Most visitors to this site will likely have heard the news already, but I have pancreatic cancer that has spread to my liver. I don't smoke, I don't drink, and there's not really a history of pancreatic or liver cancer in my family—so this was completely unexpected.
View An Unwelcome Guest »Family
The Calm During the Storm
Often throughout my life, I’ve been told that I “radiate calm” or words to that effect, which is typically a good thing. Given the recent circumstances, though, I think there is a concern I may be taking this conceit too far. More than one person has looked at me as if saying, “Shouldn’t you be…
View The Calm During the Storm »Oscar Acceptance
I'd like to thank the Academy…and all the others who have shown their support since I got my diagnosis.
View Oscar Acceptance »Smelt Fishing at Half Moon Bay
When family gathers, I am reminded of so many Ponce-clan get-togethers making up the decades of my youth (1944–1965). One such annual family event was the nighttime smelt fishing at Half Moon Bay.
View Smelt Fishing at Half Moon Bay »The End
On December 20th, Elliot was delusional, falling out of bed, and not himself. Anne correctly admitted him to Casey House, where he was administered pain medication and sedation. She called me, Jacob Davenport, that morning to tell me that he might just have hours left, so I rushed over. Over the next four days, his…
View The End »Visiting Relatives in Italy
Elliot and I toured Italy in the early spring of 1991. As planned, we went down the Amalfi Coast (stunning) and then on to visit his great uncle's family. The hotel we stayed at before we got to his relatives was kind enough to help facilitate a call to those relatives to coordinate. Elliot and…
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