Alyssa Peterpaul:  

I went to the U of TN and got my Bachelor of Arts in English with a focus in writing. I also studied cultural anthropology with a focus on Native Americans. I've been published in four literary magazines and one mainstream magazine, and am currently working on a novel and a couple of other projects. I also went to the Utah College of Massage Therapy in Salt Lake City, became licensed in the State of Tennessee, and taught classes at Alpha Health Institute in Knoxville. After the school closed, I worked at Belleza Salon and Spa. Since college, I'd suffered major health issues, and was eventually forced to quit massage therapy. I miss it. I met my husband Frederick PeterPaul (and no, there is no Mary, so don't even start) in October of 2001. Frederick is a member of the Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians in Presque Isle, Maine. We went on our first date and we've been together ever since. We lived in Johnson City, TN and got married on July 4, 2004. In June, 2005, I was diagnosed with a massive malignant brain tumour. The doctors believe it actually started growing in 1992, when I was sent to the emergency room for nausea and vomiting, but I was misdiagnosed. I had the symptoms: headaches, nausea, pain, fatigue, depression. No one put them all together. I became very withdrawn, had a complete personality change, and became suicidal. It wasn't until I started having seizures that they did an MRI and found the bugger. Anyway, the astrocytoma, as it's called, was inoperable. Spent my 1st Anniversary in Park West Hospital eating hamburgers from the cafe downstairs with my husband. Fancy, ay? After that, I had a craniotomy, was heavily drugged, went through radiation, chemotherapy, got a staph infection, back in the hospital, then weeks at home on IVs, got put on steroids, turned into a small walrus, lost all of my hair- quite a charming experience! Finally got taken off steroids, made the doctor take me off the pain pill crap, broke the record at Vanderbilt Cancer Clinic for staying on Temodar (chemo drug) for over four years. Should've received a medal, but no luck there. Anyway, I lost the weight, my hair grew back in, and I got a break from chemo in June this year. The Brain Invader is less than half its original size, and I'm pretty much symptom free. The doctor thinks I'm his miracle patient, and it's true. I've had prayers, masses, sweatlodges, chants, healing art and positive thoughts from all over the world, and that's why I'm still here. That, positive attitude, a sense of humour and being right stubborn. So, here I am, no longer feeling sloggy, (yes, that's a word. Chaucer.) dancing around and absolutely loving life! I still sing, I still have bizarre clothes, I'm still odd- basically like I was in high school, only a bit wiser, a bit paler, and a bit less likely to put up with anyone's crap. I still love the 80s music, and my obsession with Adam Ant has not diminished in the least. In fact, I want him to do a version of "If I Only Had A Brain," but rewrite it, make it sexy, and dedicate it to me. Okay, fantasy time over. Gor, I get sidetracked! Let's see. I still love "The Young Ones," "Monty Python's Flying Circus," "Fawlty Towers," and I'm addicted to "Top Gear." Anyone that puts a Mini-Cooper on skis and shoots it down a ski-slope with rocket launchers is alright by me! Most of my favourite actors are fusty old men, but I do love Johnny Depp. I also love Juliette Binoche and think Dame Judi Dench is Queen of the Universe. I read like a thing possessed! I am addicted to the Harry Potter books and own both the American and British collections. (Brit is better!) Actually, I've been reading so many British books, I've picked up the spelling and can't break myself of the habit, but I'll h...Expand for more