Calls, correspondence, and comments

We have really appreciated all the expressions of support and concern over the past month.  I get a bit frustrated sometimes with my inability to make timely personal replies but please know how much Lenore, James, and I value your encouragement.  I try to get responses to e-mails off in small batches but I am way behind at the moment...

E-mail messages from current and former students have been especially welcome as it is easy to forget the value of day-to-day teaching in the face of life-threatening illness.  Thanks for all the thoughtful words and sentiments!  Phone calls are always welcome so feel free to call  anytime you are wondering what is going on (218.759.9534).  Comments on blog post are interesting too and hopefully some might even stimulate an extended dialogue or two and perhaps even some new friendships.

On an optimistic note, I e-mailed Dr. Fine yesterday with a question about the relationship between diet and prognosis and got a very thorough and satisfying response that he ended with these encouraging words:

"I am totally on on board with your idea of being cured of this disease, but in fact you would not be in "that first cohort" for as I told you, we have a number of patients who are long-term, disease-free survivors (? Maybe cured)......and that's with the older treatments.  Who knows what is possible with the newer tricks we have, and will have in the near future, up our sleeves.  So, I say keep moving forward and good things can happen."

 With that in mind, I am looking forward to an enjoyable (if cool and blustery) fall weekend.  Tonight we are attending a BSU alumni dinner where a friend and former colleague will be honored. Tomorrow  Schoolcraft has its Fall Festival and my parents are coming up so it should be an especially fun day for James.  Sunday I might even get out fishing... /dps