Gunslinger's Update
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:38 am
Hey Rock Brothers and Sisters!
I find myself up at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m., wide awake courtesy of, that's right...the flu. Yippee. Since I miss the lot of you...even Cail, I might add, I have this conceit that the feeling might be mutual and you all might like to get an update on whazzup w/ Guns. So Here's the sweet n' low; the 411; the skinny; the poop; the skirt-lifting...whatever you wanna call it.
1) My Brother: Steve is once again stable, and has regained most of the function on his right side, lost because of tumor growth with his brain cancer.
They gave him a final blast of radiation adn put him on massive quantities of steroids, which reduced the swelling around the tumor and reduced the size of the tumor itself. That is good news. The Bad news is of course that he still has a tumor in his brain. While an additional round of chemo is available, clearly he is a man in trouble. There is just no other way around it.
He is taking things day to day. He had a GF in FL that was supposed to move up here to be with him, but she flaked out for reasons I am still unclear over. He is trying to write a book on his cancer experiences, is going to the gym in advance of more chemo to stay strong, etc.
He, however, has been also quite involved with the Barack Obama campaign. He and I together have done a LOT of work for Obama (God..I have to visit the tank...how have they been getting along withou my moderate and articulate voice of reason?). And this leads to...
2) Check this out: On the Thursday before the WY caucas and MS Primary, I placed on the Barack Obama website this page:
my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/Fightin4Bro
Which serves to honor my brother's efforts to fight on Obama's behalf...even with the Reaper himself putting on his dancin' shoes. Well, anyway T\the local air-america morning guy, lee rayburn, saw my email regarding Steve's cancer and the page I set up ...and mentioned it on the air.
Anyway...a old friend of ours heard about it over the air, and SHE has a sister who knows Barack's personal assistant... long story short..I sent contact info, and at exactly 7:38 p.m. last night Barack Obama made time to call a very sick man who has dedicated as much of his remaining energy as he can to his campaign. That's right, on the eve of two important events, Obama called my bro.
It was a thrill, and a touching moment for me personally, and it was great to hear Barack say to steve that Steve's fight embodies the very best of his own campaign. It is that campassion, wisdom, and connectivity to the common man that makes Barack the choice for ALL of us.
Steve also said that for the 1st time in 2 years he was crying because he was happy.
3) Kim and the kids are all doing well. The kids turn 13 in about 10 days or so. 2 teenagers. God help me.
4) Work has kept me busy, doing lots of travelling around the state on behalf of the Division of Energy Service for the State of WI. Very rewarding work. I truly love my job, love my family, and my life.
As depressing as the Steve thing has been, I have always kept my own head on straight about it and have ALWAYS ALWAYS known that you guys are still thinking about me.
What questions or updates will you share with ME? Come on...I'll take all comers!!!
I find myself up at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m., wide awake courtesy of, that's right...the flu. Yippee. Since I miss the lot of you...even Cail, I might add, I have this conceit that the feeling might be mutual and you all might like to get an update on whazzup w/ Guns. So Here's the sweet n' low; the 411; the skinny; the poop; the skirt-lifting...whatever you wanna call it.
1) My Brother: Steve is once again stable, and has regained most of the function on his right side, lost because of tumor growth with his brain cancer.
They gave him a final blast of radiation adn put him on massive quantities of steroids, which reduced the swelling around the tumor and reduced the size of the tumor itself. That is good news. The Bad news is of course that he still has a tumor in his brain. While an additional round of chemo is available, clearly he is a man in trouble. There is just no other way around it.
He is taking things day to day. He had a GF in FL that was supposed to move up here to be with him, but she flaked out for reasons I am still unclear over. He is trying to write a book on his cancer experiences, is going to the gym in advance of more chemo to stay strong, etc.
He, however, has been also quite involved with the Barack Obama campaign. He and I together have done a LOT of work for Obama (God..I have to visit the tank...how have they been getting along withou my moderate and articulate voice of reason?). And this leads to...
2) Check this out: On the Thursday before the WY caucas and MS Primary, I placed on the Barack Obama website this page:
my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/Fightin4Bro
Which serves to honor my brother's efforts to fight on Obama's behalf...even with the Reaper himself putting on his dancin' shoes. Well, anyway T\the local air-america morning guy, lee rayburn, saw my email regarding Steve's cancer and the page I set up ...and mentioned it on the air.
Anyway...a old friend of ours heard about it over the air, and SHE has a sister who knows Barack's personal assistant... long story short..I sent contact info, and at exactly 7:38 p.m. last night Barack Obama made time to call a very sick man who has dedicated as much of his remaining energy as he can to his campaign. That's right, on the eve of two important events, Obama called my bro.
It was a thrill, and a touching moment for me personally, and it was great to hear Barack say to steve that Steve's fight embodies the very best of his own campaign. It is that campassion, wisdom, and connectivity to the common man that makes Barack the choice for ALL of us.
Steve also said that for the 1st time in 2 years he was crying because he was happy.
3) Kim and the kids are all doing well. The kids turn 13 in about 10 days or so. 2 teenagers. God help me.
4) Work has kept me busy, doing lots of travelling around the state on behalf of the Division of Energy Service for the State of WI. Very rewarding work. I truly love my job, love my family, and my life.
As depressing as the Steve thing has been, I have always kept my own head on straight about it and have ALWAYS ALWAYS known that you guys are still thinking about me.
What questions or updates will you share with ME? Come on...I'll take all comers!!!
Nice to see you out and about buddy. I know I've said it before, but you know you've been in my thoughts and prayers, and everybody in this insane asylum has been asking about you and wishing you well. I hope that things continue to get better for you and your family. Your brother sounds like a very determined individual, if he's still managing to campaign while going through all that he has. I'm glad to hear that, and as always, keep me posted, and take care. 
I love San Francisco! 