MFM is rapidly approaching, and I wanted to post an update on my situation and plans. A few weeks ago I suffered my second episode of congestive heart failure, the first being in 2004, and spent several days in the hospital. Since then, I have been under close observation by a number of doctors, and again visited the hospital. Despite this, I am still going to MFM this year, although how active I will be able to be we shall see.
My kidneys are very weak. They are still functioning, but at a very low, borderline level. I have to watch my sugars, sodium and potassium intake. It makes me often feel sick and weak. But the good news is that my doctors agree that it is still not time for dialysis to start. I am getting my blood tested at least once every four weeks, and it could happen anytime, but it has not been called for yet.
My foot is healing well from the 11 operations I have had on it over the past three years. There is still some healing to go, as the diabetes makes healing slow, especially on the extremities. Because the joint and tendons of the big toe were removed, my balance is not great, and I have to walk with a cane most of the time. But as long as it doesn't get infected, it should not get any worse than it is now.
I have a new eye doctor now, one that lives very near my house. He knows my eye surgeon, and is familiar with the issues of diabetic eye care. When I get to MFM, I hope to be sporting new eyeglasses. He found the ones I had been wearing for the past few years were way off, so hopefully these will be an improvement. I also updated my contact lens prescription, as I prefer to use them while in costume. My left eye is doing OK, but my right eye is almost useless, and I have no night vision at all. This will probably never get better, and may get worse as the years go on.
With all this excitement, the move to Florida has most likely been put off another year. We are actively looking for property down there, and could buy our lot(s) at any time, but because I have been so sick, I have made almost no progress clearing out the house. My mother and I may go to Florida in the weeks after MFM to close the deal on a lot, but that is still up in the air.
Life at home goes on. I am pretty much trapped here, as I can't drive and have problems walking long distances without help. While there are some furs in the area, not many of them live close enough, or have the time to visit me. So I spend my days in my room on the computer, reading, chatting, and playing WoW. I really wish I had someone to be with more often. I miss the old weekly furmeets we used to have, but unless someone picks me up and takes me someplace, I can’t get to any meets.
I will be at MFM. My mother will drive me there and back (yes, she even stays at the hotel!). I am really really looking forward to it this year, as I missed out on FCN and FWA, and skipped AC and Megaplex as well. I plan to bring a couple of suits, and there will be balloons. Though for various reasons, there will probably be fewer of both from me this time around.
Helium for the balloons has gotten about twice as expensive as it was a year ago. This is mainly due to a shortage. From what I am reading, this should resolve itself when the new refineries open up out west next spring. But for now, I can't afford to spend $1000 on helium. I will be spending about half that this year, however. So there will be balloons, and I expect you to get one for me. I usually only charge a hug or two.
As for fursuiting, this is where it really hurts. I really love to fursuit, a lot. But with all my medical problems, it has become really hard to do. Just putting the suit on is enough to exhaust me, let alone actually going out and trying to perform in suit. And when I feel sick or too weak to put on the suit, I sometimes get emotionally overwhelmed out in the public areas of the con, watching the other fursuiters do what I wish I could still do so easily. That often ends up with me going back to my room to try and shake it off. I am going to try to do better this year, and I am going to try and suit more. But I can make no promises how it will work out.
I will have my usual collection of cameras, and will be looking for friends to help shoot pic and video around the con. And I will have my laptop full of archival stuff with me as well, if anyone wants to see how it was done "in the old days" of fursuiting.