Almost there…stay on target…stay on target! (A little 1977 film reference for my generation). Tomorrow is my last set of treatments; however I’ll be here until early next week with my final outprocessing and follow ups (Neuroscience, Oncology, Radiology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Orthopaedics, etc.). I cannot wait to see and spend time with my sweet Sheila, Declan and Aidan.

All the treatment I’ve received has been phenomenal…all those old jokes about Army hospitals and “medical hobby shops” do not apply!! The folks that have been attending to me for the last three months are our best and take excellent care of our troops…fault for any shortcomings in the system lies elsewhere, not with the “servants/caregivers.”

Here are some pics from my treatment midpoint to verify that I did get freakish looking for a little while, although saying I looked like a Skekses may have been overstating it a bit (but I did FEEL like one). Thanks to my buddy Dan Wilson for sending the Dark Crystal pic to show me I wasn’t that far gone. Shaving it helped; I’ll remain close shorn, like my buddy Buke (“have 2-blade, will travel”). Or I could go for a Native American Tribal look but don’t think that’ll fly at my day job…of course, neither will I. (budumbum…I know weak).

Also, I got some visitors on the 4th of July…Nicollette was very nice and loved on little Aidan a bit (no pic of that unfortunately); although she did have that shirt unbuttoned quite a ways, more power; she was visiting all the young wounded soldiers that day! Mike Bolton (that is how he introduced himself as “Mike”) is a really nice guy, just shorter than I thought, especially with that great big voice. Jason Alexander (George Costanza) also showed up; excellent person, but pic is a polaroid, not digital (also shorter than what you’d think from TV; head only to my shoulder, and I’m only 5′11″).

And most important, me getting love from my girl, and still with staples in my melon! Of course, I looked better a week post op than a month later mid-treatment. No worries as long as I have that sweet girl by my side (or choking me from behind…am I getting a hug or is this a sign of things to come?)

Once again, please KNOW that y’all kept me going up here by my lonesome with your prayers, visits, phone calls, positive vibes and e-mails (I’ve kept EVERY one as part of my cancer journal). The future remains uncertain with an ongoing fight ahead; and I’m girded up for battle!!! Or as our buddy Robert Earl Keen sings “The road goes on forever and the party never ends”!

Battle; Party; same thing right?!