Don't you hate it when books, or anything involving a plot, leave plotlines hanging? Whoops! I never gave the verdict on what happened to my dad (thanks for reminding me, waterstain).
So he had a sarcoma, which is "a malignant tumor arising from connective tissues," except his was benign. It was removed and he recovered fine. A new lump has popped up near the scar tissue, so he's getting that checked out at some point in the near future.
Incidentally, I did not turn in "Like Peanut Butter and Chocolate" but decided on the more formal but way less fun "The Poetic Effects of the Great Depression." Also, I am attributing the current weight gain to my impending period and am not going to worry about it. Are we all caught up? Good.