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A few months ago I wrote this post about my diagnosis with Adiposis Dolorosa (Dercum's Disease). After writing it I had a brief reprieve from the symptoms and for a while I was able to work part time.  Then in September I had surgery to remove some of the tumors.  For some unknown reason this caused the disease to progress rapidly.  I have now reached the point where I can no longer work at all.  Not only that, I cannot even live on my own and take care of myself.  I have had to move in with my mother so she can take care of me.  I miss my work terribly and I see email from many of you asking questions about this or that but I am unable to answer them.

As for the future, no one really knows what this disease will do to me in the long run.  The doctors have been very surprised to see this devastating impact so quickly.  Not only is this disease causing a great deal of pain, it is also attacking my brain making it very difficult to do even simple tasks.

Over the years I have seen farewell blog posts from many of my colleagues at Microsoft.  Most are moving on to bigger and better things.  I wish this was the case for me.  Unfortunately it is not.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Ron, thanks for EVERYTHING! I'm sure you've helped more than you'll ever know.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Man, I wish you all the best! Thanks for your posts!

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Ron, I am saddened to hear your condition has not improved.  Please continue to keep us informed of your progress.  Hoping for the best and more WF posts from you in the future. James

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    I'm very sorry to hear your condition.  Wish you and your family the best.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Ron, I´m really sorry to hear that. I don´t even know you but I´ve been following your posts over the last years and I really enjoyed and learned quite a lot. I wish you all the best!

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Sorry to hear that Ron.  Just take are of yourself and enjoy what ever you can.  I hope you get better.  Prayers go with you.  Also thanks for your past works you have touched many in this industry.  Take pride in that.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Ron , we usually met at conferences or when you visited Israel , you were always so optimistic and full of life and passion about what you were doing at that time, I wish you all the best , and will pray for your health.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Thanks I liked your post and the podcast.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    I learned much from you - thank you,  and I wish you good health.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Thanks for all your help in getting me up to speed on AppFabric and Workflow.  Loved your enthusiasm and passion of Microsoft products!  Prayers go out to you and your family.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Thanks for your efforts to make sense out of the strange world of software

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    I hope everything turn out better for you than this suggest. Thanks for everything you did for me.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Praying for you buddy! I truly hope your pain will be manageable and rest assured we will all strive to carry on your amazing legacy in your (hopefully temporary) absence.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Hope things turn around for you, Ron.  All my best wishes.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Very sad to hear this. I loved your work Ron! All the best wishes'

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Ron, you are missed. I hope your condition improves.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    I'm so sad to hear this news Ron. I wish you all the best for the future. I hope you are able to keep in touch as you are able (Twitter?) Rory

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Hi Ron, Very sad to hear about it, I hope things turn for better in coming days.. You have inspired me so much in the couple of times I met you when you were in australia. I hope everything works out  for you. All the best mate! Sunny

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Hello Ron, I was heartened by your post - I have learned so much about WF from you and your code samples.  Just want to say "Thank you" and wish to see you in Bldg 18, blogging and recording videos again in the future. My prayer with you and your family.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Hi Ron, I just wanted to pass on a heart felt thank you for all your help and guidance. It was always a pleasure meeting you and a fun role reversal to present at TechEd with you in the audience. My thoughts are with you and I hope for the best for you. I will always be in your debt. Stef

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Ron, it is heartening to see you leave this way. I want to thank you for all your dedicated work, all the help and guidance you've been giving all these years. I wish you all the best and as many good times as possible.

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    Dear friend, No one can predict what will come even one second later, don't loose your hope. Although life is worthy when we share time. I'm sure we all, have had great moments with you. Thanks for everything, take care! Mehdi

  • Anonymous
    January 10, 2013
    May be ask your doctor to investigate some another diagnosis, which can be closely to this one? Just make a pause, take the good rest for one or two years. Often this kind of mood, reasoned by desease, can be more distructive than the desease itself. We are using your very usefull posts, Ron. We need your magic and we hope all things are not so sad. Keep us informed. We will be waiting for your return.

  • Anonymous
    January 11, 2013
    Sir, you write the best WF tutorials. I hope that you'll get better soon. Take care.

  • Anonymous
    January 11, 2013
    Ron thanks for illuminating our way, I hope your best health, best wishes ... Bendiciones...

  • Anonymous
    January 11, 2013
    Thanks for all the great work you've done, and I wish you and your family all the best...

  • Anonymous
    January 12, 2013
    All the best man! You will be back, you did awesome job and there still more to come!!! Best wishes with you!

  • Anonymous
    January 12, 2013
    Best of luck in the future mate. My thoughts are with you.

  • Anonymous
    January 12, 2013
    Hey. Hope things turn around for you. Best wishes.

  • Anonymous
    January 13, 2013
    Hello Ron, I'm following you for quite some years and it's very sad to hear this. I really enjoyed reading your professional posts and you really inspired a lot of people around the world. Best wishes and try to think positive! Bjorn

  • Anonymous
    January 13, 2013
    I just followed you on blogs and webcast... I always felt you are highly energetic... I hope you get better soon...

  • Anonymous
    January 13, 2013
    Very sad. Hope you get well soon. Take care.

  • Anonymous
    January 14, 2013
    Ron - your posts have been among my favorite and I am incredibly sorry to hear that you are suffering from this disease.  Best wishes and you have thousands of people who have never met you wishing for your complete recovery.

  • Anonymous
    January 14, 2013
    I am very sorry to hear that! I always enjoyed seeing you present with so much passion and always smiling! Get well!

  • Anonymous
    January 18, 2013
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  • Anonymous
    January 19, 2013
    Siento mucho leer esto. Le deseo lo mejor y espero que mejore pronto.

  • Anonymous
    January 22, 2013
    Very sorry to hear about your condition. Hope you get well soon.

  • Anonymous
    January 22, 2013
    Ron, your articles and all another stuff are very helpful. You're professional and your ideas and posts will be in my bookmarks for a long time. I wish you all the best!

  • Anonymous
    January 24, 2013
    Hello from Colombia I've just asked you a question , I didn´t know that you are sick.....I really wish you health and success and I'm totally convinced that you'll manage your situation and you'll be better.

  • Anonymous
    January 28, 2013
    it is a pity to hear this. Good luck and best wishes

  • Anonymous
    January 29, 2013
    Hi Ron, I was looking for some of your old content which I still refer to from time to time and I came across this entry. I saw you present at TechEd a few years back and enjoyed the ARCasts. Sounds like there's a long road ahead, but I hope you pull through and get better. Good luck, and all the best Robbie

  • Anonymous
    January 29, 2013
    I wish you the best. Thanks for everything. You seen to be not only a good professional but also a great person. Keep in mind that we can always be in a better condition if we try to keep a good mental state Cheers

  • Anonymous
    January 30, 2013
    Hi Ron, I feel very sad to hear that. Looking forward to seeing a wonderful and healthy you.

  • Anonymous
    January 31, 2013
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    January 31, 2013
    Ron, you've been a consistently great colleague, and I wish I had had more of an opportunity to learn from you as a presenter, evangelist, and talk-show host (loved our times on endpoint.tv!).  Thanks for everything.  You will be in my prayers.

  • Anonymous
    February 04, 2013
    Very sad to hear this. and this is the second bad news I've got today. Hope you get better soon.

  • Anonymous
    February 06, 2013
    Thank you Ron. I do hope that you get better.