No FCN for me :-(

Sadly, it looks like I won't be able to make Furry Connection North his year.

For folks who don't know me that well, I suffer from an interesting condition known to medical science as "chondromalacia", or "runner's knee". Essentially what happens is that for some individuals who are active (I normally exercise 5 days a week), the cartilage under the kneecap becomes inflamed. This in turn causes the kneecap to "wobble" more than it normally should, and pisses off all of the muscles around it, both above and below.

I've had flareups before, but this one is particularly severe. Attempting to climb steps causes a horrible stabbing pain just under my left kneecap. Trying to lug bags though an airport on Wednesday and then being away from home for 6 days just has "bad idea" written all over it.

Of course, I'm treating it. I have the usual knee braces that one would wear, a prescription of Piroxicam, and just started physical therapy today. I got a full evaluation, which includes a list of exercises I need to do each day, and a list of things NOT to do.

So I have a roadmap of what I need to do to get better. I just don't see myself making enough of a recovery by Wednesday to make it to FCN. Sorry, guys.

I guess there are some upsides to this, though:

- I'm not burning 3 vacation days

- I'm not spending $400+ on a hotel room (didn't think to find roommates in time. My fault, I know.)

- I don't have to worry about my condition getting worse while I'm away from home. I can rest and take it easy *at* home instead.

- Since I run the FCN website, I can easily update it during the con.

I hope those of you who are going have fun. Feel free to send texts, pics, and Tweets.

I'll see you all at the next furry con which, for me, will be Anthrocon.