Well, today is Sunday, August 9, 2009.

I am happy, healthy, and retired from editing.

I am still here.

Thanks to Dr. Charles Myers of the American Institute for the Diseases of the Prostate, Earlysville, Virginia. (http://www.prostateforum.com/) and to Dr. David Butler, radiation oncologist, of St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri.

I want to thank my wife Ann, who gave me a card that said, "Life is slippery, here, take my hand." Thanks to Kelly and Andrea, for always being there for me. And thanks to Ian, Joann, Eli, and Ben, for giving me a future to hope for.
These two doctors saved my life; my family gives it meaning.

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June 30, 2005

Me, at an earlier time and place.

July 1, 2005

Dedicated to my Mom,
who gave me the gifts of pride, gentleness,
unconditional love, and undying curiosity;

and who lived her life with kindness and dignity.
---
She also gave me the gift of high expectations.
I hope I have begun to live up to them.



And to my wife, Ann, always Ann,
who gave me the gift of us.
Sine qua non (Without which, nothing).


Ann, back when the biggest issue was
whether to ride the Yamaha or the Harley.



And to our families,
whose love, support, and understanding
have been constant as
everything else changed.

********

July 7, 2005

Prelude

When I began this journey, I was lost and scared. It was as if I were weaponless in an almost mythological but certainly unfriendly land, full of unknown obstacles and nightmarish scenes, with no real idea of where I was or of what was going to happen. I knew where I wanted to be, but I had no map and thus nothing to help me find my way.

I believe, now, that I do.

This is the story of my three-year journey. I think that my wife and I are stronger, wiser, and closer for the experience.

Each of us has his or her own unique journey. My hope is that something here will help someone else on theirs.

When I was first diagnosed, and began to develop an inkling of its significance, I wrote on a little yellow Post-It, "Nothing has changed" and kept it in a drawer. I would refer to it from time to time as things changed, sometimes in small ways, sometimes in really big ways. I have come to believe that God has a sense of humor, because if he or she had been reading over my shoulder, my note to myself certainly would have caused a chuckle.

Change is change, neither good nor bad, but rather what you make of it.

I should have written that "Nothing important has changed."

-john

July 13, 2005

*****

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July 19, 20005

Celtic hearts (photo courtesy of my wife, with whom I share this tattoo.)

Cancer recovery is hard and has moments that you would rather not remember.

These hearts remind us of the love that kept us together

and of the moments we must never forget.

Serenity (somewhere in Mexico)

July 25, 2005

Something to Think About

I was home one day watching one of several videotapes of Steven Spielberg's Taken, when the little girl who narrates the film said something like this:

When you find yourself in the middle of your life,
and you're nowhere near where you were going,
how do you find a way from the person you've become
to the one you know you would have been?

I think that we can only help each other.
And never give up!