Introduction

I'd like to think I'd led somewhat of a charmed life before December 21st of 2013. I was 47, had a beautiful wife, Karla and an amazing daughter Isla who was about to turn three years old. In addition, a little baby boy was on the way, due to arrive in May. We had recently moved from Burlington, Vermont to just outside Boston so that I could pursue a new assignment with my company.  It was exciting to be back in a big city again (Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Target, NHL Hockey) and we had an amazing trip planned to the US Virgin Islands in late January.

Karla's parents were in town to spend Christmas with us, and had graciously allowed Karla and I to have a date night on Friday, December 20th. It would be nice to say that we ate at the most amazing restaurant and had a meal we'd never forget, but we actually just went to a sports bar where I had wings and a beer, and then we followed it up with a command performance of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug at a local movie theater. Great movie, by the way, loved the barrel scene...

The next day, I had some minor pains in my right side when I woke up, but nothing major and I had my usual bowl of Shreddies for breakfast. I felt somewhat weird afterwards and decided to have a lie down in bed (it was a Saturday). I came downstairs a few hours later and lay on the couch in the living room, and the pain was a bit worse. Karla was in the kitchen and asked me if I wanted to see a doctor.  I moved to get up, but instead fell to the floor in pain...and my new life began.

Why am I writing this blog? For several reasons: for friends and family, I want to have a place where they can get updates on how things are going. To this point, I have tried to be good about sending emails (and some of what is included here was part of emails that I sent out in early 2014 before setting up this blog) but I thought it would be better just to have everything in one place. For my direct family, it is something about me that they can always access and read. I plan to be around for a long time, don't get me wrong, but I'd like to think that some of who I am, and what I am experiencing will be around for longer than that. Finally, for purely selfish reasons, I do find that writing my thoughts and feelings has a cathartic effect on me.

I will continue to write, sometimes more often, sometimes less often, depending upon how I am feeling and if there is something meaningful to pass on. While my illness will be a focus, I also plan on updating people on other events going on for me and my family on these pages. Feel free to read what you like and comments are always welcome.

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