Hi, Ladies!! <hugs>

I'm back!! Thank you, thank you thank you!! I had to let John post his thanks to you first, and now you can hear it from me!!

This has been such an emotional week. The thoughts that went through my mind could have been debilitating! I seriously thought I would crumble during many moments this week, but somehow, I held it all together. I owe much of that to you all!! Knowing that you are out there, that you care, that you're ready to offer your words and thoughts of encouragement and support, that you're willing to listen, whether the problem is small or huge (or appears to be...), is really the most amazing and wonderful thing!

I feel truly blessed!!

Thank you thank you thank you!!

As for the 24 hour race....he decided a few days ago to back out. And the timing was just barely good enough. He managed to snag a replacement who is pretty much World-Cup fast, so Team Barking Spider will handily win their category, and may be in contention for the overall podium. And Mr. Replacement had just started putting his team together and organizing the necessities - instead he slots right into a well-organized team, with support people, a fabulous condo, lots of spare parts, etc.

We think we might even go down for Saturday and Sunday to watch some, and maybe do some volunteer time. It would be terribly weird that way, but I think we can handle it!

He does still need to see a urologist, and we suspect there will still be some work done to the boys. I'd like him to see someone soon so he can find out just how much riding he can do. He was doing 200+km per week when the whole thing "blew up" (so to speak), so he can probably do half that and still be having fun! <smile> When it comes time for a surgery, if that's what's necessary, I imagine there will be some downtime...sad thing for both me and the bike... but still much better than the alternative!

Thank you again for all of light and energy and your post-diagnosis happy dances, parades and virtual balloons! This is going to be a GREAT weekend!

hugs all around!

~Teresa~