I TOLD you it doesn’t work, it takes me to my home page.
Facebook can be variable depending on how one’s settings are set. For some reason, your link takes me to MY fb page.
That being said, I can pray for Jeff w/o knowing all the details.
Dolly, the link just keeps sending you to the facebook login page. All the links do. I even cut and pasted this in:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=237757632493&id=755469068&ref=mf
and it still goes to the login page asking for a password.
Sucks.
Prayers for Jeff though, sorry to hear this sad news.
That is a Facebook link, and to a non-member it just pops up a login page. I have no interest in joining Facebook. Too many security issues. There was (maybe still is) a for-profit company whose business was specifically to get people’s info taken off Facebook after they’d quit and tried everything in the Facebook system to get their info off of there. Facebook just flat-out wouldn’t delete people’s information when they quit Facebook and asked to have all their info deleted.
I am getting a login prompt at that link
There have been a few developments in the last couple of days I wanted to mention for family and friends who are keping up with our progress and experiences with mthe chordoma bone cancer in my sacrum,
1st, MD Anderson completed a batch of paperwork that has enabled me to become eligible for a leave share program where I work.
Let me say a couple of things about where I work. I work for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in the western United States. The BOR is an agency in the Deparement of the Interior. We deal with the large dams and reservoirs in the western United States. Specifically, I work with elctronics and communications that allow the dams to operate and deliver the much needed irrigation water, water storage, and hydro -electric power we derive from them.
I am very proud of this work and take it seriously. The people I work with are producers who help produce much needed water and electricity for our nation.
Anyhow, the Department of Interior (and the federal government in general) has a leave share program where any emplyee facing a major health crisis can qualify for leave share from other employees. In my case, the surgery, the time in the hospital, the radiation treatmnt, and then the rehab are going to utilize much more time than I have available on my own, and this program allows other employees, if they so desire, to share a few hours with me and help me get through.
Here's the wording of the announcement that went out to our Agency regaring me:
"Subject: Active Leave Transfer RecipientThis allows employees to share leave with other employees who are in need.
Jeffrey L. Head, Comm. & Inst. Mech. (M) at the Black Canyon Field Office, is an approved Leave Share Recipient under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program and is in need of leave.
Jeff was diagnosed with malignant bone cancer and must undergo major surgery and long rehabilitation to treat his condition. The physician estimates that surgery and recovery will take several months, approximately late July. Jeffrey does not possess enough leave to cover this entire period of time.
If you would like to donate leave to Jeffrey L. Head, please fill out the attached donation form (OPM-630A) and send to:
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Pacific Northwest Regional Office
Attn: Voluntary Leave Transfer Program Coordinator, PN-7425
1150 N. Curtis Road, Suite 100
Boise, ID 83706-1234"
It is a humbling thing, not one I would have ever sought out, to seek help in this manner. But for the sake and welfare of my wife and family, I have to humble myself and do so.
If there are any employees of the Department of the Interior reading this, and particularly if you envision yourself being in a "Use it or lose it" situation toward the end of this year, then any consideration, even just a few hours, in leave sharing that you would have towards me would be appreciated beyond my ability to express. God bless each and everyone for even considering it. Here is a link to the OPM-630A form you would need to fill out and mail in:
In Agency (Department of Interior) Leave Transfer Form
http://www.jeffhead.com/chordoma/opm630a.pdf
If there are employees of other agencies of the Federal Government reading this (meaning outside of the Department of the Interior) and particularly if you envision yourself being in a "Use it or lose it" situation toward the end of this year, then any consideration, even just a few hours, in leave sharing that you would have towards me would also be appreciated beyond my ability to express. Again, God bless each and everyone for even considering it. Here is a link to the OPM-630B form you would need to fill out and mail in (making sure to provide the contact point within your agency requested at the bottom of the form):
Outside of Agency (outsied of the Department of Interior) Leave Transfer Form
http://www.jeffhead.com/chordoma/opm630b.pdf
Again, the address to send those filled out forms to is:
U.S. Bureau of ReclamationI can only use this leave for my medical emergency, and it can only last for the duration of the emergency (which currently runs, barring any complications, through the end of my rehabilitation period).
Pacific Northwest Regional Office
Attn: Voluntary Leave Transfer Program Coordinator, PN-7425
1150 N. Curtis Road, Suite 100
Boise, ID 83706-1234
So, that is one of the major happenings and considerations I am facing.
Another was the news that the MD Anderson team is going to split my surgery into two procedures, which will occur a few days apart. We still do not have a specific date, but it appears likely that it will start either the last week of this month (March 2010) or the first week of April 2010.
The first procedure will involve an entry from the front and will prepare internal organs, vessels, nerves, initial bone cuts, and retrieving some soft tissue from the abdomen wall to be used to reconstruct the sacral area during the second procedure.
The second procedure will involve entry from the back and is for removal of my sacrum (and the tumor) and reconstruction for spinal stabilization.
Both are daunting. I must say, that I am not "looking forward" to it, but now knowing what the treatment path is, I am nonetheless anxious to be about it and get started. If they called me tomorrow and indicated they needed me there next MOnday, I would most certainly do so.
Waiting and dealing with the pain meds and their side effects take their toll. Mornings are pretty difficult most days, but I improve as the day goes on. Being able to get to work each day and having my mind engaged on those endeavors also helps a lot.
Also, based on Gail's suggestion, I have found that if I eat a little bit throughout the day, as opposed to three major meals, that it also helps how I feel. Sort of like having five or six "mini-meals", one every 2-3 hours or so.
Now, I know that what I will have to deal with as a result of the major surgeries and rehab will be worse than what I am dealing with now. But I also know that, that is the path that lays before me, and that offers, from the medical community perspective, the chance for survival and as much disease free life as possible. As such, it is the path I am ready to put my foot to as soon as possible.
Again, I want to express my thanks...my undieing thanks to every one who has offered a prayer on my behalf or that of my family, a kind word of encouragement, or who has exercised their faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ on my behalf and that of my family. I cannot express my gratitude and feeling in mere words...but I can tell you that every bit of it helps. I also continually pray that God in Heaven and His Son will return those kindnesses and blessings to all of those who express them many fold.
Sincerely and in Christ,
Jeff Head