the ed report

They have been hammering Ed with everything they got (or think they got) for brain cancer, and so far it all seems to be working, the chemo, the radiation, the electrode hat connected by coiled phone cord to a battery pack. His tumor, removed back in—early June, maybe?— has not grown back, according to a couple recent MRIs. 

   His family has totally rallied around, the kids treating him and Allison to a birthday weekend at the beginning of October. He and Allison go on a walk most days (often with Labrador Prince, I mean, Sammy). He can't see out of one eye, so someone has to make sure he doesn't bump into things. Ed has lost a bunch of weight. The chemo makes things taste funny, and he mostly only likes to eat Pringles and Mallomars these days. Quite a comedown for the Irish gastronome (if that's not an oxymoron). 

   Whether it's the site of the former tumor or brain fog induced by chemo, I don't know, but his short term memory (along with the ability to read and write) is pretty much shot. He remains the fabulous raconteur we all know, with an amazing long-term memory and all the stories intact. He misses seeing and talking to his friends, but is mostly unable to contact them. You have to call him, and I have found the best way is via calls on Facebook Messenger. He is on intense chemo for a while, which makes him very tired, but as of a week from Friday he has some time off. That would be a good time to call him. I hope to have a gathering of some kind week after next.

   Meanwhile, he sends love to the Ed Barnes Fan Club. And I know you are sending it back.