Thank you for the latest update, Dotty! Please tell Marty I am praying for you both!!
Thank you Dottie for the good news, you and Marty are in my Prayers.
Dotty, as you can see he has a lot of folks pulling for him. Looking forward to more good news.
Modern medicine has made great strides, and thankfully the Boston area has excellent facilities! Couple that with Marty's tenacity and will to thrive, and he should recover! Our collective well wishes hopefully should also help!
Marty is a tough old bird, so I have high hopes he'll be back at the trains soon. You can't keep a good man down, and he's certainly one of the good guys!
Dotty and Marty,
Thanks for the upbeat update. Good to hear good news. Now for the more important news. FOOTBALL SEASON STARTS NEXT WEEKEND!
Ready to battle. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets. And where is that Wolf guy? Lol!
Hope there is some more good news now that we're in September. Hope all is well Marty & Dotty. Prayers 🙏
Marty/Dotty though we have never met I still pray for you guys. Thanks for the update. Marty's "overhead wire brother" Don
thanks Dottie n Marty for the update, glad to hear some positive news, been praying for you both and finalyy prayers are helping! were all hear for both>
God Bless you both. keep in touch your friends forever
Alan!
Marty has earned all of our support, prayers and accolades. He is my closest friend and is one of those very rare human beings who gives more than he ever receives (as with Dotty). He is my definition of the "Lone Survivor" but, as in the movie, he will NEVER be alone and will always be in the fight. God Bless Dotty and Marty who will forever remain a shining example of what makes this country so great!!
I miss you more than ever my friend!!
Jim
Friends,
As many of you know, Marty and I have been friends for many years. I spoke with him last night for about an hour. He continues to undergo chemotherapy for the tumors in his lungs. As is normal with chemotherapy, he has his good and bad days. I believe he is maintaining a positive outlook through all of the treatment he has undergone to date, as he is a fighter. Importantly, Marty is happy with the way the Patriots have been playing so far this season.
Erol
Please keep us posted Dotty and let Marty know that we are all thinking of and prying for him and you both.
locolawyer posted:Friends,
As many of you know, Marty and I have been friends for many years. I spoke with him last night for about an hour. He continues to undergo chemotherapy for the tumors in his lungs. As is normal with chemotherapy, he has his good and bad days. I believe he is maintaining a positive outlook through all of the treatment he has undergone to date, as he is a fighter. Importantly, Marty is happy with the way the Patriots have been playing so far this season.
Erol
Thank you for the news - many are praying for him.
locolawyer posted:Friends,
As many of you know, Marty and I have been friends for many years. I spoke with him last night for about an hour. He continues to undergo chemotherapy for the tumors in his lungs. As is normal with chemotherapy, he has his good and bad days. I believe he is maintaining a positive outlook through all of the treatment he has undergone to date, as he is a fighter. Importantly, Marty is happy with the way the Patriots have been playing so far this season.
Erol
Thank you for keeping us updated
locolawyer posted:Importantly, Marty is happy with the way the Patriots have been playing so far this season.
I'll bet he is! 
They sure took Miami to task!
locolawyer posted:Friends,
As many of you know, Marty and I have been friends for many years. I spoke with him last night for about an hour. He continues to undergo chemotherapy for the tumors in his lungs. As is normal with chemotherapy, he has his good and bad days. I believe he is maintaining a positive outlook through all of the treatment he has undergone to date, as he is a fighter. Importantly, Marty is happy with the way the Patriots have been playing so far this season.
Erol
Thanks for the update Erol. When I talk to Marty I keep the conversation short as he is naturally tired from his treatments. He is a fighter.
If the Patriots winning helps with healing Marty, then I hope they crush all of their opponents. (Even the Eagles). Go Pats!!
I'd have to agree with you Brian, I'd sacrifice the home team if it helps. 
Hey Marty, I'm not only prying for you but for the Patriots to rain Supreme! 
Thanks for the update! Prayers are still going his way! Be Strong!
Marty and Dotty our prayers are with you. Stay strong!
locolawyer posted:Friends,
As many of you know, Marty and I have been friends for many years. I spoke with him last night for about an hour. He continues to undergo chemotherapy for the tumors in his lungs. As is normal with chemotherapy, he has his good and bad days. I believe he is maintaining a positive outlook through all of the treatment he has undergone to date, as he is a fighter. Importantly, Marty is happy with the way the Patriots have been playing so far this season.
Erol
My mother was a nurse. She helped numerous patients as they underwent treatment. She never talked about what she went thru. I could tell whenever someone in her care, passed on. When she got cancer, she refused treatment. She didn't wish to go thru what she saw so many times with others.
I can't possibly imagine how bad the treatment can be. Later on a family friend underwent treatment, recovered, and said he won't go thru that ever again.
I do see a lot of good recoveries with others.
I don't post this to be negative here. I cherish Marty for all his values. I pray for comfort for him and God's blessings. I have to try and imagine what he's going thru. It breaks my heart and sometimes I get selfish.
Let's pray for his strength and comfort during this treatment. If your not into religion, just say something positive out loud. I look forward to his positive outcome and recovery. I can't help but feel the pain right now.
( moderator, if this is too negative or gets criticism, please delete this without waiting. I hate to elaborate, & off train topic so far. Thank you for keeping this topic & posts)
Marty, all I can do is pray! You deserve better!
Marty,
Prayers continue for you and Dotty. God bless you both.
To engineer joe,
Heartfelt and compelling thoughts, I am 100% sure the moderator sees this too. All the best to Marty!
Continue Prayers for Marty and Dotty
God Bless Dotty and Marty, you are in my prayers.
Update: December 2, 2019. A few weeks ago, Marty had an MRI of the leg tumor and a CT scan of his chest. The leg tumor is still shrinking. The secondary tumors in his lungs, unfortunately, are starting to grow. A different chemo drug was ordered, he had 2 treatments in 2 weeks. A week ago, he woke up very disoriented and his speech was slurred. Took him to the hospital, his brain had swelled from the chemo. They released him from the hospital on Wednesday, his birthday, he spent Thanksgiving with us (I had called his family, and his grandson flew down from Newfoundland the 22nd, his daughter flew down the 27th). Friday morning the disorientation and speech problem were back, the ulcer on his toe was infected, and the increased pain could not be controlled with the medication that he's been taking since June. Took him back to the hospital, he had NOT had a stroke, TIA, blood infection, or anything else that would have caused this. They did a CT and an MRI on his brain and found 2 cancerous lesions 3 mm and 8 mm. We are waiting to see what our options are, since he can't be released from the hospital if he still has the toe infection - which he does and is having IV antibiotics, the pain is only controlled with IV medication, radiation to the tumors will temporarily shrink them - hopefully, and the confusion and disorientation doesn't ever go completely away. The doctor told us to start thinking proactively about hospice. We've known from the beginning that this will be necessary eventually. I have been reading him posts from the forum, and Erol Gurcan's thread wishing him a Happy Birthday. He is appreciative and touched by the response. He's tired, doesn't usually answer his phone, doesn't want visitors, and we're just trying to keep him pain free and comfortable. Thank you all for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. By the way - his grandson is downstairs running the trains.
Prayers for Marty, Dotty, and family.
Thank you DOTTIE for the update. Continued prayers for MARTY.
I am so very sorry to hear this news; my thoughts are with both of you. May he be kept as pain free as possible. Cancer is an insidious disease. It took both my father when he was only 54 and my wife when she was just 40. Remember there is always hope and miracles do happen. Stay strong.
I am very Disheartened by this news, but still praying for the whole family.
I will keep his Steeple Cab kit at the ready when ever he wants it. Love to you both. Don
Really sorry to hear this. John
Dotty: Thanks for the update, I am sure it was difficult to write that up for us. I will keep you, Marty and your entire family in my prayers. Hoping that they at least find a way to manage the severe pain and discomfort. Chris A.
God bless!!❤❤❤❤❤
Dotty, I am praying for Marty, You, and the family! Thank you for the update which I'm sure was difficult to write. I'm glad Marty's grandson is running the trains right now!
So sorry. So sad. God bless.
When I first joined this Forum, I had a problem with a MTH locomotive....Marty put up a picture of the problem area and I was able to repair it myself.....thanks to him, I’ve learned how to make this repair myself, save a lot of time, money, and aggravation.....and for that, I’m grateful!...get well Marty, and thank you Dottie for reading these to him!........prayers sent!..........Pat
Dotty; I believe in miracles, and will keep praying God grants you and Marty one
Franky-Ogee
I'm sure Dottie it was very hard for you and Marty to deal with this all but always remember hope n pray you can both be strong God knows it not easy, and if there is anything I can do to help please feel free to call or write and I'll do what ever I can for you both ! I'm still praying for healing miracles and hope and pray God intervenes n cures him completely.
Your friend always and forever Alan tell Marty hang in there as best he can!
Alan Mancus
So sorry to hear this news. May God bless you and your family. Praying for a miracle
Yes this is bad news, but there is a higher power in control of our lives. Marty has many prayers going his way, and is in good hands. He has a great support system with his family and many friends all over the country.
Grace and peace to you both.
God's speed.
Dottie, God's blessings on you as Marty's caregiver and our link to our friends in need. Prayers for you and Marty and his healers--praying for miracles.
Note: Dottie's update on Marty's health is approx. 17 or so posts above mine.
Dotty has been keeping me (and others) informed through texts and so much of this news I already knew....and have frankly been very upset about. Marty called me a little over a week ago and was very positive about his upcoming new chemo. We didn't talk long because he is very weak but the time we had together on the phone was very special.
Marty has been a close friend for years and is an ambassador for not only our hobby but for OGR! We all are praying for the best outcome....and I can tell you that Marty has the most devoted and loving partner in Dotty.... We love them both!!
Dotty you, Marty, and the family, are in our prayers.
God has a plan for each one of us. God bless.
Dotty,
Thank you for the update. We will continue to pray for you and Marty. Stay strong. Anything is possible with the Good Lord Almighty.
Don't usually post on here. Marty I hope everything goes in your favor.
Dotty, it's difficult to read this news, I was so praying for something quite different. I still hold out hope that Marty can turn this around. Please give Marty my best wishes, and try to stay strong. You know we're all pulling for him.
God Bless You Marty! We're all pulling for you.
John
Dotty, I have followed Marty's solutions on the forum; when I needed some small screws for my Big Boy smoke unit, Marty sent me some immediately; will never forget his kindness; you and Marty are in my prayers.
Not as encouraging news as we have all been hoping for but but Marty is strong willed and your even stronger Dotty hang in there.
Sorry to hear the news about Marty. He's in our prayers. Stay strong man!
Prayers galore Marty and Dotty.
That’s it Marty! Fight like a Warrior. No, one knows what miracles or cures are coming tomorrow.
Thank you Dotty for keeping the forum informed. It's amazing the kinship I feel with other forumites who I have never met in person. Marty is a pillar for our hobby and so many of think of him as a friend. Many prays for him, you, and your family
Dotty,
thank you for the update, certainly challenging news. Marty, you and the family are In our thoughts, and praying he can get more comfortable.
Dotty, thanks for the update. I am so sorry to hear about this unfortunate turn in events for Marty. My wife and I will continue to pray for Marty and you.
Pat
My wife and I continue to pray for Marty, you and your family. Paul 2
Praying for Marty and you. As a caretaker, I know that this has really been hard on you Dottie. Just know that Marty is in God's hands and is the great physician. Praying for the doctors, nurses, and everyone else that has contact with Marty to get him healed. We all know that you have taken great care of him. May you rest tonight and be refreshed in the morning.
I am praying that things can yet make a turn for the better. 🙏
Dottie, I am very sorry to hear this news. I will be praying for both you and Marty. I sincerely hope he can make a recovery. I only met Marty one time and it was at the NJ Hi-Railers but if there is anything, anything at all you I can do in central NJ please do not hesitate to ask. It would be an honor. Please tell Marty I said, “Go Patriots!”
I’m so sorry things are this rough. Whatever the very best course is, whatever the greatest blessings may be, whatever help can come or good can be, may it be yours in abundance.
Marty. You have my prays tonight. Stay as strong as you can and know if it is too much that you are in the hands of our Lord. Peace to you and to all you have touched. Looking at the responses here on the forum one can see that that is many. God Bless.
Forest
Thank you Dotty. Praying for Marty, you and the family. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Fight like heck Marty, we are with you. Bless you.
Andy
Bless you, Dottie for being the kind person you are, and a match for a kind person such as Marty. As GRJ said...not the news I wanted to hear...but hear us Forumites root for you, Marty.
So your grandson is playing with trains? Well done sir! I hope for you only the best ....
Keep fighting Marty! Miracles DO happen and Jen and I are praying for one. We add ours to the chorus of prayer on your behalf.
As GRJ said not what any of us wanted or expected to hear. Marty, Dotty, and family, keep hope alive. Don't let any of this lock you away from the ones you love and enjoy. Sometimes being sick(whatever it is) can make us lock ourselves away from those we interact with and love. Don't let this do that to you. Some days you don't have a choice, so do the best you can.
Know this, we all have you in our prayers. From those that have know you for years and years, to those that have met you once or those that have just read your articles.
Keeping you in my prayers and hoping.
Dottie - thank you for being so strong for Marty. Please also take care of yourself at this very difficult time. I've never met you or Marty but from reading posts by Marty over the years, I feel that I do somehow know you both. My prayers and meditations are with you both. May somehow some way Marty pull through.
Roger Wasson posted:Praying for Marty and you. As a caretaker, I know that this has really been hard on you Dottie. Just know that Marty is in God's hands and is the great physician. Praying for the doctors, nurses, and everyone else that has contact with Marty to get him healed. We all know that you have taken great care of him. May you rest tonight and be refreshed in the morning.
I can only humbly add "Amen."
So sorry to hear things are not going well, please know our prayers are with you and the family, get well Marty,..Phil
Dottie, thinking of you and Marty....
John W
Dotty,
Thanks for the update. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. I will continue to pray for Marty to recover. God bless you both.
I will continue to pray for Marty everyday. May God Bless and Heal him.
Alex
Dottie,'
Thank you for the update. Continued prayers for you and Marty.
Chris
LVHR
Dotty,
My prayers are with Marty, You and family.
While I only met Marty in passing at York a few years back, the conversation was wonderful. His posts here always gave me something to look forward to reading.
God Bless!
Dotty,
Thank-you for the latest update on Marty. You're both in our thoughts and prayers as you fight to get through this.
-Greg
God bless the both of you. Praying for a Christmas miracle for you!
We are all with you, Dotty and Marty.
Back in the 1990s, I was a teenager who bought an OGR video on VHS. Featured was a wonderful layout built by Marty Fitzhenry. That layout with its tremendous service yard and vibrant backdrops burned into my young mind. I was inspired! The builder, Marty, seemed like a straightforward and friendly guy. Like most productions, though, creative editing and rehearsing can make the most curmudgeonly sort come across like the pied piper.
A few years later the OGR Forum went live. Guess what? Online, Marty Fitzhenry was the same straightforward and friendly guy I watched on that VHS tape. I also found him to be encouraging and unselfish with his knowledge of this unique and tight-knit hobby.
For over 25 years whenever I think of OGR I think of Marty. He’s been a positive influence on me from my youth to about middle age. And he’ll continue to be exactly that for the rest of my natural born days.
Thank you, Marty, for being the human being you are and all that you have done for this hobby and our community here. We are all better for it.
The Marty Fitzhenry story hasn’t been written yet. With much optimism and prayer, may there be a few more chapters yet to write.
So sorry to hear this. May God be with both of you.
Dotty,
Thank you for the update, and for keeping Marty strong. There aren't sufficient words for a dedicated caregiver like you've been; I'm sure there's a special place for folks like you on the other side. Sorry to hear the news is not good. I continue to keep you and Marty in my prayers and hope for a miracle at this point. They do happen!
God bless you both.
Chris
Prayers for both of you.
Continue prayers for Marty, continue prayers for all of you,having to deal with this, as it is hard on you all.
Lynley and I continue our prayers Dottie for both you and Marty. Thank God that he has an Angel like you to care for him. We always love spending time with you both at Train gatherings and we look forward to more. Believe in the power of prayer!
As I’ve said before, Don’t give up! Don’t ever, ever, ever give up!!
Lots of love to you both.
Marty and Dotti
I keep you in my thoughts daily. While Marty has been a tremendous contributor, his friendship is so much more valuable. Keep fighting.
Wishing you lots of prayers Marty, never had the chance to meet you, but through the forum you have given me the indication that you are a great guy.
Hi Marty , here is wishing you a speedy recovery. I am also currently going through chemo. It's been thirty six weeks now . A little over two and and a half years ago I was diognosed with stage four prostate cancer . I did chemo at that time as well . Everyone reacts differently to this treatment , hang in there and above all stay positive and remain as active as you can. Things will get better.
Dotty and marty
as you can see from the amount and content of these responses WE Love you guys
God Bless you all. You remain in my prayers.
Dottie
Thank you for the update....I had a tough time reading it (I had to stop a few times) and I appreciate the candor. My prayers are with you both. Please tell Marty that I think about him often....my heart goes out to both of you.
Peter
Praying for you and your family.
DOTTY AND MARTY
God bless you both ,you are in my prayers
RON
Dotty, My family and I are praying for Marty and you both along with your family. Being a cancer survivor from Stage 4 Head and Neck cancer, I know it can be beat! With Marty being such a strong man with a strong woman next to him and God on your side I have faith in a good outcome. May god bless you both!
Dotty, give Marty a big hug from all of us. You guys and your whole family have been in our thoughts and prayers. Hang tight and may GOD Bless.
Prayers that Gods Healing Hand will Bless Marty and watch over Marty and Dotty during these times .
I will be praying for him.
God bless you both.
God Bless the both of you and your families. I hope Marty that you pull through. I hope Marty spends some time just watching his trains go by to give him that pep that he really needs right now.
Bless you Dotty for your extraordinary love and caregiving for Marty.
