On his website (www.backstagecafe.com), Ian announced that he has been battling serious cancer. Actually, I think Stewart announced it with a post on the messgae board through Giovanni, and then Ian posted himself. The cancer, including a brain tumor, sounds quite serious. But Ian is his usual optomistic self and very upbeat, considering. Ian has been absent from his message board for quite some time. He used to post on a regular basis, but was MIA for a few months. Now we know why. He had some health problems in September or October, but I don't know if they were related to the cancer. But he's back on the message board now, so I'm sure he'd appreciate some warm wishes. Here are the few posts that deal with the cancer issue. Ian and Stew aren't giving too much info (and I don't blame them, it's a private thing and must have been very terrifying). His treatments sound very extensive. FROM IAN: Thanks a million, Steve! Actually, my doctors seem to think I've got a darn good chance of kicking this punk cancers' ass completely. So far, bless the Lord, I've responded well to the treatments they've been giving me (Chemothereapy, surgery and gamma radiation) have all done their job exceptionally well, so let's keep our fingers crossed. The surgery last week removed the most threatening of all the found tumors, the one in my brain. And, would you believe this? I'm sure you'll be reading about it in medical journals, but upon examination during the operation they came to realize that I had a perfectly good tumor, but a worthless brain, so they kept the tumor and threw out the brain. In any case, it seems to have been the right decision, since I've never felt better since this thing began. Cheers and regards, Ian FROM STEWART: "Both Ian and I have been unable to get on to "Ask Uncle Ian" for months now. You're probably wondering what's up with Ian so here is a quick update. He has been through the wars and is still smiling. In a few short months he has been through chemotherapy, Gamma knife and brain surgery. Next week he starts with the radiation. Melanoma is one of the most fierce forms of cancer but Ian has been winning pretty much every battle. He has a kind of a strange hairdo and a five inch zipper on the side of his head but still has the nurses fawning over him. Ian has always amazed me that way. We are all optimistic. If there was ever anyone with the right karma and track record of dodging bullets, it would be my brother Ian." Stewart Copeland FROM IAN: Hey Kids! It's true. I'm so sorry I've been so derelict on this board lately, these last few months I've been to Hell and back (not for the first time, mind you). But I emphasize the fact that THE KID IS BACK! In more ways than one, beginning with the fact that I've solved my computer problems at last. The answer...buy a new computer, you cheapskate asshole! One that is not so old as to require coal for power. Well, as it happens, I didn't have to, since a dear friend donated one to me, (Thanks again, Deborah Lin) and to make matters even better, I've signed up with Adelphia high-speed service and it seems to make a world of difference! Now I can actually download things and go to other sites without waiting half an hour or more for anything to happen. So STAND BY for more info and an update on all that's been going on. Here are some teasers: Sting & Trudie came to see in me in the hospital and caused quite a stir with the nursing staff. - I went for a lovely lunch with them at their house in Malibu when I got out. Courteney Cox also came to see me, and I can't wait to tell you about it. She is an absolute Goddess and a wonderfuly sincere person. Get this!!! She told me that in all these years she has never had a proper opportunity to thank me for getting her career started, (and that my pride would perhaps have prevented me from accepting cash)and she told me that from now on I was not to worry or even think about any medical bills. "Don't even open the mail," she said, "just send everything on to my office and we'll take care of it." I warned her that even after insurance the incoming bills already accrued had exceeded $100,000, and that this was likely to be the tip of the iceberg, this seemed to please her even more. God bless her soul! If anyone would like to send her a thank you note on my behalf, please send it to: Courteney Cox c/o Shephard & Associates 9200 Sunset Blvd. penthouse 22 Los Angeles, CA 90069 USA I got lots more stuff to talk about, so give me some time to catch up on all I've missed. --------------------------------- Yahoo! Mail Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.