I never said I knew what I was talking about.

First a little cancer news. I still have cancer. Feel bad for me yet? Don't you dare!!!

I'm in my third week of the cycle and I'm just getting over some of the symptoms. I had a couple of days with a new and scary symptom, debilitating pain in my legs. The pain is subsiding, and you can bet I will be having a little chat with my oncologist about that. For now, I'm going to say that all the symptoms lasted a little longer because they increased the dose of chemo. As we are heading towards what I hope is the last few treatments, my doctor wants me to take as much of the drug as I can withstand. To be honest, while not being able to drink anything cold for two weeks, and having to deal with the neuropathy in my extremities and the pains in my legs is a less than pleasant experience, I'm not going to ask him to lower the dose. I can handle it. I may bitch and moan about it, but there is no way I'm going to let this beat me.

And now for today's life lesson from Billy.

For as long as I can remember my father always told me "be a friend to everyone you meet". He and my mother have always shown me the importance of having friends, and in return, being a good friend. As I go through my cliche "get a possibly fatal disease, spend time in deep introspection, cause now you know how precious life is" stage, I have taken some stock in my life. As I've said before, I'm rather pleased with the paths I've chosen up until this point. The overwhelming support I receive from my family and friends is a strong indicator of such. Many friends visited me in the hospital, many friends are constantly in touch to see if I need anything, many friends are checking this blog to monitor my progress. And, from time to time, I am lucky enough to get proof positive that I have good friends and that I have been a good friend. My friend Lance, a man I have known for 18 years, who I have admired since the first day I met him, who has battled his own demons with courage and strength, who I only see once a year if I'm lucky but still maintains our relationship, has written an extremely flattering and for me, overwhelmingly touching piece about yours truly. http://oldnumberseven.net/bricolage/2006/04/21/my-pal/

Thanks Lance.