Hi. Thanks for the -ma and good wishes. I'm back at the office (all alone at the moment) and trying to get back in my groove.

Story is that I fell and had a stroke. No idea if the stroke caused the fall (I thought I'd tripped over my purse) or if the fall triggered the stroke. The pain was a massive headache - probably caused by spiking blood pressure. I'm now on a whole bunch of medications, somewhat slower than before with rather precarious balance, and I get tired easily. I'd bought a cane .... and promptly left it in a cab.

Thanks for everything.

Stage 3 or more (not 100 percent certain yet). Surgery in the next 2-3 weeks to do a "bypass", i.e., an ileostomy. Live with the bag 2-3 months while doing chemo and/or radiation, then surgery to remove the cancerous portion of the colon/rectum, keep the bag while that heals and I get more chemo and/or radiation (few weeks to a month or two, I think), one last surgery to get rid of the ostomy. He said it will probably be about a year altogether from diagnosis to finish. So next March I hopefully get to have a normal life again.

I'm as ok as can be expected. It's about the news I was expecting. I'm not overjoyed, but accepting that this is the path in front of me so ready to get moving, I guess.

First surgery is scheduled for Monday the 9th. Currently trying to work while simultaneously trying not to spin out with all the things I need to take care of before Monday.

Epic posted on FB on Monday almost at midnight - "First surgery is done, it went well. I'm in my hospital room recovering. I'm not in much pain and hope to bounce back quickly. Thanks to everyone who said such kind supportive words on my last post. Much love to you all!😗❤"

I got this text message this evening from her friend "Talked to and she is doing fine. She's got another day or two before she can check out, but she's hanging in there and sends her love to everyone."

I am getting updates to share with you all, so I am late, but there they are.

My mother died this morning. I'm sad, but relieved she is released of her pain.

EpicTangent update - as of yesterday she was still in the hospital. Hoping to get released home today. We’re planning on a phone call tonight.

I spoke with Melanie last night, she was still in the hospital. The plan was to do a scan of an area today, possibly something else and release her. I just got a text and she is GETTING RELEASED TODAY!!

Melanie started her chemo yesterday. No update yet on how it went.

Hey All, 1st round of chemo went okay - except of course they didn't warn me I wouldn't be able to shower for 2 days while I was hooked up to the infusion pump. I definitely would not have showered the night before had I known. The chemo went okay, nausea meds are working, so hours at the infusion center and 2 days on the pump were more a nuisance than anything else, really. Other than getting tired pretty easily and having weird stuff still hanging off me (surgical drain, hopefully getting removed next week; ileostomy, unfortunately going to be with me around a year), this whole situation just seems really unreal.

Dammit, the computer just ate a long ass post. Let me try to recreate...

Hi All, I saw Shir asked about me in Natter (Hi Shir! I love the pics of you & Nilly & Jess on FB!), so I thought I'd give you a quick update. I've now had my second round of chemo, still mostly side effect free. I still have the surgical drain, the doctor doesn't want to take it out while it's still producing as much as it is. It's slowing down, but not enough to get it removed at my next appointment on Thursday, I'm afraid. So it's probably with me at least another week-ish. It's in my left butt cheek, so it's uncomfortable, and changing the dressing is kinda tricky, but I'm managing it. The ileostomy, and the surgical sites from it are doing okay. Thanks to the drain and the chemo pump every other week, the ostomy now seems like a walk in the park. (Still gross, and weird as fuck, but manageable). I still tire out *really* easily, but otherwise I'm doing OK. Assuming no additional complications, I'm returning to work (remote because of the chemo) on Monday, the 20th. Due to multiple complications, I still haven't gotten any payments from State Disability. I'm thankful I have some savings to cover bills in the meanwhile, but I still really want to start getting those checks to build the savings back up.

And this Friday, I'm going to see Hannah Gadsby in LA!!!!!1!!1111!!