or at least it feels that way some days.
Mysteries of Magic™ is almost done. I was finally rockin’ and rolling writing faster and adding spells and bit and pieces to the book. The last few weeks had been kinda rough: Sales continue to be slow, I’m behind deadline, worried a bit about Palladium, Dad had to get surgery again for cancer in his bladder, my girlfriend is going through a rough time, I'm worried about a few other friends going through a rough patch, worried about Kathy Simmons’ daughter who has some potentially troubling medical issues (and the poor girl is only 32, same age as my daughter), and dealing with the day to day junk.
I had been trying to push the gloomy stuff out of my head and focus on the positive, fun things like my daughter’s wedding, feeding the office squirrel (and other varmits), writing Mysteries of Magic™ and knowing what a fun book it is. I was exciting about upcoming titles and was itching to work on several. I have also been excited about my dear friend, Kathy Simmons, launching her Queen of Ghouls business and helping her with it. It is very exciting and fun for me to be involved with a start up business, even if it is from a pal, advisor, peripheral kinda way.
I was also glad the doctors didn’t think Dad’s cancer was serious.This morning I was all revved up and raring to go on Mysteries of Magic™. Writing was coming great the last couple of nights and I plan to finish the book in the next day or two, then dive into Robotech Marines and Dimensional Outbreak, go visit my dad recovering from surgery, and maybe take a day off to sleep in and read. I was enjoying the beautiful sunny morning and already getting excited just thinking about the Christmas Surprise Package because it will help so many gamers get the books they’ve been wanting but can’t afford at full price. I was feeling the most positive I’ve felt in days, weeks maybe.
I was done in by one brief telephone call.
It was my Dad’s girlfriend, Arlene. The doctor called. The cancer in my Dad’s bladder is serious. It’s an aggressive form of cancer. Chemo-therapy will be necessary. It’ll start in a few weeks.
I’ve been in a fog ever since.
I love my Dad. We’re close. He’s a great guy. I have tried not to cry. The doctors think they’ve caught it early. The Cancer is localized to the bladder. They are optimistic, and my Dad trusts and likes his doctors. Nothing to cry about. Dad’s healthy for 78 years old, going on 79. He can beat this. Gotta think positive. Gotta be strong for Dad.
God, I hate cancer. I’ve lost so many close friends and family to it: Mom, Grandma, Erick Wujcik, Keith Parkinson, and others. Known plenty of other people who have lost loved ones to cancer too. I hate it. Hate it with all my heart.
It is what it is . . .
I want to thank everyone who has posted online wishing my Dad well. It is appreciated. I know I shouldn’t have been, but I was surprised to see how many people had posted so quickly. More proof that Palladium fans are the greatest – not that I needed any more proof of that simple truth.
Thank you for being there for me and the Palladium crew when things get rough. It helps.Cards. Someone asked if there was an address where people could send my Dad, Henry “Hank” Siembieda cards. You can send ‘em to Palladium if you’d like. I will make sure he gets them.
All in all, Hank is doing pretty well, at least physically. He is recovering from surgery earlier this week and was in good spirits. I’m sure the news was a crushing blow to him. I haven’t talked to Dad directly yet. I've been busy calling and emailing folks. Will probably go see him tomorrow.
Please bear in mind that until this incident, Hank has been in darn good health, especially for an almost 79 year old (his birthday is December 14). So his prognosis is good, especially if he responds to treatment. This ain’t no death knell. It’s just one of those things. I’ll keep you posted.
As for myself, I’m okay. I’ll throw myself into my work (I’m good at that) and I plan on getting Mysteries of Magic™ finished over the weekend, and to the printer. I’ll be there for Dad and continue to produce great new RPGs that he’ll be proud of and that you guys and gals will love. I promise.
This weekend, tell those you love how much they mean to you, enjoy the time you spend with them, and have a fun, safe holiday. Oh yeah . . . game on! Buy Palladium! And keep those imaginations burning bright! Okay?
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer & Game Designer
Palladium Books®, Inc. – 28 years of RPG Publishing
© Copyright September 4, 2009 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, Palladium Books®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Heroes Unlimited™, Beyond the Supernatural, Dead Reign, Warpath, Shemarrian Nation, Fleets of the Three Galaxies, Mysteries of Magic, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.
Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.