AUG 12 2010

Some personal news
 
I have some news to share. It's bad news, and for some of you it may more than you wanted to know, but I have yet to figure a non-drama-queen way of bringing up the subject, so broadcasting like this saves me the stress of telling people one by one, and I hope you will indulge the "Internet CopOut".
 
I was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus in April. It is stage 4 (which means that it has spread quite a lot) and the prognosis is for a year-or-so survival. I have had six chemotherapy sessions so far (every three weeks) and will likely continue for as long as I can tolerate the treatment.
 
I'm sorry to spit it all out in one big lump (pardon the pun), but there isn't really any way to 'ease in' to it. More importantly, I don't want to waste an ounce of energy hiding from it! It is what it is, and I am going to fight every inch of the way. I am NOT going to waste a moment wondering why it happened, and I am NOT going to give it power by talking in hushed tones! We have all heard stories of people who last much longer than they should and I am quite anxious to add my name to that list!!
 
You may think, knowing me to be 'thorough' (you probably have a selection of much less complimentary words for that particular quality of mine), that I will spend all day every day looking for the 'miracle treatment'. I have decided NOT to do that, because the last thing I need right now is an infinite task, one that can never be marked 'complete' and will keep me feeling perpetually stressed about what I might have missed!
 
I have two tasks ...to stay positive, and to stay open. Staying positive is self-explanatory; staying open means that I will allow things in that come my way naturally. I will not spend every waking hour looking for treatments etc, but I do welcome anything you may want to share. I have already had two significant 'open moments' which have (I believe) considerably improved my odds ...the stories are too long for an email, but I will gladly share them we next talk.
 
I completely understand that there will be an elephant in the room when we first meet/talk/email, but please help me chase it out the door as quickly as possible. I welcome any and all questions and suggestions, and (of course) any positive thoughts you have to spare. I do NOT welcome fawning, fussing, or any other similar 'f-words' !!!!!! Talk to you soon (no whispering allowed!) Frank

For lighter news, that is actually connected to music, please click HERE to see what I've been up to with New Day Mile (2005-2010).
 
To see how I got from 2001 to 2005, click HERE.
 
For anything earlier than that, call or send an email ...although you may be amazed at how little I remember!!