Naut7 uses the metaphor of the chambered nautilus to represent growth through experience and adventure. Naut7 explores Life and the Sea of Wonders through words, images, and music. Just as the nautilus adds chambers to accommodate and allow its growth, this site will add chambers or monthly installments, and represents a commitment to complete projects I have worked on my entire life.
The principal project is a manuscript called Prognosis, a collection of observations on how my patients adapted to the challenges and limitations imposed by illness. The Poetry, Music, and Miscellaneous sections contain other personal reflections.
Latest Updates
Introduction to Prognosis
Cure, Control, Coexistence, Escape
After a diagnosis of cancer, a patient’s immediate concern is the question of prognosis. Decades ago, when cancer fatality was high, this concern was often posed as a single question: How long do I have? In today’s more positive world of cancer therapeutics, prognosis is no longer a question of time, but instead is one of opportunity. So, the one question becomes four: Can my cancer be cured? If not cured, can it be controlled? If it can’t be controlled, can I coexist with the cancer without treatment? If life becomes impossible, can I limit suffering and escape? Read more here...
Culmination, a collection of songs written for my grandchildren, followed by a discussion of the musical form used to compose them has been added to the Music Section.
New Poems
May 8, 2020
The Rotting and A Parent Rationalizing have been added to the Poetry section