Sunday Trip

Yesterday, I made a commitment to go visit my friend Mark.  He is on my list of friends from work.  He now lives in a nursing home closer to my home.  Only one exit away.  Finding the place was really easy.  Google Earth helps me navigate Utah roads better these days.  I got to the place and took me awhile to find Mark's room.  He wife was with him.  I had not seen her in a several years and I guess the steroids and everything has changed me.  She didn't know who I was.  I told her and she didn't believe me.
  I had been told that Mark was walking and was shocked to see him.  He is still in bed.  He can not walk right now.  He just returned from another bout of infections and had a 7 day stay at the U of U hospital.  While there, Mark old neighbor came by to visit him.  We talked for a while, but Mark's meds kicked in and it became more difficult to talk.  I was having a difficult time, too.  I do not take some of my meds when i am going to be driving so I was uncomfortable and having a difficult time.  I was able to tell Mark and Tiffany, his wife, about some of the information that Megan has found about the possible toxins/ poisons at our worksite in Ogden.  Tiffany's sister, Ling, is also on my list of co-workers.  Ling died a few years ago.  I told them both that while it might be too late to help us, we might be able to work together to save other lives.  I also think it is important to get the word out to Ling's surviving family members.  We were able to exchange some information and promised to keep in touch.  I am going to add their picture here.  Maybe putting a human face on this will make it less of a names and numbers list and more of a real situation. 
  It is humbling and a grave reminder to me how good my situation is right now. Even as sick and tired and worn out as I feel, I still do not have it as bad as some people.
  One other note, Tiffany pointed out that while Mark did get a medical retirement from the government, and disability from Social Security, the VA collects most of that to pay for his long term care and expenses.  After all of this, being broken and hurt, he can not take care of his family.  He is going to be a ward and dependent of the State for his life.  Sometimes, I wonder if that will be my future if things keep going this way.