For all my friends:
I'm sorry I haven't been here much lately. I have received messages from people who are worried. I am worried too. I have been (and still am) very very ill. The prognosis is not good.
I have been diagnosed with mycobacterium avium complex, which is a lung disease normally associated with much older women or with those who have HIV or AIDS. Let me assure you, I have neither of those. This condition is a result of having very weak lungs, due to blood clots in them 6 years ago. It is a fungus, which can be treated, but not cured. It may go into remission, but it will come back. I am being treated with very heavy duty drugs right now, and am hopeful, but the drugs make me ill as well.
The biggest danger of this illness is that of wasting away. Although I will be the first to admit that I could use some wasting away, I am not hungry at all, and get sick whenever I eat. I can only hope that this gets under control quickly.
Thanks to all of you who have expressed concern. I'll keep you posted.