[orthodoc]

You guys are the best. I can't begin to say ... it all comes out sounding stupid and trite. But you are seriously keeping me on an even keel here.

'The only thing I can promise you is that we here in the Cellar will stick by you no matter what,' - xoxoxobruce.

I hereby withdraw my comments about never having met any ... let's say decent ... men (all right, I admit the 'nice, normal' thing was a howler). The Cellar is full of them! And wonderful women. Generally great human beings.

I'm looking into alternatives to WVU for surgery. UPMC is a possibility, and there's an independent surgical group with a plastics guy right here in town that apparently work much faster than the lumbering bureaucratic teaching system. My oncologist emailed back tonight that the surgeons will try to facilitate something faster once I've seen the plastic surgeon Monday - only my appointment is Thursday, maybe it's just a typo. It's all very vague, though. Think I'll try to get at least one other opinion in the meantime and then I hope someone will offer something sooner than October.

Guess I have to take a careful look at the ADA as well. I hadn't thought of it in terms of acute-onset illnesses but will check it out.
And yeh, I thought about the 'blown mind' thing with my un-friend and sent out a little contact, some gentle explanation that there are no big expectations or demands in the offing but would appreciate hearing from him. Nothing all day. I can give it forever, what the hell. I think the result will be the same, but at least I gave it a try.

So ... thanking all of you again and holding onto your support and warmth. I will get through this and YOU guys will be the reason why.