Purpose
I started this blog on August 16, 2009 primarily to help keep family and friends updated on the ongoing treatment of my glioblastoma multiforme (brain tumor) that was diagnosed on July 24 and surgically removed two days later. I don’t want it to be too morbid or sappy, mostly just informational and educational with occasional twists of humor. I also don’t want the blog to just be about brain cancer, so from time to time I’ll post other stuff about life in general and great memories from my career as a newspaper journalist.
SAME TIME TOMORROW 
i love you sean.
Like Ellen said, I love you too, Sean.
I just found out about the “deal” from my brother today. I am fat, old, grey, crippled and lots of stuff, but like you, love my family and friends. Party Buddy!
Sean,
Eric Adler here, a friend of your cousin’s, just sent me to your blog.
As always, it’s insightful and beautifully written.
I’m grateful there is a way to keep up with your battle. Please let me know if you get back here anytime soon; would love to see you again.
Mike McGraw
Hi Sean,
Just got the news and am sending you lots of love and support. The blog is great, witty and insightful. I’m back at OS in a totally different occupation but it feels like home so I’m grateful. Keep optomistic..you never know what miracles will happen!
Take care,
Wendy Marcos Sarcinella
(formerly from In-House Printing at OS)
Dear Sean,
I don’t know if you will remember me from Kansas City days long ago, but over the years Mike Anton has let me know what you’ve been up to, and how you guys always seem to be having more fun than me. He called me yesterday to tell me about your diagnosis and sent me a link to your blog.
Of course, I wish you never had the occasion to write it and count me among your distant friends who are thinking about you every day. I know that your spirit and modern medicine make for a stunning partnership.
Your blog is genuinely brilliant. While it may not be your top priority right now, what you write is so good and important and human that there ought to be a wide audience for it. I’m not sure I know how to exactly go about making that happen, but we know others who do and I will help that effort – if you are interested.
If not, I’ll just keep reading and appreciating.
Best wishes,
Joe Verrengia
Lard my friend, here’s wishing you the best today.
Dexter the TrailMix Night Watchman
Dexter sent me here, and I’m really enjoying it, especially since I’m a member of your exclusive club. Just diagnosed friday a week agon and had the biopsy yesterday so back to waiting to find out what flavor mine it.
Love your writing. You have a new fan.
obviously it’s affected my spelling. “is” rather than “it.” And mine’s in the lung.
Sean – Fond, fun memories…You hold such a special place in my childhood. We shared the lunar landing & the 68 election in Marge Kelly’s’ 4th grade class…four years of WORDS ARE IMPORTANT…I was your campaign manager in Twyla Oleksy’s 7th grade class @ Tom D Korte as you ran for ‘president’ against the all powerful Jamie Piedemont. (remember the spider monkey) Bill Vardian’s Spanish class @ Van Horn HS your “Bill Bill Vardian Vardian – Bring the kiddies, get a free carburetor” So many years ago, and yet such warm & fuzzy feelings. I hate the cancer and what you’re going thru. I look forward to reading every single word & thought you share here and sincerely cherish my memories of you….Love & Admiration – Becky Hall
Hi Sean,
My name is Juliet and I am a friend of Alicia Parlette, who wrote about her struggles with sarcoma in the SF Chronicle in 2005. I’m not sure if you ever read her work; you ight find it interesting, as a fellow newspaper-er and cancer survivor.
I’m reaching out today because her health has recently taken a turn for the worst and her friends have set up a site to keep track of her health condition (which is not good) and solicit donations to cover her medical expenses. The site is located here: http://www.msparlette.com.
I found your site because of your waiting room post (and have linked to it on the msparlette.com site) because it was a nice take on some of the time her friends and family have spent in waiting rooms for or with Alicia.
I wish you health.
Best,
Juliet
Hi Sean, I found you via Claudine Hellmuth’s FB page. You seem like an amazing guy who I truly admire. I wish the best of luck with upcoming surgery. We humans (not always sure I can include myself in that category) are amazingly resilient and I truly believe that a positive outlook makes all the difference in so many situations throughout our lives (I can certainly testify to that).
I will definitely send you prayers, warm wishes and big cheesy grin!
XOXOX Deb in Belgium PS- I saw something that you wrote about the Tour de France, my husband Rand went last year and is going to the race coming up here in a few weeks. I’ll get some pics over to you if you’d like to see them.
Sean, My daughter Jen, age 28, was diagnosed with a GMB three and a half years ago. It was a 6 cm tumor in her left frontal lobe. So far her MRIs have been stable. Jen was in a clinical trial with Temodar and apparently has the good gene (that does something to the MGMT something or other).
Your sense of humor continues to inspire me. My positve thoughts continue to go out to you.
I just came accross this web site, I am thrilled that I found you. I live in Palm Beach, I’ve had my friend (GMB) for 19 months.. I am a patient at Palm Beach Cancer Institue. I am looking to go to MD Anderson as soon as I can. I have been on Temodar since I have been diagnosed, 7/15/09. I have kept my illness to myself for the most part, but I am ready to share or listen to others. I am going for an MRI on Monday, 2/21/11.
Thank you Sean,,,,,,
Mary
Sean, I love your blog! I am a journalism student at UCF. I would love to talk to you and do a profile on you and your amazing journey, if you are interested please contact me at asikand@knights.ucf.edu. I am going to try and reach you in other ways besides this also, but I hope you see this!
-Ashley Sikand