December 19, 2023
Hi, Everyone,
Well, this has been an "interesting" year..... The year start off fine. I was able to do a lot of travel - and even got to participate again in one of my favorite activities: mountain hiking/climbing. My favorite was making my way up to Alum Cave Bluff in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a rugged adventure, but I was overjoyed when I reached the summit (see picture). However, it was shortly after that when the year took the "interesting" turn. Because of the effects of Covid, I developed a sudden and brutal form of rheumatoid arthritis that completely changed my world. Imagine if you will being full of energy and zest one day and feeling absolutely and truly wonderful in all respects. Then, the very next morning you wake up and are unable to use your hands, feet, and have a difficult time breathing. I literally could not bend my body enough to get out of bed. At first I thought I had some kind of a stroke that left me incapacitated. A specialist ran a full range of tests, and the results confirmed that Covid triggered a very peculiar auto-immune response that led to a sudden onset of the rheumatoid arthritis. I had not had any arthritis in the past, so this was simply a "Covid-specific" response. Basically, this made me unable to do simple things like take a shower, brush my teeth, eat with a fork, drive a car. Those were serious enough, but I also could not use a keyboard, so I could do no writing. None at all. Finally, I was given an experimental medicine that started to reverse the symptoms, but for a long time the activities I had taken for granted just wouldn't kick in again. Scared? You bet I was. As odd as it sounds, it was also something of a soulful time because I had plenty of time to think about all the things I had been taking for granted. I also realized just how lucky I was to have had the life I've been living. I've been blessed in life. I know that. If I hadn't recovered at all, I honestly could not have had any complaints because I've had a great life for me. But, late in the year, the medicine started working better, and my range of motion started coming back in my legs and arms. And, finally, I could type again, which made this writer very happy to the point of tears. I'm not completely back yet, but I'm on a good climb up the hill - and I have no complaints. I'm getting back into my writing, and I hope 2024 is a good one for my writing projects. I'll keep all of you posted as these come to fruition. In the meantime, I want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year. And, finally, I think it would be a good idea for us all to be thankful for our many blessings in our lives. I know that is what I'm going to do when the new year rolls in.
Take care, everyone. My best wishes to you all!
Jeff
