Thanks so much for all the warmth and welcome. I was moved to think of this song from Yes:

"I've seen all good people turn their heads each day
So satisfied, I'm on my way
I've seen all good people turn their heads each day
So satisfied, I'm on my way

Take a straight and stronger course
To the corner of your life..."


Today I had surgical biopsies, and then my niece came to babysit Uncle John. I did not think this was necessary (my wife was engaged in taking our daughter to the Prom-- both our kids are in the autism spectrum, and Caroline has just graduated in April into adult services; this was Caro's first visit back to residential school since then, so a big deal, and Dad having cancer is no excuse! both kids live in group homes, btw, the most relevant issue for this forum).

So Judy saw me through the brief surgery and recovery, and Janean came over about 3:30 or so. Here's my relationship with this surrogate daughter Janean: her dad is deceased, and her mom is a long term substance abusing narcissist horrible parent, and don't ask me what I REALLY think of her ;-)

Anyway, Judy and I are appointed grandparents to Janean and Andy's two beautiful daughters. In fact, I spent most Fridays at Janean's for her eldest's first year, when she worked, taking care of Nora. She had another pretty quick, so it's a 3 year old and an 18 month old, which means she and I don't finish many sentences (nor say the full ones we'd utter without kids present-- she's full time mom now).

But today she was all mine. We sat out back in the sun, watched my koi & birds in the waterfall, and then we went in and watched some TV-- some funny stuff and the beginning of Pixar's "UP". That was powerful and amazing anyway, but now it's like they were reading my mail;-)

I have heard the odd expression " a gift that cancer gave me " , but now I have lived it. And I am still a puppy at this; I know so much more and worse will come. But something good came, too, and "they can't take that away from me", as they say. More tomorrow (and maybe more on medicine and less ethereal).

Peace out,

John D.

Head and neck cancer,
Squamous cell carcinoma,
HPV p16, Stage 3N (6/14) Occult origin;
58 year old male 35 rads & 2.5 doses Cisplatin chemo 7/10/14> 8/25/14
1.5 years clear of cancer, at this point.

"This, too is part of Life's Rich Pageant!"