Last week was rough, Andy and I had a nasty stomach virus. It took a huge bite out of the progress I expected to make in my new found time to get stuff done. That's ok, I am trying to hit the ground running this week.

It was a rough week for another reason too. Late Thursday night, I received an e-mail from the mother of a patient that we were close to at Hopkins. In April of 2007, Michael had been diagnosed with ALL after a dentist visit and the gums would not heal. I and a mother of another ALL patient re3ached out to Michael's Mom to help her get organized, get help and cope with this devastating diagnosis. She really appreciated the help. The year was rough for Michael. He was in his early 20's and just getting started on his college degree. He wanted to be a math professor. He was often depressed about what was happening to him. Trish and I would try to pump him up everytime we saw them.

Michael passed away Janury 9th. He is the first of the folks we were really close to at Hopkins to pass away. Remember him in your prayers as well please.