Jake's forced vacation - Goodbye from him for now

[East]

I am glad that the operation was a success......

I hope he has a speedy recovery.....

As for the other question...I am a recovering alcoholic and addict and almost 30 years clean and sober....but I also have an addictive personality and I am my own worst enemy....

The solution is easy...and very very difficult at the same time. Bottom line...I want to control what I feel and think about to avoid things I don't want to feel or think about...and that is the psychological root of most addictions from alcohol to cigarettes to gambling.......

I can intellectually tell you all about the importance of feeling what you feel but in practice...YIKES! I want to run away..to this day...and I force myself to embrace whatever it is that I am feeling. It is always a struggle and sometimes I win...more often I lose. I was always hoping there would be a destination..a single moment when I arrived at THE place where I accomplished my goal...but the truth is that I will never actually arrive and I will always have to struggle with it. A lot of it comes from the first years of my life.....

I don't know if that will help or not but just in case...there you go...

My best to you both

[Jake]

Yes, I am back! With the permission granted by Doctor Alexander, he has judged that I can go back to my online activities. However, we are still in France and we're planning on coming back to Canada this Friday, where I won't need a wheelchair this time. I can walk, not run, but I can walk. There's thanks to be made and the first person I want to thank of course is my husband Alex who has been very strong and took the right decision in such situation. Yes, it was risky, but at the same time, it was either taking the risk of me not making it to France or me, having the risk of developing a cancer which would have been worse than just suddenly dying, because we all know that cancer can be fatal and quite often it is fatal. I have no words for what Alex did, he saved me, that's all I can say and there's no better proof of love than being saved by your husband. Alex baby, thank you! I love you more than ever. You and I will die together, I can guaranty you that!

The second person I have to thank is Sandrine, my long time friend who did not hesitate a second to offer her help. Sandrine and I have been friends for many years, it all started when I met her in our diplomatic studies in 1999 and since then we never stopped communicating, even though I was living miles away. I had the honor to give Sandrine to her husband when she got married 7 years ago, her dad had died the year before she got married and she asked me to be her man of honor for the occasion and I accepted. That day I wasn't as rich as I am today, and it took all my pennies to be able to get to Paris and be part of this magical moment. I do not regret it, I came back without a job, but a lot of souvenirs that will never leave me until I die or that I develop some kind of amnesia. Sandrine, I know Alex will have you read this, and what I want to say to you is - thank you sweetie. Thank you so much, because of you, Alex still has a husband and my children still have a dad.

Third my thanks goes to all of you from Gayspeak, yes all of you! You may not realize what you did, but you gave Alex the strength to continue. He was alone in all this, and when I see read the very first text he wrote and the pouring sympathy from all of you, it did give him the strength to follow through. Special thanks to Blue, Mike W, Bowyn Arrow and East, your advises didn't fall in an empty head. Of course, Gspeak is just another forum with people hiding behind monikers, but your message got to me.

Obviously, I also want to thank Sandy, my daughter, who guarded the fort and took care of her siblings in so many ways, my son Josh - Josh daddy is back, you and I will have a little talk baby boy. I am not eternal, nobody is. But you dealt with it with decorum, although I know you were, and still are a little shocked, but it's my job and Alex's to help you through it.

The cause was alcohol, stress and diabetes, which as of now I can tell you that I will follow my doctor's advice (Alex), remove the stress, lower the alcohol intake and perhaps get myself some consultations, because it doesn't matter if I am myself a psychologist, people need people and that's the fact of life and I do plan on living a little older than 60 years old so I can meet my grandchildren.

To all of you thanks! And to Alex, I love you so much, thanks Doctor Babe!

We may plan on moving to France after I abdicate my power with the company I created. It's time to switch, I don't want my job to kill me. I'm not ready to go, not just yet, not now!

Best regards to all, Jake M. de C. de la C.

[East]

Welcome Back Jake! It is so nice to hear from you and I am glad your operation was a success

On the road ahead...take it one minute/hour/day at a time. It is the best advice I can give you. It is so much easier to tackle anything in the moment......

[Jake]

Welcome Back Jake! It is so nice to hear from you and I am glad your operation was a success

On the road ahead...take it one minute/hour/day at a time. It is the best advice I can give you. It is so much easier to tackle anything in the moment......

Oh I have no other choice East, I have to make huge changes, but with the help of Alex and my children I know I'll make it

[LJay]

Jake, whether one is religious or not, it is easy to believe in miracles when something like this happens. I am so very pleased that you got such good care and so quickly. You and Alex are incredibly lucky to have Sandrine as a friend and to have each other.

Hurrah for the best ending imaginable! Take it easy and enjoy a rest while you recover. Most of all enjoy all the smiles around you.

[BlueStar]

Jake!! Welcome back dear friend!! I couldn't be happier for you and your family

[Bowyn Aerrow]

Yeah that alcohol is a killer. I'll drink to that.

[MikeW]

Welcome back, Jake. If we can be of any encouragement toward the adjustments you need to make in your life, be sure to let us know!

[CarGuy65]

Yeah that alcohol is a killer. I'll drink to that.

Cute, Wrong on so many levels! but cute ( I remember that episode.)
Jake and family, I am so glad everything went well and wish you the best on your healing process. One day at a time and all will be good. That is one awesome family you have!

Welcome back!!

[palbert]

Jake, welcome back. You are so fortunate to have such support. Best of fortune in your convalescence.