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No real secret to that abbreviation and honestly I agree until they prove themselves otherwise. With that all said RWS.
The picture did not come through but I have seen that guy twirl the pi. Thanks for the history of the pi toss and the pi boil and pi hiding. All makes sense now, including the change of clothes and re-entry.
Go Craig, prayers and believing for good news on the 13th. Peace, Jim |
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Any idea what time the surgery will take place?? If you give it to us in eastern time we'll do the conversion to central time in our head. (ha ha ha ha) I would like to know so I can say some extra's during that time. I also know when to look for updates.
Continued prayers and blessing for this PFC surgery. That would be Pain Free Craig on the 13th. Peace, Jim |
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I was reading my last entry. I was thinking...is this really the toughest Craig has had it over the last 10 years?? My answer is a resounding NO WAY! He has been told he had 6 months to live on July 15 1998, he blew that prediction out of the water. He has endured more experimental treatments than anyone I know. He was told 2 1/2 years ago he had 72 hours to live and Emily was called to see him one last time! He was then tethered to a bed for 3-4 months. He kept up his fight, his sanity and his sense humor.  So he is going through I rough time. But, as I think back over the last 10+ years, not the worst! He (we) continue to ask for your support as we head into another surgery and another unknown. Like I told Jim, this blog has amazing people behind it. So please keep praying.
BELIEVING....Shelly |
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No explaining necessary. The passion for the Red Wings can rival only the St. Louis passion for the Cardinals (what other team 14.5 games out of first place still draw near sellouts every game) I do agree the Lions suck but at this point I believe our Rams are the worst team in the league. The only positive that can come of their hideous play is that it frees up 3 hours of my Sunday to do something else.
It will be interesting to see how the Blues come out of the gate after they promised the moon last year and couldn't even get to the playoffs in the NHL where everybody makes the playoffs. Maybe we should throw out an octopus at our first game to signify how many years until we get back to the playoffs and not why Detroit does it. By the way, one of my favorite sports traditions but I've always wondered....how the hell do you sneek it in the rink or is it something you can purchase at the concession stand??
Go Craig. Prayers are with you always.
I'll just abbreviate from now on "RWS"
Peace to all, Jim |
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Don, I don't thing you'll find too many people to disagree with your take on the Lions. They DO suck!!
Jim..so glad to hear the great news about Martha's Dad.
and ... I do have some 'splainin' to do tho. I'm a die-hard Wings fan and get a little testy sometimes. Not living in St. Louis, I'm not privy to the RWS thing. I can't wait for the season to start!!
But, having visited STL many times, all I can say is...wow. What a great group of people! God bless ya one and all!
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I'm certain that Jim was meaning to say LIONS SUCK.....of which there is no argument !!!
Hoping and praying that Craig continues to show progress and maintain the strength and attitude that continues to amaze everyone.....Don |
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I knew I had come to the right place. Bill (Martha's dad) came through the surgery like a champ. The issue that has caused the most concern is how he comes out of anesthesia and the odd effect morphine has on him. He awakens with some unbelieveable dementia from the general that appears to linger because of the morphine he had been on............I think. Today Martha saw him and she said he was back to his normal self. They had a great visit tonight and we look for him to be released and come home or go to a step down facility as he continues to recover sometime in the next few days. Although we have not seen a pathology report they were confident that the tumor was self contained and they had gotten all of the cancer.
I only threw the Red Wings stuff in because of the passion that our Detroit friends have. Yeah, I can't deny the Blues do blow but if you're in St. Louis you have to know that "Red Wings" suck.
For you golf fans. What a display of golf by both teams in this weekends Ryder Cup. Talk about passion and being passionate. There is no better theater than this for even the casual golf fan.
Thank you all for the prayers, we can now return to our regular programming. Go Craig. We're praying for October 6th and great success in the relief of pain. You still amaze and you still rock.
God bless my special K friends. Jim |
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Yes, its been awhile since I have been on the blog. I read it every day, but just have had little to say.
Quartermania was a great success. It is so overwhelming to see all the people who help and attend these events. The warmth of everyone's hearts just fills the room - maybe that was why it was so hot! We were so thankful to be a part of another successful event. YEAH for the Grant!
Tom - I have visited the Hope Center's website and l watched all the videos by Shelly, Mary Jane and Mary (and few others as well). It was a surprise to me. My sister, so humble, never ever mentioned she had participated in these. To all those who have not logged onto that website, I strongly suggest you do. www.simmonscooper.com
Actually, if you just search the web for Craig or Shelly Kozicki you will surprised at how many times their names appear! Who would have ever thought this horrific desease had attacked such a wonderful, humble, selfless man and his wife and daughter - who offers hope and inspiration to so many people!
Martha - we are praying your father is on the mend and the prayers have helped all of you deal with the stress and worry.
Now, Jim - your parting shot puzzles me. Why would you say that? We all know the BLUES BLOW! The WINGS do not suck, the WINGS WIN!! It must have been a typo, right?
Shelly - thank you for keeping us updated on Craig's condition. It helps to be able to pray effectively. You are a wonderful sister, mother, daughter, aunt, friend and wife - and we would not trade you or your kind heart for a million dollars...to know you is to love you.
Craig - we are praying that the surgery goes well. I pray you are able to gather enough strength to endure another trip and surgery. You amaze me. I watch you and wonder how on God's green earth you keep going. I really enjoyed the daddy/daughter moments in your garage preparing for the dream wedding. I still smile when I think of how hard you work at making you dreams come true.
Pam - I just love you. I wish I lived closer to spend more time with you. You are terrific.
Let me see if I can find some recent photos to put smiles on everyone's faces . . . .
Owen showing us his muscles . .
Everett three months old - he just discovered his tongue . . .
And, Devon (9 mos) loves his Gramps!
The pictures are not real clear, because I copied them from the Walgreen's website. But, they are darling
Much love and hugs to all the bloggers!
Phyllis
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Jim and Martha,
I have been thinking about you all day and yes you did come to the right place for prayers! This blog is a Miracle Network! I hope Bill is out of surgery and mending. I will call in a day or so and get the up date. You are right Linda, Bill is a great man. He is funny, cheerful and always praying for others.
CRAIG - Well, Craig had a blood transfusion on Friday and we are trying to schedule his surgery for the week of Oct. 6. I should hear back about that tomorrow. Hopefully that will be a quick procedure WITHOUT any setbacks or complications. Of course he has been back at work.  I know many people ask me if he is still working....yes he is. He tries to keep his life as normal as possible. I really think if it weren't for the pain he would be sooo much better. So I am hopeful that this surgery will really improve his QUALITY of life.
BELIEVING...Shelly
p.s. Jim, YIKES..I know when we are very stressed, we may say or do things we may regret! So I am willing to let the RED WINGS thing slide. Hugs... Shelly |
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Jim, you had me until I got to the end of your blog.
First, we missed you and Martha at the Quartermania. Everyone knew Martha's Dad was in the hospital, so I think some prayers were probably said that night.
Second, you bet we'll pray for Martha's Dad. He sounds like such a good person. \We all know cancer doesn't play fair by a long stretch. Stay strong and pray.
Third, What???? RED WINGS suck? Now you've touched a nerve. It's a cute little slogan, but it lacks content. I did a little research:
Stanley Cup Wins Stanley Cup Finalist
WINGS - 11 times 23 times
BLUES - -0- Zip Nada 3 times
Now, WHO SUCKS???
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It has been a month of Sunday's since I wrote on this blog. I write today with purpose and to ask for prayers. We were unable to attend quartermania because Martha's dad was in the hospital where they were doing testing trying to confirm what his doctor had suspected. Unfortunately they were unable to perform the tests for various reasons but are moving forward with a procedure to remove his right kidney because of a cancerous tumor growing just outside the kidney. Sorry, I am not technical so that is the best you get. It will be his 5th bout with cancer in his 87 years (88 next month). The surgery is Wednesday the 17th and I know the power of prayer and the power of the pray-ers on this blog. Please remember him and also Martha, Tom and Mary who have been by his side through all five of these journey's. He is a man with the kindest heart and best soul you could imagine but his will and capacity to endure this is waning. He has the strength I know but the extra prayer will help. Thank you all very much. Jim
By the way with hockey season fast approaching I wanted to be the first to say "RED WINGS SUCK"
I feel better now. |
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| Has everyone seen Shelly's link on the "curemeso" website? It's fantastic. On the "gray background" menu along the left side of this blog, go towards the bottom to the section titled "Craig's Mesothelioma Links". Go to the last link, titled "Shelly's page...." You'll be glad you did!! |
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A "copy/paste" from Ol' Bloggie....
I received an e-mail through blog administration today. It is very touching so I'm copying here. I have set up the author as a user of the blog and insisted she enter into the blog on her own, but in the meantime here is the copied text of her e-mail. Craig and Shelly, you have such an impact on the Meso community and you should be so proud of this.
Dear Shelly and Craig: My name is Olga Pavlick. My husband John was diagnosed with mesothelioma on the sixteenth of July. We investigated many sites dealing with this cancer and decided to see Dr. Taub in NYC. John underwent surgery on the fourth of August. We just finished our second chemo treatment on the tenth of September. We spoke with Dr. Taub and mentioned that your blog had mentioned him, and we had watched the video with Shelly. He told us that the two of you were also there, and I was hoping to get an opportunity to meet you, but between CT scans and chemo, we did not get a chance. My friend Jeanette King corresponds on your blog with you. We were able to return to Virginia yesterday, which made us very happy, as I do think one is most comfortable in their own bed. John is experiencing nausea and cramping today, but he just takes everything in stride.
I was hoping to be able to get in touch with you. Dr. Taub mentioned that you two are very special. I do pray that all is going well for Craig. I read where your daughter is getting married soon. What a wonderful event to be looking forward to experiencing. My e-mail address is Opavlick @aol.com. If it is not too intrusive, I should like to talk to you. I too have set up a blog on CarePages and can be found under JohnPavlick. Thank you for your time. Olga Pavlick from Virginia
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I cannot begin to tell you the range of emotions that I personally have been going through these past several weeks. I was really going to NY with a heavy heart and expecting horrible news. Craig's pain level has been the worst it has ever been over the past 10 years (not including surgery, or course) He has night sweats, fevers and has generally not been the same. He has stopped gaining any weight and finds eating difficult. But the thing that had me the most concerned and upset was the pain. It was constant and unrelenting even with his pain medication. It is very hard for me to see him in constant pain. He still never complained....but it really had me upset that the tumor could be running rapid.
So when we went to see Dr. Chabot on Wed. morning following his MRI from Tues. night, I don't think I was breathing. I watch as he looked and measured Craig's tumor trying to read his face...was it good news, was it bad news?? As Craig and I sat holding hands waiting for our future to unfold I think you could have heard my heart beating!! Then he said it "The tumor looks stable." I literally burst into tears!! Thank God!! I really was expecting other words to come out of his mouth. Tears quickly turned into action.
Now what do we do to get Craig out of this pain and get back his QUALITY of life!! Dr. Chabot agree to cut 1 of 3 nerves he thought we causing much of Craig's pain. (I won't bore you with all the details that took 2 hours in between) Ultimately, we ended up in the treatment room, where Dr. Chabot scrubbed and I watched them sever 1 of the nerves. Now the story would be way to boring if it ended there. It was a deep nerve by the chest cavity and in the process he just "nicked" the plueral sack and a small amount of air got between the lung and the sack. OUCH! It was hard for Craig to take deep breaths and he could not fly until Dr. Chabot was sure the body was reabsorbing the air pocket. So down for an x-ray and then another one in the morning to compare. Well, we had to change our flight, but the GOOD NEWS is that we were able to come home!
As soon as Craig is feeling better, we are going to head back to NY and Chabot is going to operate on the other 2 nerves. So hopefully, less pain, less pain medication, bigger appetite, weight gain, etc.
So thank you all for your prayers, calls and continued concern. We have had 3 stable MRI's now....amazing!
BELIEVING...Shelly
p.s. Our great friends Bob and Kathy Thomson can down from NH to be by our side. So we did go out and celebrate! |
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Shelly, I was so happy to hear your voice and get the message 'Craig is still stable' We will keep the prayers going and you both keep fighting!!!!
Hey has emily got a kitten yet? Kyle you won all the cat stuff so you need to get her an adorable kitten!!!!!!
Love ya guys talk to you tomorrow 
 |
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Well, team, the prayers worked. Craig is STABLE!! Dr. Chabot (surgeon) is cutting a nerve that has been causing a lot of extra pain for Craig. Dr. Chabot is doing this procedure right now, so her message was very short. This means he's on track for treatment. This is very good news. I'll blog more when I know more, or Shelly may blog later today.
Keep praying --- it's working!
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The Kozickis are in our hearts and prayers today. Craig has an MRI scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. in NY. They meet with Dr. Chabot tomorrow morning to review his findings. The findings will determine the treatment plan. Shelly had a pretty rough day yesterday in anticipation of this visit.
Angels, rally up and send up prayers for the Kozickis. May you be showered with blessings.
Love you guys,
p.s. Quartermania was an incredible experience. I was overwhelmed by the attendance and the many individuals who offered to help and participate. Amy--you were incredible! Carol B, the Quartermania part took a lot of time..and we exceeded the goal. Great job! Kathy Nolle - I'll never forget the truck ride! There were so many others, forgive me for not remembering names, but please know our family is so grateful I just can't express how grateful I am to all of you. I hope everyone had a good time. |
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