Five Years Ago
It was five years ago, September 21, 2004, when doctors had to amputate my right arm.
It was a grim time, as I recall, and I mentioned that I’d probably never be able to write about it. It seemed too dark, too personal, too sad.
However, a friend of mine named Joe, who is wheelchair bound, predicted I would eventually write about it. According to him, I would eventually accept it, laugh about it, and start making morbid jokes about those events.
I guess he was right, for I’m currently finishing up my manuscript for a new book. It’s about becoming suddenly handicapped after 40 years.
The title? Well, I have two working titles, and I’m undecided which is the better choice. The first title is I Survived an Amputation, but Never Became the Bionic Man. And the second is A Farewell to Arm.
Which title do you prefer?
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Comments
A Farewell to Arm cracked me up! That is my vote. If you don’t laugh, you spend your whole life crying. What fun is that??
I like the idea of “I Survived” because it ties in nicely with your first book. But “A Farewall to Arm” is short and very funny. You’ll win with either one.
“Farewell to Arm” is my Vote….because you DO have the extraordinary strength of a bionic man & you’ve slayed more demons with your pen and pencil than all the super-heros combined.
I came up with a few titles myself but instead of sharing
I scrapped because of insensitivety. I like your two versions.
A Farewell to Arm comes off as too “tongue-in-cheekish.”
“I survived and amputation, but never became the bionic man”
goes well with the title of your first book and offers more
depth as well as ironic humor. You did not become the bionic man because of limitations of modern medicine and technology unlike the unrealistic TV version. Your blog has shown your readers some of your frustration with “modern medicine” and all the hardships that go along with it. You have, though, become a superman. I cannot imagine all the strength it took to go from the dark place of 5 years ago to the place you are today and with another completed manuscript.
Oh my Goodness!…definitely… “Farewell to Arm” It is so realistic, hilarious, twisted, honest, and soooo YOU!!!! I think this title would leap off the shelf at me! But, do what your editor suggests 
It’s encouraging when so many people respond. It reminds me that, yes, some people are still reading. And it looks like I might sell as many as ten books! Jim
I like “Farewell to Arm” with the subtitle “or… I Survived an Amputation, but Never Became the Bionic Man”. Keep ‘em both!
Either title is great and I am sure only a “smidgin” of the
truth, humor and soul of a good man the book will reveal.
Having lost my husband to this monster we call cancer in 2005, I appreciate your sharing your thoughts so much, AND you make me smile, as well as cry.
Thank you.
Jim – I received a copy of your latest poetry book from a friend, with your inscription. Thanks so much – yes, I still miss Tom too. I am at Duke and think often of how much he would love it here.
I vote for “Farewell to Arm” – brillant title! (Tom would vote for that one too. He loved puns.)
A Farewell to Arm gets my vote. Glad you can joke about it now! Goes right along with the “sit-down comic” and “stand if you can” (don’t you think people should say this instead of “please stand”?!)
I can’t wait to read the book…if it is anything like your cancer memoir I’ll be laughing and tearing up through the whole thing.
I prefer “I survived an Amputation, but never became the bionic man” title. Either way it is going to be a GREAT book!