On February 9th, 2022 I was diagnosed with throat cancer, five months after retiring from a career in business and education. On March 30th, I began seven weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. Afterwards, as I started to recover, I thought about my future. What would be my final chapter? I decided to embark on a new journey. One that would be the culmination of all that I have lived, learned, and love. Something I never dreamed of doing before my illness. I decided to write and publish my own poetry. I am a grandfather and now a self-proclaimed Cancer Thriver. I am Papa.