It is a sad fact that prostate cancer can and does affect transsexuals. My song was a lighthearted musical treatment, more as a tag along to Laika's and Kate's songs, but the risk for prostate cancer is very real. I've included a links to websites explaining the need for proper and regular screening for prostate cancer for anyone born male, including MtF transsexuals.
I wanted to thank everyone for their love and kindness to me the last few months. As many of you may know, I only started writing this year, and that has been so wonderful and rich and special. You may also know about my tremor disorder and the challenges I've faced, along with my wife's health this year.
You may know about my most recent challenge; diagnosed with PTSD after memories of being sexually abused along with my sis by a family member when we were little.
For all of you kindly folk who have been supportive. I posted Rememberance of My Birth as my way of acknowledging the day but also to remember that Andrea would likely not exist at all but for the love of my sister and how I believe God used the devotion of a little boy to protect his best friend. We survived brutality and pain, and grew up, maybe marred and damaged, but never alone and never without love. That continues today as I face the implications and aftermath of that pain, but not without hope and certainly not without friends like yourself.
We're driving into Manhattan on Monday, and we'd appreciate your prayers. My wife, as adorable as the day we met and fell in love, is dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and has been diagnosed with Chronic Epstein-Barr (where Mononeucleosis arises), and will be seeing an Infectious Disease specialist.
Addenda - Please forgive me for failing to include this; I was crying, as we often do, while I was writing it. My mother was abused as a child, and spent much of her life an angry, almost bitter woman. Her own father walked up to her and two of her four siblings when she was about eleven or twelve and said to them, "You are not my children." She married my dad after a period of rebellion, I suppose.
I don't mean to be self-aggrandizing, although growing up in an abuseful and neglectful environment probably made me the affirmation sponge I am today. Like any other author here, I look at the "My Stories" entry in the menu on the right. I love getting comments and who doesn't want to get votes; I know it does wonders for my self-esteem. Like any other series written by any other writer, I note and perfectly understand the drop-off between chapters. Initial curiosity gives ways to more interesting stories by other authors.
My sweet counselor is such a dear. With everything going on, she's been such an encouragement, and today proved to me just how much God loves me through her, through you, my dear sisters and brothers and through my new dear friends whom I treasure just as much as my characters love and accept each other. She is Jewish, which gives us a commonality with somewhat but wonderfully different perspectives while still trusting God.
I wanted to thank everyone who has been praying for me and loving me and encouraging me. I found out that my doctor's practice is going to accept my insurance coverage without expecting my share of the cost of my testing. I will also be blessed with my counselor's sage advice and encouragement next week, as well as EEG Biofeedback, which is expected to significantly reduce my tremors and brand new speech problem...I do an excellent imitation of Jeff Goldbloom in Jurassic Park. I "came out" in a manner of speaking to my counselor yesterday.
I wanted to write a note of thanks to everyone here, whether writers, or readers, or kind and patient administrators and other lovely sisters (and brothers,too.) I go back to NYC on the 28th for more testing. My tremors have only abated somewhat, but my doctor assures me that much of it can be addressed with an adjustment in medication. That's the "bad" news. The GOOD news is that you have become such good friends and family to me over the past few months.
I posted a response to a comment for my story, Providence - My Treasure, My Little Sister. It is not my intent to preach or persuade anyone to change their own point of view. You folks are too precious to me, and I only mean to express my heart and the perspective and world view of my stories. After posting, I thought about my response to the young lady who wrote the comment. I wanted to encourage her, and certainly anyone else who has read the story and my other work, but I do not want to insult or offend. Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. You are all so dear to me.
Off to NYC for consult with Neurologist and other docs for plan of treatment. Weakness in arms and shoulders along with more shaking has my wife worried. It's in God's hands, either way, but I have to admit I'm scared. Thanks for all your prayers and support. You dear ones mean the world to me. Thank you for your friendship. And a special shout out to my little sister for all her comfort over the weekend, along with my three adopted sisters as well. God bless and see you soon! 'drea
True to Life End of the Summer Essay? I've been up all night crying, although I wouldn't describe it as a cruel fate like one of my stories. I debated with myself about whether to discuss my health, since I don't want to make it more of a focus than it already is. Yesterday was Labor Day, and I attended the obligatory end of the season picnic with my family. What could have been horrible turned into glorious.
Please excuse my youthful exuberance in commenting twice on the same story; it was exquisite, though, wasn't it? Also, I added some things and edited some things in my latest chapter of Providence - The Valley to make it more cohesive and read better, I hope. My apologies to those who have already read the piece, and thank you so much for supporting me not only through my literary endeavors but my health problems as well.
I'm not a real doctor; I only portray one in my stories, but if I were, I would recommend to those walking wounded around here (especially to mi sorella Sephrena) to follow this prescription. Drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, take two tabbies and call me in the morning!
Good News Bad News Good News. First, the Good News: Essential usually means "Gotta have it," but in my case it means Essential or Familial Tremors, which apparently is what I have. My difficult morning was not a surprise to the doctor, who explained that the more stressed I got from the initial tremors, the more it exacerbated the tremors. I've been prescribed another medication that is expected to be of immediate help and eventually mitigate the condition, but I also dealing with some sleep issues which we'll be dealing with as well. Second, the Bad News: It doesn't go away.
Being somewhat Bipolar (still being ruled in or out by doc) I have my moments. As you may have read from the previous few days, I can be glib and witty, or sardonic, and I apologize for my swings. Today I am devastated. I took a job for which I am vastly overqualified since I have been out of work for four years. I haven't been able to return to counseling as a career for a variety of reasons, and I have expressed my fear on more than one occasion that I may never get back.
The pellet with the poison is in the Flagon with the Dragon, and the Chalice from the Palace has the brew that is true. Oh no...the Flagon with the Dragon broke. The pellet with the poison is in the Chalice from the Palace and the Vessel with the Pestle has the brew that is true. Or something like that - Rent or buy the Court Jester with Danny Kaye!!!
"She was born for all the wrong reasons but grew up for all the right ones!" Dio ti benedicta! 'drea
I'm in some pain from arthritis in my wrist. I've been on my meds for about two weeks and while they're helping, I've seen an increase in tremors in my hands during my dose time. I am having a difficult time concentrating while driving as well. I know you've all been so kind to me over these past few weeks, and have been encouraging to the newbie, patient beyond measure and supportive in helping me learn how things works and how to be a better writer.
I spent last night at the Epilepsy Center of the New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. After a delightful hour of getting hooked up to electrodes and such, I enjoyed and hour and a half of uninterrupted writing, and I was glad for it; I can't wait to write when I'm not writing, and I can't wait to finish when I am. The most curious thing; the technician was a nice young man who actually had the same kind of face as Ben Kelly, my counselor character and alter-ego of Katie Kelly.
Another foray into the Big Apple for a Video EEG and Sleep Study to help diagnose the tremors. I had a conversation with a good friend of mine who is a physician as well as a fabulous musician. He confirmed that my previous medication could have caused the tremors. And another medical professional explained to my beautiful bride that the tremors may not be uncommon for someone of my....ahem....age. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and loving at this time, since I am scared and sad.
In the book of Genesis, Leah says, "Give me children or I will die." Our stories and our characters are our children. When Jill said that her stories sucked, it was said out of frustration and hurt, and likely borne out of the actions of others that were misunderstood or misinterpreted. Nevertheless, it does hurt when our children are ignored; try being a parent when your little girl or boy isn't invited to the party or included in kickball or tag.
Checks can be made out & sent to:
Joyce Melton
1001 Third St.
Space 80
Calimesa, CA 92320
USA
Note: $6000 is the operating, maintenance and upgrade budget. Amounts received in excess of the $6000 will be applied to long term debt accrued over the last 19 years.
My sweet counselor is such a dear. With everything going on, she's been such an encouragement, and today proved to me just how much God loves me through her, through you, my dear sisters and brothers and through my new dear friends whom I treasure just as much as my characters love and accept each other. She is Jewish, which gives us a commonality with somewhat but wonderfully different perspectives while still trusting God.
