For My Melahomies

It took me quite a long time to come out of my room at The Hotel Melanoma. But when I finally did, I started bumping into some of the kindest, toughest, and most supportive and compassionate people I’ve ever met in my 60-plus years on this planet. It’s a community nobody ever wanted to join, but a warm and caring community nonetheless. And I often wonder how many folks are fighting their personal battles with the Black Beast in total isolation and without the understanding and empathetic support that only other melanoma warriors who’ve walked in the same pair of uncomfortable shoes can provide. So I wish there was some way I could ‘knock’ on every door in this Hotel and coax the isolated occupants out to meet some wonderful new friends.

For all of my melahomies, here’s the Hotel Melanoma rendition of Neil Young’s “Long May You Run”…



We've been through
Same things together
With trunks of memories
Still to come
We found friends anew
In stormy weather
Long may you run

Long may you run
Long may you run
Although these changes
Have come
With your warm hearts shining
Like the sun
Long may you run

Well, it was
Back in my kid year in 1962
When I first got U on hide
But I sent that skin
On a long decline
Long may you run

Long may you run
Long may you run
Although these changes
Have come
With your warm hearts shining
Like the sun
Long may you run

Maybe M.D. Boys
Have got you now
With those days
Gettin’ IV line flow
Rollin' down
That crazy mole fun road
Gettin' to the surg’ on time

Long may you run
Long may you run
Although these changes
Have come
With your warm hearts shining
Like the sun
Long may you run