The last day of 2003 started with a cheeseburger. Not the healthiest choice for lunch, but I was convinced I was in a hurry.

It was a day spent getting my small beach house ready for the big New Year’s party. That afternoon I managed to get some rest… but something was wrong. Physically, something was not working the way it should. The cheeseburger would have been the obvious culprit, and things progressed…

I held out pretty well during that night, having a little champagne and trying the lentils. The first few hours of 2004 were spent with good friends. Upon returning to my small house, things got more serious.

In fact, the first day of 2004 turned out to be the beginning of a roller coaster. Doctors visited me and for a moment there, I think we all believed it was alot of fuss over nothing. But my condition was not improving. I was hurried back to the big city and given my own little room in a hospital.

Many tests later, it was decided. Cholly’s first operation. Its only appendicitis they said. The second day of the year came and went so fast I can hardly tell you about it.

Out of surgery, back in the room. Everyone’s calling, worrying. The task force responsible for my current good health operated flawlessly, from my family to my doctors to all the very best friends one could hope for.

So I disappeared for a while there, huh?