WOW...

You gotta love the new Intermountain Health Center Hospital. They really went the extra mile to make me feel comfortable during my overnite stay. Yes, this is at the hospital 6:30 a.m. on surgery morning. A complete surprise to me... Tiffany's dad, Jodi and Cheryl, who were there for support. This is how Tiffany stayed during the whole checking-in and surgery prep process. Needless to say, much of the hospital staff was eager to help in any way they could... very friendly.

The surgery lasted about 3 hours and I don't remember any of it. I must have fallen asleep. When I came to, I was being wheeled to my room where I met many friends and family who were excited to see, I can only imagine, the stitches in my neck (which are very cool by the way).

Dr. Robert Hunter removed about 2 inches of malignant tumor and most of the lymphnodes on the right-side of my neck. He didn't have to remove any jaw bone fortunately. He accessed all this through an 8 inch incision in my neck which left a great spot to put about 18 metal staples... very cool.

Tiffany was a trooper. She stayed the whole time and even spent the night. We were there about 27 hours total.

Warning: Graphic Material Included. People with weak stomachs or heart problems may not want to view this objectionable material, or may want to consult their doctor.

Eighteen metal staples to hold back the massive neck muscles. The doctor wants them out in about 10 days. I offered him more money to leave them in. It's still under negotiation. It has become a novalty. For a fee I'm letting people touch it. Hey, I have to cover the time off work somehow.

I Ain't Afraid Of No Ghost

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters? When we're in dispair and life has knocked us to our knees, still bloodied from the last battle, who do we call? The doctor? Mom? The internet? Do we go to the store and buy more Fresca? YES!, but aside from that, who do you call?

Do you just relax and wait on the Lord? I trust the Lord, and God has spoke to my heart and confirmed that all is well. All is well. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for alot of us, but I wanted everyone to know that I love the Lord and trust what He tells me.

I will see you all tomorrow.

Is It Live, Or Is It Memorex?

I know this is the question everyone has been dying to ask. Are Tiffany's teeth real, or are they veneers? I don't know, you be the judge. She does do TV, radio and professional speaking. She's done commercials, live remotes and MC'ing. She's been in beauty pagaents, judged beauty pagaents and won beauty pagaents. See http://www.tiffanyberg.com/



She's Mrs Utah! Surely someone has sponsored cosmetic dental work! Anyone?

Tiffany with her sister... same dentist?



















Tell me her teeth and nails don't look suspiciously similar!














Elton John showing off his dental work... could be a dental veneer sponsor shoot. It might be in her contract to be in a centain number of shots displaying her teeth.






I had to sneak this shot of her and son Landon. Teeth resemblance? Not even close.

Seeing Past My Nose

Most know already that in 2003 I was diagnosed with oral skin cancer (scuamous cell carcinoma). About a silver dollar size of my lower mouth and cheek were surgically removed (first pic) and then went through some major reconstructive surgery (second pic) so my mouth would function semi-normally. Besides my mouth being extra small and having no feeling on that side of my face, life has been great cancer-free.

However, in November I noticed some pain whenever I opened my mouth to eat. I have recently had this looked at by my Oncologist and after a biopsy and cat scan have been diagnosed again with the same cancer. This time it has formed a large tumor against my right lower jaw bone and has attacked my lymph glands on the right-side of my neck. This Friday, the 28th of December, I am scheduled for emergency surgery.

So what goes on in the mind of a Paul Berg when cancer returns? I have learned to trust in God for my provision. Tiffany and I did not know where the $100 deposit for the surgery would come

from, but then on Christmas morning an anonomous gift of $100 and change was left on our doorstep.

I believe in the apostle Paul when he said "I

have learned to be content in all things". Christmas looked different this year for me. Instead of lots of toys under the tree, we got to just spend time together as a family.

Priceless!

All Things Cobra

Nothing says "Christmas" like a 1965 AC Cobra. Although this project was birthed last Spring, it's Christmas-time now and Cobra is in the air. Besides my wife's teeth, my kids, Jesus, and music this is a passion I've always dreamed of. In case not everyone is up to speed (nice pun) I am building a replica 1965 Ford 427 AC Cobra.

Techies only need read this paragraph. It is a highly customized component replica. In other words, it is not a "kit car". I got the chasis and fiberglass body from Factory Five Racing, everything else (engine, tranny, rearend, braking system, fuel system, suspension and some specialty interior period correct components, etc) was custom made or ordered. I've anticipated about 300 hours to completely build the car of which I've widdled away about 150 so far. Front and rear suspension, brake system, and steering are complete (a rolling chasis). I am working on cockpit and engine bay aluminum and fuel system right now. I am about 8 hours away from installing the engine and transmission. Then cooling system and wiring harness to bring the beast to life. This is called the "go-cart" stage. It is drivable, but since the body and most interior is not installed it looks like a giant go-cart.

I had the engine professionally built out of state and shipped ready to install. For those of you who are interested, it is a Ford 351w with roller rockers and aluminum heads producing over 400 horse power. I've mated this to Ford's reknowned T5 transmission which, by the way is nearly a identical match to the Cobra's original 4-speed Top Loader in 1965. That drives an independent rear suspension from a 1996 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe (again a nearly identical match to the original rearend) with a 3.55 final drive ratio.

More pics to come.

Tree In Forest

Hello.... I'm a first-time blogger, long-time person.

My beautiful wife talked me into starting this blog and I'm not sure anyone will ever see this. Like the tree that falls in the forest, will anyone ever hear it? I know I'll have at least loyal fan... her. By the way, that is a picture of her, not me.

So, what can I say on my first blog that no one will probably ever read? I think I should only talk about things of interest to other people. Like, music, piano, Jesus, my wife, my kids, my 1965 AC Cobra, my velcro collection, collector coffee mugs, dolphins, spotted owls, candy canes, wicker baskets, laundry tips, things to say that will shock people, political candidates from third world countries, zip-loc technology, chinesse imigration laws, cowboy poetry, light refraction, heat transfer coefficiencies, baby butterflies, and......, me.

Oh, here's a good shot of me. Gotta go, you'll have to wait for my next interesting post.