Today is March 24, 2010, and I have been informed that someone out there wants to see me with my new haircut. So, here I am.

I was also asked by one of my neighbors if I had ever had my hair cut this short before, or even if I had it cut somewhat short at any time in the past. I gave it some thought and I remember getting a haircut when I got married. Other than at that time, I have always had long hair. But I like this, so I think I'll keep it this way for awhile.

Let me know what you all think.

Tomorrow we are off to UCSF for our second opinion and consultation. Then on Friday I meet with my surgeon for a post-op checkup, last minute questions and basically a run through on all the test results, MRIs, CT Scans, etc.

On April 5th, I begin participation in the clinical trial. It will involve radiation and chemotherapy along with a trail drug called "Avastin". Unfortunately, only about 50% of us in the clinical trial will actually receive "Avastin" while the other 50% will receive a placebo. Obviously none of us will know who is receiving what. There are all sorts of protocols set up for making sure that no one will be short changed or cheated. For instance, our progress will be monitored on a regular basis. If at anytime it appears that those receiving "Avastin" are also receiving significant benefits from the drug, then the entire trial will be stopped and "Avastin" will be administered to everyone. Sounds good, right? But what is a "significant benefit"? I asked the radiation expert how long this trial has been going on and he believed it was started in something like 2008. So, obviously they haven't determined in two years whether anyone has received a "significant benefit" yet. Either the drug hasn't shown signs of being successful or more likely, the methodology used in the trial hasn't allowed for a conclusion as to whether there has been a finding of a "significant benefit" for anyone as of yet. I can only hope that I am one of the 50% that receives the drug since in order for them to be testing it in a clinical trial there must at least be a belief that it has some benefits.

Anyway, the radiation and chemo will last about six weeks; Then the "Avastin" "Placebo" is administered once every two weeks for several months; I am considering also a mix of unconventional medicines designed to boost my immune system and to fight the recurrence of the cancer. Hey, its only my life we're talking about here, so unless it may cause me harm, I'm open to trying about anything.

And, I received all of my test results back from the lab and they were as the doctor said, "excellent". So, other than the tumor that was removed, the fact that it was a glioblastoma, I had seizures and was in a terrible accident, I'm actually in great physical condition. I WILL BEAT THIS and I will be around for quite some time. Lenny