I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a bit down and a little scattered this morning. The news about my Dad’s cancer coming back more aggressive than ever and his having to get his bladder removed was not what any of us wanted to hear. Dad has looked and felt so good these past several months, I think we all fooled ourselves into thinking he was okay. It’s certainly what we wanted to believe. But that damn cancer is so insidious. I'm just glad his doctor is on top of the situation.
As I said yesterday, my beautiful father is taking the news pretty well. He gets a CAT scan later today. If the cancer has not spread to other organs, the doctor plans to remove his bladder, and hopefully ALL the cancer with it. We are told that with proper care, visits by a nurse, and a little luck, that he should live a relatively good life for another 5-10 years, maybe longer. It’s weird to hear that too. You know, a time table on life, 5-10 years.
I won’t let this bring my spirits down. I need to stay positive and focused for Dad. For Palladium. For all of you. I plan to throw myself into writing and bang out those new books, one after one. Robotech® among them. I promise each new book will be filled with ideas, adventures and wow-factor that will knock your socks off.
Last night, at the end of the telephone call, my Dad asked how the staff and I were doing. He wanted to know we were okay and if things were getting any better for the company. He asked about everyone, by name. He asks me the same questions EVERY TIME we talk or I visit. Then, as he always does, he asked if there was any news about the Rifts® movie. It made me laugh. God, I love my Dad.
My Dad has always loved the cinema. When he was a kid in the 1930s and 1940s, he’d save up his money or do odd jobs and as soon as he had enough to pay for admission, he'd run to the movie theater where he’d spend hours. Dad has been waiting a long time for the Rifts® movie to become reality. I hope it happens and that he lives long enough to see it. That would be awesome.
FYI: I plan on channeling my anger, tears and emotions into raw energy and focus on the defense and preservation of the Rifts® trademark and getting Palladium back on its feet and strong. I plan to do that faster than ever! I want my Dad to see Palladium strong again. I don’t want him to worry about me, the Palladium crew or the company. He needs to put his energy into his battle with cancer and staying positive for himself. I also want to have money available to help him if he needs it. (At the moment, all my money has been getting funneled back in to Palladium and the lawsuit.)
As for the Rifts® movie, all I can do is hope Hollywood makes the darn thing sooner than later. I have little influence on that front, but it would be nice even if my Dad knew it was going to go into production. Heck, a lot can happen in 5-10 years. Right?
I was motivated and focused before this news, I’m more motivated and focused now. So I better shut up and get back to work then, eh?
Please know that while I’ll be there for my Dad as much as he needs me, I’ll be working hard to fuel your imaginations with great new books in the weeks and months to come. I also promise to keep doing everything I can to make Palladium stronger and more successful than it has ever been. I’ll do it for you and for Dad, and for everyone who matters to me. And that's a lot of people.
To my friends and fans who care so much: Thank you for the love and support you’ve shown me and Palladium Books® over the years. Please stay positive, strong and hopeful in regard to our fight on all fronts: Dad, Rifts®, the company, new releases coming soon, a bright future – all of it. You help give me – all of us – the strength and courage to keep going and stay imaginative, even when things get rough. Thank you for that amazing gift.
Meanwhile, remember to love the people who matter most to you. Tell them they matter. Show them you love them. Be strong in these tough times when everyone seems to be struggling on one level or another. Find joy where you can find it. (And it’s there, honest it is.) Embrace those you love. Live bold and vibrant lives. Keep those imaginations burning bright, seek new adventures, and game on with friends, family and brave, joyful hearts!
To quote a hero of the American Revolution: “I have only just begun to fight.” How about you?
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Game Designer and Son
Palladium Books, 29 years of publishing role-playing games
© Copyright June 29, 2010 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, 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, 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.