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Happy birthday, Persephone!!! Wishing you a wonderful year at Oxford! Thanks for all that you've added to our forum! Love, Angela

Wonderful news, Ernie!!!! I'm so glad it was a good experience for your audience & that you didn't have any trouble. You sounded very well-prepared, so I'm happy it went so very well. Audience asking for a longer session? That's a sure sign of success!!! Enjoy your moment -- keep floating! Angela

Oh, Em -- we HAVE to get you better!!! I took a quick skim through and am glad that you were able to get a new plan of action -- do keep us posted. I'm...not doing well myself, so I'll save you the trouble of trying to interpret a long and unclear message -- you've enough to manage without that! Let it suffice to say that I'm praying for you and am sending you a hug. You are a light for us all on the forum -- hang in there! Keep popping those preggie pops! As Rufus the Cat said in "The Rescuers": "An old codger like me could use a little ginger!" With love, Angela

I'm sending you a huge hug, fuzzy slippers, and a big bowl of ice cream, Melissa! I'm not feeling so great at the moment myself -- totally crashed yesterday after warding it off for about a week -- but had to send my love anyhow. It has to be so crushingly hard to have to cut back so much, after all of the preparation and work and excitement of getting back into the swing of things.... I'm so, so sorry it had to happen. I'm glad that you can at least keep up with some of it -- that you didn't have to drop it all.... I wish I could be there to help out... although the way I am now, you probably wouldn't want me! Talk about the blind leading the blind -- we'd be a complete wreck! Maybe sell some tickets to pay for meds?! . With love & hopes for sunnier days for our favourite fish, Angela

From my corner: 1 bath per week + 1 shower every 2 weeks + 0 exercise = no problem!!! Yes, it's frustrating, but that's the way it is sometimes. I had fuzzy bear legs, too , but there was no way I could keep up, so I didn't bother. I'm much better now: 1 shower a week + a smidge of exercise = very happy You're not alone, Poohbear! Keep your chin up! You'll make it through fine! With love, Angela

Steph, I thought I'd finally beat you to it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GWEN! I'm wishing you a happy 17th birthday! I'm glad that things went well on your test yesterday! Radioactive oatmeal?!! I'm not sure I'd be able to choke that down either! I'd never heard of it before! I learn something new everyday! Hope your birthday brings at least a smidge of what your heart desires most. Don't forget to make a wish! Extra piece to whoever guesses what kind of cake you're having? Pretty please?! Betcha it's an ice cream cake with those little chocolate crunchies in between the layers! I hope this next year brings you plenty of smiles and encouraging steps! I'm so glad you could be on the forum so we could celebrate with you! With love, Angela (the birthday girl of 2 days past )

I'm just getting around to fixing my signature -- sorry I'm behind. I'll share some birthday cake if you promise not to kick me out?! Angela (with fingers crossed -- I hope this works!)

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I was so happy when I stumbled onto this yesterday! Have no fear those of you who were "colour palette-ly challenged" -- my imagination isn't dysfunction even if much of the rest of my cognitive stores are, so I received one of the most beautiful watercolour cards ever beheld! Steph, your speed and ability to keep track of everything astonishes me as always! Were you just as sneaky when you were little? Em, thanks for waking up early -- you get a gold star for a distinguished second place prize! You and Steph never fail to make me laugh! Thanks for your lovely thoughts! I'm sending you some get well soon colour! Corina, your voice rang clear across the Atlantic Ocean and I loved it! It must bring me good luck after your own recent happy birthday! I haven't posted very much lately (only popped on every few days for a lightning-quick look at newest posts -- my brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces came down for the long weekend, but due to a major medical problem of my brother's, they've had to extend their stay indefinately. He has a 6" infected cyst in his neck (running from his throat down below his clavicle) that has swelled up yet again, despite two prior risky surgeries that "removed" it. He spent a number of days at UPenn Hospital, where they drained it and eventually sent him back to us on oral antibiotics; his tissues are very likely to bleed excessively if they attempt surgery now, so they want to do it a month from now. However, it's now two days after his discharge and it's gradually swelled back up again -- this time it's running from his neck down into his ribcage! Our luck is evidently holding strong -- his doctors appointment yesterday was cancelled because a truck ran into the telephone pole outside the medical office, leaving the whole block without power until midnight! What next?! While he, my dad, and my mom have been busy with that, I've been helping my sister-in-law with the kiddies (ages 2 & 18 months). They have two speeds: zooming and asleep! They're great fun for me, but I'm really exhausted even with frequent rest breaks. At any rate, I DID have a wonderful 22nd birthday and am looking forward to a good year! Thank you all again for remembering my birthday and for the lovely posts, colours, songs, wishes...everything! I love you all -- thanks for everything you've all helped me through this past year! With love, hugs, kisses blown from both hands, waves, (I feel like a diva! ) Angela

Hi Pete! Welcome! Do you have any more family members hiding away somewhere? I'm so glad you're trying to understand dysautonomia more to help Sallyann and Sarah. It does take time, but you're moving in the right direction. My parents (MD and RN) have been very impressed by the good information that I've gotten from here -- sometimes the people who live with it day in and day out have all the best answers! Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future -- we're really starting to get a nice collection of gentlemen on here! Ask all the questions you want -- we've all had to start at the beginning too! Angela

I'm wishing you a VERY happy birthday, dear Corina! I'm so happy you were able to have at least part of your birthday wish come true -- what a lovely present from your sister. I'm a fellow sea lover -- it has so many stories to impart, so much peace to give, so many thoughts to inspire.... Perfect choice to celebrate your birthday! You've been such a wonderful gift to us all on the forum, dear friend! You've brought us many chickles, and smiles, and a great deal of love. Thank you for how much you've invested in all our lives! Enjoy your birthday & thank you for remembering us in your festivities -- we ought to have more parties around here! Do you have any special birthday traditions in your family or the Netherlands in general? Cake??!!! With love and a room full of virtual balloons, Angela

I know I'm coming in a little late, but I did want to add my little hip-hip-hooray on your wonderful news, Nina. I'm sorry you've been having such a hard time -- I hope Emily's battery works! Rest as much as you need to; we're willing to wait a bit to hear the wisdom you add to the forum! I'm thrilled about the news concerning your bracelets! I'm glad you've kept the artist in you alive -- and now you're able to share it with so many! What a lovely story...thank you for sharing it with us! With a smile & hug, Angela

Hope this one works out for you, Gwen! Keep up posted on how things go! Angela

HOOOOORRRRAAAAYYYYY!!!! I'm so happy for you, Steph! I hope better health is on the horizon for you! Angela

Hi Gwendolyn! Welcome to our ever-increasing family (lots of newbies lately -- fun! ) I'll turn 22 on Sept. 6th (born on the first day of school and went in as my older siblings' show-and-tell a few days later ). I was diagnosed with POTS & CFS this past April, although I was in the "everything-going-downhill mode" for a year before that. On the new meds, I'm slowly seeing improvements. I am currently back living with my parents in NJ and studying as much as I can (aiming to be able to go to college next fall -- lots of CFS management to work on, though!) This forum has been such a wonderful source of medical insight and new friends for me (people who actually understand my medical problems! ) . I hope we can help answer whatever questions you have and give you helpful ideas. Looking forward to hearing more from you! Welcome again! Angela

Adding my own hip-hip-hooray! I'm so happy for you, Ernie!!! Isn't it such a wonderful feeling when you're finally able to get some restful sleep again?! Thanks for sharing your excitement with us all! Angela

Hi all! Just wanted to wish you all luck and thank you for sharing the posts. I've been feeling a bit down as my friends are leaving for another year of college or venturing out into the working world -- and I'm still here very obviously not ready for either. I had hoped so deperately to be able to handle even one college course by now, but apparently it's not my time yet. Anyhow, your cheery posts and humour concerning the transitions really helped me feel like I was actually there. I've enjoyed a number of smiles reading through the conversations, so thank you. Do continue to keep us posted on how things go -- you have at least one reader eagerly awaiting Update #2! Angela

Thanks Em for giving us another year! I second your post about how many people are learning about Dysautonomia through this forum. I've directed another two people to DINET this week! People (especially the ones who have actually seen the progression of my symptoms) are simply fascinated by this mysterious illness that they've never heard of before! Bit by bit we are educating the world! Thank you Michelle, Nina, and Melissa for all of the time you pour into this forum! Angela

Adding my bit of good luck, Melissa! I hope everything goes well! Let us know how you're feeling when you have a chance! Angela

Glad you're back, Pooh! I'm so sorry you've been involved in so many hassles and changes! I hope it all calms down soon! Angela

Super news, Jan! Thanks for sharing it with us! I had been wondering how you were both doing, so I'm glad to hear such a great update. Enjoy the kiddos! Angela

Hi Rachel! Welcome! It sounds like you'll be in good company. I'll be 22 in Sept; I started having POTS & CFS symptoms last April (2004) and after finding some effective meds this past April, I'm now gradually improving. So far I've mostly had the low end of things , and am finally starting to enjoy the upswing. Hope you find our little forum helpful! I'm glad to meet you! Angela

Thanks all! Sounds like I'll have to read up on atmospheric pressure! Angela

Hi all! I'm posting something short for once! It may sound a bit peculiar, but I've noticed that on days when there is less light (cloudy, rainy, etc.) that my fatigue is remarkably worse than on sunny days. I've never had trouble with Seasonal Affect Disorder (sp?) or had trouble with depression on rainy or snowy days -- on the contrary, I love them! Have any of you noticed this or heard about some sort of correlation between fatigue and light cycles? Thanks! Angela

Glad you were able to get some answers to the problem, Melissa! You're doctor sounds like a gem! Bon appetit on those meds! Angela