[jyl]

I learned last night that a good friend has pancreatic cancer. He is 84 and deteriorating very fast. I don't think he will survive into February. In Oregon we have "Death with Dignity". A terminally ill person can get a euthanasia pill, after a 15 day waiting period, to administer to him or herself at a time of his/her choosing. My friend has started the waiting period. I'm not convinced he will live for the 15 day waiting period.

And my wife's cousin has a young child with pediatric leukemia, the first treatment failed and he is getting a bone marrow transplant now. The cousin's father has pneumonia that progressed to sepsis, he is in the hospital with a 50% chance of survival.

Tough start to the New Year.

Be thankful for your life and don't take anything or anyone for granted.