This will be a short column, and it may be the last for some time. On Monday, August 5th, I learned that I have a brain tumor. It seems to be malignant, and the operation to confirm this (and, if possible, remove it) is scheduled for August 14th.

I could leave it at that, but I know from feedback from readers of this column that you will want to know details. So, let me tell you what I know. The tumor is located on the left side, and is either pressing on or invading my speech center. I became aware of this in early June, when my patterns of speech became less precise. Curiously, I can control this somewhat by speaking at higher volumes. At the same time, I realized that my typing was becoming increasingly erratic, with my thoughts saying one thing and my fingers typing another. CAT scans revealed both the tumor and a region of dead tissue next to it. This poses an interesting question (well, interesting to me, at any rate): might an operation restore me to my original condition, or is the damage permanent?

I should know in another few weeks.

A few more brief comments before I close. My thought processes themselves seem unimpaired. I have determined by experiment that my ability to do arithmetic is as good (or bad) as ever. I have suffered no headaches, and my general health is as good now as it was before. I have been dictating these notes, because speaking seems to be more accurate than writing.

Give me a few weeks, and I hope that I will be able to give you more details on what has been happening to me, and then return to science subjects of more general interest.