May 20th update

I'm glad to say that over 2 weeks (17 days, actually) have passed since the operation.  Some time over the last week, the "craziness" subsided and I'm finally starting to feel pretty normal.  My mind is working well on a cognitive level, and my left side motor skills are feeling close to normal.  All in all, I'd say that I'm at 80-90% back to where I was before the surgery.  I'm feeling so well in fact that I convinced Jen to let me ride my bike yesterday...on actual dirt singletrack, not just up and down the driveway!  Having the ability to get back on my bike will be the best thing to come along since this all started.

I have many more doctor's appointments yet to come, and we have yet to get the full pathology reports from what they removed from my brain.  When we get the full and proper information, we will post the news up here, but until that time, we don't want to put up partial or false info, so continue to check back.

There are a countless people out there who have gone way out of their way to help us through this. I don't want to forget anyone and hurt anyone's feelings,  so I'll forgo naming names of all the friends who have "been there" and have showed us not only how many great friends we actually have, but who have showed us the true meaning of friendship.  If you think you even might be on this list, then you are right, you are.  People from as far away as Utah and Oregon and people who live not 10 minutes away.  Lots of folks in Central and Western New York as well as Vermont, Oklahoma, and even England have weighed in.  It has been great to hear from you all, so let's keep it going!

Lastly, I would like to name a few family members who deserve awards for making through all of this with us.

Todd Loiacono and Michelle Foster
You guys brought me burgers and fries when I was in the hospital.  That's what got me over the hump

Susan Loiacono
You fed me some nasty applesauce when I was in ICU.  Thanks for coming all the way to spend some time out here

Steve and Diane Loiacono
Sorry you hade to go through all of this.  No words can thank you guys for all you have done and continue to do.  Thank you

Jennifer Patching Loiacono
You've been through way more than I have, and thank you for seeing me through all of it.  The best is yet to come.

Kaya and Eddie Loiacono
You're dogs, so you'll never grasp how much being with you guys has lifted my spirits and healed my wounds, but thank you!

well, I'm sure glad that's over

I guess it's time to weigh in since it's been over a week since the surgery.  I was right about one thing, that it was the "easy" part.    I should probably spare most of the details of the post-op shittiness, but trust me when I say it was shitty. and it's still shitty.  The pain is manageable,  the chaos I feel inside my head right now is not.  Think "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" or "Being John Malkovich,  For real.  When they discharge you from the hospital, they don't tell you that the hardest part is still coming.

I'd like to say that at this time, there would have been no getting through this without the constant support and love from my family.   I'll never know what it's like to have to go through this with a son, brother or spouse.

The constant love and affection of my wife Jennifer has been the sole light at the end of what is probably the longest tunnel ever.  She is devoted and caring and has had to put up with way more shit than any woman should ever have to.  She had to put up with my shit long before this fiasco began, and I aim for her to never have her deal with it again.

To Jen:

There's moonbeams we can dream on, when the working day is done.
And there's stars we can wish upon, at the setting of the sun
The sunsets we cry over put our troubles on the run
But more than all these miracles above, good people we've got love
Everybody needs love, love, love love
Just like they need the moon and stars up above.
~Eddie Hinton

I love you, Jennifer

Lazy K

We're Home! 

Friends Like These...

Yeeeee Ha!

We got the results of the MRI. They removed so much that they might forgo radiation; depending on the biopsy results.  We should get those results by the end of the week. 

smarty pants

 Marc's mascot: shitty gandolf

There's only one return of and that's of the Jedi

Good news, Marc is feeling much better. He's out of the ICU and upstairs, where he can enjoy all-you-can-eat chocolate pudding, and bottomless soda beverages. The pain is under control. finally. It still comes and goes but it's usually not as bad as it was the other night.  Marc explained to me that The Boss knew exactly how he felt when he said: "It's like someone took a knife baby, edgy and dull, and cut a six inch valley, through the middle of my soul". But, I doubt the Boss ever had brain surgery; I imagine The Boss only slightly understands how Marc felt. Luckily, all that is in the past and bound to stay there.

It turns out, the motor skills in his left hand are a little compromised and he's having a hard time with depth perception. However, the doctors are confident that these things will be resolved with physical therapy.

Marc is walking around (slowly) and sweet talking all the nurses. His progress during the last 36 hours has been remarkable. He's not quite ready for visitors, but we're both feeling really optimistic after yesterday. So, we're enjoying that feeling.

I hate the f#%kin' Eagles!

Dear Friends and Family,

Today was a tough one for Marc. He's recovering well and staying incredibly strong but understandably, the pain is excruciating. Try as they might, all the nurses, and doctors, and meds just can't seem to cut the pain. I heard the lead nurse ask Marc, " you're not a big complainer are you?" and, compassionately she suggested, "perhaps you're on a different pain scale than most people". Meaning, on a scale from 1-10, Marc's 10 is probably more like a 15 (AKA off the charts) when compared to most people. It hurts. A lot. Yet, he's getting through it.

Motor skill, vision and language are still good. The MRI, which will show how much of the tumor (if any) remains, was rescheduled for tomorrow. His CAT scan results are good.

......I suppose that's all for now.

Thank you for checking in, and sending your love. It helps.

Tumbling Tumbleweeds

The surgery went better than expected! It won't be long until Marc is fully recovered and back to his usual self; busting jokes and keeping the rest of us in stitches. Just to reiterate the good news, the surgeon confirmed, "the operation went better than expected". Most of the tumor was removed and the preliminary biopsy suggests a level two glioma, which is a good thing. We will have further biopsy results by the end of the week. When asked how Marc was right before surgery, the Doctor chuckled and said, "I can't remember exactly, but he was saying some pretty funny stuff" ....Marc was incredibly brave throughout.

Obviously, lots of R&R are in order. He is spending the night in the ICU and should be moved out of the ICU and into his own room tomorrow. The Doctor expects he should be able to go home in about three or four days. Pretty good for just having brain surgery! They will do a second MRI tomorrow to see exactly how much was removed and assess next steps. I'll keep you posted.

They did a quick motion, language and visual test and apparently, Marc passed with flying colors! No tingling, no numbness, good vision, good memory and he's still a lovable wise ass. Couldn't ask for much more, considering.

It was a long day but we are relieved. Hopefully the toughest part is behind him.

Please forgive the late night post.

Lots of Love to all of you.


~ Jen, Marc and all the LoIacono's

All checked in and ready to go! 

He's in good spirits.We checked in at 6am and things got started around 8am. In all, it should take about 4 hours. So, he should be done around noon. We'll keep you posted....

Wish Marc Well! 

<3