Hi Family

  This post is very long overdue.  This past year has been a quagmire of stress inducing events in many, many areas which have left me more reclusive than I've ever been . . .NOT me at all.  A few months ago my wife told me, "I want my Richard back", to which I replied, "so do I".  This post is an effort in that direction.

  Despite my absence, do know that rarely a day has gone by that I haven't thought of all of you (us) . . . and the newbies I wasn't there for.  Those of you who know me  know that's where I spent most of my time.

  Missed Sailpappy's birthday (his is 3/7 . . . mine 3/8) and the many friendships made since I came here 2/02 (a "basket-case") and this board gave me my life back.  Will be forever grateful to all of you and (of course) especially DJ.

  The beast still visits, but thankfully don't have to "dance" very often . . . 02 always at hand, though I did have one (dance) last week when my tank/mask were buried under items in my van and it took about five minutes to get to a parking spot and dig same out . . . of course it ramped to a K7-8 for 20-25 minutes . . . dumb, dumb, dumb.  Had 4-5 days of multiple hits, but most killed early.  I haven't used a preventative since 4/09, when, due to medical conditions I was required to consume large quantities of water . . . which is now my only preventative.  When I cut my water intake by 1/3 to 1/2 . . . it will usually produce  a series of attacks . . . that's what happened last week.  My triggers remain the same;  alcohol, exhaust fumes, certain chemicals (like carb cleaner), but mostly I live a pain-free (CH-wise anyway) life, never more than 2 weeks without an attack, but most killed at K2-3 in a few minutes with the 02 . . . and that's PF in my book.   Note to those who would try the water treatment . . . It is NOT easy to do . . . and very easy to slip-up on intake.

  Okay . . . thanks for listening . . . will try and find my seat in the boat and start rowing again.

    Be Safe,

    PFDANs


      Richard

Sorry to hear that the past year has been a difficult one.  The course, it seems, is not always a smooth one--and I can certainly understand that.

In any event, welcome back, Richard.  It's good to hear from you again.

All the best...and welcome home.

George

Welcome back!

I say no need to apologize we do what we can when we can.
Of course this is coming from someone on topamax who keep misplacing her oar.  :D jj