Not precisely leaving, but...

[The Old Hack]

I haven't precisely been at my best of late and it is not likely to improve for a while. See, a little while ago I found out that a close personal friend of mine I have known for half my life is suffering from terminal liver cancer. The specialists in charge of his case say that it can't be treated surgically. They are attempting chemotherapy but the odds are not good.

I will still be around here and playing, it is good for stress relief at times, but I probably won't be playing as much and I won't have as much energy for plots. I will try to keep up with what I am already involved in but I don't think I will be pulling marathon efforts for a while. I intend to spend as much time as I can with my friend in his RL and online activities. For obvious reasons I can't say how long this will last. But I do thank you all for your patience and for the good times I've had and still have here.

My very best regards,
Simon

[TheShadow]

We can all hope that your friend does get better. not sure what else to say other than your doing the right thing.

[Howlando]

Best wishes for your friend.

[granny]

Stay strong. I'm hoping for the best.

[goate]

I hope the treatment goes well.

-Gracken/Goate

[Deadlykate]

Hope he gets better, I am sure he is glad you are there for him.

[cmenden]

Hope things go well for your friend and you!

[CondorHero]

Enjoy the time you spend with your friend! :)

[Pandip]

Sorry to hear about this. Good luck with everything.

[Kiroy]

Good luck and best wishes.

[derfo]

Stay positive and take it easy. All the best to you and your friend. =)

[The Old Hack]

Update on this.

My friend is on chemotherapy and is so far responding well to it without too many bad side effects, which is fortunate. How well it works remains to be seen. He has been informed that his particular form of cancer, while hard to treat, still leaves him some time even if the treatment fails. Two years, perhaps three, on the outside four or five. In spite of many disappointments so far he is gamely hanging in there and doing his best for his family.

I myself have managed to absorb some of the impact. I am still spending as much time with him as is reasonably possible. However, I feel a bit less on edge now. I'll post more as things develop.

Thanks, all of you, for being patient with me in these times.

~tOH.

[granny]

<3 you got our best wishes, darling. stay strong!