Trails end ...
Hey gang ... it's been awhile yeah.
It got really bad for a spell there. Super depressed at my near invalid status (I was moved from the ICU back home with a walking frame and a hearty "good luck") and completely running out of savings (finally hit rock bottom after 4 years) in lieu of no employment through the span of this nightmare ... then a storm wrecked my roof and this was the final straw.
So two things have happened. I finally broke and said I couldn't take living this crapshow any more. Three months ago I got up, walked a half mile around my block in an effort to break the physical deterioration that had befallen me. It took over an hour and a half (which is pathetic I know) and I almost didn't make it, but I left my phone at home so I had to keep going because I couldn't call anyone. Also, who am I kidding, I'd be too embarrassed to call anyone.
But I made it. Almost dehydrated myself to death but once home that was able to be rectified. It took probably half an hour to even feel like I'd recovered. Next day, I did it again. This time I knew I could make it, but again, it took so long it seemed like forever. 90 minutes to cover 1/4 of a mile ? Ridiculous.
Buoyed by not dying in the process, I kept doing it. Every day. Now, 3 months later I do 2 miles in the morning and 2 miles at night. I can climb a ladder. I can dance a little. I'm almost normal. An ex-Rat (Gryf) helped me to temporarily address my roof problem so that if it rained again, I wouldn't be taking a bath in the living room again. A new roof is not on the "able to do it" list right now. There is in the years of neglect my 95 year old house had to suffer through all the years of hospital drama and no income, so much to fix to get it back into shape that I don't even dare call the insurance people to try and approve any claim I might think I could make.
Which all lead to the second thing that happened.
With my returning good health, and a spectacularly good blood work report at 6 months (no, I can't explain it and neither can anyone else) I sold my house "as is" and am returning to Australia while I still have a third shot at life after this whole unbelievable story. It's still a struggle but I'm going to win that struggle.
So the end of the Texas trail is up ahead I can see it as I approach that milestone. I want to thank the entire community of ex-WWIIOL'ers hanging around here that have helped me and shown me support through this 4 year nightmare, without you I would not have made it I am sure. I could not be more thankful and you should all be proud. It's been an amazing experience and one I am all the better for having had it.
There's a lot of darkness in the world but I learned to live in the light now. I might not check back in for awhile because of all that lies ahead to be fought and beaten, but eventually I'll stop and rest and I'll say hello when the time comes.
Good luck, godspeed and love to all.
Take care of your self
I wish you a turn at good fortune and godspeed to you as well. Geof.
Bon voyage, Doc.
See you around.
I hope it goes smooth, and good luck Doc! From here, Australia is about as far as Texas ;)
Whenever you find a moment to spend here, do it, please. We'll want to know what's going on.
Head up, eyes forward. Go.
Our collective intellect and grand personalities will draw him back soon enough.
Good luck bro. Hope things turn around for you.
Best of luck on your future travels DOC. I'd say you've come full circle back to your starting point and traveled the four corners of life in between but this is just the beginning of the next chapter. (and book?) Carry on and keep us in mind. Do what makes you happy. Cheers.
Thus isnt the end, this is just a walkabout. <>