An Update Dear Adored Bunnies-→[More:] I survived another week of radiation - one more week to go. It involves showing up, scanning a card, then putting on a hospital gown (which I resent. . .a t shirt would work just as well. . .) and then, either waiting a long time, if they are backed up, or going in a spending about 5-10 minutes on the table.

I had a sit-down with the oncologist this morning, and I am scheduled to start immune therapy on September 18. It will be a drug called Yervoy. Side effects are infrequent, but also extremely severe. If my tumors are unresponsive, then there is another emerging drug without a name yet that can be tried, with fewer side effects.

The statistics are on the other side of good, but there is not a lack of hope. People DO get better, or at least hold off the disease for a number of years. And as I keep repeating, am in pretty good shape, and my overall tumor load, according to the Dr, is low.

I got the staples out yesterday, finally. Huge incision down my thoracic spine. I have to keep wearing this brace for another 6 weeks, though. My weight is down, but I have also cut out wine (damn) and have a feeling that this huge incision is burning up a lot of calories healing. Oh, and I have fucking cancer.

Most people, online or in person, have been wonderful. But also any number of people have a cure, or something else to push on me. The day after my surgery, I was laying in my hospital bed, and this acquaintance from volleyball slowly enters the room, looking at me like she's getting her last view of me. Wife and Daughter were there, hanging out with me. This person hands me this book "Proof of Heaven," with wishes that it may bring me some comfort. I am one of those people who are insufficiently quick to anger, so I look at it and thank her and say that it looks interesting. When she finally leaves, with one last forlorn look, my atheist daughter says, "Dad, your self control is a lot better than mine." My wife took the book and put it in a free bin back in town.

But you all have been lovely. Thank you again for the thoughts, prayers (any religion) and messages.