Anyone heard from Christian Whitmore?

He was on a thread here recently, last 2 months .

Email changed?

bowie

Yikes! Sorry to hear you couldn't reach me. I didn't get any emails from you this year John. Please know I'm the last person who will disappear or ghost anyone. I'm more active than ever and I almost always reply within 24 hours (and I check my spam folder every couple days just in case). My wife has had some major health concerns in the last year so things slow down a bit some weeks but I won't leave you hanging. The email Teejay posted above is correct. If it was via Facebook, I only check it every few weeks. If your email server doesn't get along with the old AOL server for my primary, I have a backup which is ProAudioTubes at gmail.com. I'm reeeeally into making sure I don't neglect communications. And, if anyone ever feels I'm taking too long to write back, BUG ME!

Well that explains it - I had an AOL address. I was just hoping you were ok...I'll hit you up at the gmail account.

Oh damn - I missed that in the post...yes - hope your wife gets better!

Best wishes for good health for your wife Bowie.

Cheers,
Geoff

Thank you everyone, for the kind words. My wife's situation is very difficult for me to talk about. It's the kind of awful that happens to "other people". But, there's so many folks here I think of as friends that I should probably open up so my prolonged silence on the subject doesn't turn it into a dark secret.
After contracting covid in late 2022, she started suffering from severe eye pain. After extensive hospital stays and being failed by the healthcare system multiple times (doctor quote) in 2023, she was diagnosed with having an auto-immune disease that was triggered by covid. It causes inflammation in the optic nerves and impairs her sight. She cannot read or see detail, but is able to sort of tell what things are if she can get them close enough. The doctors don't know if this disease will go away. Or, if the disease is suppressing vision or if it's nerve damage.

It's particularly rough because she's not an old lady or someone vulnerable to disease. She was in her 30's when it struck and we were finally ready to have kids. The fact that depression hasn't swallowed her is a testament to her indominable spirit. She's always been a ray of light. Having attended a school for the blind for several months, she is going to try to return to work soon. I don't know if that's feasible as she's struggling with braille, but regardless I'm trying my best to make sure she can live happy and keep smiling. She was the one who drove, shopped, and ran errands because I have a bad disc in my neck. So, I've made great efforts to become stronger, exercising twice daily and eating clean so I can do more. I was already living pretty clean but working through the neck pain requires athletic levels of discipline. Truthfully, she deserves better than me, but I'm trying. I've been blessed in many ways and helping others is where I find fulfillment in life so, as crushing as it is to watch her go through this, I'm grateful that I can fill an important role.

We're not asking for anything, but she does appreciates prayers. People tend to avoid those who are struggling, as if there's some bad mojo attached to them. And, that's another reason I've been quiet about it. But, we are positive folks, laughing and smiling every day, and are always looking upward and onward. Please don't let this post sour your day because if you knew what a warrior she is, you'd smile.

I love both of your spirits. Sending strength to you both, good sir. 

Thanks for sharing Christian. Best wishes and my prayers are with you both 🙏

Christian, best wishes to you and your wife

Thanks for all the kind words. Truly. I felt embarrassed after posting. I didn't even want to see the responses for a few days, probably because I was raised in an old-school "don't talk about your problems" household where you didn't dare show weakness to anyone. But, you folks are uplifting. Thank you.

This is getting almost comical but, I was hit in an auto accident on Sunday (which really set back my progress with my neck) and yesterday my A/C died in 112 degree weather. But, I can handle it. Hearing your stories about cancer and other tragedies makes me feel grateful that my share of problems in this world are small compared to yours. The owner of the A/C company I contacted actually knows who I am and wants me to build audio gear for him (which was the most bizarre coincidence ever) so I know I'm in good hands. What a small, crazy world.