Damn, Bill. Sorry to hear your health news. Hope it's soon resolved for good.

As much as it stinks to get the news, you're probably going to come through it alright. I'd certainly rather know the full extent of any health concerns (and have them treated early) rather than finding out too late and deal with the consequences.

You and yours will be in my prayers.

Best wishes

Bill,

The healing power of prayer and the thoughtful concern of your readers is being radiated all about you.

Sincerely,

Oratier

Mr. Bill,
Medical Science has advanced dramatically over the last 11-years. It's got the best odds ever that your operation shall be a 'total success'.
We reader's and fans of your daily work, are focusing our thought's and prayer's for you to continue to have your:
"Will-to-win-at-all-costs", and just get it done.
Just relax Bill, all's going to be O.K. Why? Because you are a winner.
Max

i second todd's remark. early diagnosis is the best indicator of a good prognosis. i have confidence you'll come through the procedure stronger for it. with a scar maybe, but scars add character.

Bill,

Please forget about the markets and your blog for a short time and focus on positive thinking and rest. In fact I wish I could demand of you to try and relax and think positive, it is very important. I am sure we all who have come to think of you as a friend, a teacher, or as my father uses to say, "a dutch uncle". All our positive thoughts and wishes are with you.

Frank C

Bill,

Hope we are not excessively intruding on your privacy, but the following quote is taken directly from the National Institute of Health (NIH) (Washington DC) website. John Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) website is another great location to conduct research research.

"Skin cancer has a better prognosis, or likely outcome, than most other types of cancer. Although skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in this country, it accounts for less than 1 percent of all cancer deaths."

http://science.education.nih.gov/

http://www.jhu.edu/

Bill, may you have a long, "Golden" future!

The problem with melanoma is the uncertain volatility. In contrast to commodities, the volatility (prognosis)of melanoma is difficult to measure and may be unknown. There are no good option markets to hedge the risk. The best course of action might be to have the excision(s) and then forget about it...if that is possible.

I concur, positive thinking is the key...

When my father recently found out he had a cancer I could see he was beginning to fall apart psychologically and physically.

One night in the hospital as he was connected to various tubes I had a heart to heart talk to him - probably the first in a long long time.

I told him he had to think positive - think about all the good things in life - I told him that he could overcome this - and I told him "lets just get out of here - and go home".

And you know what -he did leave the hospital shortly thereafter and is back home being treated. He is also almost back to his normal life.

So... best of luck Bill I know you will come through ok.. and keep thinking positive.

tradesman

Bill

Best of luck, and thanks for all that you do.

Good luck Bill,

I might be bearish about equities for now, but I am bullish about your health. Get well soon !

Anil Passi

Best wishes and good luck...
EJ

You're an awfully important guy to an awful lot of people, Bill. A shower of good vibes are coming your way from all around the world. Keep that great sense of humor intact and kick back for a while.

Bill -

For a "take charge" guy like you, I'd think the worst about this melanoma dilemma is feeling passive and subject to events beyond your control.

I'd again commend to you Ray Kurzweil's book Fantastic Voyage. Chapter 17, on cancer, gives easy-to-follow advice on diet and supplementation.

There's another great book for laymen: Eat to Beat Cancer, by Stanford PhD toxicologist J. Robert Hatherill. Both recommend simple, even tasty ways to take charge of your future health after the surgery is done. (I got both from Amazon.)

I join the others in hoping you recover quickly and with a stronger spirit than ever. "We the people" value your leadership, and believe your efforts are destined to produce major, constructive change.

Hope everything goes well, Bill.
Woody

Bill --
Am recovering from carotid surgery in order to avoid a near-cerrain stroke.I've had plenty of time to read. Came across the follwing gem:

Life's journey is not to arrive at the
grave safely in a well-preserved body.

But rather skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
"Holy shit … what a ride!"

Bill, you are one hulluva driver, giving evry one of us the ride of our lives. So you need a pit stop now and then. So what. You'll be back to put the pedal to the (golden) metal and we'll all be roaring off into a golden future.

Bill, Very familiar with your problem. My mother had same thing, same place 20yrs ago.@78yrs old TODAY*she still pounds on a puter part time. She demands it LOL.
Attitude ,food intake,etc. mandatory,, heavy on a winning attitude.

Dr. Rustad Lincoln ne. is a real PRO with that type of problem fwiw.

and www.superberries.com.. personally know the guy.. not affiliated in any way ..
R.D.
yur blog TOPz..

Best of all wishes for your health, Bill. Here from Germany, Bill, all other good vibes from all over the world to you!

Must be tough not being able to get it over with.
Please keep the winner attitude, just one more bump along the way. All the best Bill.

Bill, all the best for a full and fast recovery.

Bill,

wishing you the best, as always.

james

Bill,

Goodluck and we all pray for your successful surgery.

Bill,

Goodluck and we all pray for your successful surgery.

Me too, Bill. Wishing you well. You're the best.

Here dead lie we because we did not choose
To live and shame the land from which we sprung.
Life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose;
But young men think it is, and we were young.

AE Housman "More Poems"
----------------------

Bill, Despite the retirement, I think that you too are still young.

Keep well,
Robert

Bill,
Good luck and best wishes.
Have a good rest.

Hello Bill,

I totally believe in the power of prayer and I trust that you keep the faith and believe that the Lord will not only heal you but bring you through it and make you stronger.

You do an excellent job for The People and have made a huge impact on many lives.

There are some regular contributors who are pretty good experts and they seem to do a good job trying to contribute to this blog with their take on social equity and capital markets...so try and take it easy and relax - like you've said many times...after all you're retired - you have worked hard enough...so it's ok to take some time off every now and then...

Take care and God bless,
AJ : )

Bill,
With the support of all the friends you have from blogging, as revealed by the above comments, and all the positive thinking and good vibes being sent your way, not to mention your own, I'm very optimistic you'll beat this thing. You know we're all bullish on your full recovery (thanks for the words Anil) and we know that you are too. Best wishes...keep the faith...and take it easy my friend

bill-best of luck to you...will keep you in my prayers. This blog is a must read for any trader or investor. Thanks for all you do!!

Goldcorp and Glamis Agree to US$21.3 Billion Combination Creating the World's Premier Gold Mining Company
Thursday August 31, 12:03 am ET

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(MARKET WIRE)--Aug 31, 2006 -- Goldcorp Inc. (TSX:G.TO - News)(NYSE:GG - News) and Glamis Gold Ltd. (TSX:GLG.TO - News)(NYSE:GLG - News) announced today that they have agreed to combine in a US$21.3 billion transaction to create one of the world's largest gold mining companies. The new company will continue under the name Goldcorp Inc.

Hey Bill,

Greetings from the Jersey shore. Don't forgetaboutit to wear a hat in the sun.

That re-visit yesterday to the 615 December gold low from a few weeks ago may have been the low for awhile.......seasonals should be up from here....silver is trading up like its about to go warp speed into deep space....the fibonacci extension lines off the A= 4.01 , B= 15.21 ,AND C = 9.45 are 38% = 13.72 , 61.8% = 16.37 , 100% = 20.64 , 138% = 24.92 and 161.8% = 27.56
Mr. Fibonacci has been running the big picture in gold and silver this bull mkt

Back in the 80's, the Comex had their annual dinner at the Waldorf Astoria and Henny Youngman performed .....cracked me up......even though I'd heard all the jokes a million times before......so think Henny and I'm sure you'll have a smile to show the world

Bill,

Thoughts and prayers.

Hey Bill, in "looking at your chart" I just see that you have put in a short term cycle low, but that stochastics are turning up with strong accumulation and that your long term bullish upward trend is still very much intact. Fundamentally, you are rated "outperform" across the board.

That's the call from here so I'm buying at the open.

Best, Mark

Bill:

More than respect is found here from your readers, I read and feel LOVE. Thank you for being with and for us.

Best of wishes and hoping for a speedy recovery for you Mr. Cara.

Bill, women discover wrinkles, men find spots. It seems to be a by-product of climate change. Me too.
In the words of the immortal dust bowl bard (Woodrow "woody" Wilson Guthrie:

"Take it easy, but take it."

Bill,
best wishes for smooth successful surgery. Modern medicine is amazing. One of my relatives has had to have several melanomas removed, and this over a 15 year period. he is doing great. So I fully expect you to succeed in dealing with this as you have in so many other ventures. Just a few minor facial blemishes. hey you aren't that pretty anyway!