I traded messages earlier with Frank Clifford (aka Flank Clipboard). He’s at Yale getting his insides trimmed a bit. Like me, Frank is a veteran of the Medical Industrial complex.

A few years ago I helped Frank find a drug he needed which wasn’t yet available. He and I are prime examples of better living through chemistry. We are miracles of Medical Science.

My pill list is kept on a spreadsheet. It’s become too complex to deal with by hand.

Take the two new pills added to the list yesterday. One has to be taken on an empty stomach at least a half hour removed from the other and (when possible) two hours from other drugs. Good luck.

Seriously, how is this even possible for humans to follow? My daily pill count is well over 20.

These two new meds are treating an ulcer that could have been brought on by other drugs or my cancer treatment in general. My specific regimen of pills is probably one of-a-kind. Who knows how they all interact?

Back when I lived in Hamden I had my back repaired with a lumbar discectomy. Without surgery I’d be unable to walk today.

Now I’ve been freed from pancreatic cancer through surgery, a half dozen or so ‘procedures,’ 12 chemo sessions, 28 radiation treatments, IV iron and a bellyfull of drugs.

BTW, three more bags of iron coming. The latest blood work says I’m anemic, just not as anemic. It also says my cancer markers remain negative.

It’s crazy. Look at all that’s been done to me. And yet, I’m about to walk upstairs, take a shower, put on a shirt and tie and do the weather in Nebraska.

In the history of humankind the cures Frank and I received are nothing short of miracles.