fett on 13/1/2013 at 03:15

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So I decided to take a Facebook sabbatical and everyone thought I had shuffled off this mortal coil. But you all know I'm way too metal for that, so FUCK DEATH.

Truth is, my family has been travelling around the country for two years so we could eventually relocate near Boston for the eventual transplant (long story), during which time I documented every single thing we did on our [pimp] (www.gypsyschoolhouse.blogspot.com) family blog [/pimp]. I'm glad I did it, for our own posterity and to keep family in the loop with our adventures. But we've settled in Springfield, Mass now, and between the blog and FB I was starting to feel the compulsion to share every little detail, and like my (our) life was becoming too public. Plus, I get REALLY tired of all the Jesus comments after things like the Newtown shootings (owing to the fact that I still have many friends and most family members who are Christians). It all kind of overwhelmed me at once and I just shut everything off. It felt really good, but sorry if I scared anyone. I'm not dead.

My health is deteriorating slowly as my heart continues to fail - my body tries to retain every ounce of fluid which is a continual problem and threat. I will go in for an annual heart catherization on Monday at Tufts in Boston. This gives them a fairly accurate picture of how much muscle death has occurred since the last one (Feb 2012). I'm probably up for some med changes, and I would image at least a year away from being considered urgent enough to jump to the top of the transplant list. My blood type is very common, which sounds good, but actually makes it harder to get a new heart - too complicated to explain here, but trust me, this shit ain't like in the movies.

Either way, I feel like life is good. I'm gaming a lot, reading a lot, painting a lot, writing a lot, and cooking a LOT. I just introduced my boys to D&D, and we're spending a whole semester studying Leonardo Da' Vinci starting next week (among other things). I like New England, the snow, the proximity to live music, etc. I'm singing for both a metal and a funk/soul band as my health allows, which is extremely satisfying, given that's it's been many years since my schedule allowed me to gig.

I don't post much (for the same reasons I've put FB on hold), but I lurk nearly everyday, and hope everyone is well. If you want more details about what's been going on with me or my health (aside from the family travels), I've been documenting that at my own blog -(http://www.newsofmydemise.blogspot.com) News of My Demise.

Cheers! :cool:

Tomi on 13/1/2013 at 10:07

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Aw man, reading something like this really puts things into perspective. Nice to hear that everything else in your life sounds to be pretty good right now and that you're enjoying it, a positive attitude can make a huge difference. Thanks for the update, I hope that it all goes well for you on Monday. :)

SubJeff on 13/1/2013 at 17:07

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Glad to hear that you're still enjoying life. I get you on the blood type to likelihood of heart thing. Still, you're on the list, no? So you should get there. It's amazing that you're able to gig and a damn good thing too.

And if you're gaming a lot - (http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136785&page=72) what are you playing?

gunsmoke on 13/1/2013 at 20:27

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Best of luck to you, buddy. Only the good die young, so that makes you, what, nearly immortal? I kid, but seriously, New England is a really cool area with lots to do. History lessons for the kids should be a cakewalk up there, too!

demagogue on 14/1/2013 at 06:49

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Here's the post I wrote like 15 minutes after you wrote your thread but the forum freaked & didn't let me post.

I'm always happy to read things you post, so I'm happy to see this update. I remember people freaking out on Facebook when you took a little hiatus heh. I don't think you even have to post here so much to know that you've always got this group on your side through thick & thin, and you never have to worry about venting on anything or just hanging back & lurking. I hope this is the start of a good new year for you with the good things outweighing the bad.