Dear Complexity Digest readers and friends:

As you have heard from our publisher, Dean LeBaron, I was diagnosed with colon cancer in an advanced stage early July. I was immediately admitted to the hospital for emergency treatment and operation. That is why for the first time since our beginning in 1999 ComDig did not appear for a few weeks in July. After the successful operation, Dean forwarded to me all the thoughtful and compassionate letters from our readers and friends. I was very touched by this expression of sympathy and encouragement and I don't know how to thank each of you individually.

As an active scientist I tend to focus on the rational side of a problem even if it is as personally severe as this one. Medical experts estimate my remaining life expectancy to somewhere between 20 and 30 months (not years). That means my immediate goal now is to fight this cancer with all means that are currently available and that will be developed while I am still alive. My first target date therefore is to survive 2010 and to celebrate 2011 (when my youngest daughter will be 12).

I am starting chemo therapy shortly with standard medication. As you might know, there has been a lot of progress in cancer research recently, resulting in a number of new treatment methods that I am eager to explore from a complex systems perspective. These new medications (such as anti-body therapy) are very expensive and probably beyond my insurance coverage and personal means. Any suggestions for sources of funding or less expensive providers (other than those we receive daily in our spam mail) would be most welcome.

If you are interested in this "case study" please visit my personal blog and share your comments. Of course I also appreciate any personal e-mail .

Many thanks again for your support,

Gottfried Mayer, Ph.D.
Editor, Complexity Digest