I grew up on a small farm with lots of cats and kittens. When I was a healthy 15 year old doing track/cross country, a lymph node swelled up. It was removed for

I grew up on a small farm with lots of cats and kittens. When I was a healthy 15 year old doing track/cross country, a lymph node swelled up. It was removed for a biopsy, and tests confirmed it was brimming with toxoplasmosis activity. When I was 27, I had flashes in my eyes that turned out to be caused by posterior vitreous detachment[0] which left some small holes in each of my retinas. That could be unrelated -- I have severe astigmatism, and it happens to many as the vitreous hardens with age -- but I had to have laser sutures to prevent vision loss. (I still have irritating floaters and can't enjoy reading a book in bright conditions.) None of my three siblings had either of these issues. [0] https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/9/posterior-vitreous-detachment https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/9/posterior-v...