After one year , still here, YEEEHA!!!

Mornin',

Yesterday afternoon was the one year anniversary of hearing the words "Anaplastic Astrocytoma grade two and three". They were the results of a conscious biopsy performed a few days earlier. Describing in neat sentences of that moment is as difficult as comprehending the report in words that were English but were another dialect, the lexicon of oncology.

On Oak Street Beach with my bike in some shade, feeling a lake breeze, watching girls in bikini's, hearing waves roll in mixed with laughter, behind me Lake Shore drive just whooshed, whooshed, whooshed then Harley roared by. Sounds bowed to attention on the cell phone ear piece. Doctor Kranzler explained that this was a "slow growing" type of cancer. He said other words in kind tones, which got blurred by superseding thoughts exploring the word "next?!"

Today I am still here. My bike Areola hangs from the ceiling like Excalibur in the stone. The Upper Peninsula souvenir coffee cup asks for a warm-up. Warmed. It looks like rain from the North, Trees are still. My left wrist has ninety degrees less rotation. My left shoulder has a gravel sound with less extension. My left leg is learning how to bend again from my right leg. They have discussions on the recumbent trainer; a fortuitous donation from a friend.

According to radiology reports the three lesions from a year ago seem to be responding to radiation and Temodar. Am still excited about continued treatment because it is doing something; basic self activism/preservation.

The World did not stop, nor did Time. The phone rings when a medical bill needs resolution, or, when Verizon needs their's or when RCN sends their friendly reminder. A few friends check in, a customer referral gets brought up to date with my inability to help them. Family has fled with one sincere straggler calling from time to time for an hour or more of painless wandering; the closest to Gramma R's cathartic credo,"Sit Long Talk Much".

It's been a rough year. Two thousand eight was not great, even though it was supposed to be. January eigth and July twenty second physically altered my path. My Love for Life is Strong. The miracles along the way are countless. As always, it is good to be here.

YEEE,HA!!!!

Chit with ya',

Peter

P.S.

Oh Great Spirit Oh Mother Earth

Thank you for the Dawn after a safe night

Your encouraging voice is the breeze thru the trees

and a distant dogs bark

May my efforts leave this campsite better

than I found it,

Today, in gratitude

Peter Lott Heppner

(Friend of the 4 winds)

14.3.2007