Christmas Eve

On the verge of Christmas Eve I embrace all that is good and ponder that which is not.

Yesterday, Sue and I received a call from a dear friend, Michael McGinley, telling us that his son Stephen has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. I'm not sure of Stephens' age, twenty four or five, a wonderful young man, recently married and working towards his PHD. My heart goes out to his parents Susan and Michael, Stephen, his wife Casey-Mae, his siblings and friends. Stephen is young, strong and lives each day with an intense faith in God. He will have a great support system and will beat this.

My recovery moves forward even if at a snails pace. The issues with my feet have prevented me from running (or walking) for three weeks now. I know that if I could just get out for even two or three miles I would feel so much better. My hands are sore and maintain the odd concurrent sensations of numb / buzzing and sore. Tomorrow, perhaps looking for a Christmas “Miracle”, I will lace up the trail shoes and head out for a run.

Freed-rick, the name I've given to my stoma has been less than friendly lately. If intelligent I think he realizes his time on the outside is limited and he shall soon return to the “land of darkness”. I will refrain from going into details.

To my friends and family I simply cannot say thank you too much. As I move ever closer to surgery and being “whole” I know I could not have arrived to this point in the shape I'm in without your support, patience and understanding.

To Susan, words are simply not enough to express how I feel about the love you've poured over me like a continuous stream of water. Just know that I'm always trying, always trying................ always trying.

Love and Merry Christmas to all ...... Mike

Sixteen Bottles of Beer on the Wall !