August 7, 2006 - Day 6 - Week 18 - My Story

Sometimes it is writer’s cramp, occasionally writer’s block and today writer’s what the heck do I write about?

When I started this daily journal back in April I realized that the consistency of my sitting down at the computer every twenty four hours might be difficult at best, and downright daunting when measured against the effort I used to expend writing a sermon or giving a talk.  It is not the time, but the ideas that do not easily flow into the brain are the problem. When preaching every week or every other week an idea could be massaged, researched, and then delivered.  That luxury abandoned by the rigors of a daily thought, I sit here this evening reflecting about the whole process of sharing one’s personal journey.

I have never been comfortable dwelling on me for very long because I find others interesting and worth listening to, yet the Kreitler Compact was touted as one person’s story about having cancer so I am spending a majority of the time addressing the issues most relevant in my life.

I can not imagine most of the readers of the Compact being particularly interested in my pulse rate, white blood cell count, heart rate, or any of the other indicators of the state of my health.  Ok, Peter, just cut to the chase and tell me how you are doing, is probably the sentiment of most.  So, here goes.

On a scale of 1-10, ten being best, I am about a 4.  Functional with a chance of meatballs, might be  a good way to describe how I feel.  For whatever reason, and tomorrow you probably will not hear from me because I will spend the day, once again, in the hospital hooked up to stuff that might discern why my heart is going faster now than as a teenager on my first real date.  The heart specialist does not like the beat beat beat of the rhythm because it is both irregular and too strong for my well being.

Slow down the heart is the objective, hopefully the process is doable and not too painful.

However, there is not all rain in the forecast and the sunshine of relations still brightens my day.  Old friend Tucker Gates stopped in the office to share the joy of being a new father and the fact that Ryan his wife is doing well.  Alexandra Paul, my co-host on Earth Talk Today and I began the process of planning for our fall line up of shows.  Bill Chadwick hosted a lunch at his office to talk about the potential of a special project that might involve my environmental expertise.  In other words, for every hour of discomfort that I feel, I try and create the occasion that allows me to celebrate the joy of good human relations. 

All for tonight. Off to the hospital early and probably home about 6 pm, unless a stint goes in and then home Wednesday.  That’s my story.

Back to Week 18