Tricia, you've got it.

That is fantastic news. I had no idea of the all the medical issues you've been dealing with. Sending thoughts and prayers.

Sue

Congrats! Johns Hopkins is a great facility.

I'm happy for you and I hope this treatment brings big improvements in your health. All my good wishes!

Great news, Tricia! I hope this group of medical professionals can finally get you some relief!

Linda

That wonderful! Prayers going up for you!!

"That is
wonderful!"

I do preview my posts, just not very well.

Tricia, I'm so glad that your persistence has paid off. I'm sure you sparked his interest--you always spark my interest.
Good luck with this well-deserved opportunity.
NOW DON'T BE LATE!

Dr. Julius Birnbaum graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University This reminds me of my visit to DH's doctor. He said he wouldn't treat my DH if I continued to come to the appointments. Reason--I wasn't happy with the Dr's treatment and question his knowledge of this illness; he pointed to his diplomas. I said "yeah but 50% of all doctors graduate at the bottom half of their class; how do I know you aren't one of them?"

This is GREAT news Tricia. Sendng prayers your way, that you have a great summer, and that Dr. Birnbaum is able to help come this fall!

Hope the Johns Hopkins docs have some answers for you!!
And congratulations on being....shall we say.."unique"...at least enough to pique his interest!
Linda C

That's great news, Tricia! I hope your visit to John Hopkins is the beginning some brighter days to come.

Tricia, all good wishes for successful treatment!

I live in Baltimore, so please feel free to contact me if I can be of help, in any way, while you're here.

Hang in there! October will be here before you know it.

Sue

Great news.

Welcome to Bawtimore, hon.

I, too live in Baltimore, and work for JHU School of Medicine, so, as Sue says, if you need anything, give a yell. Barb

{{gwi:1447848}}

Thanks so much, everybody!

We were awake most of the night talking & looking yet again at the Google searches we'd saved. Dr. Birnbaum's reputation seems stellar both with his peers & with his patients. John Hopkins's reputation is also great, ranked #1 by US News & World Reports.

I had an eye appt late yesterday to get new eye plugs put in my eyes. I told my doctor the good news & while I was having the plugs changed his nurse ran across the street & got me a small dish of ice cream to celebrate. :)

Sue & Barb, thank you both so much for your kind offers. I don't know much yet...it'll be a couple of weeks before I get my info package with the full schedule, etc.

My current neurologist tells me that Dr. Birnbaum works closely with the NIH & believes he, probably, has access to the latest procedures/meds.

Linda, I'm not unique. Sjogren's is progressive. I have advanced Sjogren's complicated by my spinal injuries. That injury is unique because of its location. The nerves running thru that area go to vital organs. But me? Just a women who needs help badly & who's grateful for Dr. Birnbaum.

/tricia

Sorry to hear about your problems, but you have my continued best thoughts and positive energy for a most successful operation. I'm glad to hear, however, that you have the best possible doctor, and this should be a great source of optimism and confidence. Your own positive thoughts will help you greatly at this time, and you must realize that so many people want the very best for you.

Lars

I don't know if the right word is "congratulations," but I'll say it anyway. I'm so happy you have this opportunity to work with this doctor. I hope he is as good or even better than you expect him to be, and is kind to you as well.

Sally

Good luck, Tricia, hopefully the doc and his staff can help with all the complicated medical issues you've experienced.

Annie

That is wonderful news Tricia. Dr. Birnbaum certainly sounds like the best of best, and that is just what you should have. Of course you will continue to have my prayers and most positive thoughts. I'm happy that your continued research and efforts and the help of your Drs. got you to this point.

Lee

I just saw this - Tricia what wonderful news! I will certainly be keeping you in my prayers that JHU will find answers that will help you. Stay strong!

Alexa

Tricia, something you said got me to thinking. You said, "The bad news is that I'm in tough enough shape that I sparked his interest." I was thinking about this the other day, and it occurred to me that he wouldn't have accepted you if he didn't think there was hope for you. I imagine he wants to be successful with his patients, so I bet he feels he can help you, and, of course, you can help him with his research. I'll be thinking of you. By the way, Oct. 18 is DH's birthday, so I'll be able to remember that day for you, too.

Sally

Great news Tricia! Johns Hopkins is the best!! I agree with sally2- this Doctor "knows" he can and will help you, that's why he accepted you as his patient.
Hopkins is well run - be early to your appointment & prepared. So very happy for you.

Tricia I know how much you are suffering and I know given your personality, how difficult it must be to not feel well a lot of the time. I want you to know I wish you the best of luck with this new round of treatment options. But also know that I think of you always and you are in my prayers too! Even though I don't always write or say anything about it, I am thinking of you and rooting for you. I too suffer from some chronic things that are difficult to treat, but nowhere NEAR as severe as what you are dealing with. In fact, you inspire me whenever I get to feeling too sorry for myself!

Tricia, that's great news. Good luck! We will all be thinking of you. Hopkins is as good as it gets.

I'm reading 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' which started at Johns Hopkins. Recommended, highly.

That's wonderful news, Tricia. I'll be pulling for you.

Nancy

Tricia, What a wonderful opportunity to have the "BEST" look after you! I'm very happy that you have been given this gift. I look at it as a gift because so few have this opportunity. I know your health issues have been giving you many problems and am praying that your quality of life will get better with the help of JHU. You will be astounded at the amount of Dr.'s that will be surrounding you and poking and proding your being. You may get a little tired of this but it is so worth it in the end! I'm looking forward to further updates. Keep on keeping on girl!

Cathy said, "Dr. Julius Birnbaum graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University This reminds me of my visit to DH's doctor. He said he wouldn't treat my DH if I continued to come to the appointments. Reason--I wasn't happy with the Dr's treatment and question his knowledge of this illness; he pointed to his diplomas. I said "yeah but 50% of all doctors graduate at the bottom half of their class; how do I know you aren't one of them?"

I know a Dr. that tells me "You really don't want the Dr. that graduated in the top 10 of their class. They are too smart and can't see past what the patient is telling them." Don't know if it's true or not but shame on the Dr. that pointed to his diplomas! He could have/should have said something that was more positive. Spousal support, in a time of crisis, is so important!