So, still not 100% definite, but my oncologist is pretty sure it's a recurrence of the cancer. They're going to do a biopsy to get to 100% sure, but the odds are in cancer's favor. My doctor is thinking oral chemo rather than infusion, which is good. And possibly a clinical trial that targets a particular gene that my cancer exhibits. I'll know more after the biopsy.

And after really pinning my dr down for info, I came away with the understanding that I'm not likely to ever "beat cancer", I'm going to have disease-free intervals, interspersed with recurrences where we'll beat it back for a while.

I'm still processing.

There will be a memorial for Jacqueline Anne Zahas Smay

on Saturday, May 18th, from Noon to 4pm

at The Lodge on the 3rd Floor of the Regency Ballroom, 1290 Sutter Street (Corner of Sutter and Van Ness) San Francisco.  

>[link]

Food and drink will be served.

In honor of Jacqueline, please come dressed in splendid colors with all your peacock finery, in your own inimitable style.

In remembrance of Jacqueline, you are invited (though certainly not required) to tell a brief story about her.  We are deprived of Jacqueline in our future but her past is a trove of stories, and I don't know them all!  And that is unacceptable. 

So share your tales of her as a child, in high school, at college, traipsing around Norwich, drinking in Greece, bawdy at the RenFaire, online, at work, or however you may have known her.

If you plan on attending, please RSVP me at Hecubot@gmail.com or whatever direct messaging (FB, Text) is our common communication.

I need this for the headcount for the caterer, so please include the number of guest(s) that will be attending, and whether you're deathly allergic to monkfish or actively trying to free your glutens.

Will update more fully later, but for now please send all your job~ma with a side of salary bump and/or relocation assistance towards Chapel Hill, NC. I crushed the interview process and think it’s a great fit all the way around. Hope to hear by Friday.

For those of you traveling in and out of San Francisco this weekend, be apprised that Bay To Breakers is this weekend.

Here's Juliana's note:

"Just as a warning for those hanging out in SF on Sunday: it's Bay to Breakers, which is a wild 12K race that essentially cuts the city in half. Here's the route: [link]

David's old neighborhood gets hit particularly hard."

So if you are trying to get to the airport on Saturday your options for crossing the City will be limited, and you'll need to plan ahead, because there are only a few places where they allow cross traffic that intersects the route. You'll need extra time, and a discussion with your Uber driver or Cabbie.

Here is the link for Jacqueline's Memorial, 5/18/25, starting Noon PST.

It is a Livestream on YouTube:

[link]

It will reside on YouTube when the event is over so anybody can catch up to it as they need, no matter the time zone.

The event starts at Noon and runs until 4pm.

However, the first hour, as people arrive and eat and mingle, will just be a slide show of Jacqueline and the music playing at the event.

Starting at 1pm PST, people will begin sharing stories about Jacqueline and you'll see the feed.

Greetings Buffistas! I made a video for y'all partly for my annual Best of DC campaign request, but mostly to say hey, and show my face, since I am around so little.

The link to the Video Message goes to Canva, and requires no log-in.

In it, I explain why this is the SECOND to the LAST time I will make this request and why it's important.

If you could take a quick 30 seconds to help a sporadic sister out, I would be grateful!

PS: Voting closes on Monday...because I am a procrasti-planner of the highest order!

Ballot

Just got off a video visit with my oncologist. With the results of my last MRI, he wants to be a little more aggressive than previously planned. So I'll be starting infusion chemo again in a couple of weeks. A different variety that will go easier on my kidneys but probably cause me to lose my hair (priorities, I know). Chemo pills and/or the drug trial are both still on the table, but more as maintenance plans once we get it more under control. As much as I hate the idea, I am starting to have more pain, so I'm definitely ready to get things going.

Folks, I need help, to help Todd.

I've been managing her hospital stay after she let me know that she had another stroke a couple of weeks ago. She is getting good care and will, eventually, be moved to a rehab facility to regain her strength.

So far, visits or calls have not been practical. She's pretty sharp, here and there, but she has been dealing with what her psych team tells me is 'hospital induced delirium.' That's all I'll say about that, but want you to know that she's in the right hands.

She was in good spirits this morning, but is often confused and stressed.

What we need is a referral to an attorney who handles durable powers of attorney/medical directives.

In terms of support, right now, I am it. Given my own situation, it's important that we find an alternative for the legal stuff.

Thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to DM me via FB/IG, or email me at my first name @ my full name, including the -.

Thanks!

I just got off a video visit with my oncologist. Good news/bad news. The good news is that I'm discontinuing chemo. The bad news is because it didn't work. I've been miserable and the mass actually grew. Next step is to get me on some new drugs. There's a clinical trial right now for a very rare gene that I happen to have. There's a slight chance of surgery, though right now it would be too extensive to even consider probably. So I'm waiting to hear from the clinical trial people right now. He's hoping we can get me on some new drug in the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping that since I'm off the chemo I can start to feel like myself again and the new drug won't have too many side effects.

So, fingers crossed, say a prayer, light a candle, whatever way you send up good thoughts.

Quick update on Toddson: Her hospital care team says she is doing well. And she let me know that she has moved to a rehab center in Bowie, MD. Ping me if you'd like to know which one.

She sounds bright in her messages, and says that both she, and her doctors, are optimistic about her recovery.

I've had to step back from my advocacy role, but I'm sure she will pop in to reconnect when she is able.