Hi again beloved community - once again I find myself unexpectedly looking at some additional surgery, and I also want to update you on my journey. It has been nearly a year since Mark died. I still can't believe it. Plans for his memorial marker in Cayucos are currently on hold, but we'll get there. I miss him terribly.

In the world of weirdness, I am now writing you with the exact same gallbladder bile duct drain that Mark also had last year. Last week, I had a major gallbladder attack that landed me in the hospital without any food for a long while. The good news is that this drain is doing a great job and my nausea is way down. I still have zero appetite, but at least I can eat without immediately feeling ill.

But I am going to have to have this gallbladder removed mid November -ish, and that will require help from Trish and lots of recuperation time. At that the same time, we will also be learning whether or not my living donor is going to be accepted into the UCLA kidney transplant program. I am officially on the list, and she is about 80% of the way through the screening process, all still with a nice green light. It's starting to feel exciting!

The gallbladder removal will not negatively impact the kidney transplant which will be down in LA, perhaps in the spring, and involve many many car trips to UCLA. But the gallbladder surgery can be done up here in San Luis Obispo with French Hospital. That's good news!

In the meantime, I am having a difficult time subsisting on social security, and need to figure out a few more ways to bring in some additional income. It feels like every time I get ready for takeoff, the control tower grounds me again. Oy! So frustrating!

If you are in a position to help, I would be most grateful, but please, no strain on my account. Go Fund Me is also a good way to keep a good number of people updated, and hearing from me is not just about money but about keeping you in my loop.

I truly do feel a surge of hope has come our way, and believe that we have all turned the corner for better. Still a lot of work before us. Your prayers for a healthy world, a healthy community, and a healthy me are all deeply appreciated.

With love and care as always, Tobey