Further to my announcement on June 10 (here) that I have bone marrow cancer (called Myelodysplastic Syndrome or MDS), I have an update.

I finished the first round of chemotherapy and after 35 days in the hospital I was released to be with my family for six whole days. The 35 days were as you would expect – I’m sure you know people who have gone through cancer treatment and are aware of the hardships so I won’t get into that. Just know that the point of it was to get my blast counts down below 10% so that I could have the stem cell transplant (I was at 18% – blast counts are the cancer cells). The good news – the treatment got me below 5%. So the transplant will proceed.

On Thursday, August 24^th I go back into the hospital for more chemo and this time they’ll throw radiation in there for good measure. This is to destroy everything in my bone marrow. If just one cancer cell survives, then the cancer will return in a few months. So it all has to be killed. I have a perfect stem cell donor match from the world registry and on August 30^th a car will pull up to the hospital and someone will get out with the donated stem cells. They’ll run it up to my floor and give it to me right away. After that, it’s a three-week wait until the stem cells turn into bone marrow (healthy bone marrow) and then start producing good blood. I’ll be recovering in the hospital until late October. I will be in near-complete isolation in a sealed room. My wife will be able to see me (in a gown, gloves and mask), but not my kids.

In late October I will return home for what will be six to eight months of recovery, most of which is just regaining my strength and easing back into day-to-day life. If the cancer doesn’t return (key months will be January to April) then I’m cured. If it does, then back to the drawing board. I won’t share the survival odds with you that were given to me – but a year from now when I beat this, I will share them with you at that time.

What this means for the site

– The Midseason Guide is officially cancelled. I won’t be up for doing that in early January. Next year!

– However, I should be back to do some regular Ramblings by January.

– There will be rankings posted on September 1^st and 2^nd. After that – no rankings at all until November.

– I have pulled the Draft Kings deal. It is just too much to coordinate right now. Next year!

– The site will run as always. Expect Steve Laidlaw to return in mid-October.

– The Guide will be updated as it always is by my very capable team, so don’t worry about stale data – we’re on it.

– Refunds, in case you accidentally bought two Guides or something, will be handled in late October. So there will be a delay in getting refunds.

What can you do?

Not much, really. I have had several generous offers to start a GoFundMe drive, but my family is doing okay for now. And in fact, when you buy a Fantasy Guide 100% of the proceeds go to me and my family (other than what I pour back into the site). So that’s the same thing as a GoFundMe page, except instead of charity – I give you something (Guide and Draft List) back for your money. But I really appreciate the offers.

I also appreciate all the kind words and sentiments. I read them all and they deeply impact me. Especially the cancer survival stories. Very inspiring at a time when I need the inspiration.

Thank you for your continued support and clicks. I’ll keep fighting – this time I’m heading into the postseason and I plan to take home the Cup. I’ll catch up with you in late October when I’m out.