Coming back on board!

[Eddie Offermann]

Thanks for all the personal, non-sailing support folks! Knowing people are rooting for me and that others have gone before me (thanks for sharing that, Paul - the words I've gotten from friends and acquaintances, sometimes people that I have known personally but never knew their story, have been some of the most encouraging even when it's "Yep. Happened to me. I'm ok. You'll be ok, too.")

I'm halfway through my radiotherapy now, so far side effects have been manageable (some nausea, but I've felt worse after spending a few bouncy days at sea - I didn't let it spoil my day then and I'm not gonna start now).

Based on my marker levels and the results of the PET scan, we're doing surveillance every six months instead of every three starting in December and my doc feels really confident about a complete cure - he had some reservations early on, based on the size of the tumor and some other material he found during surgery that turned out to be a benign fatty tumor.

Not like there's ever a 'good' time or a 'good' cancer, but I got the best diagnosis I could have asked for, considering, and timing was ok too - my job has been very supportive, my insurance has made the bills very manageable (down payment on a midsize Japanese car "manageable" instead of down payment on a house "expensive")

I'm feeling well enough that we're getting back to working on the boat this weekend. The lower part of the taffrail needs a light sanding and some varnish and then we'll do it all over again!

[Clyde A. Phillips]

There is nothing like working on a Newporter for therapy.  My Old Man used to say "when you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Looks like you are beyond that stage.  Welcome back to the deck.

Good going, and keep at it!

[paul ~ sv; pink cloud]

right on!