Hello boys and girls! I just figured it is Tuesday, so I should maybe let my pals know how things are going in my little corner of the Universe

It has been a while since I have dived into the forums here or over at empty beer and apparently some were wondering where I was at. Well, as we approach Thanksgiving, even tho I do not really celebrate as a Brit, I thought I had a lot to be thankful for.
One of the main reasons for me not being too active is that I have been having health issues. Several months ago I started having some weird symptoms and went for a full makeover at the sawbones. I had all the tests, and a few more, and eventually wound up at the oncologist, which was a little sobering, and was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer that is at this time incurable. It can however be controlled with daily chemo drugs to keep my blood counts out of the danger zone, so that is what I have been doing over the summer. Happily, my counts are now stable, and I am out of immediate danger. Now it is just a waiting game in the hope it takes a while to develop further, and I plan on taking advantage of this reprieve, even tho I am on chemo for the rest of my life. The effect of all this is that I do get fatigued easily, and my riding is affected a lot because of it. I can still make it to the top of my favorite trails here, but it takes a bit longer! And I cannot do it as often as I would like... I also have to be very careful about the sunshine, as I am now extremely susceptible to melanoma. I already had one carved out of my back, and with the illness I have, the incision took 4 months to heal! When I ride now I put on all kinds of pads and long sleeves, and do my best not to get injured. The benefits outweigh the risk I believe!
The reasons I have to be thankful are many. This diagnosis could have been so much worse, and some of my close friends have been suffering lately with much worse versions of this shitty disease. This year I have lost a few good friends, but at least I have been able to relate a little better because of my illness and be able to talk to them and perhaps give them a little comfort. I am grateful for that. I am also thankful I am able to take this one day at a time, and savor each day as I live it with as much presence and awareness as I can. Life is so rich when we do not rush thru it in anxiety and panic.
I still have to work full on, altho happily a lot of that is from my home, because the need to earn a crust is great. My wife cannot work as she has a serious biotoxin illness that is not covered on any insurance, so the bills never cease to pile up, but thankfully I am still able to do this, and have a job that permits me to earn well and keep things running.
I will not be too active in the forums, but will check in now and then, and I will continue to ride and enjoy the AZ chunk for as long as I am able
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!