Sjogren's Syndrome

Apparently, I have — wait, how do I spell this again? — Sjogren's Syndrome. Or I may have, at any rate. It came up in a routine blood test. It's an autoimmune disorder. I'm a bit early for it (it tends to come on in the late forties), and it's unusual in men (it's much, much more common in women) and there is — gasp! — no known cure (so they treat the symptoms as they come, instead of the cause).

I suppose there could be a great deal to get upset about, particularly if you're the kind of person that experiences medical symptoms while reading about them (my wife is that way), and there could be rather serious effects — but I'm not all that concerned. I'm not even sure I've exhibited any of the common symptoms.

It seems that a purple ribbon is worn to promote Sjogren's Syndrome awareness, but could also represent some two dozen other causes as well, which seems rather confusing. Perhaps there's some sort of wink-and-nod or a secret handshake that is used to distinguish Sjogren's Syndrome patients from, say, someone wanting to call attention to the risks of drug overdose.