I am Amos' sister, Rebecca, in Belfast, Maine. Amos is in the hospital and is in a pretty bad way. Last summer he had surgery for bladder cancer (and finally quit smoking), and we thought he was out of the woods, but the cancer metastasized and moved into his lungs (which is not the same as lung cancer). He was in a clinical trial at UNC hospital Chapel Hill (where he is now), but he didn't respond, apparently. Amos took a serious fall, had a concussion and some fractured bones in his face, and went back to the hospital. That was maybe five days ago, and I talked to him that night. He was irascible and in pain, but sounded recognizable, not too bad. As soon as the next day Daly told me that his ability to form recognizable speech had deteriorated so much that she can't understand what he's saying. I suggested bringing in a pad and paper or even a keyboard, but apparently he does not have control of his hands any more than of his speech. Perhaps he's had a stroke. He's had MRIs and CT scans. Daly has a friend there with a lot of experience in the medical system who will come in with her to the hospital and try to talk with the doctors. I asked Daly if I should come down there but she hasn't suggested it yet. I'm very rarely on mudcat but you can email me at jessupr515@gmail.com. It goes without saying that mudcat has been a very precious resource to Amos for many years, and he has derived great joy from his many deep friends here.