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Greetings to you all my sisters in brothers, Not quite two months ago now, my brother Bill noticed a painful lump starting on his left cheek right below the ear. This was pretty painful and continued to grow in size. Not quite a month ago, his tongue began to swell, and he also developed sharp back pains that made it very difficult to stand up or walk for more than the length of his small apartment. He saw the doctors, and at first had been given some very inconclusive results. The day after Labor Day he went in for more tests and was told he had cancer that had spread thru out his body. The doctors had wanted to admit him right then and there to begin an aggressive series of treatments, but being the VA they had made him wait so long in the outpatient department that by the time they had come down to give him the news, he had gotten disgusted and left. Last week Tuesday, I had driven down to Chicago to take him to his doctor's appointment. I couldn't believe how much his condition had deteriorated in the space of a few days (I've been going down a few times a week since he told me about his problems to check up on him and do his shopping). I took him to the VA for his appointment, where the doctor told me of how truly serious his condition was, and had him admitted right away. Friday night, the tumor (which has extended into his throat) began to close off his airway. The doctors had tried to call me, but my wife and I were busy getting new cell phone, and my phone was being backed up and the contents transferred to the new one while they were attempted to call. By the time I had received the message, they had already put him on a Ventilator and transferred him to the ICU. On Tuesday, since he was breathing pretty well without the vent help, we decided to remove the Vent. He actually improved a little and can now communicate. But his cancer is not going to get better, and he has at most only a few weeks left. I tell you all this in part to explain why I have not been around much these past few weeks, but also to ask for your prayers for us at this difficult time. I especially reach out to my pagan brothers and sisters for their prayers. My brother has been a pagan for most of his life, and I wish to honor his path. If any of you are a part of the pagan community in Chicago, or the SyFy or Animee community there, you will probably know of or have met my brother Bill. In solidarity, Rev. Calli