I think we'll try to take a couple of 2 to 3 day outings to places we've been wanting to see. ( Mainly the Blue Ridge Parkway and Galloway Gardens).

Thanks for reading,

-Mark

Photo - Just something I saw.

Depression? Who.... Me/

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Sat, 26 May 2007 03:27:00 +0000

North Georgia Images at Lakewood 400

Am I depressed? I think I am sometimes but I think we all get depressed at times. I have some good days ever now and then. I have really bad days more often it seems. These are days that I feel physically bad and yes, that in itself can be depressing but that feeling doesn't last but a day or two. One of my docs thinks I should be taking something for it and wrote me an Rx for Paxcil but I haven't filled it. I really don't think I need another medication of any kind.

My sight problems still are giving me fits and I wonder if I should continue to spend time, effort and money on photography. - another reason to be depressed. That and the 50% two-year survival rate I was told I am facing is another reason. Even with all these new unpleasant things I struggle forward. Yes, I've thought about taking my favorite pistol and using it to end my life and stop the misery I cannot yet do this.

It's the love for my wife and my love of creating photographic art that keeps me going. Sue is my support. She is much stronger than I and she is always there for me. I only hope I can be there for her too.

We did attempt to sell some framed photos at an antique market last weekend but the traffic there was very slow. Even the regular vendors said it was much less traffic there than normal. We sold a photo-canvas and several sets of note cards on Friday but had no sales the rest of the weekend. I made just enough to pay for the space and the food we ate.

We have decided to give it another try in June and maybe again in the Fall so we'll see how it goes. We did have people asking if we would be there next month - go figure what that means.

The photos are of our little booth at the Lakewood 400 Antique Market. This coming month of June we will be in space B-52 (hope that doesn't mean we'll bomb) It's the 3rd weekend of the month so come visit if you're near by and have the time

HE{P

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Sun, 13 May 2007 17:26:00 +0000

PLEASE TAKE NOTE

This is from a friend's site in the UK and is an important notice. Please be on the lookout for Madeleine whever you live - Thank you.
Madeleine
This is the latest photo released of Madeleine. It shows a distinctive discoloration in her right eye. This obviously could help further to identify Madeleine, should any of us see a little girl who looks 'a bit like her' but who leaves us unsure.Today, 12th May, is Madeleine's 4th birthday.'Happy Birthday' is not appropriate at all, but we are thinking of you Madeleine and are doing all we can to get you home.I am filing constant updates and accounts of news reports in the comments box here for readers' information; I know that some countries are not fully covering the story.British Madeleine McCann, aged 3, was abducted from Praia da Luz in Portugal on 3rd May 2007. Her parents were dining at a restaurant, leaving her and her twin 2 -year old siblings alone in their apartment.Madeleine, of course, could be anywhere in the world now. If you see her or know anything, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or 0044 1883 731 336 for outside UK.I have decided to show Madeleine's picture here on Cheltenham Daily Photo, which i will leave for two days as the current photo, to help publicise this terrible event and circulate her photo so that everyone can look out for her. Her family and Sky News are asking people to circulate a poster/photo for this reason. Let's all pray that this beautiful little girl will be returned safe and well.I feel compelled to say, however, that I would never, ever have left my own sons alone in a room while dining at a restaurant. Not even for five minutes. It's wrong. It's illegal. It's unsafe. Wouldn't have even entered my head. When you have young children, the choice is; pay a trusted babysitter or eat at home with them. Simple. I may sound harsh but i feel very strongly about it. I've spent many holidays abroad with my young sons. That was never an option in my mind. That act, by her parents, who i still feel desperately for of course, i will never understand. What do you think?BBC Report with site map of restaurant and apartment complexRewards of £1 million - from a UK businessman and £10,000 - from The Portugal News - have been offered for info. leading to arrest.New reward of £1.5 million from British newspaper News Of The World

Good news not so good really

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Sun, 13 May 2007 01:06:00 +0000

Photographed 5/07

This is just an update on the tests that I had last week. Week before last I had a stress, this last Tues I had an echo cardiogram. The technician informed me that she did not see any changes from the one done last year and my stress test showed no blockages so everything looked good - they would probably be seeing me again in 6 months. I was so happy about this that I called Sue when I got home and gave her the good news. We felt we had dodged a problem for once since everything seemed okay.

Thursday, this week was the first day this week I was not scheduled for dialysis or a Dr's visit - my first free day in probably a month. So while working on my computer that morning, about 11:00 am I had a phone call from my cardiologist office. They called to tell me they had the results from my stress test - I told them I already had the results and that everything looked good...the lady on the phone informed me, however, that there was a significant change in the stress test and the Dr. wanted to talk to me about it....She said that although it was short notice, the Dr. had an opening at 12:15 and if I could make it, he would like to see me as soon as possible (this doesn't sound good).

I go to see the Dr. The Dr and one of his assistants come in - it is unusual for 2 people to come in. He breaks the news to me that my ejection rate - the amount of blood pumped from my heart as the heart beats has fallen to a new lower level of only 28%. He tells me this has put me into a category of people that should have internal defibrillators installed. He explains that this is a device that will shock the heart should it stop suddenly or should it go into arrhythmia. He went on to tell me that statistically, w/o intervention, the 2 year survival rate would be only 50% - 5 yr survival rate around 20%. This was quite a difference from a couple days ago when I thought everything was okay. Now I'm faced w/ a decision - do I have this device installed which might prolong my life should this sudden death syndrome occur or do I not install the device and let nature take it's course?

Installing the device will not make me feel any better now nor keep me from feeling sick to my stomach several times a week as I do now or cure my eye problems or restore my balance. The only thing it could do, might be extend my life if I had a problem so I would continue to suffer w/ these other problems. So is it worth installing to continue this kind of a life?

I have not yet decided. I need to ask a few more questions. But, to me letting the natural course of events take place may be a better option. It seems that my heart is growing weaker but this device won't help that. Sue and I both have a lot to think about and I'll guess I'll make a decision this week. Sue said she will support whatever decision I make.

On other notes, I am going to take a space at the antique market this weekend to try to sell some framed photos. I think I have some nice work and would like folks to be able to enjoy it.
Will let you know later how things turn out. Sue is home all week this week and will be helping w/ the sale this weekend. I've missed her - she was gone all last week - but I'm so happy she's back now. As a matter of fact, she's writing this for me tonight because my eyesight is giving me trouble again. This is why I have not posted much lately. I do have an appointment w/ the eye Dr. this Wed to hopefully get the correct contacts to help this problem and maybe prevent it from happening again.

Miss Kitty had to go back to the vet this week. She, like me, seems to be having problems each week. We have a few good days and some bad days. She is holding her own and seems to be very happy for several days and then has few days she's not doing too well and is sick. And, she too is much happier when Sue is home.

Thank you all for reading. Mark

Photo for the day - another spring flower as I try to improve my macro flower taking capabilities.

Flowers for Susan

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:44:00 +0000

Today's post is very simple. May 3rd is our 21st wedding anniversary.

It's been a wonderful trip and I hope it will go on forever.

The flowers are for you, your favorite - Lilies
All my love -Mark

Now You See 'Em... Now You Don't

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:14:00 +0000

PHOTOGRAPHED 4/07

Yes, once again I've had the same vision problems again. Things seemed to be getting better as my vision had improved to nearly normal (for almost a week) when it was lost again. I've been unable to read or write without much trouble for some time now. This is the 1st time I've attempted to write in a couple of weeks. This episode came just before my 48th birthday and was not a welcome gift. Sue has been out of town all but 4 days the last two weeks and has been reading most of my e-mail to me until recently. This is the reason for a lack of post and responses on my part, sorry.

It seems this condition is prone to repeating itself quite often and without warning - one moment you can see - the next the world's a blur. The solution is to get contacts to protect the outer layers of the cornea from sticking to the eyelids. I get the first trial pair this week if all continues to go well. these are contacts you wear for a couple of weeks then dispose of for a new set. I can only hope this takes care of the problem.

My other birthday surprise was a trip via ambulance to the emergency room for a possible heart attack last Friday. All in all, quite a weekend. I went today for a nuclear stress test. (no results yet) I go Tuesday for an echo-stress test. Maybe then we'll know what happened and what's going on inside.

Sue comes home tomorrow night and leaves again very early Monday morning but gets back Wednesday afternoon. She is taking that Friday off and we are having a yard sale that weekend (lots of stuff to get rid of).

Miss Kitty is holding her own. She is still having some trouble but overall seems improved. She is eating more like a horse than a cat, begging for food at every meal and of course - she gets what she wants!

Thanks for reading

-Mark

Photo for Today - Some Spring flowers I was testing a new lens here. The full size looks really nice

Like a Kid's Game......Maybe I Shouldn't Play

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 05:51:00 +0000

PHOTOGRAPHED - 03/07
By - FPG

Just when things seem to be going better- WHAM! – It hits you and knocks you back down. I guess it might also compare to playing a children’s board game. You roil the dice and get a six only to land on move back three spaces but this isn’t a game – it’s real life, my life.
This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t my eye- sight again.

The last few days have been too blurry to read or write anything. Sue has had to help me by reading things and writing the bills. I’m writing this now using Word with 16 pt type and thick Coke bottle type glasses. (Does anyone remember Coke-cola in bottles?) I guess I’m showing a little age there. That’s another thing to deal with this week-age. I’m going to add another year to my old, tired, worn-out body. For some reason I just don’t feel much like celebration. My ability to walk without a walker still eludes me and so far my PT sessions haven’t helped much, actually just the opposite; I now have a wound area on my right stump where my artificial limb rubbed. I’m showing my age again as I was corrected in PT – they’re now called “residual limbs” Funny because it still looks and feels like a stump to me.

Sue will be getting up in a few hours around 4:30 this morning so she can catch her flight to Minneapolis for a meeting. It’s only for one night so she’ll be home in time for my birthday. That’s the only bright spot.

I did manage to finish my taxes on time because I did most of them before the latest eye troubles. It was a break-even deal, no huge refunds here! We must be doing something wrong.
On a final and unhappy note, Miss Kitty is once again not doing well and has appointment this afternoon with the vet. Poor little thing, she was doing so much better then like me three spaces back.(Oh, I’m know as Daddy Kitty and Sue is Mama Kitty - MK is Baby Kitty). I’ll let you know how things go there

As always, thanks for reading.

-Mark

PHOTO TODAY - This is a guest photo. This is a beautiful North Carolina sunrise he shot and e-mailed me.

To All Readers & What's Happening

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:07:00 +0000

PHOTOGRAPHED - 4/07

I want to thank all of you that stop by and take the time to read my blog. There are a few who have been reading for quite a while now and a few new readers too. Many thanks to Pat – she has brought several new readers to my blog and she has a special understanding of my situation. She also shares a love for photography too. Talj and Anna, are two new readers that Pat introduced – thanks for reading.

Talj, I’m sorry to read of all your foot problems and I hope things will improve for you soon.

Gudi and Wendella have been pretty long-time readers and friends. Thanks so much for your thoughts and comments.

I hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend. Ours was quiet and happy even though the air conditioner in the house went out and we have to replace it ($$$) and the new lawn mower quit too, hey what’s a long weekend for anyway. Sue did have a 4-day weekend and we got to enjoy each other’s company for 4 uninterrupted days. That was the best part of my weekend.

Today is my Mom’s birthday. She’s 75 today and we’ve got her flowers, a cake and a gift that we’ll have after dinner tonight. She laughs and says she’s officially “old” now. That’s funny because she gets around much better than I do.

That brings up something else. I started a PT program at the hospital this morning. It should help to strength my legs and entire body so I can get up and walking (better) again. My legs are weak and my balance is not so good right now. I go there on Tuesdays and Thursdays for hour-long sessions. This along with dialysis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday pretty much fill up my week now.

Miss Kitty seems to be back to her ole self, so we are quite happy about that. We’ve also learned she has a love for pork bar-b-que from North Carolina. At least when she isn’t eating my chicken salad!

Just a little of what’s happening here. Thanks for reading.
-Mark

Today's Photo - This was taken with my new camera with the ISO set at 1000 (forgot to set it back after taking indoor shots w/o using a flash) You'll notice some noise but not too much considering.

The Night That Wouldn't End.

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 22:02:00 +0000

IT MUST HAVE BEEN A FULL MOON

I had quite a night last night or should I say nightmare. This was the second night I've suffered several unexplained extreme episodes of low blood sugar. I took my normal amount of insulin and ate a regular meal and tested my blood before going to bed. I left it slightly high (168) after thr previous nights attack. This didn't seem to make any difference though. I went to bed early because I was tired from dialysis and the blood sugar incidents from the night before.

The first wave was around 11:30. I woke up hot and sweating - I knew what was happening and checked my blood sugar: it was 63. I drank a non diet drink - a sunkist orange - they have twice the amount of sugar as a Coke and no phosphorus (kidney diet requirement). I also downed 6 or 7 sugar cubes and a ate a cup of cereal for a lasting effect.My blood sugar was now 183 so I should have been safe until morning.

It was 2:30 when it hit again. This time worse than before, my sugar was 52 and I was very hot and my t-shirt was soaked. I was having trouble concentrating. Sue had to help me. I had yet another drink (which isn't good because of the fluid restrictions - dialysis remember) more sugar cubes, so not to drink so much and some cookies.

This happened over the weekend also, so much so I took no insulin on Sunday at all. These incidents will lead to comma and even death if not treated promptly. So for me it's become a choice of fluid overload (not good) or comma/death (worse yet).

These episodes always leave you feeling tired and totally wiped out and they're very stressful on your entire body.

The only thing we can figure out that might be causing this condition is a new med I was put on to help balance the thyroid and aid in the intake of vitamin D. It's the only thing that has changed and the onset occurred with the beginning of this medication.

I have a call in to the doctor about this and hopefully will get the answer soon.

Thanks for reading,
-Mark

Miss Kitty & SPRING

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 02:37:00 +0000

PHOTOGRAPHED - 3/07

REWORKED in PS - 3/07

Well, this should be the last update on Miss Kitty for a while. (we hope) She seems to be back to her old self, even playing around with Sue as though she was truly still a kitten not a twenty year-old cat. She’s eating well, very well my 2nd batch of chicken is disappearing faster than I’m eating it again. Everyone it seems is a soft-touch when it comes to M K.

This tainted pet food thing continues to grow. I saw on the news tonight that some dry pet food are involved now too. So it might be a good idea to check to see if you might have any of the suspect food for your pets. We were lucky, others haven’t been so lucky.

This was another full day here and the weather was cloudy and threatened rain all day. The high today here was only 58. That’s quite a change from yesterday’s 84 and abundant sunshine. Tomorrow is predicted to be nice, sunny and a high in the mid 70’s. That would make it a perfect Spring day.

Wishing everyone a GREAT weekend! & Thanks for reading,
-Mark

TODAY’S PHOTO – Yes it’s the same as yesterdays but with yet another treatment – a more painterly approach. I’ll call it a “Painter’s Bridge”

Miss Kitty - UPDATE #2

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 05:45:00 +0000

PHOTOGRAPHED 3/07

Just a quick note on Miss Kitty. She went to the vet again today and got her last treatment.(we hope) Her white count is back to normal and all her kidney functions are wthin the normal range for a cat her age except her B U N. It was 40 - a little high but that's down from 72 after just a few treatments. The vet thinks that too will be normal in a week or two. She will have to go back in a month for blood work to make sure everything did return to normal.

My Mom made another batch of chicken salad this evening but I'm not sure if it's for me (I did ask for another) or Miss Kitty. I'm sure she'll get more yhan her fair share again!

It's 2:01 right now and I'm up blogging because once again sleep evades me. We went to bed a little after 19 tonight but I was back up by 1:15 tossing and turning so I got up and ended up here as always in front of the computer. I thoufgt I might work on updating my web site some. It's beenquite a while since I did much on it. Not being able to see really puts a dampper on things you need to do. I didn't do much though, just updated the featured photo page. I'll have to get back to it this weekend if the weather isn't all that good.

I did manage to take my first photos with my new camera but haven;t downloaded them into the computer yet. I'll wait untill I have more to download.

It's been very warm here lately about 17F above the norm and the pollen count is the highest it's ever been according to the TV weather people. It has not rained here in more than a month and this early pollen has coated everything sitting outside. My nose has been dripping for the last two days and this doesn't usually happen to me. Sue's watery eyes are about over because the Bradford Pears have just about finished blooming here.

That's all for now and thanks for stopping by

-Mark

Photo Today - Another shot and treatment of the covered bridge at Stone Mountain. The bridge was also known as Effie's Bridge when it originally located in Clark Co, GA, It was built in 1891 is 151 feet long and spanned the Oconee River near Athens.

Tamron Lens Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:42:00 +0000

Covered Bridge at Stone Mountain Park

PHOTOGRAPHED 3/07

This is a recent photo taken with the TAMRON 11-18mm at 18mm(approx. 28mm on the 5D) about 75 feet away. I'm sure she would like it even better with the Alpha.

Early morning here, it's 4am and I couldn't sleep so I;m blogging. Today will hopefully be Miss Kitty's last trip to the vet for a while. She has to go today for blood work to see how effective her treatments have been. It's a dialysis day for me this morning so I;ll take her to the vet around 2pm just after I get back and eat some lunch. After we get back from the vet it's off to see the eye doctor for me at 4pm. Things in that area seem to still be improving. Maybe this too will be my last visit for some time.

I could use a break and the extra time to work on my taxes this year. April 17th is coming up very quickly for me.(that's right we get 2 extra days this year!)I guess I'll go and get the coffee ready to brew for everyone else. I love the smell of fresh coffee but hate the taste of coffee. I'm a tea drinker myself - maybe a cup of Prince of Wales this morning.

Thanks for stopping by

-Mark

PHOTO - This is for Anna to see the TAMRON 11mm-18mm sample.

UPDATE - Miss Kitty & More

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 03:39:00 +0000

Miss Kitty sends her thanks to everyone who is thinking about her and sent her well wishes. After another trip to the vet today she seems even more like the kitty we know and love. She ate an entire batch of homemade chicken salad (intended for me) over a two-day period. (I got 2 sandwiches out of it) Everyone was so generous giving out my chicken salad (including me) that I ended up with very little. I’ll have to ask Mom to make another batch – hers is the best!

Miss Kitty is very alert and playful now which is a dramatic change from just a few days ago. I wish it were that way with me too. I’ve been feeling really lousy the past few days. My old friend (NOT) diarrhea has been paying me a visit every couple of days. I know this is not a pretty subject and may be crossing the line of good decorum but I know I’m not the only one on dialysis who struggles with this issue.

To me this is the most humiliating thing to happen. It seems to have a mind of it’s own coming on without or very little warning. Usually I can make it to the proper facilities but sometimes not as yesterday in the truck on the way home from the store. (Thank God I made it out of the store) Here I am, a grown man and I shit myself. It’s the worst feeling – like I said earlier humiliating and depressing. The doctors have giving me something like Rx-Imodium but it only works about half the time. I’ll go a few days and I’m fine and then there will be a couple of days that I’m afraid to leave the house for fear of an “incident”. That really SUCKS!

On a happier note I gave myself an early birthday gift this week. With Sue’s blessing I bought some new camera equipment. A Nikon D80 –10.2 mega-pixel camera and three fast f2.8 lenses. A 18mm- 50mm macro zoom, a 50mm -150 mm zoom and a 70mm dedicated macro.
This will help with my style of photography and produce a finer quality file size for really large photos. Now I have just to sell the Minolta 5D and its lenses (Tamron 11mm -18mm zoom, Tamron 70mm - 300mm zoom and Sigma 50mm macro) and all the other accessories. If anybody out there is interested drop me a line. There were only used about 7 months.

Thanks for reading and praying for Miss Kitty,
-Mark & Sue

Photo - What we had for dinner tonight grilled with onions, garlic, yellow squash, zucchini with beef and pork strips.

Miss Kitty UPDATE

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 05:18:00 +0000

This is an update on Miss Kitty. As some of you know, Miss Kitty our 20 year old child-like friend has been a very sick little cat for almost a month now. We had taken her to the vet several times this month and they were stumped. They felt she had some type of infection but coulg figure out what it was. They knew it was some sort of kidnry infection because of her numbers from her blood work so they were treating with a broad spectrum of antibotics.

Friday evening a e-mail from our local Pets Mart informed us, we had purchased some of the pet food tainted with rat posion.

Ms Kitty, being the people-food lover she is only ingested a few dinners of the food so only got very very sick and did not die. She goes to the vet daily to have her kidneys flushed out (like a kitty dialysis). This wed. she'll get blood work done to see how effective the treatment has been. She has suffered both kidney and liver damage from this. She seems much better today and is eating again. I guess time will tell.

I'm not sure I like this "new" blogger. The other day I had written a long reply to several of your comments and when I tried to post it Blogger ate it and hasn't spit it back out yet. Sorry your replies have been delayed. I type so slow now it's hard for ne to rewrite everything but I'll try to get at it tomorrow.

ALL the photo of Miss Kitty are from last year. She wanted me to wait until she looked and felt better before posing in front of the camera again.

Thanks for reading.
-Mark

THE LOST POST

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 01:38:00 +0000

PHOTOGRAPHED 3/07

Last night I was unfortunate to type a long blog post only to have it vanish into the cyber dumpster. I was unable to recover it so now all entries will be done on word first then copied to Blogger. I’m not a good or fast typist so losing a lengthy blog is somewhat disheartening. I know I will not remember all that I wrote as it was a free-flowing jumble of thoughts but here it goes….

Some questions were asked about my dialysis and diet – here are the answers,

I am on hem dialysis now, I had used both CCPD & CAPD for a year before an infection render my body unable to filter well enough to keep using it. I go to a dialysis center three days a week. Each treatment runs for 4 hours each plus the time to hook up and disconnect. (about 15 minutes each way)

My diet is somewhat restricted in that it’s both a diabetic and renal. The renal part is by far the worst of the two diets. Anything that might be considered good to eat is restricted.

In this diet you need to avoid all dairy products. That means – Milk, cheese, ice cream, puddings, whole grain foods, nuts, chocolate even beans like in chili and baked beans are out.

Fluid intake is severely restricted. It is the equal vent of 4 – 12oz cans of drink a day. That includes the water used to make the Jell-O and soup you might consume. Even the water content of a large salad must be considered.
It could be worse so I guess I shouldn’t gripe about it. The other day I had one of my favorite foods – homemade macaroni and cheese – for the first time in two years. Ahhh… It was sooo good and later I was sooo sick. It seems that going without or very little dairy products you lose the ability to digest them. Yogurt will help you regain this micro flora BUT, IT YOO IS A FOOD TO AVOID!
You know I don’t fear death itself. It might even be a relief for me and everyone else who’s involved with me. What I do fear is being without Sue. I don’t want to leave her. Right before this happened our life was really good. Sure we are far from rich money-wise. There are lots of things we want, a few we need but all in all we’re happy – THAT’S WHAT I DON’T I WANT TO LEAVE BEHIND.

Well, this one got longer than I intended too. Thanks for listening to my meandering thoughts tonight.

-Mark
PS – Photo for today The covered bridge at Stone Mountain Park in B&W

What's On My Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 06:00:00 +0000

Photogaphed 3/07

What’s on my mind…. I don’t really have much to say tonight. I just wanted to get back into the habit of posting on a regular basis.

I did say I didn’t much to say but that didn’t mean I had nothing important to relay to you. While I’ve been writing thps blog I’ve made many friends who have followed along and encouraged me. I thank all of you. It’s been your kind words and thoughts that have brightened my day and helped me carry on.
I want to say hello to a new and very special friend, Pat.

Pat wrote to me the other night and shared her story with me. Pat knows first-hand what it’s like to have ESRD from the point of view of a caregiver. You’ll note I said CAREGIVER not CARE-TAKER that’s because it takes such a special person to give this kind of care. My wife,Sue is this person for me. Pat was this person for her husband Jack.

Now, Pat has reached out to me to share her story and let me use her as another sounding-board for my thoughts and feelings. I am grateful that people such as Pat and Susan exist. I am very grateful for all of you who have written me or read my story.

I have met others who suffer the same fate as I and hope to continue to keep in touch with them although that’s been hard lately given the circumstances on my end. I hope they will not give up.

--- Mark

PS - Photo for today. The bird is some sort of sparrow I think. I have not been able to find it in my books. Any ideas?

OUT OF THE DARKNES

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 06:27:00 +0000

Photographed - 3/07

To my friends, if you still stop by to read - THANK YOU! It has been some time since I last wrote anything here but now that I'm starting to regain my sight, I plan to have regular entries again.

Most of you may not know bot about three months ago I had a vision episode I wish never again to repeat. One day several months ago I fell asleep during a dialysis treatment. Upon wakening it was vry painful to open my eyes and when I did so my vision was a little blurry. I thought they might have dried me out just too much. Drops cleared things up and took care of most of the blur,

That night everything seemed fine but the next morning I had the same trouble and even greater pain upon opening my eyes, They were both blood red and my vision was quite poor. I had been fighting an infection before this and feared it had somehow moved into my eyes.

I made an appointment with an eye doctor for a couple of days later ( the soonest I could get in). By then my sight had improved and most of the redness had vanished. I was told maybe it was the dialysis or my eyes were overworked and tired. Use a tear drop solution like "Natural Tears" to help and things should be better.

That sounded great but it didn't work. I was at my regular doctor a few days later and this problem had flared up again. When he saw it he thought eye infection and sent me that afternoon back to the eye doctor so he could see the rediness. The eye guy sent me down the hall to see a cornea doctor who happened to be in the office that day.

She was very good and found the source of the trouble straight away. There was no infection, which was good news. The bad news was my eyes had dried out for some reason to the point that when I opened them the outer layers of my corneas were stuck to my eyelids. When I opened my eyes I was tearinr off the outer layers of my cornea thus the blurr and vision decrease.

It got so bad that I could not see to read, write or even watch TV. My sight went from 20/30 to 20/400+ That's legally blind and it stayed like that until just days ago. With lots of medicine and a protective contact lens my vision is slowly returning/ 20/70 at my last check last week. I go back later today and am hope fo the best.

So for the past three months plus my life has been at a standstill, no blogging, no work on my web, no photography business ( I was just starting to get some sales)
not much of anything.

So now I hope things will get back on track. More thoughys and feelings on these past few months later. I've got so much to catch-up on.

Mark

The picture is we think a Painted Bunting (my first in what seems like forever)

UPDATE

noreply@blogger.com (Ggraph) — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 01:25:00 +0000

Tree in the Fog

Hello friends – just an update to let you know what’s going on…I’m still doing the blog…Sue is typing this one for me and may be typing the next few because my eyesight has become blurred…we think this is due to medication I am taking …but I cannot see to type ….will be going to the Ophthalmologist on Tuesday – hope and pray things work out okay…

We had a nice Christmas….Sue’s parents came before the holiday for her birthday – we had a nice visit – Sue was happy to get to see them. My parents came after the holidays and some old friends we haven’t seen in over 7 years dropped in…it was nice to see how their children had grown. They now operate and own a nursery in Greeneville, TN.

Other than eyesight, things are improving. I’ve got the shrinking down in my leg so that I can wear my prosthetic. I’m having a new pair made and hopefully will have them by the end of Jan. I’m learning to walk again!

I want to thank you all for keeping up and reading my blog. I know I haven’t been visiting your sites very often – things have kept me busy and now w/ my limited eyesight – I have not been able to visit. Hopefully soon I will be back at it.

Wishing you the best for 2007….