But so goes the job of the television meteorologist.

Then, add to that mix the trials of appearing before an audience with a bald head, a somewhat gaunt look, and the energy of a marathoner at the 20-mile mark.

So it was for KTVX's Clayton Brough, who did his weather forecast for three months last summer while undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer that attacks the lymph nodes.

After about 11 months, Brough is in remission, things look good, and the clear skies he so happily predicts must look that much bluer.

"The prognosis is that it's in remission, and that's where I want it to stay," he said. "They talk about the chances of it coming back under a certain amount of time, but if it does come back, I will fight it again."

It was last May when Brough - who has been a broadcast journalist as well as a teacher for 25 years - learned of a tumor in his lower intestines, a terrifying discovery that required immediate surgery.

"When they found the mass in my body, and I was going through surgery, I thought, boy, maybe this was my hour, and I was concerned," he said. "But when they told me the chemo would take care of it and that I just needed to get through that, it was wonderful news to hear."

Initially, he didn't think he could return to work while undergoing the three-month chemotherapy sessions, but he learned - even though newer, harsher medicines were used - that he could handle the side effects.

There were concerns, however. He said mentally he got a bit groggy and "my mind was not as sharp" as he became anemic.

But because he suffered the side effects to a lesser degree than other people, he decided to continue doing the 5:30 and 10 p.m. weekend forecasts during the three months, save for the weekend after each chemotherapy session. By December, he also returned to his full-time job teaching 9th grade journalism and geography students at Eisenhower Junior High School.

"He's an absolute inspiration to me," said KTVX General Manager David D'Antuono. "He took this on with such a great attitude and faith that he was going to get better. He never wanted to miss work."

During his summer chemotherapy sessions, Brough missed only eight weekends on Channel 4. And even though he was hurting, occasionally weak, with harsh chemicals surging through his veins, he wanted to go back to work for his health.

"I had to be able to focus on the future," he said. "If I only focused on the present, I don't think I would have healed as fast.

"It was the longest vacation I had in 30 years," he said about the time he did take off during the summer. "But it was a tough vacation, and it was important for me to come back and do what I love."

---

Television columnist Vince Horiuchi appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He can be reached at vince@sltrib.com.

Channeling

Jazz Basketball: KJZZ Channel 14, tonight, 7. The Sacramento Kings take on the Jazz at the Delta Center.

American Experience: KUED Channel 7, tonight, 8. A look at racial tensions in the 1930s when the white wife of a naval lieutenant accused a group of Hawaiians of raping her.

The Lance Krall Show: SpikeTV, tonight, 9:05 p.m. The comic actor last seen in "The Joe Schmo Show" gets his own sketch comedy series.