Ups and Downs

When I started this blog, I figured I would make it about my life as an itinerant writer, and what that's like.  Sometimes I post about my book releases, etc., but I never wanted this to be an exercise in marketing.  I wanted it to be more personal.  Currently, that begs the question, how personal do I really want it to be?  I think that on social media, generally, people tend to post all of the things that make their lives look like a travel brochure.  It makes it look like everyone else's life is more glamorous and exciting than your own.  I didn't want to do that, either.  I do travel a lot, and visit a lot of interesting places.  The truth is, though, everyone has their struggles.  As for my own, well, this post is an update on my prostate cancer diagnosis, which I've decided to share.  I don't know if anyone even finds their way to this blog, I never check the stats, but just in case, here's the latest.  I've opted for a treatment called High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).  Based on my stage, the studies I've read suggest it has about a 70 percent chance of success.  Tomorrow is the big day.  That means, four hours under anesthesia while they perform the procedure and then I'll be sent home the same day.  I look forward to getting it over with.  The first real test will come in three months, when I get the first indication of whether or not it was successful.  Until then, finger's crossed...