Yay! I have been approved to be part of a FDA study of a new treatment for my eye problem. It's a phase three study, which means that the efficacy of the treatment has already been demonstrated, so this is to test two different dosages prior to FDA approval. I'll have a 2/3 chance of getting an actual treatment instead of a sham injection. If I do get the sham injection, I can get the real thing after six months. I go in for the treatment Monday morning.

I'd like to harness the considerable Buffista ~ma for my cousin. They've discovered what they think is breast cancer although they can't be certain until they're in there. Best wishes for a healthy outcome are appreciated.

I've got my specialty exam tomorrow. Any exam~ma that could be pointed in my direction will be extremely appreciated.

It looks like I'm going to be moving. Again. Coping-ma would be appreciated.

Lucy-cat has gone Schroedinger on us. We've known for some time that she was sick with both liver and kidney problems and could die at any time; we nearly lost her a few months back, and then she bounced back just as dramatically. This time around, she'd been gradually getting weaker and quieter, and took to hiding out in dark corners under the house. We haven't seen her since late last night (she never used to let us out of her sight for more than a few minutes), and it's clear to us that she's gone off somewhere to die.

She was fading very fast and didn't look like she was in any pain the last time I saw her; I'm certain that she is or was happier doing it her way rather than getting caught and caged and taken in to the vet's office. But even so, I wish for her an easy passing.

It's the first time in 14 years she's been quiet.

Thanks for all the exam wishes, everyone. It went well -- I got a Pass with Distinction.

Attention LAistas!

I'll be in town Sunday, June 18th to Thursday, June 22d. Sunday and Monday are free, and Tuesday/Wednesday evening currently are free, but that is subject to change.

I'd love to get together with as many of you as possible. Shall we take this to the F2F thread?

I just found out , that a friend of Matt and mine - a high school student - just had a second bout of meningitis. At this moment in time , he is paralized from the neck down. B is an amazing kid. his father is ia single dad with two sons. B has been the family chef for years. He is a very good cook and a musician. ma please

Northeastistas...I will be in CT from June 20th-28th. I have pretty intense family obligations but can probably sneak away for a day sometime in that window--probably towards the end of that week. Of course I have forces pulling me in two directions...New York and Boston. What to do! Any way we could meet somewhere in the middle?

Continued in F2F thread.