Update to Family and Friends
September 6, 2001
Dear family and friends--
Hope you all enjoyed the summer. All things considered, I've
had a great one myself, doing lots of living.
On
the medical front, after four months of chemotherapy, the
doctors now say they'll consider me for
surgery, which, if
I qualify, would mean taking out my stomach and cleaning out
any other small cancer spots they see. It's not a common procedure,
but given my relative youth and strength, the doctors say it's
worth a shot. By no means would it put me out of the woods--even
the surgeon says we'll need some "divine intervention" for
this procedure to work--but it's the most aggressive course
available and would offer the best hope of long-term survival.
If I pass one last important test, I'd have surgery on Tuesday
(9/11). Surgery would then be followed by more chemo and several
months of learning to eat without a stomach. It sounds like
a tough road, but I'm feeling good about it. I have this irrational
sense that I'm going to be fine.
I've also made a decision to go public with my cancer. If
you're interested, you can read more about it on my website, http://www.zenguitar.com. In fact, I'd appreciate any assistance
you can offer in getting zenguitar.com off the ground. A lot
of people have been asking if there's anything they can do
to help me in my situation. Honestly, the most helpful thing
you could do would be to devote some time perusing zenguitar.com--I'd
ask you to spend an hour or so to go through it--and see if
there's a contribution you could make.
Basically, I'm looking to live a life with cancer that has
meaning. The way I've chosen to do that is through zenguitar.com.
I can't do it alone, though; I need help to make it work. You're
such a talented group and you know so many talented people,
I'd welcome anything you could do to help out.
Thanks again for your concern and good wishes. I'm sorry I
haven't been able to acknowledge them all personally, but please
know that they've sustained me and given me strength when I've
needed it most. In my eyes, you're all angels. May the heavens
reward you with many blessings.
Forward in all directions,
phil
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