[Achilles]

To everyone that has replied.. thank you very much for the encouragement. I am very grateful for you all taking the time to respond and share your experiences. Taking the time to write things to help total strangers is a gift that I appreciate very much. It helps me cope with what I'm going through. The detailed responses are all very much being consumed in my mind. In my opinion, the things that you may read in a book or hear from a medical professional are just an appendage to hearing it first hand from the people who actually live it.

I may be going through some denial again. It has only been 3 weeks for me so far. It may be human reaction to believe that I can exercise and diet this thing off but down deep inside I know that isn't going to happen. I just have to play the cards that have been dealt to me just like you all and everyone else who is a part of this forum. Do I want to hold them or do I want to fold them? Maybe I'll keep a few and ask for a couple... you know what I mean. All of the cards aren't that bad...

I have some other issues such as feeling guilt but these are more psychological in nature. Things could be a lot worse and I realize that I don't have a terminal cancer or handicap, etc. I can lead a somewhat normal life with this manageable disease. I have been on top of the world for a while career wise, financially, and with other things and this has made me realize just how human I am.

Once again, thanks. It really means a lot.