*A hug for you and your family, Clair, about your sister.*

She was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome.
It's a rare genetic disease that affects the connective tissues of your body.
Abraham Lincoln had it, actually.

Oh wow :o I'm sorry to hear that. What is the condition like?

It slowly causes congestive heart failure.
It will eventually cause her death. :/
My grandfather is believed to have died of it- never know for sure because he was never officially diagnosed- and my uncle, his son, is dying of it.

Originally Posted by salvete

I can understand both approaches. Some people prefer abstinence, but it doesn't always work. Maybe they're scared of dogs, so they can vow to stay away from dogs their entire life. But maybe once they find out that dogs aren't as bad and scary as they think, their life will be easier

I used to b helplessly afraid of spiders, but learning about them and tolerating them out side helped a lot.
There's lots of spider info on the.. Ahem... Web

Originally Posted by Clair Voyant

It slowly causes congestive heart failure.
It will eventually cause her death. :/
My grandfather is believed to have died of it- never know for sure because he was never officially diagnosed- and my uncle, his son, is dying of it.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you mind if I ask how old your grandfather was? (trying to get a sense of the life expectancy for this condition?)

@the Cheshire Pisces, I do love your puns!

He was in his mid-sixties.
So, much shorter than most healthy people.
His son is also not expected to live much longer than that, either.

However, the hope is that they've caught it early.
She could live to be in her seventies... Good news on my birthday, it turns out!
My grandfather and uncle were in such bad shape because they went undiagnosed and untreated for so long.
She's nineteen, so there is little damage to her heart! SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!

My initial thought yesterday, when we got the news, was her early diagnoses meant she would slip away much sooner. However, it turns out the opposite is true! :D

Aww I am so happy for you!!!!! I mean the fact that her early diagnosis means that they can maybe start treating her earlier and then she will live longer <3 oh my goodness! Just reading the fact that she could live longer thanks to the early diagnosis kind of lifted some weight off the bad news of the diagnosis itself. And who knows? Maybe doctors and scientists will learn something about the disease in the near future that can make the life expectancy even longer. I am so hopeful for you, your sister, and your family <3 <3

I know! Now it doesn't feel as bad, right?
I mean, it's serious and she needs to stay involved and can't be lazy with her treatments... But this means she can live longer, have a family, children (things she's said she wants) and not worry she'll die in her thirties! I'm so thrilled, I was near tears.

And then, to make my day even shinier, our youngest sister (who is seven) called and talked to me.
SHE HATES TALKING ON THE PHONE! But nope, she made an exception for her big sissy's birthday.

OH OH! And my boyfriend came and took me out for lunch today! Usually I don't get to see him during the work day because of our work locations but he was able to come see me. Today was wonderful!

AWWWWWW that's so great!!!!!! Glad you had so much good news :) sounds like your sister will even be able to see her grandkids grow up, potentially!! And that's so sweet of your youngest sister to tell you happy birthday over the phone! And so happy you and your boyfriend got to eat lunch together today :) <3 this is all so great :)

I'm glad to hear that there is some good to the news about your sister. <3 Now she can get the care she needs to help things.

*nods in agreement*

Good morning all!

Good morning to you too!

Happy Humpday!!!!

Happy wednesday to you as well!

I'm so glad the week is nearing it's end. Bugh!

Yes, hump day is great because we're getting ever closer to Friday and then the weekend!

Yup!

How was your day? :)

It was good, thank you for asking! How was yours?

I'm well. I am eating a delicious sandwich! :D

Oh nice! What kind of sandwich are you eating, if you do not mind my asking!

A Potbelly sandwich. Roast beef with cheese and mushrooms! :)

I really love your avi. :)

*peeks in and waves*

Aw thank you! I am trying to figure out my next avatar, haha