Three months had passed and on Monday it was time to submit my nervous system to high magnetic fields (for the non-physicists, MRIs). Today we went in to learn the results. After telling me that nothing had changed, the doctor wanted to know what was new in astrophysics. A good way to start a new year!

I've been off the Temodar-the mild chemo I was on-for 9 months, and for the past 3 months I've been off the Aranesp, the drug used to boost my blood count. I remain slightly anemic relative to the average person, but way above the average patient who has been irradiated or subjected to chemotherapy.

Speaking of Aranesp: Debbie and I were in New Orleans last week, and saw taxi cabs with advertisements for Aranesp on their roofs. There was a medical conference in town.