So many emotions right now... Pride that I've lasted and thrived, joy that my life is better with my little son and beloved wife and sadness that I left such a dear resource behind as life got busy...

First off, after almost exactly 8 years after my stroke, I'm doing fantastic. I can walk well, feel better, even lost 45 pounds! I've been looking into doing advocacy work for the disabled and have gotten great treatment for sleep apnea... If you have it, try the TAP device!

Also, I must apologize for not contributing more to a place that gave me so much support. I feel especially now that I am rather well, I can offer hope and encouragement. As I look back on the last eight years I have pride on how cheerful my early entries were and how little I let pain bother me. Now, I'm wiser and a bit more cautious, and unfortunately, I feel LESS empathetic to people's issues. Headache? Quit complaining! It's odd because it's unlike me. I'm working on it. I plan on being around more this year to offer advice and share stories. Glad to be back!