The newest update, a full update of Oberon's condition has been posted

As we continue the Rolling Thunder Rituals for Oberon's recovery, the focus is on Full Remission Please click the link above for all updates, including Oberon's future prognosis. Please see the "Magick" News and the "Rolling Thunder" forum for a schedule of the planned Rolling Thunder Rituals for healing.

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From: morninggloryhealingupdate@yahoogroups.com [mailto:morninggloryhealingupdate@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 3:05 PM
Subject: OZ's cancer report 9/10

9/10/08 report

To all my dear Friends,

First, I am going to have to presume that you've been reading the reports by Julie and Morning Glory during the time I was in the hospital for colon cancer surgery, so I won't have to go back over that territory. I do want to say, however, THANK YOU! For all the love, magick, prayers, and healing energies that so many of you have been sending my way. It has really made a difference-I have felt not only upbeat, but positively elated throughout this entire experience. Even the sometimes rather severe pain never detracted from my general good spirits. I also want to thank those of you who sent them for all the cards and flowers-my hospital room was filled with them, and now they are arrayed all over the healing altar in our temple room.

On Wednesday, 9/3, I finally got to see the pathology lab report on the enormous section of my insides that had been removed. Imagine, if you will, a triangular quarter-slice of a family-size thick crust pizza, about 12 inches on a side. That's what the piece they took out of me looked like. The outer crust (with a meatball-sized tumor in the middle of it) would be the foot-long section of my descending colon, with the rest of the wedge being the mesenteries, containing the connective tissue, blood vessels, fat modules, and nine lymph nodes. Think of the latter like olives. One of the nine had pimento (cancer) in it. This was very bad news. It meant that the cancer had indeed metastasized outside of the original tumor.though not much, yet.

I didn't want to hit y'all with this at the time, but it really did take the wind outta my sails. I needed a few days to assimilate the news, and the implications. No way around it.if the cancer has gotten into my lymphatic system, I'll be needing chemotherapy for the next couple of years. Of course, the immediate thing that leapt to mind was the thought of losing all my hair and beard. Amusingly enough, this was the thing I found hardest to deal with. Ah, vanities!

And then, Thursday night, I woke up chuckling over the irony: I have been identifying very strongly in recent years with the Headmaster of Hogwarts (I've even been called "the real Albus Dumbledore"), whose long grey hair and beard are iconic. But long before J.K. Rowling invented Hogwarts, there was another "School for Gifted Youngsters," run by another fine Wizard named Charles Xavier. And he was completely bald and beardless due to the chemotherapy for his cancer, which had him confined to a wheelchair. So I started envisioning how I might do some cosmetic modifications on Morning Glory's mother's wheelchair, with a big "X" covering the wheels.

And this is how I managed to pass my time in the hospital, in between reading chapters of Diane Duane's "Young Wizards" series (I'm up to the 5th book, "A Wizard's Dilemma"-great stuff!).

I was released from the hospital Saturday afternoon, 9/6. They unplugged all the needles and tubes, and Morning Glory and Arek picked me up and took me home. It was great to be in my own home, and I just flopped into my favorite comfy chair as we watched "on demand" the first four premier episodes of the really cool new BBC America series: "Primeval."

That night I slept in our own bed better than I had in nearly two weeks. Each day I have been feeling better and better, and able to sit up a bit longer at my console, catching up on email-sending brief notes to many of you who'd written me personally.

And finally, yesterday afternoon (9/9), MG took me into her oncologist, Dr. Marek Bozdech, for a full exam and evaluation. Dr. Bozdech is one of the top doctors in cancer therapy (especially multiple myeloma, which is what MG has). He's fabulous-and also a sci-fi buff, like us. He confirmed that I have Class III cancer, for which the "adjuvant therapy" is chemotherapy-specifically, avastin, oxoplatin, and cystoplatin. He said that these platinum-based treatments affect cancer cells at the DNA level by retarding mitosis and preventing their reproduction. But another good thing about them is that they won't cause me to lose my hair!

After a month to recover from the surgery, I'll be getting 48-hour treatments every two weeks for a year. Then it'll be every 3 months for three years, eventually tapering off after five years to every 6 months.continuing indefinitely. In a few weeks they'll do a PET scan (positron emission tomography) to try and determine the extend of the spread. Then they'll install a special IV catheter port just above my collarbone into which they'll be able to inject the chemos directly.

Once the cancer spreads outside the colon, present medical knowledge offers no hope for a cure. There is, however, possibility of remission, and that's what I'm holding out for.

I cancelled all my speaking engagements for September, but I should be fine to go back on the road in October, depending of course on my reactions to the chemo. Some people sail through it and others have a really rough time. I'm betting on being a smooth sailor, but I will cross that ocean when I get there.

And that's pretty much all the news from RavenHaven.

Brightest Blessings,

Oberon
www.OberonZell.com
Grey School of Wizardry

Vivere bene est vindicata optima

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From: Julie Epona
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:03 PM
Subject: OZ Healing Update Sep 4

Dear Friends,

It's been a while since I've posted an update, but there hasn't been much change.

OZ finally had a BM - great news actually. He is managing the pain level with the morphine drip. Our dear Wiz has about an 8" stapled wound down the center of his gut, and his tummy is all shaved (which looks very strange on him). There is no sign of infection, everything seems to be healing well.

OZ & MG are reviewing the pathology report with the doctors today - they will have further updates for everyone in the next few days.

OZ reports that he is having very peaceful, healing dreams. Again, he wants me to THANK everyone for your support.

Never Thirst,
Julie Epona

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From: Julie Epona
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 8:28 PM
Subject: OZ Healing Update Mon 9/1

Dear Friends and Family:

This is Morning Glory giving you all a quickie update on Oberon?s progress. His surgery was on Friday and it went well; they removed a large section of his descending colon and adjacent mesentery, his doctor is confident that he took out all the cancer and any pre cancerous lymph nodes. He said that he did not see any swollen or discolored nodes. The tissue was all sent to Pathology and we should have the results later this week since the Lab is shut down for the holiday. We will know that the surgeon successfully removed all the cancer when we receive that report. Until then folks the coin is, magickally speaking, still in the air. We can still do some probability enhancement. We will let everyone know as soon as we find out.

In the meantime, Oberon is slowly and painfully recovering from this very harsh procedure. Some other good news is that he did not have to have a colostomy for which we are all grateful. But even so at this point he is in some serious agony; both meditation as well as medication can barely take the edge off his suffering. He is really not in any condition to have visitors or even phone calls. I do try to see him every day and rub his back and read to him but even my visits are short because that?s all he can handle. It will take time for the wounded tissues to knit and the healing process to go forward. He is barely drinking a little water now and he said to me last nite: ?At least I will lose some weight out of all this misery.? At least he hasn?t lost his sense of humor altogether.

So what I want to ask is for people to continue working toward Oberon?s healing by shifting the probabilities toward 100% of all cancer removed; let all the demon be sitting in that bottle on the shelf in the Path Lab. But also changing from waning and banishing spells to soothing and nurturing spells directed at Oz?s wounded belly, also strength to bear the pain. Though he can?t really see or talk to anyone just yet I?m sending you his hospital address and room number so you can send him cards. I know that when I was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago and spent a week in the hospital my spirits were magnificently uplifted by all the wonderful cards and letters that people sent me. I will be forever grateful for that outpouring of Blessings. I firmly believe that I am alive because of it.

By the way here is a quick update on me as well. My IG protein levels are around 30 points the last time I was tested and that means that I am much better. Originally they were over 1000 which was very bad. I am still not in remission but I am close and the process of going for full remission is pretty invasive so it is a trade off between pushing the cancer back while maintaining a reasonable quality of life. My Thalidomide chemo is working and when it stops there are several other drugs to try as well as other therapies. I am regaining my mobility but I still have a lot of pain; I had to go off most of my pain meds because they were making me lose my memory and my ability to focus. I am confident that I will live to see my 2 year old granddaughter grow up and somewhere along that journey they will find a cure for my cancer.

Fortunately, Oberon?s cancer is curable. We will know whether he will need any radiation or chemotherapy when we get his pathology reports back. Until then beloved friends, please keep up the good working and send him some nifty cards to take his mind off the misery to:

• Oberon Zell c/o: Petaluma Valley Hospital
• 400 N. McDowell blvd.
• Petaluma, CA 94954

Many Bright Blessings to you all,
Morning Glory Zell

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From: Julie Epona
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 2:16 PM Subject: OZ's Healing Update Mon Sep 1

Dear Friends,

I spoke with OZ this afternoon. He was having his first post-op meal - although I use that term liberally - his first food since Thursday: grape juice, beef broth & strawberry jello.

OZ says he is actually surprised that he doesn't feel hungry, he wants this feeling to last a while! He is having more & more pain, but the nurses are making him comfortable (and the little button on the morphine drip).

Everything continues to be progressing smoothly.

Never Thirst,
Julie Epona

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From: Julie Epona
Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 12:10 PM
Subject: OZ's Healing Update Sun 08/31 Noon

Dear Friends,

Just got off the phone with OZ - all of the happy drugs of the anesthesia have worn off. OZ is really beginning to feel the pain and is very uncomfortable. He's asked that your prayers and spells include a lessening of the pain.

MG has arranged a lovely altar at the foot of his bed, which he is using as a focal point during his meditation: Brigit, red roses, a spring bouquet sent by GSW, and a Wizard doll.

The incisions were larger than OZ had thought, and there was a lot of internal cutting involved. OZ's recovery is going very well and on "schedule" - he is still only ingesting ice-chips. He will be on a very limited diet for several weeks.

OZ is still in very good spirits. He wants everyone to know that he couldn't be doing this without your support. He sends a huge Thank You to all of you.

Never Thirst,
Julie Epona

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From: Julie Epona
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 9:45 PM
Subject: OZ Healing update 8/30 9:40pm PDT

Dear Friends,

As of tonight, all is well and unchanged since the surgery was completed. He is beginning to feel uncomfortable, so he is availing himself of the morphine drip. All-in-All OZ is still feeling very positive & upbeat.

He is up and walking around. The surgeon was able to repair the hernia, which made OZ very happy.

I really want to convey, on his behalf, how much he feels everyone's Love, Support & Magick.

I am posting updates on OZ's web site www.oberonzell.com

Never Thirst,
Julie Epona

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From: Julie Epona
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 3:23 PM
Subject: OZ's Healing Update - Sat 08/30

OZ is doing really well. The surgery yesterday went very well.

The surgeon was able to go in with the laproscropic tool between the abdominal muscles, instead of through the muscle tissue, which will facilitate healing and greatly lessen OZ's pain. They removed the growth and surrounding tissue, about 1-ft of intestine, which has all been sent to the lab for pathology testing (results Mon or Tues).

OZ does NOT have a colostomy bag, the catheters are now out and he is up and walking about. He's still experiencing yesterday's drugs, but when I talked with him this afternoon, he said he was pretty sure he would start using the morphine drip soon for the pain around the incision. He is pleasantly surprised with how little pain he is feeling.

OZ wants me to let all of you know that he FEELS the Energy flowing towards him. As he went into surgery, he felt a psychic-euphoria envelope him. The Healing, Support & Love you have sent is making a huge difference for him - he is deeply grateful.

Never Thirst,
Julie Epona

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From: Julie Epona
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 6:58 PM
Subject: OZ surgery update 08/29/08 6:45p PDT

OZ is now out of surgery. The procedure took a bit longer due to OZ's previous hernia repair, and his tummy, however it was clean and without complication (no colostomy bag required).

The surgeon reported that everything looked good, but we will not know for certain regarding any possible spread until the pathology report is completed early next week.

I will be seeing him later this evening and will send out another update either later today or tomorrow.

Never Thirst,
Julie Epona
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From: Julie Epona
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 3:23 PM
Subject: OZ's Healing Update - Sat 08/30

OZ is doing really well. The surgery yesterday went very well.

The surgeon was able to go in with the laproscropic tool between the abdominal muscles, instead of through the muscle tissue, which will facilitate healing and greatly lessen OZ's pain. They removed the growth and surrounding tissue, about 1-ft of intestine, which has all been sent to the lab for pathology testing (results Mon or Tues).

OZ does NOT have a colostomy bag, the catheters are now out and he is up and walking about. He's still experiencing yesterday's drugs, but when I talked with him this afternoon, he said he was pretty sure he would start using the morphine drip soon for the pain around the incision. He is pleasantly surprised with how little pain he is feeling.

OZ wants me to let all of you know that he FEELS the Energy flowing towards him. As he went into surgery, he felt a psychic-euphoria envelope him. The Healing, Support & Love you have sent is making a huge difference for him - he is deeply grateful.

Never Thirst,
Julie Epona