Guy Elden Jr wrote:
I just spoke with someone at AOPA about the status of my medical
appliation with the FAA, which unfortunately was deferred to Oklahoma
City when I went in for my 3rd class evaluation in March (2005). I can
understand why there is such a backlog right now due to staffing issues

I can't. It's been attrocious for years now. However, the rules are
different now (this change about 4 years ago). If you have a medical
and the condition, while requiring review, isn't too bad, you can get
your medical renewed pending the outcome of the FAA investigation.
Initial issuances however still go into the slushpile for eight weeks
before anybody even bothers to read them.