Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla! 

OFF TO ANGUILLA

We're leaving in the morning for Rendezvous Bay, Anguilla. No doctors, no phones, no TV, just a beautiful beach and many good books. Can't wait!

THE END OF TWO ERAS

In case you missed the news, the last two days saw the passing of two giants of the entertainment world. Lew Anderson, aka Clarabelle the Clown, died at 84. He only spoke once on "Howdy Doody." On the last minute of the last show, in 1960, the camera panned in close and he said "Goodbye, Kids." And Frankie Thomas, the original Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, died at 85. According to the Times obituary's last sentence: "At his request, Mr. Thomas was buried Tuesday in his "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet" costume." I missed seeing any tributes on TV-- but I remember!

AMAZING

Click on the title to hear some amazing cats.

I IS WE

By the way, I write these blog entries about my experience and sometimes forget to include the person who is always there, always supportive, and always sharing the ups and downs of my long (one year now) bout with cancer. Sandy makes it possible for me to continue with a good attitude, to even write this blog, and to carry on. So when you read "I" in these entries, remember that it's always me and my wonderful wife, Sandy.

THIS IS GREAT

Al Gore did a very funny bit on Saturday Night Live. Click on the title and scroll down. You'll love it!

WHAT A DAY!

Last Thursday was an incredible day. I went in for chemo at 12:30, found out they were worried about a clot, so they did an emergency CT scan, then just made it to radiation at 5. After that, Sandy and I were going to Burlington to meet friends for dinner. Halfway there, on Route 128, we heard a THUMPA THUMPA and had a blowout! The car came to rest on the exit ramp with the tire shredded. Thanks to a friendly cop, someone came and changed the tire. At least it happened in one of the few moments in the last week it hasn't been raining. Good news: no clot and the tumor has shrunk. And radiation is over. Back to grading final papers and exams!

HELLO AND THANKS

I want to thank everyone who comments on the blog. I haven't figured out how to reply directly to each yet, but I do read and appreciate your responses. As for me, my heart checked out O.K., so that's one less thing to worry about. And radiation ends on Friday. Otherwise, I'm trying to keep up my spirits while grading a bunch of final exams and papers. This may be an impossible task!

THIS JUST IN

Here's the latest on me: the tumor on my spine is no schwanomma. It's the real thing, unfortunately. Fortunately, it should be gone by Friday. Also, fortunately, I've got the face rash of a pimply teenager. That means the Tarceva I'm taking is working. I also had a bit of atrial fibrillation, which means another pill to take every day, 2 EKGs and an echocardiogram. I'm seeing the cardiologist Wednesday. But, considering, the big issues, this is nothing.

A GREAT MOMENT

I don't know if you heard about Stephen Colbert's performance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Right in front of Bush, he was amazing. Many people were shocked, but I agree with those who started a website called "Thank You Stephen Colbert" and include the video in three parts. To see it, click on the title of this post, then scroll down to the video.