IN NOVEMBER 2000, WERNER, A LIFELONG ATHLETE AND DIRECTOR OF A NH ALPINE RACE TEAM ENTERED A DIFFERENT RACE.
This race did not begin on the white slope of a mountain. It started on the white sheets of a hospital bed.
THE DIAGNOSIS,
“YOU HAVE ADVANCED ESOPHAGEAL CANCER.”
WERNER’S RESPONSE, “BUMMER.”
SILENCE HUNG BETWEEN DIAGNOSIS AND RESPONSE.
NO ONE SPOKE. WHO COULD?
THE DOCTOR SPOKE AGAIN, BUT WERNER SEEMED NOT TO HEAR.
WERNER SPOKE. ” WHY ME? WHY DID THIS HAPPEN TO ME?”
NO ONE ANSWERED. WHO COULD?
WERNER SPOKE AGAIN TO SOMEONE NOT TO US.
“WAIT, I TAKE THAT BACK. I CAN’T BELIEVE I JUST SAID THAT.”
FACED WITH CANCER’S FIRST ASSAULT, WERNER ENTERED HIS RACE FOR LIFE AND WON THE FIRST GATE – SELF-PITY.
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