Thank you all for the well wishes, prayers, and nuggets of advise. I am truly moved by your words. I think there really is a type of "brotherhood" among pipe smokers. I have thought that for a long time. Your kind words certainly display this fellowship.
My condition is, I believe, somewhat rare. I have a problem with a couple of cardiac valves and several things including nicotine put me at risk. I also have a propensity to go into tachycardia and my heart will beat very fast, which also puts me at high risk. My physicians are also close friends and have not given me orders lightly. Two of them are pipe smokers as well and when they say my pipe days are over I must listen.
I do have a great wife and sons with families that live close by that provide me lots of support and encouragement. I am blessed by the love of my family and friends. My grieving will not last long.
Pipes tie me to lots of personal history. I remember my first pipe purchase and first trying different tobaccos. My pipes helped me get through the tedious process of wring my thesis in grad school. I attach memories with different pipes and with different tobaccos, almost all of them wonderful memories. I used to wonder why my grandfather kept a few of his pipes long after he quit smoking. I think he probably kept them for the memories they brought. I may keep a couple but I do get some satisfaction in the idea of other folks enjoying them as opposed to holding on to them.
Again, thanks for your kind words.