Nice story. I have the feeling I am in the lower age bracket around here but you're certainly an outlier. Cool thing is that because of being younger your body will respond and adapt faster.
I share the feeling of respect towards quite a few regulars around here, some for their persistence, some for their will power, some for simply taking life by the horns dealing with the hand that was dealt to them. Sounds easy, and can be argued that everyone ends up doing just that, but there's a difference between those who are leading their lives and those who are letting life lead them.