The news is good!

Get well card from grand niece, Kessa (11 yrs)

The CT scan at Duke revealed that the cancer has not spread and the oncological surgeon pronounced the pc "mass" resectable, i.e., removable. I thanked Dr. Tyler for taking my case and told him that if he keeps statistics on patient survivability, I intend to increase his batting average and make him and his team look good!

Dr. Tyler seemed pleased with the way I had progressed through the radiation/chemo therapy and noted that this should presage fewer post-surgical complications. Ergo, I may not need a post-op weep tube for a leaking pancreas nor a feeding tube directly to my stomach.

In my fight against pc, I am determined, but not desperate. I cannot grieve over the prospect of my passing. My life is just not that important in the greater scheme of things. Though I could wish for an "individual awareness" in an afterlife, I will be satisfied for my spirit, my life force simply to return to its source.

Meanwhile, I intend to carry on for as long as I can and work on my growing "bucket list". :-)

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