Off to learn some more surgical oncology...

As this posts I should be on an airplane winging its way to much warmer climes than where I reside in order to attend the Society of Surgical Oncology 62nd Annual Cancer Symposium. There, in Phoenix, I will eagerly absorb all the latest and greatest knowledge in the realm of cancer surgery, commune with friends whom I often don't see more than once every year or two at this meeting, and, hopefully, drink much good beer.

I'll likely still be blogging, but if I'm learning too much or having too much fun, you may see a couple of reruns again. As for any sort of meetups, I don't know if I'll have time, given that the meeting runs 10-12 hours a day, and my evenings are looking more and more booked, but readers in Phoenix should drop me an e-mail anyway. You never know. Recommendations for good restaurants and bars near the convention center are also always appreciated.

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In my neighborhood? Drop a note and I'll buy the beer.

By D. C. Sessions (not verified) on 04 Mar 2009 #permalink

Oh, and by the way:
"Warmer" means that it's been in the 80F range lately during the day, with one afternoon hitting 90F. Be warned.

As for decent restaurants near the Convention Center, it's all a matter of what you like. I know a really great taco stand, for instance ...

By D. C. Sessions (not verified) on 04 Mar 2009 #permalink

Google maps: restaurants near 111 North Third Street, Phoenix, AZ

Majerle's Sports Grill - typical sports grill

Thai Elephant -- Thai place just a few blocks away on Adams St

Fate -- Pan Asian about half mile north of Convention Center on 4th St

The Arizona Center, an office and retail complex a few blocks from the Convention Center ... many restaurants.

If you want to just grab a sandwich and a salad for lunch, try Paradise Bakery in the Collier Center (at the Collier Center just west of the Convention Center) www.paradisebakery.com

By Tsu Dho Nimh (not verified) on 04 Mar 2009 #permalink

Well, it probably a good thing you wander up to the symposium now, as it appears that Engor has gone batshit crazy again.

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula

If you went a little later, the Dr Doom mask - while probably making a good impression amoungst the attendees - could make it difficult to hear or speak at the presentations.

Hm. Well, I'm within artillery range of where you'll be at, but not really able to get out.
Hope the symposium is a good experience.

Oh, and, for LC -- shouldn't Egnor be the one wearing the paper bag ?

Bah, nobody ever comes to my area.

Safe and enjoyable travels, nonetheless.

By Robster, FCD (not verified) on 05 Mar 2009 #permalink

Hi Orac,

I absolutely hate contacting you this way, but I've just found out that my father has pancreatic cancer, so seeking to find sane information one of the sources I turned to was the ever-reliable (and interesting) scienceblogs.

He has Pancreatic Cancer, and there may be secondaries in his liver. I'm using 'may be' as he has not been able to see the Oncologist yet - he's just had a CAT Scan.

Unfortunately I can't be with my family at this time - as my wife is expecting our first baby soon. We live in Japan, and there's just no way we can leave Japan any time soon.

I've been reading that there's a tendency for hands to be thrown in the air with pancreatic cancer, what with its extremely low 'survivor rate' - but I want to at least try and do something from over here.

I know this is a long shot, but would any of the programmed presentations at the symposium have a bearing on my father's case (fuzzily defined as it is now)? I'd of course love a cure - but that I fear all that's out there is woo-tastic stuff. If you have suggestions for extending survivorship (probably not the right term) they would be appreciated.

Once again, apologies for the mode of contact - but I just don't know what to do.