Hello. I am so terribly sorry to hear of your health problems and the suffering they cause you. I can see why you want to stay at school as it keeps your mind off of all the "What is going on in my body? " questions. I suggest talking to your University's Health Clinic Head MD and tell him/her what you wrote here. I also understand your parents wanting you to take care of your health first and foremost. One of our closest family friends was referred by his small town Cardiologist to go to Mayo Clinic ASAP for tests and surgery. He put it off to make two more business trips and sadly he passed away coming back from the second business trip. His wife, children, siblings, friends were all devastated that he would make that decision without talking and discussing it all with them. They found out after his funeral from his wife talking with his Cardiologist and learning of his advice to go to Mayo Clinic ASAP. I tell you this as there is always time to go back to your high honors studies for your Ph.D...no matter if you are a year or two behind your "current peers." Ego should not be a part of the equation...if what you wrote is all happening inside your body right now. Mayo Clinic is an incredible Hospital with world class Doctors and Surgeons in every area of medicine. I just came back from three weeks at Mayo Clinic having testing and meeting with their Specialists. I still have more time needed up at Mayo Clinic as I have a complex medical history and complex health conditions...but I am grateful there is a place like Mayo Clinic where they study your medical history before you arrive for your first General Internal Medicine Consultation and they immediately start working on finding the root cause of condition and the most up to date treatment. I hope and pray you will find answers, treatment and God willing...a cure to your condition and that you have a very long healthy life and a brilliant career. God bless you.

Sincerely,

Nancy

Nancy, I am also praying for rubickscube to make the right decision. I am glad that I read your take on this. After some thought I agree with you. My first reaction was not what I would suggest. He should go home and get medical treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Good health is worth a change in plans.