This book started out as a letter. Night after night I would write the letter in my head. I could never get past the salutation.



Troy has a very rare cancer, Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma according to the specialists. He was a robust, energetic and creative man, not yet 60 years old. That Troy is no longer visible. The lump on his cheek was cancerous and later removed. The cancer showed up again and another surgery was performed. During this surgery one eye was removed, his roof top was removed, and a portion of his lip, along with other disfiguring procedures. He has since been in surgery numerous times for reconstruction. To repair the roof of his mouth they used a portion of his chin and now hair is gowing on the roof of his mouth. He has, during this last year, had his meals fed to him throught a tube (this is a meat and potato kind of guy).



During his last visit to the doctor, a few weeks ago, cancer was detected in his opposite cheek and has also progressed into his spine and blood stream. Cancer, the deadly enemy of thousands is in the process of destroying another victim. This time it's happening to a man's man, a tough man, no boulder too big to move man, (like a rock), and he is my treasured brother-in-law.



It would have been as easy as planting sweet potatoes or building a truck (as Troy did) to write this Dude a letter before I knew what I know now. Of course, I wouldn't have but who needs to know that? Therefore my dilemma; How was I to write a letter to Troy knowing so much? This book was my answer.