Apologies for the necro.
I have discussed this in PMs with several regulars, and I thought I would just let everyone else who cares know as well. I'm trying not to be morbid, but there is a chance of a sudden disappearance.
I am going through repeating rounds of chemo. I will not bore you with the details, but things are not going as well as hoped. I am very weak and pretty much constantly ill now. (Which is not surprising, considering that chemo is essentially pumping yourself full of poison and hoping to God that it kills the cancer before it kills you. I am constantly reminded of the last scene from the film version of "Fight Club" when Ed Norton "kills" Brad Pitt by blowing out half his own face.) While I can still read and type well enough, it exhausts me to do so, and I have to go so slow that I become easily frustrated.
I could go into details, but I just don't have the mental fortitude right now. I will give you the nutshell. It seems I may be pulling a Dr. Wilson. If things go very well with the chemo and radiation, I may see 2015. If they don't? If things go badly? Last Christmas may have actually been the last one for old sandman.
I am putting things in order. My ducks are all in a row. After all, this wasn't exactly a surprise to me. Mrs. Sandman is holding up well. She always was the strong one. I have had many visits from former students and I have no regrets. I tried to live life as best I could, and I think I came as close as could be expected. I'm sure the Almighty will cut me some slack on the details.
I will remain as active as I can on the boards, and I hope I will be around for a few years more. If I'm not, know that it has been interesting.