I am so very blessed to have been the recipient of all the Buffista love and prayers this week. The biopsy results came back that the right growth had no cancer and the left growth was inconclusive, but looked good. I see the endocrinologist on Monday for a plan on how to treat the lumpy bumpy thyroid. Probably removal, which I'm fine with.

Thank you all so much. Truly. I release the health~~ma to those who need it.

Building on the trend...my blood work came back super quick and with good results.

I'm confused, to be honest, but I guess is it because I've been dwelling in the 'something is wrong' world for so long (two years) that I'm having trouble reconciling how I feel with how I am.

The doc thinks the left side swelling may be due to varicose veins...which I can't see, but which my father had. He also says my cholesterol is bad...for the first time in my life. But no thyroid, diabetes or other such problems.

Now to make a new plan to get back in shape and quit worrying.

Let me add to the positive health news: my grandfather woke up today. The antibiotics seem to have worked, and his kidneys have improved to the point where he doesn't need dialysis already. He's got some of his breathing back, but he still needs the ventilator. Tomorrow, they'll see if he's good enough to have the tubes removed. But it looks like he'll be okay, I think. Thanks for the ~ma.

I'm looking for a roommate. If you are looking for a place in the Boston-area, or know of anyone who is, go here: [link]

A lot of you already know this from LJ, but almost two weeks ago I had to make the decision to have my cat Ozzie put to sleep, which just happened a few minutes ago.

It's been a heartbreaking couple of weeks, but there are a lot of people on B.Org who made it a little easier with their support. I don't want to try to list people, because I would forget someone, and that would suck, but it really has meant the world to me, so thank you all.

And now I am going to put on inside pants, cry a lot and drink a very large glass of wine or two.

Can someone please ping me with VW's cell number? Thought I had it. Seems I don't. Boo.

I know a lot of you have seen this in other forms. Please pardon the repetition. It's for a good cause!

I did it last year and I'm doing it again! May 16 and 17th I'll be riding a bike 140 miles from Rehoboth back to Baltimore to raise money for Moveable Feast of Maryland ( [link] ).

You can make a make a secure, tax-deductible donation by going to our Team page and clicking on my name in the list: Team Atomic!

Moveable Feast is an incredible organization based in Baltimore. They provide hot meals, groceries, and nutritional counseling to homebound HIV/AIDS and breast cancer patients and their families. Moveable Feast also helps provide shuttle service to the homeless population of Baltimore, as well as providing job training and marketable skills to people who need it.

I know times are tough all around but, if you are able, please donate. Even $5 or $10 can make a big difference. And even if you can't donate, knowing you are supporting me emotionally is a huge deal.

This year every rider has been paired with a Moveable Feast client to help create a connection for us between the work we do fundraising and how it is helping real people in need. My client is a middle-aged woman who lives on the Eastern Shore of MD with her husband. And she LOVES snacks! We're a perfect match!! Reaching my $1,200 fundraising goal will allow Moveable Feast to provide my client partner with 3 nutritionally balanced meals a day for a whole year!

Hey y'all, if there's some spare ~ma around, could you direct it towards Miami? Mom's having a knee replacement this morning and she's justifiably nervous, but it needs to be done.

(I do NOT envy her caregivers in the aftermath-- I suspect she's going to be a terrible patient.)

I guess this belongs in here. I got laid off today, along with half my section and a number of other staff. Or, as I like to think of it, my application for paternity leave was approved.

Signed, billytea, man of leisure.

...I'm going to need a silk dressing gown.