Not great news about Norman. The biopsy results show that he has stage 3 cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes. The more immediate problems are that he has developed pneumonia for which he is on antibiotics, needed a blood transfusion, is on oxygen, and has fluid build-up in his body.

Rather than his coming home this week, looks like he is in for a siege. He will see an oncologist about treatment options as soon as possible.

Margaret called at 6:15 to say Norman's surgeon said the surgery went just fine and the outcome is extremely positive. The surgery took about two hours, the cancer was contained and removed, and Norman will be back to norman in four to six weeks.

I went to the hospital this afternoon to find a big party going on. Margaret and Norm were surrounded by their kids and their grandkids, and everyone was talking, visiting, reminiscing, just waiting for the four o'clock hour. Norman actually sang about just how he longed for water, and I taped the performance. With some luck, I should be able to post the tape here.

Any way, so far so good. We think Norman dodged a bullet today.