META: Taking Time Off
Apologies for doing this the lazy way but I'm gonna copy and paste my tweet thread on this:
before I get into details, my job status has not changed.
when I made plans in February to have surgery this spring, it was as part of a plan to get fully healthy — my gall bladder was showing signs of problems and when we set it up it seemed we'd be getting out in front of things. my health turned fast starting not long after.
my surgeon didn't say this to me at this time, for which I'm thankful even though it was quite apparent, but by the time I was on the table, I had cachexia (wasting syndrome). my particularly weakened state heading in has extended the recovery process.
the offseason is usually when I slowly regain my strength after pushing myself through football and basketball season—regain my floor. usually by August I'm itching for the season to start. I don't have it right now. my weight has improved and I'm still 25 pounds underweight.
usually I work until I crash, but I haven't even been able to attempt to push through this, and I need to give myself time to truly put my health first and heal. so, with the steadfast support of Brian and the whole crew, I'm taking an indefinite leave of sorts.
the plan is to continue doing the podcasts, but writing is too much for me right now. I'm hoping that by football season I'll start easing my way back in, but the main goal is to be ready to cover basketball.
I'm optimistic this course of treatment is going to work, and taking the time away should hopefully expedite the process. I love doing this work and want few things more than to get back to it. I have big plans that I've wanted to get going and just couldn't.
but what I want most is to be healthy. I've had this for half my life. the cumulative effects have been extremely difficult.
as always, I can't say enough how lucky I am to have the support I receive. my family is behind me. the tiny independent website that employs me has given me more paid time off than most major companies would allow. I have a community that's been remarkable.
I'm either gonna beat this shit into submission or step away only after doing everything I could to make it happen. I'm placing a big bet on the former. I love y'all and I look forward to coming back better than ever before.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:12 AM ^
Get well, Ace! You will be missed!
Get better Ace....taking care of yourself is priority #1.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
Do whatever you have to do and if things don't go the way you want them to, know that we are all very grateful for the contributions you have made so far and will in the future.
Best of Luck and Best of Health to you in the future.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
Good luck, Ace! The place won't be the same without you, but you have to do what you have to do.
We'll be thinking of you...and still eagerly awaiting for the tattoo your promised (or did I miss that?)
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:14 AM ^
Rest up and get better my friend, Jordan Poole will be waiting on the other side.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
Good luck, Ace! Get better soon!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:14 AM ^
Hope you recover soon. I had to move in with my mother for a year for a similar thing, she had zero energy after a health issue, couldn't climb stairs, slept all the time, etc. Surround yourself with positivity, my dude, we'll be missing your content.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:14 AM ^
Get healthy and get your mind rested too!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:14 AM ^
Take care, buddy. Hope to see you soon, hale and hearty.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
Thanks for giving us great content through the years, but do what you need to do to get well.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
Here's to your eventual victory over this, Ace. Very few things are as important as your health, and writing for a sports blog ain't one of them.
Here's a big thumbs-up to Brian Cook too—he's gone above and beyond what many business owners would do in this situation.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
Sincerely hope you can recover and return!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
Best of luck on your recovery, Ace.
Hopefully the football season gives you plenty of strength while readying yourself for hoops to start.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
You owe us nothing - get yourself healthy!!!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
Get healthy, stay healthy and look forward to you being back. Take care man
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
Eagerly looking forward to your return, Ace. Best wishes until then.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
Sending positive vibes.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:16 AM ^
You will be missed and loved in your absence. Get well soon!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:17 AM ^
Get well comrade. We'll miss you.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:18 AM ^
Keep fighting for better days, good sir. I look forward to your return. Until then, focus on you.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:18 AM ^
Best wishes. Get healthy and come back stronger and better than before!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:19 AM ^
I know I shouldn't be curious but I am.
Cancer?
I hope you do beat this and continue to write. I have always enjoyed your professionalism and level-headedness to balance Brian's zaniness. I will be praying for you Ace.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:20 AM ^
Ace, you are the man. Best wishes for solid rest and speedy recovery.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:20 AM ^
Get well soon Ace!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^
whole milk and steak. hope you get better soon.
Yep. Take those vitamins and get better.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^
Gotta take care of #1. Glad you have the support necessary to survive. And keep fighting the good fight for better healthcare in this country. Seven blessings.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^
Blessings.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
Oh man, Ace, take care of yourself. You're doing the right thing by addressing your health. Many hard working professionals ignore their health for too long.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
This place wouldn't be the same without you Ace. Get well by football season please!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
All my best Ace
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:24 AM ^
Take care of yourself, Ace! Looking forward to the podcasts.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:25 AM ^
Get well Ace!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:26 AM ^
Healing vibes for you.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^
Get well, man. We are all pulling for ya. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:28 AM ^
You will be missed, Ace. But your health is much more important. Wishing you the very best as always.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:33 AM ^
Get well, Ace man! We are all behind you.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
Get well, Ace. If there's anything you need covered from an administrative standpoint, I can help if needed.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
Best of luck Ace! We'll miss your writing...
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:36 AM ^
Praying for a full recovery Ace! Your work is top shelf and we all hope to read it for years to come.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:40 AM ^
All the best, Ace. Very much hoping for the "beat this shit into submission" outcome.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:43 AM ^
Prayers Amigo.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:44 AM ^
I know you are more than ready to lick this Ace, and it is so great you have the support of your family and coworkers that you do.
Now go get some meat on them bones.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:45 AM ^
I hope for the best. This place doesn’t matter or any job when your health is at risk. We will miss you but we all know that you need to take care of yourself.
Take your time and get better. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:49 AM ^
I wish you the strength to endure and the best of luck in getting past this. Can't wait to see you back!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:51 AM ^
We're all in your corner, Ace. Do for you and your family and friends what you need to do. Get yourself healthy!
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
WIshing you the best Ace
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:55 AM ^
Get well Ace! I look forward to you coming back fully health when you are ready. So glad you have a strong group around you for support through all of this.
August 2nd, 2018 at 11:58 AM ^
Get healthy! We'll miss your writing but would much rather have you be healthy and happy. Praying for you!
August 2nd, 2018 at 12:07 PM ^
Good luck, Ace, I hope you have a smooth recovery.
Don't push yourself to return too quickly. I had a serious illness over the winter and was back to work full-time at the beginning of April. Now it's four months later and I'm realizing that I really wasn't ready for that and should've spent more time easing back into it. Take it slow.