The following is a list of irrevocable and unequivocal truths:

- In my mind, there is no World Series this year.  In fact, I’m not even sure Boston is in the union anymore.  Pretty sure we gave that to Canada in exchange for the Steve Nash and that curly-haired guy from Knocked Up. 

- I do not have cancer.  I guess I can’t really call that irrevocable, though.  I have just as much of a chance as you do of getting it.  Two hospitals told me I actually did have it.  Some pretty smart people, too.  Then, if only by the grace of those who have shadowed me through this entire process, I don’t have it.  Maybe some day that will change.  But for now, cancer free is that way to be.

- I have an amazing relationship with my brother and sister.  My brother, as he has been since we buried GI Joe’s in our back yard, is one of my many heros.  No matter where he is or what he is doing, that will never change.  My sister is without any doubt the strongest person I know.  You sort of have to be when you have two kids under 3 running around.  But it’s even more than that.  She’ll always be one of my greatest friends.

- Soft pretzels are too often overlooked as a quick snack.

- I inject myself once a day with a drug called Kineret.  Basically, NIH has determined that there is a gene in my body (one that you have as well) that determines in one way or another how I react to bacterial infections.  You could have one right now and not even know it.  I could have the same one and my body would go crazy.  High fevers, high white blood cell count, etc.  The typical reaction we have all become accustomed too.  In a sense it is good because it kills disease.  But it also has an ill effect on the rest of my body.  The organs and functions that continue on as normal bear the brunt of the trouble during one of my flair ups.  Hence the liver function, large liver, large lymph nodes, etc.  This drug will essentially tell this gene to calm down.  Without it, things might get a little messy as time goes on, and frankly, I’d rather not have it get messy.  I’ve got some things to look forward to.  Like my fantasy basketball draft at 7:45 tonight.  It will be hit or miss for a while to see how much of the drug I have to take, but they (NIH) believe that this might be the ticket.

- I still have shitty days.  I find myself always being tired.  Physically I'm just not there yet.  This weekend was rough.  There are days when all I feel like is an old man (which is convenient since Kineret was developed to treat forms of arthritis.  Sweet).  The fever keeps trying to push it’s way back.  It hasn’t gotten higher than 102 or so since I went on the drug.  So thats a good thing.  I’m just ready for this all to be over.  I’m ready to stop talking about it.  I’m ready to move on.

- I hate Boston.  And for reasons that may seem trivial.  Take away the Red Sox, and Boston is actually a pretty cool town.  I’ve got a cousin up there.  They’ve got a pretty good football team.  Jeff and Susie live near there.  Hell, LARRY BIRD.  But the Red Sox ruined it for everybody.  Oh and one more thing, to all you Red Sox fans out there (some of whom I count as dear friends, but not without a quick delousing after I see them, just in case the disease is airborne), stop referring to your team simply as “The Sox” as though the White Sox don’t even exist.  Seriously, it’s getting old.

- Is it just me, or have Hershey’s Kissables taken over for M&M’s?  I’m just sayin’...

- I hate when my wife isn’t home.  I find myself just sitting around and...ah ha, making lists.

- I might just change my blog to a series of lists.  That way I don’t have to worry about it making any sense whatsoever.

One more, real quick...

- I love you Katherine.

Love,

B

Oh, and one more quick thing.  Ladies and Gentlemen, my godson Kai.