Dad is home with tumors on hip bone

Dear Ones,

Dad has just found out that he has another tumor in his hip and will be starting radiation and chemo next week.
This is not unexpected as we know he has had to be off Chemo for such a long time while he was dealing with the other surgeries, etc.

I know he will feel better once the radiation shrinks the tumor and is not putting pressure on the hip bone. And the new chemo will keep new tumors from growing.

So now we have a plan and will move forward!!

Please take care.

We love you all.
Mom

Son of a B----,

Swearing can make you feel better, lessen pain
Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:51am EDT

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Cut your finger? Hurt your leg? Start swearing. It might lessen the pain. Researchers from the school of psychology at Britain's Keele University have found swearing can make you feel better as it can have a "pain-lessening effect," according to a study published in the journal NeuroReport.

Colleagues Richard Stephens, John Atkins and Andrew Kingston, set out to establish if there was any link between swearing and physical pain. "Swearing has been around for centuries and is an almost universal human linguistic phenomenon," says Stephens.

"It taps into emotional brain centers and appears to arise in the right brain, whereas most language production occurs in the left cerebral hemisphere of the brain. Our research shows one potential reason why swearing developed and why it persists."

Their study involved 64 volunteers who were each asked to put their hand in a tub of ice water for as long as possible while repeating a swear word of their choice.

They then repeated the experiment using a more commonplace word that they would use to describe a table.

The researchers found the volunteers were able to keep their hands in the ice water for a longer when swearing, establishing a link between swearing and an increase in pain tolerance.
Stephens said it was not clear how or why this link existed but it could be because swearing may increase aggression.

"What is clear is that swearing triggers not only an emotional response, but a physical one too, which may explain why the centuries-old practice of cursing developed and still persists today," he said.

(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Miral Fahmy)

Dad's New Puppy!

Just want you to know that Gigi has given me a Father's Day gift early. Thanks to your Aunt LaVerne, we now have a new addition to our household. Yesterday, Gigi & Chris met Robert & LaVerne in Temple for the exchange. "I" now have a Bug --- Mother was a Pug and Father a Boston Terrier -- Gigi has named her Eli -- short for Ellen. To say the least, Eli is being watched very carefully by Gigi. Her new home is our utility room with her private radio and lamp. I know Gigi will be forwarding you pictures in the near future.
Love,
Pita

Rudy Minar

Rudolph J. ‘Rudy’ MinarLA MARQUE — Rudolph J. “Rudy” Minar, 90, of La Marque passed away Saturday, June 13, 2009, at his residence in La Marque.Rudy was born July 27, 1918, in Frelsburg, Texas, the son of Adolph Minar and Antonia Ressler Minar. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving during World War II. Rudy was a resident of La Marque for the past four years and a longtime resident of Galveston. He was a retired insurance agent for American National Insurance Company, with thirty-five years of service. Rudy was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and was a founding member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Galveston. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5236 of La Marque, and the La Marque Saint Sylvester Society 119 of the KJT.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his wife Elenora Vitek Minar.

Rudy is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Elizabeth “Betty” and Patrick Dispensa of La Marque; son and daughter-in-law Allan and Cathy Minar of Houston; sister Elenora Zapalac of Ellinger, Texas; brother Linherd Minar of Fayetteville, Texas; seven grandchildren and their spouses Kim and Richard DeNeefe, Kristen and Sammy Nasr, Jackie and Rick Drew, Mary Juenke, Patricia and James Willis, Tim and Nikki Dispensa, and Julie and Eric Soder. Rudy will be greatly missed by his ten great grandchildren Emma, Aric, Mikaylah, Javed, Hannah, Sarah, Emily, Erin, Mia, and Edie, and by his best friend Johnny Gondesen.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 17, 2009, between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1224 Cedar Dr. La Marque, Texas, with a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2009, at the church with Rev. Chacko Pathumayil, officiating.

Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Galveston.Rudy’s pallbearers will be Eric Soder, James Willis, Vernon Jurecka, Rick Drew, Richard DeNeefe and Sammy Nasr.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Boone, Johnny Gondesen and Walter Harris.The family would like to express its thanks to the staff at the Hospice Care Team. Memorials can be made to the Hospice Care Team, Inc., 1708 Amburn Street, Texas City, Texas 77592 or to the charity of one’s choice.Funeral arrangements under the direction of the James Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque, Texas

James Crowder Funeral Home-La Marque
Published June 17, 2009

Dad is home!

Dad had a horrible May 2009. He had an emergency surgery and is now home. Please email him and call him often.

Easter 2009- Wimberley, Texas

Faith, Chris, Gigi, Pita, Mrs. Stephens, Justin, Leslie, Dan and Mr. Stephens

Update

We went to see the Transplant Dr. This AM. He wants Henry to continue on the present Chemo and pain meds as needed until June/July time frame. Then they will schedule all sorts of scans and tests to see if a Bone Marrow Transplant is warranted. It will be a time for re-evaluation and to make a plan for future treatment. So, for now he will just go along as is with monthly visits with the Onochologist for IV meds and to monitor and watch for any changes, etc.
Love,
Mom/GIGI/GN