Hope and smart Doctors

          The clock says 8:39pm but as far as I'm concerned it might as well be 4am tomorrow.  I flew to California last night and despite a great nights sleep in my hotel last night I have already climbed in to bed.  I'm hoping that the time change doesn't mess up sleep tonight, as I'd like to be awake and alert tomorrow.  I'm in California to attend and speak at the Lymphoma Research Foundation's National Educational Forum in Manhattan Beach.  I am very much looking forward to learning about new treatment options and hearing what is coming in the near future for Lymphoma patients.  I am also looking forward to sharing my own cancer story with the attendees.  With a little luck my story will be helpful to at least one member of the audience tomorrow.  One person who is scared or hopeless or unsure of how they will ever make it through.  If I can offer that person a minute or two of relief, than I will have spoken well.  It is unfair that any of us have to endure these diseases or watch our loved ones get sick but we are not alone in any of this.  In fact, we are surrounded by love, strength, bravery, and hope.  And these things along with smart doctors will bring us through.