The Simple Joy of Living song

Written and performed by Erland Wanberg

A song by my son, Erland Wanberg, written for my homecoming to Bend, Oregon after receiving a diagnosis of Leptomeningial Metastasis to my brain, spine and cerebral spinal fluid at USC Norris Cancer Hospital in Los Angeles, California. I was diagnosed on April 3, 2022 and given 2-4 months to live. I received whole-brain and spine radiation and started immunotherapy. Erland flew from his home in Nashville, Tennessee to drive us from Los Angeles to Central Oregon to be close to family and prepare for the end. As of February 2024, I’m continuing immunotherapy treatment and I’m currently stable and hoping for a durable remission (read my story Living Life as a Unicorn).

When I listen to this song it reminds me of why I want to write and share stories about the simple joys of living amidst a terminal illness and how grateful I am to be alive.