I'd like to take a moment to say hello to all my friends whom I've ridden with these past few years, all my friends I met at the Bashes I've attended. My last Bash that I attended was last years fall Bash. The weather was absolutely perfect... for four days God himself painted the most perfect weather I've ever seen. You know, sometimes little thoughts flash through your head, crazy thoughts that we ignore or laugh at because we know they can't / won't happen. At the Fall Bash last year I had those crazy little thoughts that this might be my last Bash, in fact I had them often enough that it was driving me nuts....but this time it was true. It was my "last" Bash.
Above just a few of the many friends that I've made in the world of Busas'. All these friends I will dearly miss. As some of you know, I became quite sick last November and spent five days in the hospital. When I got out I was in such bad shape that I prayed everyday for God to take me... living didn't seem like much of an option.
I finally recovered enough to start flying again in January, but my health quickly deteriorated to the point that I had to be taken off flight status, and in fact, I will never fly again and riding the Busa is out of the question. The reason for not being able to ride the Busa (missed this years spring Bash) is because my sense of balance has left me pretty well handicapped. I take a lot of pills but nothing works. The depression I've had to fight was a result of taking a healthy pilot, horse rider, Busa rider, etc and taking away everything he has... or at least most of it.
In order to walk without falling down, I use a cane, even then it's only short distances I can go without becomeing too tired to continue. The illness that I have been diagnosed with is a very rare, and severe form of Parkinsons Disease. They have lots of good meds for regular Parkinsons, but there is absolutely nothing for this form of it. What I have is called MSA-P, which means, "Multiple, Systems, Athrophy...Parkinsons. There is nothing they can give me to cure the disease, or even slow it down. It is far more severe than true Parkinsons and it does in five years what Parkinsons takes 10 or even 20 years to do. Bottom line, 80% of those who have what I have make it five years. The other 20% make it to 9 or 10 years. I have no way of knowing which group I am in... guess I'll know in a few years though.
So there you have it; I am 58 years old, been in perfect health all my life and zap. It's all over. So I would emplore you to make the very best of every day, make all your memories good ones for they will sustain you in times of adversity. Am I angry about all this... yes I am. Am I hurt emotionally because of this disease. Without question. The cards are stacked against me but I'll fight it till my last breath in a few years.
This is something I miss already... Maybe some of you could give the Dragon a go for me. I sure like to hear how your trip thgough the Dragon went. I can still dream you see........
Goodby to you all. I pray that God watches over each and every one of you, he watches over me. Be safe and fairwell.
Bob
