Yesterday’s MRI was much like those that preceded it…no change, everything looks stable. The main difference was meeting a new neuro-oncologist…Dr. Burton has, from what I hear, gotten married and moved to New York. It feels oddly good that I have now outlasted my first oncologist, for someone who was once told he had six months, it seems like some sort of milestone.

Life has been very good, although a bit stressful. My work has been all-consuming at times…the startup I’ve been working with is trying to do a lot with very few people… but it keeps my brain stimulated figuring out the best way to get from A to B in areas of wireless software development where few people have yet dared to go. The dream of being the “Next Big Thing” or even “A Big Thing” keeps us all going at sometimes ridiculous hours. I also find myself working most weekends lately. It’s a wild ride but at least an interesting one. Hopefully, our collective efforts will pay off.When I’m not working, I’m training for the Los Angeles Marathon, which is in about six weeks. Plenty of time… if I can get out on the roads often enough. Last year, Ellen and I had a great time and raised about $1000…hopefully we can do at least that well this year. I encourage you to visit my pledge page at www.firstgiving.com/danreich06 and give whatever you can, it benefits the National Brain Tumor Foundation. I’ve also been doing benefit shows for Bread & Roses with Anne Zesiger from my band. Our last show was for a group of physical rehab patients, who really liked us. Since all our previous shows had been for psychiatric patients, we were encouraged by the positive reception we received from a more sentient audience. The band continues to soldier on, in search of the fabulous parties and festivals we feel we are destined to play…if we can just figure out who is hosting them and how to get them to hire us.Miles will be graduating from San Rafael High in a few months, and Tyler now has a car to get him to school in Novato. (The Boxster is, as of this writing, still for sale…the result of persistent electrical gremlins – now fixed - and less-than-aggressive marketing, as we continue to have lots of fun with it.) Ellen has had time to work on her photo archive…scanning and printing images from her vast collection of binders full of slides accumulated over the last 35 years or so. I am sorry to report that her stepdad, Gus, passed away in early January, but her mom, Lois, is still going strong at 82. We’re looking forward to doing some traveling with her this summer…details will be unfolding soon.

My health continues to be a blessing. At the beginning of the year, I made a resolution to begin each day with some Chi Gung, uninterrupted by anything besides having to feed the dog. The healing energy I derive from it (and which I try to spread around as much as I can) and the love and support I am lucky to receive from Ellen and all of you makes me feel as though anything is possible. Running a marathon is great, but my real goal is outlasting my current neuro-oncologist. All I need is a few more years…and that looks like a pretty good bet right now.

Peace and love,

Dan