My first thing to do is to say a heartfelt 'thanks a lot' to my dear friends here, and especially to those who kept calling me while I was at the University hospital of Regensburg, Bavaria and had to undergo some 20 surgeries, each of which took 10 to 12 hours. Very special thanks go out to my close friends 'Nando and Jim. Especially 'Nando never gave up phoning and assuring me how dearly I was needed on the forum.
God bless you!
I am also very grateful to all who posted their good wishes and prayers in 'Nando's thread on my being silent. 'Nando told me about that in many phone conversations. As always, your caring has proved to be a stimulus for me to carry on, so here I am trying to work my way back to active (forum) life.
There is another person I have often thought of, not only because of his unusual brilliance, and it felt so good seeing him post in that thread: Richard, my friend, thanks a million; man, I do wish you would jump in on my threads more often! Your comments and thoughts are much missed.
And thank you so much, Alexender, for calling me your teacher! This makes me as proud as a peacock, especially as you are such a splendid student that you will surpass your old teacher very soon!
After spending one year in bed almost all of the time, I am still very weak and all those little everyday things still absorb a tremendous lot of strength which I feel there is way too little left of. At prresent, I cannot even properly walk ...
Well, what had happened?
On September 29, 2012 I experienced a complete physical breakdown at my home, without the slightest warning. I tumbled to the floor, with a stream of blood literally gushing out of my guts. The emergency doctor estimated the amount of blood to be about one to one and a half liters. So they immediately took me from my home (and collection!) to the hospital where the first emergency surgery was done right away.
To follow was one year without even accessing a computer or the forum - imagine! I guess I missed you at least as much as you missed me ...
Much later I learned that a wellknown bacterium, helicobacter pylori, had caused severe and bleeding ulcers in my intestines.
Btw, in January, I turned 60 at the hospital, so cheers! As Johnny Cash said, 'I'm a wiser man but older - and sadder!' (see attachment)
So please allow an old man to take his time and resume posting again. Hopefully it will meet my former standards.
I will also work my way thru all the private requests that I noticed waiting patiently in my in-box; all of you will be considered, don't worry.
Best wishes as ever,
Michael
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...michael+silent