Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 12:52 AM
Subject: T+33, Evening, Thanksgiving message

The last 3 days, since Sunday, have been just great for me.  All the physical 
problems from last week have pretty much gone away, I am sleeping, energy 
levels are up, and all the medical issues and feedback are again positive.

I thought it appropriate to send out a short perspective on my thoughts on 
Thanksgiving.  The most significant thing for me is that I am here at all.  
In June and July, the medical prognosis and info indicated that it was 
unlikely that I would be around, and certainly not very healthy if I was, at 
the end of November.  My view of this holiday was much more likely to 
coincide with the turkey and cranberry sauce than the diners.  As it is, I 
estimate my long term survival numbers are approaching 90% (it was estimated 
at 65% when I entered the hospital), and I look forward to actually enjoying 
the veggie aspects of a Thanksgiving feast, while still showing a lot of 
empathy for the turkey.  Who knows, maybe cranberries are something I can 
actually taste.  

Listing all  the things that I am thankful for are not necessary, and would 
take a lot of all of of our time.  Just be happy for the blessings that you 
have, because, believe me, the downside could always get a lot worse, as I am 
an expert on that.  Enjoy yourselves on Thursday and over the weekend, and 
try to do something that I would enjoy.

My next milestone type personal goal is to see what really happens on New 
Year's Eve, something that I had even less hope of living to see when this 
mess all started.  Maybe I can even throw a small party at the farm.

I have never been much of a joiner or follower of traditions.  About the only 
holiday tradition that I have personally maintained for a while is on Thanksgi
ving day at 12 noon.   If you are in the Denver area, and you temperament, 
age and/or politics are consistent with it, please join me in listening to Ali
ce's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie on KBCO, 97.3 FM.  If you haven't heard it 
for a while, it is a lot of fun.  If you don't know what Alice's Restaurant 
is, give it a try, you might like it.  Send me an email if you listen to it.  
Otherwise, enjoy the day in any case.

Catch you later.

Dave