It will be good to have all that maintenance healthcare stuff under your belt for awhile. It sounds like the brace was a good idea on the doctor's part since it really helps you. When something hurts it throws off the whole body, so not hurting or tiring out your foot is good for all your healing parts!

Radiation has really come a long way in the last two decades! It shouldn't be as traumatic for your dad as such things once were. Though eating better can't hurt especially if he's lost weight.

I am sure you're enjoying your time with your DS and have caught up on a lot of anime. ;)

EDIT: I was thinking of you when the news came of Brett Favre jumping teams. I think that is a very poor choice on his part. He would be better off career-wise retiring from the Packers and if he must un-retire again, stick with them. This choice seems oddly disloyal though I know players jump all the time, it just seems wrong.