I guess I should do a little entry about what’s been happening since my last posting. I went in for surgery on May 22nd. I have to admit I had prepared myself for the worst case scenario and by the time that day came I was ready to deal with some hard issues. I underwent four hours under the knife and while the majority of the day is a blank I do recall a few things. My parents escorted me in and I could tell they were both nervous. I did my best to make jokes and reassure them it would be fine. Just having them there really helped me out.

As I mentioned the procedure lasted around four hours. I came to in a darkened room; there were beds off to either side of me with other patients coming out of surgery as well. I only have vague memories of this room. I do recall a nurse attending me, I don’t know what I said to her but I remember her laughing and saying, “oh honey, you won’t remember this room, no one does.”

Then I was wheeled into my room where my parents came in and I was given back my camera. I don’t know why but being able to document my experience really helped. You can check some of the images out here: www.pbase.com/darter02/pad_05_20067 beginning on the 22nd... Be sure to click the hot links in the text descriptions if you want to see me messed up on morphine, it’s a hoot! LOL

So they poked 5 holes in my torso, and made a 5” long incision under my belly to take my little friend out. They took it and ¼ of my stomach, so all in all not too bad and not as bad as I’d worried. They also did a biopsy and I DO NOT HAVE CANCER! It was just “one of those things.”

I have to say that this experience really changed me. SO many people came out to support me and offer their hopes and prayers. I am indeed one of the luckiest men alive to be so well liked and cared for. I am more determined than ever to be a good man and do what I can to help others and be here when needed.

Another major and not insignificant change took place. I seem to have met the woman I think I have been looking for all these years! My best friend’s wife introduced us. After months of her trying to get us to meet and both of us dodging the issue we met. I have heard of people hitting it off right from the start but never before experienced this. I am not sure where things are headed and I really do not care, I am simply enjoying my time with her and seeing where it all leads. All I can say is, I am happy and content and life is bright and good.

I think I’ll end with a poem,

The springtime of Lovers has come,
that this dust bowl may become a garden;
the proclamation of heaven has come,
that the bird of the soul may rise in flight.
The sea becomes full of pearls,
the salt marsh becomes sweet as kauthar,
the stone becomes a ruby from the mine,
the body becomes wholly soul.

~Rumi