Hey Savage Friends and Fam,

We have updates and Lordy, do they shit the bed! We were really hoping to win the lottery with a B-cell lymphoma, but 'twas not to be. Oncologists confirmed last week that Dave has glioblastoma. If you have a medical degree from Google, you're likely booing, hissing, and crafting a strongly worded letter to the manager of cancer. Glioblastoma is a vicious, aggressive beast that can be difficult to treat in the best circumstances. We're not exactly in the best circumstances, with that prior T-cell lymphoma and all, but hey, you rolls your dice and you takes your chances.

We were optimistic that Dave's cancer might have helpful mutations that would make it more susceptible to treatment. That turned out to be a nope. Finally, we took heart in the robust blast of radiation and chemo Dave could expect to receive as part of the standard treatment protocol. Listen, you're a smart cookie and know a bad story arc when you see one, so I'll cut to the chase and say he's getting three weeks of radiation, not the full six. Something something, risk due to prior radiation, something something, fucked.

Are we daunted?! Well, yeah, obviously, but we're not giving the fuck up. Dave starts chemo and radiation next week and he's determined to kick its ass. After that, there will be a month to recover, followed by six months of five-day chemo treatments each month. We're hoping to take a trip during that hiatus, but that will depend entirely on Mr. Savage's "feelings" and "motivation." Could be Marseilles, could be Vegas, could be a ferry ride and an ice cream. Who can say?

So do I have any good news? You betcha and, TAG! You're it! That's right, our good news is you folks. Our village has been so generous and supportive, we've been absolutely gobsmacked. We could not be more grateful. I mean, honestly, it kinda sucks to have to feel gratitude when all you wanna do is tell the universe to fuck alllllll the way off, but there you were, being so awesome that we had to acknowledge our blessings. Thank you for being the only gleaming beacon on Suck Sea. We'll continue to point our bow toward your light, singing bawdy shanties and drinking all the rum.*

Love you and fuck cancer, 
Dave and Alynda

*Except totally not rum, because apparently cancer loves sugar. Who knew? God, cancer is such a jealous ho.