Tuesday Marky got another round of Remicade--

---the infusion meds that are supposed to suppress everything.

While we were up at PCMC getting that done, which takes about 5 hours, we were visited by a new Doc that does "integrative" medicine.

This term, "integrative", means... for all you who are not sure...the fusion of Eastern and Western style medicine philosophy.

For some of these chronic pain and disease kids, the combination of techniques may be a way to help.

So this cute Doc, who i thought reminded me of "Tinkerbell", came in with a fist full of needles !

Marky's eyes went HUGE at the sight !

Acupuncture was the activity she had in mind for the little warrior !

She explained the whole idea, about pressure points and how the instep area on your feet directly correspond to your colon/intestines and all that cool stuff , along with various other points of interest along his extremities that she had in mind for the puncturing fest.

I though it was intriguing and was anxious to begin !

She demo'd one of the needle pokes on my hand, between my thumb and first finger to show Marky that it was "easy"...

It wasnt a big deal....to me.

Then the little warrior let her "tap in" TEN needles up and down starting at his feet and ending with his arms and hands !

Marky just laid there and took it...he probably took himself on a ride in Ken's blue boat on a lake of glass water.

The Dr. announced that she would be back in 30 min.s to remove the needles !

These needles were very thin and fine, but were about 2 inches long.....from a childs perspective...there is no such thing as a THIN or FINE NEEDLE !.

...A NEEDLE IS A NEEDLE....THE END !

I was not sensitive to this "perspective" on needles until AFTER the "Needle Doctor" was gone.

Marky asked for help to get up to use the restroom after she left. So I helped him up and dragged the IV pole that was still draining in the good juice.

I noticed his back and hair were drenched in sweat!

I said, "Marky, why are you soaked in sweat?"

He looked at me like i was a total idiot and said,

"Are you kidding me?.. I just had TEN NEEDLES sticking outa me for 30 minutes ! "

Again, Marky shows me the true Hero that he is.

He never flinched during the whole thing. Several Nurses and "gawker's" came in to see the procedure while he layed there like a pin-cushion for 30 min.

He took it like a champ. The only tip-off to me was the sweat drenched hair and shirt...after the whole thing was over!

He continues to lead us all in battle techniques, and COURAGE, over and over.