AUSTIN, Texas, June 8, 2006— I'm not sure what it is, but I need to get on with it. Check things off my 'to do' list. Handle things, be engaged, go on living.

One of my best friends in the whole world awaits a stem cell (or bone marrow I'm not sure which) transplant in Houston. These procedures cannot be done in Austin. You have to go to Houston, San Antonio or Dallas, I think. Anyway, she awaits approval of the insurance company so that she can submit her body to having her bone marrow wiped out and replaced. My friend has Multiple Myeloma. I found out a lot about this disease

in 2002 when my mother was diagnosed (and died three months later). I know too much about it, in fact. My friend visited with my mom. Sat and held her hand.

But I'm alive, healthy, pain-free. I need to do the things on my list. One of which is to go have a checkup. I need to carry on like I'm going to live forever and like the organizations and entities and people around me will do so as well. Because that's what we do. Isn't it?

I've been exercsing every day. And drinking a lot of coffee and a little alcohol. (A half a beer last night.) I've been trying to eat right (vegies, good yogurt, fish but too much cheese). I feel great. But I know that nice as that is it doesn't keep you from being struck down. My friend in Houston in an apartment waiting for a devastating attempt at a remission from MM always took care of herself. Had the right checkups and tests, kept her weight down, exercised, ate good food. Now I know why she looked pale for the last year or so.

While life is dealing you a good hand, though, you keep on. You try to manage your finances, do chores, learn stuff, enjoy yourself and support your groups and causes.

I'm posting this on my regular site, by the way, because it just feels wrong not to have control of the material and to give it over to someone else on the blog. It's so easy over there, however, that I suspect it will keep on going there.