Got word that a friend is dying from cancer. He never quit the partying lifestyle and it appears to have caught up with him. I'm glad I got into riding. Going to see him tomorrow before it's too late.

Always sorry to hear news like this. I'm glad you can see your friend one more time.

Every day is a Gift.

My sympathies, and your comment is so true to me too. Several years ago I was having lunch with two doctors. The conversation turned to the vicissitudes of life, like sudden death, or trivial symptoms as the harbinger of something serious. The ultimate conclusion was that banal chestnut, to live life everyday to the fullest. As we departed, the surgeon, a marathon runner said, "Well, any day with a run in it is a good day for me."

Though I was already a long-time cyclist, it suddenly clicked for me, that any day with a ride in it is a good day for me. Ever since then, I cherish my rides, and pretty much only illness or work-related necessities keep me off the bike. Not just for the important health benefits, but because, as Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing."

Liver perchance? I worry about mine. I was a functional drunk for 30 years. Drank myself into self-diagnosed pancreatitis and was actually able to quit drinking without any intervention or help from anyone. It was hard, but I knew if I didn't do it I was on the road to death. That was 4 years ago. I started riding 1 year ago. Go to the doc every year and the blood work comes back fine, but I still worry about the damage done to my liver. It'll likely kill me one day, but I'm hopeful it will be 20 years off. I'm 56. Looking back on it, I can't believe I led that lifestyle for so long. So stupid. Sorry about your friend