William

Indeed, I definitely learned a life lesson that came with not so great consequences. The permanent loss of my natural voice. Sense of smell and taste severely altered and in most cases, gone. A large scar from ear too ear, a second "grin", the large point of entry when they removed my larynx (voice box) and all lymph nodes (roughly 20-30 on each side of my neck). Hopefully temporary, but other side effects from surgery...a swollen neck. This condition is called Lymphedema. The radiation side effect I'm also hoping is temporary is the facial hair loss. In some patients it grows back. Sometimes even a different color. Other patients it never comes back. There's so much that has changed. It's crazy to fathom how even the simplest things in life are affected. From a physical, emotional and psychological perspective. Reflecting back, I'll never forget that first cigarette. I was 14. Living in New Orleans with my Dad. A friend of mine had a stepfather who was a sailor on a freighter. He was always bringing back stuff from overseas. My buddy and I just had too try one of those Japanese versions of a Marlboro red! After that, I would swipe a Benson and Hedges from my Dad when he left his pack unattended. This all stopped when I moved back to Florida where my Mother was. My next encounter with cigarettes was in Jr. High. Smoking was all part of fitting in with the "cool" kids, ya know? I was hooked for life after that fateful morning at the bus stop. Any smoker reading this, not so "cool" now, am I? What's sad is that most smokers will look the other way when it comes too anti smoking literature or commercials on TV. I know because I was one of those that chose too ignore. And just think. I STILL didn't want to believe it or accept the truth that I had cancer. I kept putting it off until it damn near cost me my life. One, maybe two more weeks at home unchecked and Patty would have found me gone in my sleep. It was too late for me, but the diagnosis of throat cancer scared me COLD TURKEY off of cigarettes. After hearing Dr. Ringstrom saying "Oh no" while looking down my throat that March day. Turning me around too show me the image of my consumed larynx. Seeing Patty break down in tears because at that point I thought I was staring at my death sentence. I was literally waiting for Dr. Ringstrom to tell me how little time I had left. Instead, he gave me hope. My last cigarette, although obviously too late, was put out on the way too that appointment. Never touched another one after that. Yes, a life lesson that's now a part of my life every day, but in a different way for sure. This is my "Bible" away from church. Hopefully my life lesson will help educate others. This book pretty much explains the before, during, and after of how I lived and currently live each day. Well, I blabbed a long time again! Gotta feed the birds! 😊

He's making my arms hurt just watching...

A nice, chubby MK 👍

I remember back when Kermit was competing with Johnny Carson for Miss Piggy's affections 🤣

×2 Akro

Where's that flipping Frog at???

Big *** MK 😁

Feeling Froggy!

×2 Akro

The first pic, the flower was actually stiff enough, just played around finding that sweet spot for balance...the musk melon flower, it's just plain deep enough. The rest of them, trick photography too hide my hand 😊

What a great morning! The sun is shining, birds are singing, and the bumblebees are out in force pollinating! Happy Marble King Monday!

It's always fun going back and reading this historical information on occasion. Nice Marble King Monday post Chad 👍

Been about a week since I posted anything, figured I better holler! As some of you already know, radiation treatments were completed a week ago today. I was told that the radiation will actually still be working for up to 2 weeks following the last treatment, so the side effects I am experiencing will persist for a while yet (lack of taste, appetite, and fatigue being the lingering ones) The newest side effect, if one will call it that, is something that I think happens to everyone going through radiation treatments. Slight, moderate or sometimes severe burns too the skin and underlying tissues. I was a little red around the throat and neck area towards the end of treatments, but a few days afterwards, bam, major "sunburn city" Fortunately, I am still relatively numb from the surgery itself, so I have been spared the pain that should be associated with this. No pain medication of any kind through this whole ordeal! In the hospital, it was just IV tylenol. At home, 1 aspirin a day. Not "true" pain meds in my book lol.... Other than the above issues. I feel great. Staying active and positive. What I don't eat by mouth I make up for with Ensure, so maintaining weight. I am indeed thankful to be able to share this journey with my friends, rather my "extended family" here at MarbleConnection. Thanks for having my back 😊 Here's a picture of my "sunburn"....hopefully it isn't found offensive in any way. If so, please feel free to remove it 😊 Starting to heal already, just have to soak it up every evening with Aquaphor. Please don't smoke! Or make an attempt to quit if at all possible. My father, a 3 pack a day smoker, slowly went cold Turkey about 25 years ago or so. He was fortunate. No cancer and living now at the age of 84. I should have listened the past 20 years he's been yelling at me. Our conversations would always end the same way...."Son...QUIT SMOKING!!!!" Sorry too drag it out. I'm just THAT THANKFUL too still be alive. Another couple weeks without looking down my throat and I would have been a goner. Fact. Thanks again for allowing me to share 😊❤👍

If you would, give us some up close, in focus shots of the "color in question". This could prove interesting

As a unique oddball, I'd find it very collectible. Oxblood, if it turns out that way, would be the added "plus"...nice marble 😊

Some big cats, with one being a wee bit bigger...

Figured so...you can tell the old glass from the new for sure.

I see one at 9oclockish that appears similar if not a twin too mine!

One of my favorites at 7/8, complete with some nice inner chunks 😊

A nice little Japanese transitional I have with a light pink base glass...

July 28th, 2018, "Imperial Packaging" pretty sure you already looked at this. Found it in the archives. Read this and figured I would poke around also 👍

A couple of nicer Imperials I came across...

Right on! Everyone do the CAC dance 🤣🤣