Tony,

I took a few years off of work after treatment, but it wasn't because I wanted to, it was because I had to. Technically I've been classified as severely disabled, and was told that I would never work in my field of expertise again due to the challenges I faced after surgery.

2.5 years after diagnosis, 2 years after surgery I'm running my own business and having the time of my life. One thing that this experience has taught me is that life's too short not to do what you really want to do...so why let finances or assumed "responsibilities" dictate how you want to spend your time?

I've always been a workaholic, driven by goals and the constant need to win...at anything and everything I do. That's what get's me going in the morning. To others, a more laid back existance works for them and that's just fine. I guess at the twilight of life I want to look back and say..."I did it my way"...to quote Sinatra. I want to be able to know, good or bad (hehehehe) that I did the things I wanted to do in life. As you've been made painfully aware, life doesn't give you any guarantees so do what you want, while you can.

Eric