Hello dear old gal
It's so good to see you are back, and it must be wonderful to know that you are clear of cancer. The treatment is not pleasant, and I have two friends who have gone through the same and I loved them just as much when they were bald. And it also gave their faces a wonderfulcomplexion.
For the clue to 11a it is the opposite of acid . Think of Mr Gore's first name and add that to an anagram of "inlake"
Keep up the good work and keep well.
All my healing thoughts to you.
Jazzgirl