Hi, everyone. I just got off a Zoom Celebration of Life for my former housemate Peter. He was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago and sadly lost his battle with it this past week. I wasn't planning to post about it here, but the many stories people told brought to mind so many of the great times I had with him in our West Portal house (aka my first place in San Francisco) and I realized that many of the local Buffistas, as well as people that came to visit SF during that time, had probably had the good fortune to meet Peter since he was always willing to have people to stay with us, or to host big gatherings, especially if games were involved. (In fact, I think some Buffistas may still be recovering from the trauma of having to play Cash n' Guns.) In any case, given other recent news, I thought I would share that he is no longer with us.

Our own vwbug has put together a Give InKInd page for amyth where folks can see specific requests and sign up to provide a dinner (including with DoorDash). [link]

Could I get some negative test-ma sent my way this afternoon? (Not COVID-related.) Thanks!

And oh so quickly, the ma worked! I've never been so happy to hear the words fatty lipoma in my life. Releasing it back into the world.

Hey loves! I am running my monthly reparations through direct giving fundraiser and could use your help. If you’ve gotten your stimulus check and have a little to spare, please consider donating. [link]

And whether or not you can donate, it’s super helpful for those of you on fb to go to the post on my profile and heart, comment, and/or share. It boosts views and increases the likelihood of donations. Thank you!

As a heads up, if peeps saw me seeming really weird on Facebook or noticed I wasn't around a lot, my thyroid was unregulated and my electrolytes were all over the place during the last couple of months. It made me make no sense and Not Be Myself especially near the end of December.

Over the course of being ill and having uncontrolled anxiety attacks, it got to the point where work people checked on me on the 29th, went to grab some food, and when they returned, I was having a focal point (like I was on pause completely) seizure when they got back.

I had my first ever grand mal seizure on the way to the hospital. I was hospitalized about a week and I had several petit mal and grand mal seizures in the first few days. My family didn't even know where I was for a couple of days. My sister flew down from Tahoe. I wasn't even myself for real until super early the morning of the 4th and I was released later that day to seek neurology care (there isn't a neurology department in my local hospital).

So after I was released, family drove me to a University ER that is known for their quality of care and specialists. I will be seeing their Epilepsy Clinic and Behavioral Health virtually and I still need an EEG. Because of the Covid crisis, I was not admitted. That is why the virtual Epilepsy Clinic and not inpatient. I was considered stable enough to be on my own. I stayed with family (who are awesome) for a few days anyway. Been back home since Friday before last.

But all signs point to it being my salt dropping super low and electrolytes doing the wacky. I am taking my thyroid meds, which've been upped and should be re-regulated soon. I am still needing to regulate my water intake, have electrolyte tablets that I use in my water and have a free for all on salt.

Back with my Feb fundraiser - Black History is now. Here’s the link to the fundraiser - [link] - and here’s the link to my fb post - [link]

Even $5 helps, and if you can’t spare that please “heart” or comment on my post to get more eyeballs on it (and suddenly I sound like a creepy demon).

Thanks!

Hey, folks,

amyth's friend Terry posted about an hour ago. The team at the hospice center has said that "[her] days are growing very short": she is not often conscious, but comfortable and apparently not in pain.

Terry does not think it likely that we will hear from her again, or that she will be in a position to respond to emails, texts or phone calls. He has said that thoughts, prayers, and intentions are welcome.

He is with her, listening to the playlist they prepared together for this moment.

Terry told someone recently that "nurturing friendships has been Amy's lifework, and you all were the proof". To which, let the people say "yes".

Hello dear ones, Smonster and I are posting in tandem - she’s covering the FB Buffista page.

Tonight around 6:15 eastern, our bright and lively and wonderful Amyth passed after several days of lying in sleeping peace. I know she meant so much to so many, both on and off this community board. She made everything richer by being part.

Love to all tonight. I’ll be lighting a candle and wearing my Star Wars hoodie from when we saw the premiere in NYC in 2015.

Terry has shared amyth's obituary; I'm reposting here:

Amy Elizabeth Preble August 18, 1971 - March 13, 2021

Amy Preble, beloved friend, sister, sister-in-law and aunt, died on March 13 at Transitions Hospice in Raleigh of complications from leukemia. She was 49 years old.

Amy grew up in Garden City, Long Island, where she attended Sacred Heart Academy. After graduating she moved to Chapel Hill, where she attended the University of North Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies. Amy loved the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community and lived there for the remainder of her life. Amy was a proud feminist and advocate for women and the victims of sexual violence. She volunteered and served several terms on the board of the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, including serving as its president.

A passionate advocate for sustainability and environmental stewardship, Amy worked for more than twenty years in the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling at UNC Chapel Hill, where she served as Waste Diversion Coordinator. She also chaired the Collegiate Recycling Coalition, serving multiple terms, as well as serving in leadership roles on the Carolina Recycling Association board of directors. She had only recently begun graduate work in sustainability at Appalachian State when she received her leukemia diagnosis in the fall of 2019.

Amy’s true life’s work, however, was the cultivation and nurture of her many friendships. From schoolmates at Sacred Heart and UNC, to her many colleagues in the sustainability field, to the global Buffista community (where she was known online, fittingly, as “Amyth”), Amy brought people together and kept those bonds alive. Friendship was indeed her life, and now it’s her legacy. Thanks to her, those of us left behind are blessed to have each other for comfort as we all grieve her loss. Together we remember her love of music, of books and movies, of miniature poodles, and of all things Marvel.

Amy asked that any memorial service be delayed until it is safer to gather, hopefully in the late spring or summer. In the meantime, those who wish may remember Amy with a charitable donation to the Carolina Recycling Association’s Amy Preble Scholarship Fund, or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.