I Just Turned Two

<p>It is a memoir detailing a seven-year period in my life and that of my wife. Patsy fought for her way back from a stroke and I struggled through intense chemotherapy treatments battling two bouts of fatal leukemia. Through it all I learned the answer to the oldest question about humanity: why are we here? My wife's and my journey was plainly speaking unique. When we as humans fully understand why we are here it gives way to peace in our lives as ordinary troubles become secondary. About the title-when one has a stem cell transplant they become the person of their donor. A stem cell recipient gains a new blood type and even completely new DNA. It is called chimerism. The medical profession looks at one's transplant date as a new birthday. Hence as my transplant was on March 13 2019 I am (was at the time I began writing the book) two years old.</p><p><strong><em>Dean Weitenhagen</em></strong> is a recent resident of Arizona. He is an active member of the Board of Directors of Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church and is very involved in local political advocacy as a Precinct Committeeman. I am married to Patsy Tobis and have two children: Jesse and Silas and one stepson Zachary. I enjoy studying history and keeping up with current events. After completing training to be an Air Traffic Controller I spent twenty-one years in the broadcast television business and then twenty-five years in the commercial real estate business. My life experience throughout my business life prepared me I believe to be able to handle the adversity I encountered in 2017. And it left me open-minded enough to not focus on my troubles but on what life is (should be) all about.</p>