META: Stepping away for a couple weeks.

Submitted by Ace on

I wrote a thread a couple days ago on Twitter about my health and what will be a couple-week absence. Copy-pasted because I'm feeling lazy:

A health update of sorts: I'm going to be mostly absent from writing (at least that you'll see right away) for the next couple weeks. I'm taking next week to write my articles for the preview magazine and the following week I fly to Alabama for surgery.

This should be minor and quite beneficial. I'm getting my increasingly sick gall bladder removed and having my esophagus repaired to solve my long-running issues with acid reflux. It's all part of the big-picture plan to get fully healthy. At the very least, it should make me more comfortable and improve my quality of life, and I'm quite optimistic it'll continue pushing me down the path to being asymptomatic.

I look forward to returning soon in better health, and can't say enough how much I appreciate the support and well-wishes.

1VaBlue1

May 4th, 2018 at 12:57 PM ^

Good luck, man!!!  Having lived with acid reflux for the better part of 15-20 years, I know it sucks.  Fortunately, Omeprazole works for me, but its a constant expense - miss a day, live in misery.  I wish you well!

Bo Schemheckler

May 4th, 2018 at 1:00 PM ^

This is why the update should a a "LOVE" button because of hit it here. Don't love that we will be missing your writing but do love the fact that you will be getting a much deserved increase in comfort and joy

Lou MacAdoo

May 4th, 2018 at 1:02 PM ^

Alabama for surgery? I knew they were known for their world renowned engineers, but hadn’t heard anything about their surgeons. I wish you the best and hope you come out on the other end of this with some peace and joy.

MileHighWolverine

May 7th, 2018 at 5:20 PM ^

Depends on your definition of "rural" but, as a quick example, a sibling of mine is a thoracic surgeon who went to med school and trained in NY but moved to Omaha because they offered a hefty increase in her salary 10 years ago. A major hospital in NYC just tried to poach her they offered her a little less than what she makes currently and that's without factoring the cost of living differences....just straight compensation comparison, she makes more in Omaha then she would have in NYC.

Another friend (also a surgeon) just left a major hospital here in Denver to take up a job in Salt Lake City after they made him an offer he couldn't refuse but you could argue SLC maybe is not a rural area.

Maybe it's specific to the specialty? Both of my examples are surgeons. 

 

HimJarbaugh

May 4th, 2018 at 1:07 PM ^

Good luck, Ace!

Out of curiosity, what are you having done for your esophagus? I ask because I also have GERD/reflux and would love to know if there is a solution out there. 

darkstar

May 4th, 2018 at 1:12 PM ^

I watched Unrest a couple of weeks ago and what you are going through looks unbearable so I give you all the credit in the world for doing what you're doing.

JBDaddy

May 4th, 2018 at 1:14 PM ^

You know getting your throat worked on may involve vocal rehab.  I'm waiting to see if Ace'll be talking slow and dropping some involuntary "fixin to", "might could" and "Roll Tide" on us in the next podcast he graces.

Good luck.

 

Blue in PA

May 4th, 2018 at 1:24 PM ^

Safe travels, best wishes, and take care.....   There's a motley, misfit horde praying for your health and healing.

MotownGoBlue

May 4th, 2018 at 1:35 PM ^

From someone who’s fought acid reflux (to the point of waking up at 2-3am, literally choking and coughing to death on that crap) for going on 10 years now, I’d like to interject a few noninvasive methods of neutralizing the acid and preventing the damage that occurs:

1. Water - minimum 1/2 gallon/day.
2. Inclined mattress/pillow - elevate your head a good 4-8 inches above your stomach before sleep.
3. Lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, honey tonic, (lemon juice with water especially in the mornings on an empty stomach).
4. Cut out and/or limit smoking, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and high sodium, high sugar, high fat, high cholesterol and spicy foods and drinks.
5. Exercise daily, even if it’s a mere 10 minute walk.

Applying this has eliminated my acid reflux immensely (near non-existent) improving my overall health and ability to sleep sound. Not to mention, no more need to pop Rolaids, Tums, and proton-pump inhibitors left and right.

Take care, you’re not alone.

M-Dog

May 4th, 2018 at 1:59 PM ^

Good luck Ace! Take a well-deserved break to rest and recuperate. 

Being a ltiile bit older, I'm not sure people realize what a blessing it is to be able to work in the age of the internet when you have health issues. 

Thirty years ago, you would be expected to commute to an office everyday and be in a cubicle farm from 8:00 to 5:00 at minimum, with very few accomodations to anybody that could not fit that model.

 

NRK

May 4th, 2018 at 2:02 PM ^

Good luck and hope surgery goes well!

But this is an obvious cover story for a Nick Saban hitjob. I know wetwork when I see it.