I feel very lucky that I went to see the new ophthalmologist. Turns out I don't have GD eye disease. Instead I have thyroid hormone eye problems. Hopefully, once my hormones get straightened around, my eyes should get better (or at least better for my age :( Sometimes what hurts more than anything is when doctors treat you like a middle-aged woman! I am a middle-aged woman, BUT I really don't want to be TOLD that! :)

This week, I've added a new Guestbook to the site. Geocities just created it. It should be a little easier to "sign-in" on this one. You don't have to leave the site and wait for another site to download. Try it and let me know what you think!

I've also added a new page for No-Frames Fans. If you want to listen to some midi music while browsing the site, you should be able to do that now. The links located at the bottom of each page for the No Frames Version of this site contain a link to the new Music Page. This page is designed for the No Frames version. If you are viewing this site using Frames, please continue to use the Frames version of the Music Page by using the links located at the left of your screen. Hope you like it! I've also added four new midis for the occasion.

And I've added a spot to feature my favorite links. You'll find this on the Links Page. For July, I have decided to feature Support-Group.Com. For those who have been there, you have no questions as to why! For those who haven't, better go! It is a wonderful interactive support area for "jus' 'bout inny thang what ails ya!" :)

Some of you regulars at Support-Group.Com's GD Bulletin Board might have seen a post from Dianne N regarding a song I have "written". Some have mentioned that they have had trouble finding it on my site. So, for those who are 'ready to laugh about some of the problems we face with this disease' (to quote Dianne), I'll place a "special link" to the song here. Be sure to turn on your sound! If you are already listening to a midi, you'll need to stop that one to allow the new music to download. Enjoy!

If you are one of the regulars who visit these pages, one of the first things you've noticed is that I keep changing the way the pages look! Well, there are two reasons for that. One is that, as with everything, these pages must evolve until they have reached their peak performance. (Sounds good!) The other is that I am one of those people who likes to move all the furniture around about every two weeks and just haven't been well enough to do so. So..... I move these pages around instead! :) (That's probably closer to the real truth!)

I do, though, try to add new things that hopefully will be of interest to you. This week I have added a new section on Celebrity E-Mail Addresses. Hey, you just never know who may answer your mail! I hear Brad Pitt's marriage is now off! Go for it! You'll find his E-Mail Address in the Celebrity section along with those for many other very famous (and not so famous) people. Enjoy! (This section has since been removed)

Tomorrow I will be visiting my new Ophthalmologist. I sure hope he really does know a lot about how to treat Graves' Eye Disease. Just think what life would be like if I couldn't see well enough to keep changing these pages ! :)

Hello there! Well, the warmer weather is finally here in Central New York. Gardens are springing up all over the neighborhood and one neighbor has mowed their lawn three times this week! Amazing! The noise of the lawnmower - ah, how sOoThInG ~ Not!

This week, I decided to make some very significant changes in my life. I have already made appointments with some specialists who, hopefully, will have some answers to some of my questions. A new ophthalmologist who has a special interest in Graves' Disease, and a GYN who can maybe help me with my "other hormone" problems. I am also working on getting that surgery done for the carpal tunnel that has been plaguing me since last summer. Now, if I could only get that body transplant, and maybe a head transplant, I'd be all set !

I guess it is all about taking control. This disease has taken much of that away from me. Doing something positive will always make you feel a little stronger and a little less helpless. How true! Sometimes this disease can become so self consuming you can't see the forest for the trees. Not that I'm saying that is bad to do. It is something that this disease kind of forces on you. I'm just saying it's bad for you. Big difference.

So, I'm working on taking positive (baby) steps toward my freedom. Little goals I can accomplish instead of big ones where I am doomed to fail for now. Later, when it is time, I will set my sights on my bigger goals. I have been working on a list of some things I would like to do before my time on earth is done. Doesn't mean I'm going to get to do them all, but if I don't realize what I want, I won't get to do any of them. Make sense?

Don't forget, as a group of Graves' Disease survivors, we need to work together to try to get some much needed recognition for this disease. If anyone has an idea on how to get some national attention for Graves' Disease, you should contact The National Graves' Disease Foundation. They our help so they can help us.