On Wednesday I drove a Cancer survivor from New Hampshire into Boston for
another appointment. This person has been seeing dozens of doctors several times
a week for several years. Each new doctor says, "I've never seen this before and
there is no other doctor who can treat you, but I have something that might
work."

She is not expecting a cure - just something that will alleviate some of the
side effects of previous treatments and make her life a little more comfortable.

While I was waiting in the doctor's office to take her home, a total stranger
(amazing how Cancer patients open up to strangers) began to tell me about his
health issues. He stunned me when he said that he was fed up with all the pain
and suffering and was going to "euthanize" himself on June 1st. I really didn't
know what to say or do. So I said nothing and did nothing. I still feel a chill
when I think about it. I remember having felt the same way 11 years ago. I hope
he does the same thing I did - nothing.

On Thursday I had my 6 month followup with my medical oncologist and everything
is fine. In the evening Jackie confessed that 4 years ago when I had my surgery
and cdif infection my doctors told her daily that they didn't expect me to
survive. I knew that she was under a lot of stress then, but I was too busy
fighting the infection to know that I didn't have a chance of winning.

While I was writing this the birds outside made such a racket that I went out to
see what was going on and to listen to their songs. I opened the door in time to
see something I never saw before: a pair of chipping sparrows were mating. Now I
feel that everything is right in the world.

Shalom,
Chuck