Mama sent some e-mail this morning and told me that Mark (Short, my cousin) just had surgery; that they had drilled holes in his pelvis hoping to help his circulation. They're putting him on a walker, which he'll most likely have to walk with for the rest of his life. My God. Mark is just six months older than I am.

Mama said that his circulation has been damaged by steroids. Mark has severe asthma (10% lung capacity) and has abused his inhaler for years. They think that's what has caused his new batch of problems.

My heart really goes out to Mark. Whatever problems we may have had in the past, and however much I may have hated him at certain points in my life, no one deserves what's happening to him now.