mick - getting rid of the pleasures is only the first slow step..  No eggs, no raw meat, then no smoking, no drinks (still a wise choice), no grass, no sex......like a wirlpool life is sucked out.; BUT THEN, like Ishmael, you will bob back to the surface.  Now that all pleasure has been scourged from your life, it is time for incremental pain increse.  The old fillings need replacement, then the capal tunnel, then the hips noflex (or is it genuflex) , the back stiffins up if you use it, hurts if you don't.
But not to worry, the doc will tell you he can't give you the good (narco) pain killers cause they are being watched, BUT,
if you go to Yoga class, they will help reduce all the stiffness and pain.
Beware..once "they" get you locked up into the downward facing dog praying to Dog spelled backwards position with your Butt (This is the last one)  properly upward facing, you will hear a slowly increaseing wail of BOHICA!
Mick - not to worry, this is the plan so if it's going according to the plan, all is right.  

 Mick, just as you realized health benefits with time after quitting smoking, know that this depressing time you are in will get better with time also! I watched my father go through it when I was growing up after he became addicted to pain killers after a spinal tap. If you'll pardon a "pup's" advice, keep active and don't seclude yourself. You've got a wealth of knowledge and life to share. Doing so will benefit yourself and those around you. I lost my Dad some twenty five years ago, but I still share his advise and outlook with the apprentices I've trained over the years. I'd like to think a part of him lives on with the memory of how he lived his life and the example of how he overcame things!
 Our philosophies may not agree, Mick, but I respect you and think you have shown a lot of courage in the way you've dealt with things so far. I think you can do anything you set your mind to and hope you come out of this as strong as ever. Keep your throttle up and we'll see you racing through the straightaways! Someone has to remind us soft "kids" of the roots to this two wheeled mistress we have in common!

Hang in there mick. You can do whatever you need to do in this situation. I believe we always do what we need to do, like it or not. If one day at a time geti too rough settle for an hour. Be strong--Luke

Hey Mick,
No shame in admitting to the drink. Plenty fight the fight. You'll find your bliss again. Man with your pluck, grit, and determination is bound to. All the best to you.
Jay
PS: As for your hand, I saw a three wheeler a while back that made me think of you. Never seen its kind before, so I don't know the make;but it had a steering wheel! Not bad looking either.

OK, found pics of the bike. It's called the "Stallion".
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http://motorcycletestdrive.com" alt="" title="" border="0" />

Hey Mick,

Glad to hear you're still on the wagon. Maybe you should change the title of this thread to ongoing or good news - currently titled bad news for those of you who don't want to look up

Mick,  Go read Psalms 46:1  and think about what it says.  That's all I have to say.

Tom Valentine
Hernando MS