MORE RULE 1

 My good friend Larry continues his battle with stage 4 bone cancer. He was in hospital for a few days last week to get his heavy meds sorted out.

When I visited him at his home a few days ago for a game of cribbage (Mike, you deal and keep score...that stuff's hard for me now), I noticed he's now added a pain pump to his arsenal of cancer fighters. 

As he moved uncomfortably in his chair, he squeezed the button he held in his right hand. Then, looking down at the device, he frowned and said, "Looks like I'm locked out for now. I'll try again in a few minutes."

"How can you be in pain?" I teased."You're winning the game."

"I wish I was really winning the game," he answered wistfully.

"Does the hydromorphone give you relief immediately?" I asked.

"Not really. It slowly builds up in your system so each additional shot of the stuff doesn't pack much of a punch. But it does help. Say, let's go for a walk. That usually helps with the pain for some reason."

As we walked, I noticed that Larry was in a much more vertical posture than he'd been been when we walked together in the past. In fact, he seemed to have regained most of his 6'3" stature as he pushed his walker along the sidewalk.

When I mentioned it to him, he quipped, "After three surgeries on my back and lots of crazy glue of few weeks ago, it feels good to be walking upright again."

I know that Peterson was not referring to someone with bone cancer when he suggested that one stand up straight with shoulders back but it sure has made a difference for my good friend. Without doubt, Larry has accepted his burdens gracefully and without complaint. And standing up straighter is just one important thing that has made it a bit easier for him to continue living his inspiring life.