An Open Letter From Ace
I've been conspicuously absent the past few days. I will not be covering the basketball game this afternoon, nor the game on Tuesday, and I'll be working in a limited capacity for the rest of this month.
Allow me to explain.
Over the past few weeks, my health has taken a turn for the worse. The diagnosis of gluten intolerance I received over the summer hasn't been the be-all, end-all answer I'd hoped; there is more going on, and right now I don't know what. I've been dropping weight at a rather alarming rate. I covered the Syracuse game on Tuesday while weighing 115 pounds. (I'm a hair under 5'11", and haven’t weighed this little since middle school.) My brother drove me to and from the game, because I didn't feel comfortable getting behind the wheel of a car—not the first time he’s done that over the last month, unfortunately.
That's the bad news. I'm very limited physically right now, to the point that covering games in person is not a feasible option, even though there's no part of my job I enjoy more than settling into my spot (or leaping out of it) on press row at Crisler.
The good news is I have no shortage of support. My physician came into the office on a scheduled day off to see me on short notice on Wednesday afternoon, and as soon as I left he was on the phone with specialists at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital; I'll be in and out of appointments at St. Joe’s this week to begin anew the process of determining what, exactly, is going on with my body. As far as doctors go, I'm in very good hands.
The same can be said for my support system at home and at work. My parents and my brother are doing everything within their power to ensure that I'm comfortable, supported, and in good spirits; other than going to appointments, I barely have to leave the townhouse I share with my brother unless I'm up to it—they are taking care of me. I have friends near and far checking in on me, providing moral support or much-needed distraction; those often go hand-in-hand.
Brian, as he has been throughout my time at MGoBlog, has been remarkably supportive, especially when considering I've often had to bail out of work on short notice, and it's not like this is a large operation in which one employee's absence can go unnoticed. He's allowing me to scale back how much I'm working this month, which I hope will be all that's necessary before I'm able to return to writing at full strength, even if it takes longer for my body to reach that point. I've been able to do so time and again the last four years. Very little can stop me from doing what I love: writing.
For their part, the people in the sports information department for Michigan Basketball—especially the SID par excellence, Tom Wywrot—have been extremely flexible and understanding during this time, and I cannot thank them enough for it.
Same goes for fellow MGoBlog writers Seth Fisher, Alex Cook, and Bryan Mac, who've covered my ass on more than one occasion* when I’ve been unable to write, as well as our photographers, Bryan Fuller and Eric Upchurch, who've been extremely generous in offering their support. Thank you, as well, to MGoRightHandMan Dave Nasternak, who filmed high school games this fall when I didn't feel up to it, drove me to games when I did, and even stopped by the studio last weekend to give me a loaf of gluten-free bread after a podcast recording. I’m so lucky to be able to work with you all, and I don't get to convey my appreciation enough.
[Hey, look, they did it again; the NJIT preview is here, and you sure hope you've read Alex's great post on Spike Albrecht.]
If I haven't responded to your emails, phone calls, messages, or tweets in recent days, I hope this serves as a reasonable explanation. I'll get to them when I can, if they truly require a response—these last few days have been spent in near constant communication with doctors and my family so we can get this figured out as soon as possible.
If I've been an asshole to you recently, as I know I have been with a few of you (including some who were beyond undeserving), I apologize. This has been a very stressful time. That’s not an excuse for taking it out on others.
If I told you I'd make plans with you, grab a drink, be in touch, or the like, I must apologize as well; right now, my life is on hold. Trust me when I say that I'd like to see or hear from you soon, but my big mouth occasionally promises more than I can provide, and that's been the case more than usual lately.
I turn 27 tomorrow. I've been dealing with strange health issues that have affected my everyday life since I was 17, when I'd often shoot awake at night in a cold sweat thinking my heart was going to beat out of my chest. I've been able to get through school and largely work around my health problems for a decade. Now is the time I must put my health first and foremost. Diagnoses of de Quervain’s thyroiditis, depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and most recently gluten intolerance haven't fully addressed what's happening; this time around I'm determined to search until the true answer is presented.
I'm confident, with the remarkable support I have, that I'll get to the bottom of this. If there's a place to be sick, it's Ann Arbor, where it's hard to walk around the block without bumping into someone at the top of their chosen field. I still plan to write while the search continues, just not quite as much as I have in the past. I hope you’ll bear with me in the interim. If you’re looking for a way to support me, I hope you'll consider donating to MGoBlog. Brian is paying me full-time for work I don't fully have the capacity to do at the moment, and I don't plan on going anywhere. Supporting the site is the most direct way to support me both now and for the long haul.
Thanks for your understanding.
Now let's get Jim Harbaugh to Ann Arbor.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
and a solid game plan for an immediate change of direction in your health. Thanks for all you do around here.
Blessings.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
Get well soon Ace. We'll miss you here.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:36 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:41 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:46 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
I'm so sorry to hear about your health issues, Ace. I truly enjoy your writing style and humor. I wish you good luck with your health, and hope that you have a happy birthday!
December 6th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
Get well soon, Ace - and Happy Birthday!
December 6th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
Best of luck, Ace. Hope you're writing at full strength again very soon.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^
also looking even more forward to reading your contributions.
December 6th, 2014 at 12:57 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 1:00 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 6th, 2014 at 1:00 PM ^
and good luck Ace
December 6th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
I am a regular Mgoblog reader, I may not have a ton of points or comment a lot, but i love to be on here and this is my number one site for Michigan news, recruiting news, game previews, game recaps, football film study and of course coaching search updates.
Ace get well soon!! i am sure with those talented doctors they will figure this thing out soon, and you will be at Zingermans eating great deli and gaining weight
This must be a frustrating and anxious time, but you have all of our love and support, focus on yourself and dont worry if the site is a little lighter in the meantime!
we are all behind you with our love and support!!
my best wishes to you,
Scott
December 6th, 2014 at 1:12 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 6th, 2014 at 1:17 PM ^
Damn, Ace. Get well soon. Sounds like you've been dealing with some shit. Really puts my health into perspective. I've been sick for four months and doctors cant figure out what is wrong with me. It is frustrating and depressing but your post makes me realize that I really don't have it that bad. Get well soon, dude.
December 6th, 2014 at 1:17 PM ^
Go Blue!
December 6th, 2014 at 1:18 PM ^
and good vibes to you. Hurry back when you can.
December 6th, 2014 at 1:20 PM ^
We have nowhere else to put this.
As i watch Blue vs NJIT, I got to watch the BTN telecast from Yost last night.
Did you see that?? EIGHT goals vs Ohio!!
it was awesome! five goals in the second period and it went from 2-1 M to 7-1.
what a great game for the hockey team, and I hope this jumpstarts their season. they are unranked and 7-6 before last night. They looked great except for the one 2 on none breakaway they gave up for a goal. Man i Miss the Blog that Yost Built.
December 6th, 2014 at 1:28 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^
Get well soon Ace!
December 6th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
Once again, the outpouring of support from this community is damn near overwhelming (in a good way, of course). I'm very lucky to be a part of this. I'm in high spirits, settled in for a weekend of football—and, uh, hopefully a basketball victory—and very confident I'll be back at full strength before long.
December 6th, 2014 at 1:39 PM ^
OMG! if we had a WLA open Live Blog Feed, this would be blowing up today
NJIT 61, Michigan 59, 4:32 left in 2nd Half,
WTF!! oh my God, at this point I will take a win any win. right now.
what a letdown coming off Syracuse,
Irvin, where are you? lost in a snowbank? is there still snow in A-Squared? i live in California where there is no snow.
hope we can pull this one out
Kempom, take me away!!
December 6th, 2014 at 1:37 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 6th, 2014 at 1:37 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 1:39 PM ^
many of us on Eleven Warriors who love your writing and respect you work! Get well soon!!!!
December 6th, 2014 at 1:46 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 1:53 PM ^
This is a scary time for you for sure. Just realize that every day you are one day closer to the cure. I know you have the support of your family and friends but I hope you realize you have an additional group of family and friends here. We all support you and understand that you have to limit your duties. All the other stuff, including coaching searches, games and anything discussed here, pales in comparison to our concern for you and our wishes that you will soon have perfect health.
This is just one challenge that I know you will overcome. Take care of yourself Ace.
December 6th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
Get well soon Ace!!
December 6th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
I cannot believe we lost at home to NJIT. Zak Irvin, that didnt help.
worst was losing a defensive rebound down 70-69 with 10 seconds left,
Doyle and LeVert could not come up with it, and NJIT came up with the loose ball,
Hard loss to take. Just did not shoot well enough and didnt play good enough defense,
a sucky loss that will hurt NCAA seeding, and hurt our ranking for now.
Hello, Eastern Michigan and Arizona!!
December 6th, 2014 at 2:13 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 2:20 PM ^
Thanks for everything you do.
December 6th, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^
Best of luck, bud.
December 6th, 2014 at 2:32 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 2:43 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 3:00 PM ^
Get well soon...No. Get well now!
Get better.
December 6th, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 2:52 PM ^
December 6th, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^
I SO need to kick your ass in arm wrestling.
Feel better soon Brian.
December 6th, 2014 at 3:00 PM ^
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