Sending good luck wishes your way from me too.  I like this suggestion, sending Erik off elsewhere, rather than taking him out of the game altogether, for one thing, because I like writing with you, and for another, it gives you a chance to come back when you're feeling better.  I also like the new rule, and I don't have a problem with it myself.  I should probably implement it in my own solo games, because there are several that I'm overdue in posting in, going by that rule.