And she's gone.

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Amyth check-in from FB, with her permission: currently way behind in Natter, is recovering from having surgery to clear out bacterial infections in both hips, an experience we all hope she never has to repeat.

(Amyth has given us permission to give people major updates here in Beep Me so she doesn't have to stressball about updating in multiple places, so if you are FB friends with her, we're allowed to share with the class.)

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Hiya Buffistas. I wanted to share with you all that I am a non-binary person, using they/them pronouns. After a lifetime of knowing that my gender identity never matched up with what I was told my gender was, I began quietly coming out (all over again!) about three years ago.

I know it can be challenging to adapt to using different pronouns for a person you've known a long time, so I've updated my tag line accordingly.

This month marks twenty years that I've been a Buffista and part of this community. I couldn't have made it half as well or nearly as far without the support, advice, honesty, compassion, and love I've received from our community. I've been a Buffista now for more than half my life, and I'm so grateful for all of you.

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Amyth Facebook update: she's moving to rehab after her hip surgeries; she'll be there until the next chemo round starts. It'll be 5 weeks in the hospital between the various things, which was not what anyone wanted in the current state of the world!

(Editorially speaking from me: amyth's hospital has been very on top of things from long before anyone in NC knew this was going to be such a big thing. They are doing great and there's no doubt the care she's getting is best of class. But they've super locked down any outside contact for very good reasons, so let's throw some love here and on facebook!)

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Life sucks so hard for so many people. So far, I've lost 4 people and two more have been diagnosed in the last week. Thankfully, almost as many have recovered.

I'm managing quarantine well, but my business, like so many others, has tanked. It's crazy out there.

It also happens to be my 60th birthday on Saturday.

Since distance is everything right now, you are cordially invited to a virtual Bj-Bday Bash via Zoom.

It's sort of an open house with a side of AMA. Ask me anything! I'm up for a challenge.

I will be wearing a tiara, and headgear is encouraged. Otherwise: Comfy

Join Zoom Meeting [link]

Meeting ID: 969 5005 9702 Password: BJBday One tap mobile +13126266799,,96950059702#,,#,404833# US (Chicago) +19292056099,,96950059702#,,#,404833# US (New York)

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US +1 301 715 8592 US Meeting ID: 969 5005 9702 Password: 404833 Find your local number: [link]

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• **Overdue UPDATE***

My birthday Zoom was so fun and I deeply appreciate everyone, especially the Buffistas, for dropping by.

Shir was there and I, honest to goodness, felt like a ROCKSTAR came to visit. Thank you Shir!

All in all, it was a lovely day. Thank you, too, for the lovely FB wishes.

This will go down in history as one of my most memorable birthdays, and I didn't even have to jump out of an airplane for it!

MWAH.

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I've put out a call on FB, but let me say it here, as well.

I have 700 shiny star stickers and a desire to support the post office.

I am now taking nominations for deserving recipients. Self-nominations are encouraged.

Required info: name and mailing address of nominee and short explanation of worthiness.

Nominees will receive a shiny star sticker in the mail at some point in the near future.

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Two in a row? Weird.

The Gumball is turning 1! We're doing a cake smash on Zoom on June 6th at 12:30 Hawaii time. I've invited many of you on FB, but if you aren't on FB or were inadvertently omitted, hit me up for the info.

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ETA: Y'all are amazing. We've made goal and then some, all desperately needed. THANK YOU, Buffistas.

Some of you may have seen this on Facebook... I have a direct giving request! I'm reaching out with a request to help Carlene, a friend of mine in Austin with limited means - she's bipolar and completely reliant on Social Security, and SNAP. Her 20 year old daughter Roberta just died of Covid-19 in Dallas, and Carlene has no resources to travel to Dallas and take care of a simple cremation fee. I'm looking to raise $1500 for Carlene before she heads to Dallas tomorrow morning. (We're up to $950 already!)

You can PayPal (paypal.me/NoraMcGunnigle), CashApp ($NoraMcGunnigle), or Venmo (@Nora-McGunnigle). (Just note "for Carlene" in the comments.)

Even $5 or $10 helps, as does sharing this post with anyone who is interested in directly helping Black women in need.

Please! Donate if you can and share the ask. As we know Covid-19 affects the Black community disproportionately, and this young lady with her life ahead of her succumbed because she had no options but to work in the public sphere. Help a grieving mother if you can.

Thanks in advance!

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Hi friends,

I have an update from our dear Miss Amyth. You may recall that she had surgery a few weeks back due to an infection in her hip. Unfortunately, she is now facing the infection in both hips and is undergoing emergency surgery this weekend. Then they have to find an antibiotic that the bacteria isn't resistant to and they are running out of options there. She's trying to stay hopeful and has asked for the palliative care team to be added to her team to help with the pain. Looks like she'll be in the hospital for a while.

[Update: her various doctors and specialists in oncology, infectious diseases, and orthopedics have differing views on what next steps should be. So, and MRI is in the offing, Amy thinks most likely in the middle of the night. They *have* found antibiotics to combat the bacteria, but with a terrible side-effect of suppressing bone marrow production. In the words of Roseanne Roseannadanna, it's always something.]

If you'd like to send her a card, and you don't have her address, please feel free to email me. I think she could use all of the messages of love possible right now.

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