As Mark Twain once said, “The rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated”. I protected news of my prostate cancer until I announced it publicly two weeks ago, because I knew that if news leaked out, the truth would be perverted in all sorts of ways. And that has happened. People seem to think I’m dead and gone already.

According to one report I have TB. To another the surgery was already over (I wish it was, of course). Someone else asked me how long I had to live. Why do people feel a need to embellish the truth whenever they retell it? The truth is I’ll probably live another 25 years, and by then Anita will be sick and tired of me.

This week anticipation is beginning to build as I’m scheduled for surgery next week. That means I’ve got a whole month’s worth of work to get cleared off my desk. I’m really thankful for a great staff that will keep everything moving along while I’m healing, and keep the truth going forth.

When have you had someone tell a greatly exaggerated tale on you?

Tags: exaggerate, Mark Twain, truth