Creating a Joyous Story
Barcoding, Inc. kicked off their annual planning meeting January 10th with Mark teaching them how to be joyous leaders. Many thanks to President/CEO Shane Snyder for having such a wonderful vision of growth and joy for his team.
Thanks Barcoding and the city of Baltimore for being such a wonderful host to Mark and Stacie.
Enjoy a highlight reel of a few events that happened this year. We’re only getting started – more fun to come in 2023!
There is a new treatment approved for Amy patients that has the same efficacy as my current treatment. As you recall, I have done a chemotherapy treatment every 21 days since June 1, 2015. That works out to about 17 times per year. The new treatment is an injection in the arm, stomach, or hips that I would receive one time every three months or only four times a year!
It is currently pending with my insurance company but the thought of going from 17 to 4 times a year is life-changing. I am so excited about the freedom it gives me to live closer to a normal life. It is still not a cure but we are getting closer.
Let’s pray insurance approves and I can afford the remaining amount. If not, well 17 is better than nothing. . .
On September 22, 2022 I was honored to share Joyous Leadership with the Illinois Women in Leadership. They had a record attendance of 380 plus members attend for their annual conference. The part I love the most is the Q&A session after I speak. I have learned and continue to learn from these strong women in Illinois. Thanks for allowing me to join in!
I recently did an interview with Coach Mike on a YouTube podcast to a group of students and young leaders in China/Asia about Joyous Leadership. Listen in for a fun interview.
I had a little unplanned downtime at the end of July. I spent five days visiting my friends at St. John’s Hospital after the amyloidosis decided to attack my stomach and then my heart. I had already received a cardioversion a week prior and thought I had everything under control until early one morning I woke up with extreme abdominal pain and vomiting.
After several hours in the ER, I was admitted to my room for overnight observation. All seemed okay until the next morning when I started round two with the vomiting. As the day before, the pain and vomiting subsided by nightfall and all was well. The next morning, I was anxious to be released and was cleaning up when my heart went out of rhythm as it did the week before. Just so you know, you get a lot of unwanted attention when that happens. After a few meds, the heart seemed to slip back in rhythm, and all was good once again.
I was prepping for discharge when my heart doctor decided to keep me and put me on a new medication that required hospitalization. Long story short, the new meds seem to be working and I’m out doing what I do best – trying to work. Hopefully the stamina will return soon.
Here is a link to listen to National Public Radio’s Vanessa Ferguson Interview Mark about his new book Joyous Leadership: LISTEN
February 26th was a weekend to remember for me. It was my first ever book signings and then capped off with a presentation on Monday at Arkansas State University with Chancellor’s Leadership Class.
The weekend started with a book signing on Saturday at the Senior Bees Community center where new and old friends gathered to hear about Joyous Leadership and reminisce on old times. It was great to see new friends and old friends/coworkers from days past. I love my old Trumann team!
Sunday was a day of worship and then another book signing in the lobby of 7th and Mueller’s CEC building. The highlight of this signing was my fourth grade teacher, Betty Gatlin, coming to purchase a book and to get her book signed in person.
Monday we trekked down to Arkansas State University’s Delta Business Center to cap off a long weekend speaking to a wonderful group of students that were selected into the Chancellor’s Leadership Class. I loved their energy and enthusiasm.
Tuesday evening I participated in a private group on Zoom known as the Campfire Leadership Team. This is a group of leaders from across the Midwest and Northeast that gather to energize and support one another. We always enjoy our time together and it never fails that everyone learns something new at each gathering. We are planning a retreat and service project this summer. It will be so good to finally get together again!
To end a busy week, I presented Joyous Leadership to Innovate Springfield. This is a group of leaders that help to serve as an incubator for new business launches. It is such a fun and energizing group to be a part of.
I’m going to slow down a bit next week!
I have been traveling to Mayo Clinic for almost seven years to take a chemo infusion for my hATTR Amyloidosis. Starting January 31, 2022, I was able to transition off the drug trial and begin taking my infusions locally here in Springfield. I love my Mayo family, but this move has been a major stress relief.
Mayo Clinic will still manage my disease and supervise the infusions. I will also return to Rochester a few times each year for follow-up visits and testing. This disease is a bugger, but I have good people helping me manage.
I am thankful to all of you who have prayed, called, texted, and sent cards of encouragement. Some days that’s the only thread that keeps me hanging on.
Blessings!
January 10th was my 117th infusion at Mayo clinic. This completed my drug trial that spanned 6 1/2 years. Not bad for someone that started this experimental treatment June 1st of 2015 and given less than a year to live.
To commemorate this achievement, my care team gave me a lapel pin that says “Celebrate Life” with 3 hearts. A few tears were shed. I’ve grown to love the team up there very much.
I will now transition this treatment to a local infusion center here in Springfield. While I will miss my friends at Mayo Clinic, I can’t begin to tell you how much less wear and tear on my body this will be. This is a win. Mayo will still supervise my care but I will only be going back 2-3 times a year versus 17.
I will return to Mayo the week of the 17th for the final drug trial tests. Milestones are good.