Thursday, February 7, 2002 - 10:19 p.m.

happy new year! i guess i am kinda behind the times. well, the good news is, i am no longer in the hospital. the even better news is, i have tuberculosis. the best part, it's a treatable disease.

being in the hospital felt like a nightmare at the time, with every disease in those big fat medical books mentioned as a possibility. fortunately, it still seems like a bad dream. i am almost fully recovered. i even returned to work briefly (part-time) for two weeks. of course, being me, i overdid and developed a whopper of a cold that kept me at home for most of this week.

tomorrow i am off on vacation. hurray. time to be spoiled by my grandparents and enjoy some much needed r&r in the sun. don't worry, i'll be wearing 60 sun block. no, 60 is not an exaggeration, i went to the dermatologist recently.

i feel stronger and happier than i've been in years, although i am sick of being sick. i want to return to life in full swing. i also want to again say thank you to everyone who called, wrote, and visited. i couldn't have done it without you.

alrighty, must go pack a few last minute items. before i do, i can't resist a big up (i know that's no longer a current expression but it works) to jenn. she is one of the new faces of much. good things happen to those who wait. i hope we'll still get to hang, even if you might have to go incognito.

ok. i cannot wait to go on vacation so bye bye bye.

e.

ps. i know the dude never reads this, but he is very lovable. love him. happy anniversary, sorry i am leaving you for octogenarians, early bird specials and palm trees, but it's for my own good. xoxox

e.

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Saturday, December 22, 2001 - 03:17 p.m.

at home for the day.

i've spent the last week in hospital and am due back tonight. i am having surgery tomorrow to remove the liquid from my chest. all kinds of fluid collected in my right side squishing my lung to a fifth of it's usual size. i am still in a state of shock. i will probably be in the hospital for a long time and i am scared but strong.

the outpouring of love i have received from so many friends and family have made me feel incredibly lucky and grateful. it's amazing how people are there for you in a time of crisis. i am confident that no matter what the doctors say this isn't something serious and that it will take time but i will heal.

to everyone who has overwhelmed me with their kindness, i want to thank you. i've leard a lot from this awful experience and am glad to know i have formed such wonderful relationships with truly fantastic people.

love you all,

e.