Was This In The Brochure?

 "If I remember my training correctly, one of the lessons was titled 'Don't dig up the big box of plutonium, Mark.'" Mark Watney (Matt Damon), The Martian (2015).

I went to a pre-op conference with one of the surgeons who will be part of implanting the radioactive plaque on my left eye... Oh, did I miss a step?

About two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma in my left eye. Apparently, only about 2000 people in the US hear those words every year. Believe me, I don't feel all that special.

This is a serious illness, but fortunately it was early and the PET scan (have you ever fallen asleep in a tube, woken up with a mask on your face and then had a panic attack?) was clear, so far. So, I have that going for me, which is nice...

I've enjoyed embarrassing good health over the years, to the point that the medical history I've had to share with about a dozen people usually includes a pause, they set down their pen and say "Nothing?" Our joke has been that when I get something, it will be a doozie. When I related this to one of the nurses, she said "You won't tell that joke again."

She doesn't really know us.

The prognosis is good, at least in the near term. I have surgery on October 7th and - amazingly - I will be too radioactive for Pat or the dogs to come near me for more than one or two momentary PDAs a day. There is a slight possibility the radioactive pellets might escape, in which case we - pick them up with tweezers, put them in a jar of water and set it someplace remote. One of the lessons...

After that, maybe double vision for a while, with no real way to know how much more sight I get back.

It's a long story and at some point I'll be available for margaritas, Mexican food and a story to tell. Until then, I can feel the strength and good wishes you are conveying. We'll make sure to keep everyone in the loop.

Until then - keep a happy thought.