13,025

That's the number of hits to my two blogs, kohnzone.blogspot.com and CancerVivor.blogspot.com since I launched CancerVivor late last year.

Wow.

And to think it happened -- surpassing 13,000 visitors -- on this day, Friday the 13th of June, 2008. Maybe my luck is changing for the better, after all.

CancerVivor was borne to help people avoid the ordeal I went through late in 2007 and early 2008, when I was diagnosed, treated, irradiated, extricated and cleansed of cancer of the esophagus. I hope the blog saves lives by educating people.

Cancer of the esophagus is among the most deadly forms of the disease. It sneaks up on you and by the time you find out it's there it's practically too late.

I was lucky. It was discovered in my lower esophagus before the disease spread to my lymph nodes and the rest of my body. Luckily, I had amazing doctors who recently had taken part in a national study of a new way to treat the cancer. It appears to have worked, thanks to their skills, dedication, hard work and good humor.

Dr. John Pfeiffer in Celebration sent me to the right gastro guy. Dr. Phillip Styne found the tumor and sent me to just the right oncologist. Dr. Lee Zehngebot and radiation oncologist Dr. David Diamond -- both fresh from the study mentioned above -- did a one-two rope-a-dope on the cancer and zapped it from existence and kept it from spreading. Dr. Joseph Boyer then went in and cut the tumor and surrounding tissue out.

There were others, but these are the main players. All to save a life so, hopefully, I could save some more with this blog.

Remember, if you find it difficult to swallow, see a doctor. If you've had heartburn for a long time and it seems to go away without medical help, see a doctor. They're signs of cancer or at least Barrett's Esophagus, a pre-cancer condition. Remember, Tums and Rolaids won't relieve you of cancer, they just ease the symptoms of heartburn.

See a doctor.

I did, and I'm here as a result. Also a result is the reason behind my latest blog, kohnzone.

It was created after my Mom died in early April and I discovered I have three surviving siblings, two sisters and a brother, on my father's side. I went from only child to eldest child overnight.

And in two days, I'll be on their side of the continent ready to meet up.

Catherine and I fly off to Los Angeles on Monday afternoon. We'll be there nearly two weeks and have a lot planned in that time.

But before I leave, tomorrow, just hours away, really, daughter Aimee is getting married. Longtime in discussion but just a week to plan, we're having the ceremony and celebration at our Orlando house. I'll update the blog with photos and, perhaps, video during and after the wedding and reception.

Then Catherine and I will finish packing for the trip.

What a weekend. What a couple of weeks.

But, thankfully, what a life!