I'm requesting brain-mapping ~ma.

My niece, Elizabeth, is in the hospital after having had surgery to strip the corpus colosum (second hand, so if I'm getting this wrong, medical types, I apologize) in her brain. She's had seizures since she was about 11; the doctors believe due to lack of oxygen at birth. She's now 16 and none of the medications are working any more. If the seizures don't stop, they will eventually kill her.

In order to stop the seizures, they stripped half of the corpus about 6 months ago, but it didn't work. Now that this surgery is completed, it's my understanding that the two halves of her brain are completely disconnected. She's in recovery now, and having to re-map her brain so she can talk, eat, and everything else. She said "no" on Tuesday.

There is a chance that the re-mapping will also re-map the seizures. So, if you all could keep her in your thoughts/prayers that the re-mapping goes well and she easily re-learns the good things and leaves the bad things behind, I would very much appreciate it.

waves Just checking in to confirm that Egypt's sole Buffista was not in the Khan at the time of the Cairo bomb. Although you'll have gathered I wasn't one of the dead, what with the whole me-being-British thing, while the dead folks aren't. Still, happy to say I wasn't there at the time, although of course I certainly could have been.

The Khan is always packed with Egyptians and tourists. Fucking terrorists. Honestly, it's almost like being back in London.

Today is my first official day of maternity leave. Slept until 8. YAY!

My expected due date is April 25, two weeks away.

Hi all. If anyone has some spare health~ma lying around, my mom could use it. She's in the hospital for the second time in three weeks. We're not sure what's wrong, although it doesn't seem to be life-threatening at the moment.

Some non-chewing my fingernails to the quick~ma would also be nice.

Thanks.

Hello Princess TickyBox!

Announcing the arrival of Lillian Esme Elizabeth Marcontell!!

Born at 9:18 PM, PST 18 & 3/4 inches 6 lbs 8 ounces

Paul reports that she is a happy, active baby with lots of black hair. Plei is doing fine and is chatty.

Yay, new baby Buffista!

Does anyone have Deena's cellphone number? I managed to get tied up in a huge traffic jam and missed my flight. Naturally I seem to have every number but hers. I will be arriving at 5:53 on Delta 1195. I'll be here for another 10 minutes.

ETA: Nevermind. She knows now.

So I'm sending out a rather extensive job portfolio to apply for a freshmen writing instructor position (full time faculty on tenure track) to a private college. I'm very excited about this potential job and very nervous since I haven't applied for anything for eight years. Job-ma would be appreciated!

Harvey update: my precious purring prince has a chronic kidney infection and will be on antibiotics for a whole month at least.

He peed on my bed rather than in the special No Sorb crystals for collecting urine sample for follow-up testing.

Finally squeezed enough out of him to find out the above.

He also has to eat Hills Prescription Diet canned food to make sure he is properly hydrated. He does not seem to like it, but ate some after a level stare from the other cat. I assume Sammie was telling him, "You need to eat." She was sitting next to the dish, waiting.

Pictures from Ohio: [link]

ETA: Resolved, I threw in the towel and just want to meet Andi. Went with Priceline and got Avis.

Dan & Andi tour April 2005 -Car Rental Revisited

Priceline claims I can rent a car for $100 for 5 days, because I bought my ticket through them, then adds $65 for "taxes and fees."

Anyone else who can find coupons, rentals or such cheaper than this for Phoenix from April 21 (1 am) to 25 (6 pm), let us know.

That price includes airport pick up and drop off, but does not provide for Andi (Windsparrow) to meet me at the airport.

Best case scenario would be some place Andi could pick up a car in Casa Grande and pick me up at the airport, then drop it off on the 26th in Casa Grande.

Talking it through with all you seasoned travelers may help.

Especially since I'm getting burned out.

Rent a Wreck is in CG, but only has email or phone inquiries, and abominable hours (8-5 daily!) And I haven't even heard back from my query.

Any research/tips/fait accompli would help.

I'm not trying to nickel and dime visiting Andi, I just don't know much about the rental game. (Okay, maybe a little nickel and dime-ing, but in the end, I'm damn well going!)

I used to get coupons for Hertz and others, but I cannot recall from whence they came.

AAA finds me higher rates than Priceline.

Argh.

Profile addy good.