I am the author and this is the hardest book I shall ever write. After entering into semi-retirement and enjoying it to no ends a slight earache cropped up one day shortly after my sixty-third birthday. From there things wound up here where I have now traversed what my professional medical team termed the "pit of hell," and am currently making it up "the other side."Along my way I have met some of the most incredible people and after having learned the term, "difference maker," have discovered its meaning to the core by staring into the eyes of fear, honesty, and most of all, bravery. This is the story of a damned ugly journey and I can promise you it will not be light reading, perhaps not enjoyable at all at times, but despite how difficult some of the pages turn, I can promise you without hesitation: This is a book you SHOULD read.