My Dear Friends,

It is now mid October, and I have gone through 4 rounds of Chemotherapy. I just had another CT scan, and it shows that some of the cancer tumors have shrunk and then started to return. The docs told me this could happen, and that radiation would then be called for instead of the Chemo. Radiation treatments are scheduled to begin at the Marin cancer center next week, 5 days a week for 7 weeks. After 2 or 3 weeks, I will probably be confined to bed and unable to have any attention on work. I have managed to coordinate a few small jobs in the summer, up to this time, but it doesn't look like I will be able to do much more until the radiation therapy is complete.

You have all been tremendously helpful to Diane and I, a real lifeline financially, but also emotionally. We feel your love and regard, and constantly connect to the Source of Grace through your help and prayers.

We are asking for a little more help. The next two months will probably tell the tale of whether I should continue to fight, or if I should prepare to let go. Paradoxically, my bodily energy has remained pretty good lately, better than when I was in Chemotherapy. My throat is a bit constricted, but other than periodic headaches (manageable by drugs), I am not in much pain. I have a therapy dog (Tinkerbell the Corgi), a therapy garden (planted by Clement), and a lovely therapy wife. I have no complaints. I resort to my Spiritual Resource and Teaching a lot of the time, which I believe is saving my life to this point. I fell my friends and supporters all around me, and my life feels precious.

Diane and I will need and appreciate a little more help in the future, for a couple of months. Any amount would be appreciated.

Bless you all. You are a wonderful group of friends, and in the Universal Direction of things, I still see that anything is possible.
Love to all
Scott






Hello Dear Family and Friends, 

I wanted to inform you all of what I am going through right now. For those who don't know, in January 2016 I was diagnosed with throat cancer, also called squamous cell carcinoma. I have a large tumor under my tongue, and another a little lower in my neck. It is caused by the HPV virus, probably exacerbated by delayed removal of an old root canal (you all get your dental work done on time, now!). 

In ensuing months, I have been given an MRI, biopsy, PET scan, and prepped for chemo and radiation. As part of my preperation, I am currently being treated with supportive therapies at the Amitabha Clinic in Santa Rosa, by Dr. Isaac Eliaz. He is a gifted doctor and researcher, and I am being helped greatly. Much of his clinical work is not covered by Medicare or other insurance. I am still working, but my savings are gone and my income allows very limited treatment. I would like to do more.

I have accepted that a 7-week course of Chemo and Radiation is my best option right now, as recommended by my doctors at UCSF - This is tentatively scheduled to begin in the Middle of May, and will be carried out at the Marin General Cancer Center. It is beneficial to continue Dr. Eliaz's treatment in conjunction with chemo and radiation.  

I will come shortly to a situation where I am unable to work for a few months (or more) due to treatment, and my income will be compromised or stopped.

I understand that all of you have your own lives to live. I am 68 and have lived a varied and interesting life, in many ways fortunate, even blessed. If it is my time I will leave this place, but I am not done, I really don't feel that I am done yet, so I will need some help.

All of you (any of you) can help with you prayers, with your forgiveness, goodwill, with your advice, with your money, with your assistance with my circumstance and with the circumstance of my wonderful and loving wife Diane, and any and all of the above.

My dear son, Clement, one of the ones with his head on his shoulders,  has calculated the upcoming treatment and three months downtime (chemo and radiation treatment and recovery) will cost about 25K. 
(Clements note on cost:
-3 months living expense at $4,000/ month = $12K.
-Suportive therapies $1500/ week x 8 weeks = $12K)

This is a big amount to me, and if I need specialized care in the future, I may ask for more. If it becomes unreasonable, I will let go. The planet can only afford so much for us in our time, we special but ordinary ones. The big money should go to the great one, and great ones who help us all. 

That said, pony up, y'all. A bag of potatoes or a card, a phone call, $10 or $100, all will be greatly appreciated. 


Love, Scott