JoAnne, Mark,
Wow. Thank you for the compliments. I'm very touched. Mark, I'm only a bit older than you at 51.
I have spent my adult life being the guy in charge. I manage a major international airport and have a lot of people looking at me for decisions every day. This disease was one thing I could not rule out of my life by sheer strength of will; I needed help, and not just from the medical professionals.

In many ways I am glad that cancer found it's way into my life. That sounds really sick, but I am. Without cancer, I would not have had the humbling experiences that I've had, and I would never have truly known how amazing my wife is, or what decent, caring adults my children have become.

The same holds true for family and friends. I have had my life enriched by these discoveries, far more enriched than deminished by what cancer has taken away. For that, I will be very grateful for the rest of my days, but especially when I spend Christmas Eve with them all. I
certainly didn't expect to be here for the holidays six months ago.

I will also spend some quiet time tomorrow, by myself, thinking about those people who fought the same battle with this demon that we have, and lost.

We're about to hit the highway and start "visitin, and eatin" the important parts of Christmas. From my heart I wish EACH and EVERY one of you the finest things, and the finest times over these holidays. They truly are a blessing to all of us
Wayne