Good morning!!! So, back in September, I was officially diagnosed with CMML-1 (Chronic MyeloMonocytic Leukemia)... Since then, I've been poked and prodded and biopsied countless times... That why I haven't posted any new pipes recently, I haven't been able to get into my shop... It started with strange black outs that seemed to have no origin or reason, followed by odd bouts of full body pain... It got to the point where even my eyelids and ear lobes were in pain... So, after confirmation of leukemia, I was placed on a drug called Inqovi. Its chemo in pill form. The drug has finally started taking effect, and now I am in little to no pain!!!
Now, starting in January, I am going to have a stemcell transplant... I'll be in the hospital for a month at minimum... After that, I'm not allowed near smoke or dust for about 4 months.... Making pipes creates A LOT of dust.... So I'm shutting down shop for at least 6 months...
This kind of sucks, as making pipes is a therapy to me... I'm able to let my mind drift and wander... Working on my lathe brings me a sense of calming peace that I've only ever found while deep in the woods... I'm going to miss that dearly....
