"I see no reason to waver from my mission of helping geeks feel safe in the world." Such a beautiful line about purpose. It seems from the outside like you understand eudaimonia. Living a life of purpose can be deeply rewarding, and it is delightful to see you make decisions focused on achieving your personal purpose.
For the past 28 months, I have been dealing with a fungal brain infection, Curvularia meningitis. I probably got it by bringing a little bit of Curvularia fungus from my outdoor hikes into my brain surgery, perhaps in earwax, since I washed my entire body twice with antibacterial soap before the surgery. It was a mystery to find. It caused "about ten" strokes, which, for a while, left me unable to move. Surprisingly, unlike many stroke patients, I have had no cognitive impairment. After two years, I can stand, walk short distances with a rolling walker, am on a clinical trial to improve my left side activation, and am making plans to go back to work. Lately, since December, I have been doing practice projects with my AI buddy. I love it. It has made programming joyful again, and I've done workable MVPs for a personal information manager, equipment manager for homeowners, an heirloom giveaway app for someone dealing with a large number of paintings to give from an estate, tic-tac-toe using minimax or various learning methods (not gonna lie, the desire to do that has been on a back burner for almost 50 years), weather station data recording/visualization for my weather station, and a digital orrery for viewing stars/planets/satellites. I have done this with PHP, Python, Java, Spring, Node, exploring minimal use of external libraries or relying on any that seemed worth the effort. None of it is perfect. The AI is a bit stupid, but earnest in its attempts. It feels like a junior developer who does only what I tell them, so I must tell them the right goals and constraints. It is a joy, and I am looking forward to getting back to work.
Having purpose is joyful. I hope you continue to find your joy regardless of what one mentor calls "the stupid weather of what happens to you."
My sister was diagnosed with Parkinsons a few years back. There's a lot that can be done to manage the progression. After the initial shock she got to improving her health - eating, exercising, staying generally active. She feels better now than she did before the diagnosis.
Kent, Parkinson's is a coming Tsunami given the rapid aging of developed countries. That means more urgency and funding for research. My wife works for a pharma startup that just received FDA approval for a drug that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and are working on a potential therapy. If you take good care of yourself there may be relief available in the next few years, so stay positive and keep sharing your unique perspective with the rest of us for as long as you feel able. Life is always finite, and what endures is your lineage (genes) and the ideas (memes) that you contribute to the culture. Rest assured that your thinking and example has haf and will continue to have an important and lasting impact on many people.
Oh Kent, I'm so sorry to hear of this. I have a number of friends with Parkinson's, and what they say about it being so variable is absolutely true. We all know about Michael J. Fox, but even in my small sample, the disease has taken radically different courses. One thing you _can_ do, as another commenter noted, is to manage your overall health. We have one friend who developed an eating compulsion and gained 40 pounds (bad), but then went on a GLP-1, lost the 40 pounds, adopted better eating habits, and is now better, stronger, and more stable than she was before she was diagnosed. Hoping that you will follow a similar course.
> I see no reason to waver from my mission of helping geeks feel safe in the world.
Thank you for this! I started my career 20 years ago and I was lucky to land in an XP team. Since then, you've been my mentor and the pillar supporting many of my ideas and thoughts.
Nowadays, we geeks need more folks like you who take a step back instead of running with the herd.
> Art & music are going to get more difficult but I have some ideas.
I am very curious about this. By the way, have you considered synths and a DAW?
I miss and often think about hearing you play guitar at the start of those EPD Staff meetings during the pandemic. The levity and realness you brought at the same time was such a joy and something I treasure.
Best to you in the fight this time around. We’re rooting for you.
All support for you Kent, you taught me hell lots of things even though we are total strangers, and most importantly you absolutely made me believe in the profession of software engineering when I was really lacking that faith back in my early 20s (more than 15 years ago), infinite salutes to you from across the globe, I admire you. 🙌🏽
F*ck Parkinson's!
I am sorry. This must be really hard.
"I see no reason to waver from my mission of helping geeks feel safe in the world." Such a beautiful line about purpose. It seems from the outside like you understand eudaimonia. Living a life of purpose can be deeply rewarding, and it is delightful to see you make decisions focused on achieving your personal purpose.
For the past 28 months, I have been dealing with a fungal brain infection, Curvularia meningitis. I probably got it by bringing a little bit of Curvularia fungus from my outdoor hikes into my brain surgery, perhaps in earwax, since I washed my entire body twice with antibacterial soap before the surgery. It was a mystery to find. It caused "about ten" strokes, which, for a while, left me unable to move. Surprisingly, unlike many stroke patients, I have had no cognitive impairment. After two years, I can stand, walk short distances with a rolling walker, am on a clinical trial to improve my left side activation, and am making plans to go back to work. Lately, since December, I have been doing practice projects with my AI buddy. I love it. It has made programming joyful again, and I've done workable MVPs for a personal information manager, equipment manager for homeowners, an heirloom giveaway app for someone dealing with a large number of paintings to give from an estate, tic-tac-toe using minimax or various learning methods (not gonna lie, the desire to do that has been on a back burner for almost 50 years), weather station data recording/visualization for my weather station, and a digital orrery for viewing stars/planets/satellites. I have done this with PHP, Python, Java, Spring, Node, exploring minimal use of external libraries or relying on any that seemed worth the effort. None of it is perfect. The AI is a bit stupid, but earnest in its attempts. It feels like a junior developer who does only what I tell them, so I must tell them the right goals and constraints. It is a joy, and I am looking forward to getting back to work.
Having purpose is joyful. I hope you continue to find your joy regardless of what one mentor calls "the stupid weather of what happens to you."
I wish you the best.
My sister was diagnosed with Parkinsons a few years back. There's a lot that can be done to manage the progression. After the initial shock she got to improving her health - eating, exercising, staying generally active. She feels better now than she did before the diagnosis.
I’m so sorry to hear this news. 💐
Kent, Parkinson's is a coming Tsunami given the rapid aging of developed countries. That means more urgency and funding for research. My wife works for a pharma startup that just received FDA approval for a drug that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and are working on a potential therapy. If you take good care of yourself there may be relief available in the next few years, so stay positive and keep sharing your unique perspective with the rest of us for as long as you feel able. Life is always finite, and what endures is your lineage (genes) and the ideas (memes) that you contribute to the culture. Rest assured that your thinking and example has haf and will continue to have an important and lasting impact on many people.
Oh Kent, I'm so sorry to hear of this. I have a number of friends with Parkinson's, and what they say about it being so variable is absolutely true. We all know about Michael J. Fox, but even in my small sample, the disease has taken radically different courses. One thing you _can_ do, as another commenter noted, is to manage your overall health. We have one friend who developed an eating compulsion and gained 40 pounds (bad), but then went on a GLP-1, lost the 40 pounds, adopted better eating habits, and is now better, stronger, and more stable than she was before she was diagnosed. Hoping that you will follow a similar course.
F*** Parkinsons!
I am very sorry to hear this. Your work has helped me for quite a while. I wish I could offer more.
Really sorry to hear this news, Kent. Praying for your good health and wishing you strength.
Thank you for sharing. I have often admired both what and how you share. Sending positive thoughts about you
I am so sad to hear this.
> I see no reason to waver from my mission of helping geeks feel safe in the world.
Thank you for this! I started my career 20 years ago and I was lucky to land in an XP team. Since then, you've been my mentor and the pillar supporting many of my ideas and thoughts.
Nowadays, we geeks need more folks like you who take a step back instead of running with the herd.
> Art & music are going to get more difficult but I have some ideas.
I am very curious about this. By the way, have you considered synths and a DAW?
Kent, my dear mentor, I wish you all the best.
I am really sorry to hear this. I wish you strength and financial security.
I am sorry to hear this Kent. F*** Parkinson's!
I am sorry to hear this, Kent. All the best wish to you. F*ck Parkinson's! and wish you can test driven alleviate Parkinson's.
I’m so sorry Kent - appreciate you and your work.
I miss and often think about hearing you play guitar at the start of those EPD Staff meetings during the pandemic. The levity and realness you brought at the same time was such a joy and something I treasure.
Best to you in the fight this time around. We’re rooting for you.
All support for you Kent, you taught me hell lots of things even though we are total strangers, and most importantly you absolutely made me believe in the profession of software engineering when I was really lacking that faith back in my early 20s (more than 15 years ago), infinite salutes to you from across the globe, I admire you. 🙌🏽