The author has been a practicing ophthalmologist in Lincoln, Nebraska for the past thirty seven years. After being diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell cancer of the throat he used poetry to cope with the anxieties caused by the upheaval of his orderly existence and to deal with his own tenuous mortality. By using the familiar and comfortable themes of family, home, nature and sports, he was able to reach the five year survival milestone for this type of cancer. His poems, which begin in terror and end in acceptance, are a celebration of these tumultuous five years. His book reflects his gratitude for being able to experience all of the joys and sorrows encountered during the five year span between diagnosis and cure.