Christopher Mark Fine Flowers and Gifts (2026)

01/12/2022

Hi all!! It's Sarah with an update from Dad & Jim. Also, this will be the final update on Christopher Mark Flowers FB page. All future updates will be on Chris' CaringBridge page. To be invited, contact Jim Deacon via Messenger with your email address.

Angels, It's been some time and life has been far too interesting. There hasn't been a moment to compose an update due to doctors, hospital, and exhaustion. Of necessity,
this has to be a summary. Sorry!

Chris was sent home from 10 days at Rush downtown on Thursday, November 17. Shortly after we got home, the doctor called to say Chris had had a case of pneumocystis pneumonia, which mostly only affects people with weakened immune systems. Chris' system was weakened by the COVID, cancer, and long term (necessary) prednisone use.

Chris was given Bactrim for the infection, but that drug proved to have negative side effects for him. After Thanksgiving, his sodium level got way low and we were told to visit the ER by the next morning. We went that night. He was taken off Bactrim.

The ER was more concerned about Chris' low
hemoglobin and low platelet count. He was
advised to check in, which he did. He's still
there (in Oak Park and not in isolation).

The many doctors have been eliminating reasons why Chris' hemoglobin and platelets keep dropping. Sodium has leveled off. He can't leave until the other two readings are stable.

At this point, they feel that the cancer in the
marrow is inhibiting cell production. Thus
he will be staying in the hospital until the
next type of treatment starts and heals
the marrow. We see the oncologist tomorrow.

We are tightly limiting visitation due to Chris
getting easily fatigued, not to mention a very tiny room. Please don't "pop in" without notice.

I will shortly (not yet) put out a call for meals.
Cooking has been impossible because no day
goes as planned.

Lots of Love and thanks for your support!
Jim and Chris

30/09/2022

I guess I need to clarify what in the beejeepers is going on. Last Thursday I had my oncology appointment. Things did not go well. The medicine I was on began to not work..... my body got used to it. My PSA numbers went up and the cancer metastisized down the left side of my body (on top of where it already was) and in my bone marrow. Next step....... chemotherapy. Today was my first treatment. Long day, but I did it. It's now another part of my fight. Onward, upward and with even more positivity. Dancing with the Chamber is this Saturday and come hell or high water, I will live out a long time dream of mine of dancing on stage. Thank you all again.... your love and support is good medicine, too. 💜💜💜💜💜🕺

29/09/2022

Hi all!! It's Chris' daughter Sarah with an update from Dad & Jim. After his first round of treatment today, Dad's tired but sounding good.

~ Chris tolerated today's treatment very well so far. The nurse said delayed reactions are rare so we're extremely excited!

Thanks for the Love!!!
Chris and Jim ~

Ps. He's so excited for Dancing with the Chamber on Saturday!!

17/09/2022

WOW - can you believe it?!!! The big dance is only 2 weeks away. Dancing with the Chamber is October 1st!!! It's been my honor and pleasure to represent Betty's Flower Shop as a "dancer" in this exciting event. Kudos to Amy and the chamber for organizing this wonderful event. Thanks to Teresa and SwayDance for the choreography and professional dancers. Thanks to RBHS for the use of the high school. Thanks to the photographer, printer, and costume designer. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. The contestants have been practicing for weeks. We have stepped out of our comfort zones and entered the world of formal dancing!!! I have been having a blast!!! There are still tickets available, but they are going fast. Stop by any of the participating businesses and get yours. We still have some tickets left at Betty's Flowers so hurry on in!!!! And when you're there, pick up a lovely bouquet like the ones Betty is holding!!! See you October 1st!!!!! Chris.

29/08/2022

Hey everyone, here's some info on the new event sponsored by the chamber of commerce. It's going to be a hoot!!! 10 businesses are being represented in this fun event. I must thank Betty Le Clere for letting me represent her flower shop as a contestant. You can get a better look at my poster at her flower shop. Stop in and check it out. Contestants have been practicing for weeks, with each one performing a different style of dance. October 1st.....RBHS auditorium.....it will be exciting!!!!!! There's more info on the chamber's website. We will be dancing the night away!!!!!

29/08/2022

Hi everyone!! It has been a while since I last posted, but we are still"coasting". On September 22, I have my next oncology appointment. We are hoping hoping for continued good news. I will keep you posted on that. Retirement has been good for my health. Im much more relaxed and have very little stress. Jim and I have have done some traveling, mostly small trips. Our garden has been spectacular and it's great to spend so much time with Jim. We will be going to northern Michigan in September and northern California in October. Also, eventually Il be closing the store Facebook account and start using my personal one. Il keep you posted in case you want to friend me. So that's a little update and Il be letting you all know my results after my September oncology appointment. Also, there is a new chamber of commerce event on October 1st. It's going to be so so so fun!!!!! Go to the chamber website for more details!!! As always, thank you for your support, kind words and friendship. Chris

21/05/2022

Happy Spring! April showers sure have brought May flowers!! We have another awesome update for everyone.

Last Thursday, Chris had a total body scan and a bone scan. This past week was interpretation and his regular oncology visit.

We got lots of good news to share!

- The lymph nodes have returned to normal size.
- Bone damage is either stable or slightly improved.
- The PSA went up a hair but is statistically stable.
- The current treatment regimen is working (!) and we will stick with it for as long as it keeps working.
- There are plenty of other treatments available and more coming all the time for when we need alternatives.
- The oncologist is happy with Chris' progress and expects positive results for the foreseeable future.

Now that Chris is retired, we plan to see all of you more often.

Thanks as always for your love, concern, and support!

Love
Chris and Jim

15/04/2022

Happy hoppy Easter everyone! I hope you all have a nice weekend!!!!! Chris

Ps. Please support your local Brookfield florists!

06/04/2022

Hi Everybody!

Well, it has been a while and so much is going on.

As you all know, I decided to retire and I closed
the store on February 28th. It was a bittersweet decision, but one that I made with my health and the future in mind. My passion for floral design has not diminished--but now I can pursue it without the pressure of owning a business.

Jim and I took the month of March to clean up the store and I turned over the keys on March 30th. I sold most of my display units, all of my
supplies, and most of my decor. I'm most happy about my flower cooler though! A young couple from Paxton, IL purchased it because they are opening up their own shop in Paxton.

Also in March, Jim and I went on a small vacation to one of our favorite places, New Orleans. It was a very relaxing and much needed getaway. We experienced NoLa's Saint Patrick's Day celebration!!! It was fun and crazy--they actually toss fresh potatoes, carrots, onions, and cabbage from the floats.
There were also bars of Irish Spring soap, Lucky Charms bars, and beads with plastic cabbages on them. Crazy fun! Get ready for Irish stew!

This past weekend we went up to Madison, WI to see one of our favorite comedians, Randy Rainbow, in concert. What a hoot!!! He's a political satirist that uses show tunes as his base of comedy. You can catch him on YouTube.

We'll be going up to Minnesota early next month to visit my daughter and son-in-law. Sarah and Andy just bought a new house and we can't wait to see it!

And now for the health news!!! Today I had my
ureter stent exchange procedure and it went
extremely well. So well, in fact, that my
urologist said that the blockage in my ureter has shrunk, so next time I may not need a new stent at all! Fingers crossed!

In May, I have a full body scan scheduled to see
how the radiation treatments affected the tumor on my prostate. Again, fingers crossed!

Overall, I am feeling great, I have no pain and
I have a great appetite.

Retirement and slowing down will take some getting used to. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Jim, seeing people more often, gardening, traveling, and most importantly, taking care of my health.

I cannot thank you enough for all your love and support over the last 15 months--I have the best friends, family, and customers! Know that you are always in my heart.

Until the next update!
Chris

18/02/2022

Hi Everybody!

First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for the love and support you have expressed to me after my retirement announcement. To everyone on our email list, the store page, CaringBridge, and Brookfield Connections--family, friends, customers, strangers--your kind words help make it easier to fight my fight.

I want to let you know that I am having a liquidation sale from now until we close on February 28. Display pieces, shelving units, tables, accessories--you name it, it's for sale. All holiday merchandise is 90% off of retail price. Every item will be priced to sell, even the cooler. Stop in and look around and see if there's anything that interests you. It'll be nice to see you! Even though the store will be
closed on the 28th, we'll be there intermittently
cleaning up until the end of March.

Finally, I'd like to share with you a revelation
I learned this year:

I believe that most people go through life not knowing the effect they had on others or how they may have touched someone else's life. I feel that I am one of the luckiest men alive because I now know that I have affected and touched others lives in so many positive ways. I am humbled! So...if there is someone out there that has touched you in a positive way or helped you out or had a
major effect on you--let them know!

Thank you and hope to see you soon!
Love
Chris

18/01/2022

Hi everyone! We hope you had a great weekend. Here's an update from Chris:

Hi Everyone!

I've recently had some very good news from my doctors, so good that my oncologist said that we can "coast" for a while. My PSA is down yet
again, radiation went well and so did my stress test. It's been 13 months since my initial diagnosis and I am doing well. Jim and I can actually breathe for a while.

I want to take advantage of this healthy streak and I want to be able to fight my cancer with all my strength and energy, so....we have made a
big decision.

With no small amount of melancholy, I want to let you know that I have decided to retire. Yes--actually retire! One of the things my cardiologist has stressed and recommended was that I need to greatly lessen the
stress in my life. Yes, flower designing is great fun for me, but owning and managing your own business is the complete opposite.

During the six weeks of my radiation treatments and stress test, it became
quite apparent that it would be increasingly difficult to manage the business and my health care. As I said earlier, I need to focus on my good health--especially now that I'm on a good run. Know that this was not an easy decision to make, but it is one that will hugely help me in my lifelong fight.

We have decided that February 28th will be the last day the store will be open.
We'll be open for regular business--especially Valentine's Day--until the 28th.

I have kept all of the holiday merchandise out and it is now marked down 75 percent!
We will also have a liquidation sale starting some time after February 14th. I'll keep you posted.

I hope you all know that it's been so great to be able to share my floral talent with this community--and beyond. I've met so many, many wonder people; from all of the regular customers to brides and grooms, from other business owners to corporate clients. I've seen children grow from toddlers to young adults
and I have supplied flowers to generations of families.

I started my business from scratch and I want to thank all of you from the bottom depths of my heart for helping me become a success.

Jim and I cannot thank you enough for that. We will still be hanging around Brookfield and hopefully we will run into you all at some point in time.

We definitely hope to see you soon!

All my love and sincere thanks,
Chris

Christopher Mark Fine Flowers and Gifts

01/12/2022

30/09/2022

29/09/2022

17/09/2022

29/08/2022

29/08/2022

21/05/2022

15/04/2022

06/04/2022

18/02/2022

18/01/2022

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