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Oct 17, 2002, 5:30pm
I know a lot of you have been sending me (and my Mom) well wishes and many of you have said a prayer for her. So I wanted to pass along an update...
It seems the well wishes and prayers have had a good effect.
My Mom had major surgery today. Prior to this, all the doctors had to go on was a catscan and xrays, and from what they could "see", she had cancer all through her middle section, in the bowels, ovaries, uterus (sp?), pelvis and other areas. It looked bad. The prognosis was bad.
Today, when they opened her up, they discovered that most of the cancerous growth was isolated to a very large tumour around her ovaries. Other parts had some 'cancer', but it was much smaller than they believed. The doctors also believe the chemo had an effect on these secondary cancerous cells.
The massive tumour was removed as were the ovaries and some smaller tumours, but otherwise they left things intact. She did not have to have a colostomy (sp?), which is a massive removal of dignity in my books, and something that she definitely feared. Also, while it is early days yet, the surgeon said to my Dad, after the operation, that "this went far better than we ever expected".
Wow.
My Mom and Dad are separated, and my Dad lives with a new girlfriend, but the two of them still have a bond borne of some 30+ years together. So it was only right that my Dad was the person who got to tell my Mom the good news, the fantastic news. It was a moment I'll forever regret not being able to see.
My Mom was in tears, and while she tried to remain strong outwardly prior to the operation, after it, she told everyone her definite thoughts going into the surgery - she sincerely felt the next time she'd be looking at my Dad, my brothers Mike and James, and me, would be from above.
It was a moment.
Thanks to all of you for your well wishes, strength, and prayers. It helped, all of it.
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Mixelania Photos from Algonquin Park
Photos from my trip to Algonquin Park this fall with my Mom and two brothers. War Stories Making Snow for the Fortress
One of the worst jobs I ever had... till I got out. Webiffied Tools I Use
The tools I use to build websites and lead a tech life.
iPod and iTunes Offline iMark's iTunes and iPod isn't iPlaying anything right iNow. Most Recent Songs Fiddlers Green by The Tragically Hip Around The Bend by Pearl Jam Here With Me (Rollo's Chillin' With the Family Mix) by Dido With arms open wide by Creed truffle pigs by Matthew Good Band
In the News
Burundi and Beyond - NY Times
Great article by Peter Meehan - provided some background.
St. Petersburg Times
Side mention in an article about good machines
AP Story on Espresso
Background and information provided
NY Times - Grinders Article
Especially proud of this one - got the reporter to focus on grinders
Globe and Mail
LOL - showing bad reporting, dude says I'm an American-based site!
The Olympian, WA
Talks about my love for the El Sal Siberia Pacamara
Seattle Times - Clover
Interviewed for comments on the Clover brewer
NY Times - How it Works
Background and information for various espresso machines
Time Mag Article
Just a brief mention, article about roasting beans.
NY Times
Front page article about consumers getting into specialty coffee.
Washington Monthly
Quoted reference to what I wrote in an article at CoffeeGeek.
USA Today - Barista Jam
Intereviewed for my thoughts on what the epitome of espresso is.
WSJ Article
The Wall Street Journal has interviewed me 3 times. This is the first time my name got in a story.
Reuters Interview
Interview with Reuters, Jan 2 - this is the USA Today version.
My Other Stuff
CoffeeGeek
Launched Dec 22, 2001, this is THE online community for espresso and coffee fanatics.
CoffeeKid Website
It's all new, as of March, 2002. My personal coffee obsession site.
WebMotif Services
My company's site - needs an update!
Amazon WishList
Hey, if you feel the need to buy me something, check here!
Daily Visits
enGadget
Great gadget site run by the guy who used to do Gizmodo.
Google News
This is how I get my daily news fix.
DPReview Forums`
The most active forums for digital photography online today.
Daily Zen
Need my Daily Zen fix!
Jalopnik
A blog about car stuff. Vroom Vroom.
MoCo Loco
An industrial design blog. Very cool stuff.
Friends and Family Plan
Beata Blog
Beata's got her own blog! She updates it most days.
Riddla on Flickr
Matt Riddle's flickr account, updated regularly
Irdy Photos
Irdy, my friend from Jakharta, on Flickr
Recent Acquisitions
Canon EF 24-105 f4 L Lens
The best lens I've ever owned. Super sharp and quick.
Canon 5D
A full frame dSLR, with luscious colour reproduction.
Alzo Digital Lights
Some amazing florescent cold lights for product photography
Canon Xsi dSLR
Amazing technology and image quality in a tiny package.
Canon 40D
Latest prosumer camera from Canon - a much better upgrade than the 30D
Fujitsu P1610
Great 2.2lb computer that does most of my travel / writing needs
28mm f1.8 Lens
A great lens for closeup work and full picture photography
Foodsaver Advanced
Finally got the right tools for freezing green coffee.
Canon 50mm 1.4
Most amazing lens I've ever owned. Produces stellar photos.
Canon 10-22mm
Super wide angle (full frame fisheye) zoom for my Canon 20D
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