Just checking in

I think this is a great idea! I sort of come and go on this forum because I don’t always feel like I have something to add but this will be a fun way for to stay in touch. I had a great Memorial Day weekend even though it felt more like late March here in Utah than late May. I went swimming at an indoor pool with my neice and nephew and my 2 year old daughter. We just had a blast!

Hi Norb,
Read a lot of your post and was happy for you when you got your wheelchair accessible car. What a long trip you have planned, it sounds exciting.
Enjoy your trip.
Shirley

Norb,

Let me know the details of your trip. I would love to meet you guys also. I could come to Toledo if needed.

Jerimy

Norb, Great Idea for a thread!:) I can’t wait to meet you and Carol:D

Great news about your trip and good news about Carol’s article.

So you must really really be happy 🙂

Sue

Congratulations to you and Carol on being published! Just a thought ~ maybe next year you could make a road trip west on the Oregon Trail and visit “us” North Westerners 😀

Just checking in,

I’m going to the first local meeting of the Dayton, Ohio Chapter of the GBS-CIDP Foundation Support Group this Saturday.
Looking forward to it.

Shirley

I was wondering about coming to the Dayton meeting even though I likely could not be a permanent member. I only live about two hours away (west on I-70 in Indiana) and I would love to meet someone else with GBS/CIDP and get/give some hugs and share some stories. What do you all think? Would that be okay to do?
WithHope for Cure of these diseases

WithHope,

I sent you a pm. I think it would be great if you came.
I sent you e-mail address and phone# of whom to contact.
Hope to meet you

Shirley

Norb, I am glad to hear of your future travels. How fun that will be. I am looking forward to a disney world trip sometime next year.

I have plenty to add to a thread like this b/c my life is full of all kinds of stuff. ha.

We got moved over the weekend…..never again ! We have moved into a beautiful home that we have worked on for nearly two years. The entire house was gutted…all new carpet, all rooms painted, new roof, new windows, new paint, landscaping…I am very proud. It is nearly 3,000 sq feet finished. What was I thinking ? The thing is huge….but hubby has promised to help me clean it and take care of it.

Its in a very good neighborhood with one of the best school districts for Connor.

We moved Friday night and Saturday and I could not get up on Sunday. For the first time in my own CIDP history, the fatigue literally and truly kicked my back side.
Now , too sell our old house….but, that shouldnt be a problem…HOPEFULLY.

…wishing I was a stay home mom.

Stacey

I have never seen that kind of car around here but that doesnt mean they arent here. I drive to work on autopilot and one time didnt even notice a gas station being torn down on one of the corners I pass. I have blonde hair…but, I am NATURALLY spacey. 🙂

they are calling for strong storms here tonite with possible 2 to 4 inches of rain. Omaha hasnt been hit with a big tornado since 1975 and I was too little to remember…I hope to never witness such a thing.
I love the thunderstorms but not tornado warnings.

Well I went to see my neuro today and am proud to announce that I will be stopping my mnedication! My husband and I want to try and have another baby; so 2 months from now we’ll be having some fun! 😀 I am so excited as this also means that I will be able to be a stay at home mom as soon as #2 comes along! I’ll let you all know if something happens; I am also hoping that my symptoms go away with this pregnancy as they did with my first. Pray for my success! I love you all!

I’m crossing my fingers for you Christie!;)
I’m planning a family brunch for my Dad. Today my parents were telling my Dad’s pt about our family’s radition of brunch get togethers when I was younger. My Dad’s face just lit up when he was talking, which triggered a lightbulb moment in my head. So I asked him if he would like to do a family brunch for Father’s Day this year, and he had the biggest smile on his face—soooo that is what is going to happen. Now to get all my brothers and sister and all the other family members together in a few weeks:eek: 😀

It’s been a long week of training in the Maritimes, but I had an awesome class which makes all the difference. I am going to spend the night in Moncton then head over to Nova Scotia where I will be doing a training next week. I will finally be able to fly home next Friday so am already looking forward to that.

I am hoping my garden will be up and I want to get some flowers in so that it brightens up the yard. I will bet the grass will be a foot tall by the time I get home so I will get the chance to soak up some rays! I love cutting the grass.

Take care everyone.:p

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Norb,
Roll out the cannons if that’s what it takes!:D
So glad to hear that your life is full, and you sound so upbeat.
About Seattle, milder winters but fewer sunny days, hmmmm..
Just chuckling over the robin defending his territory, attacking his rival (reflection in the car’s rear view mirror) Gonna have to go out and tie a bag over it so he can save his energy, not to mention my paint job:)
See Ya
Veronica[/SIZE][/FONT]

PACKING PACKING PACKING for my move to Florida. I do it in spurts, then rest, which is what my fatigue level needs. I sure do hope I remember everything that has to be canceled or have address changed. I saw a rat outside in the yard onetime and because he was running back and forth, I named him Amuck, that’s how I feel now.

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Lizzie,
packing and rats, pack rat, get it?:p Will you get to have a pet at your new place, i mean besides the local wildlife?

Say Norb, you look pretty chill there, did you think about patting a few of those girls as they walked by, you could always blame it on involuntary reflex!
How clever you are to wear that hat to cover up the mouse ears from the Rituximab:D

I’m back to work, yay [IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/Flying-Pig.gif[/IMG]
Long trips (newark to brasil) but am so happy to be back i ain’t complainin’ Come fly with me,
V[/SIZE][/FONT]

Went to the First Chapter Meeting of GBS/CIDP in the Dayton, Ohio area.

It was very informative with the video on recovery and each person speaking of their own personal story. They spoke of their symptons when they came down with GBS/CIDP, their diagnosis, treatment or (mis – treatment) and healing.
It showed how we are all so different in the way we come down with these syndromes and how our healing is so different. It was nice to meet the faces behind the stories.
Caregivers were spoken of with the greatest appreciation for all they do.
It helped my husband to remember that because I looked well on the outside I was not well on the inside. People can not see the tingling and numbness on the inside of my body or feel the fatigue that gets a grip on us at the most unlikely time, not to mention those aches and pains that show up out of nowhere.
If you can go to a chapter meeting in your area it is my hope that you come away with a great feeling and repect for the new people you meet and the information you get.
Bill Werling, his Wife and Daughter were wonderful and gracious host.

Thank You

Shirley

Shirley,

Esecially lately…I cant count how many times I want to say, ” I really dont feel good…I MEAN I DONT feel good”. I look fine…I’m walking worse and dont know if anyone notices…but, I just wish I had a pamphlet or something to give to others to help them just minutely understand…I LOOK fine…but on the inside my body is doing all kinds of tricks that nobody would laugh at.
My legs are tired and I can barely walk…but, I LOOK fine. I”m so tired I could sleep at stoplights…but, I LOOK fine.
Someday, right ?
I’m hoping my husband and I can make it to Chicago.

Liz, I feel your pain in the packing. Try to rest as much as you can in between boxes. Moving stinks !!!!!!!! Never again !!!!

I went swimming yesterday….the water was so cold ! Connor had a blast. Kids can swim in the coldest of waters. The sun is intense tho…I was already somewhat tanned and got a bit of a sun burn anyway.

Back to work today and SUPER tired….but, hey, I look good. ha…now that was funny. 😀

Stacey

Stacey,
Sorry you don’t feel good but hey, just remember, as you said, you look good!
Shirley

Norb,
I remember reading about the excursion with your power chair to attend the meeting.
Your tentative travel plans put you within three miles of our home. My husband and I would love to meet you and your wife and take you to dinner if possible.
Shirley

Norb,
We live in the country, 3 miles south of interstate 70, between Springfield and Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Shirley

Norb, don’t know how far off course you are willing to travel, but looks like you will be just south of us. If you are looking for a stopping point or would like to meet up, my husband and I would come to a convenient point.
We are in the country, near Amboy, Il. Look us up on the map and see what you think.
We do have a ramp at our home.

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Norb,

Just wanted you to know that I will come to Toledo or wherever if you guys can’t loop up into Michigan on your trip. I am looking very forward to meeting you guys.

Jerimy

Norb, it looks like you can meet the whole gang…according to your map, you’ll be coming straight thru Omaha…and my new house is just off the interstate…
there is an awesome ice cream shop nearby…:p

Norb,

Travelling down Interstate 44 – you’ll go through Lebanon Missouri. That’s about 20 miles from my house. Let me know if you would like to know any information about the area…..I read that you’re using KOA sites so I’m assuming that you’re camping.

There is a State Park right outside of Lebanon – Benett Springs State Park and it is really awesome. Camping sites galore. It is renouned for being a true rainbow trout fish hatchery and the trout fishing is awesome….I’ll have to check on seasons and limits and other things if you’re interested.

Now to my daily stop just to check in…..

I’m sitting here in Day three of a jury trial waiting for the jury to deliberate and come out with a verdict. After I’m done here, I’m going to head out to our building site and look at the progress on the house that I’m building for my wife and two girls.

I’m not boasting or bragging, and I’m very conscious of that when I talk about the new house, but I’ve worked and saved and worked more jobs to be able to purchase a small tract of land and begin building my wonderful wife and two daughters their house.

Contracting, Obtaining, Coming down with (I’m not sure if that is the correct nomenclature) GBS in January of 2007 put the building of the house back a bit, HOWEVER, it did put building the house to the FRONT of my list of things to do. I decided, after I was in the hospital, laying in my bed looking at the ceiling that I’m not going to wait ANY LONGER!!!!!

I had to go back to work and make sure that I was able to perform my duties sufficiently and then my wife and I started the process. Currently I have basement walls poured and the forms stripped. I’m conversing with a plumber to have the plumbing fixed in the floor and then the framer will start ASAP after those things have finished.

I’ve ranted long enough…..but I’ve ranted with a smile on my face. Thanks Norb for the thread.

Everyone be safe.

Norb,
I’m sure GBS affects memory.
I think I sent you the same e-mail twice.
Shirley

Brett,

congrats on the house building. I know what you mean about not wanting to sound like you are bragging. My hubby and I spent two years and a ton of money renovating the home we just moved in to. We didnt build it from scratch…but we re-did 90 percent of it….roof, windows, paint, finished basements, (there are two b/c of an add on), and carpet thru-out…also sprinkler system, landscaping, etc….but, I dont brag or boast either b/c I’m not “bragging”…I’m just proud.
It’s awesome to watch the process unfold. best wishes to you. Are you anywhere near Bolivar, Missouri ?

Norb, I’ll email you from home… as to where i live exactly…
too bad you didnt have a great big camper…what do they call those…are they mobile homes ? the kind you drive. brain fog going on cant think of what they call em. I cant imagine what that would take to gas up. yikes. but, wouldnt that be nice…

I am feeling really crummy today. I woke up at 3a…usually up at 4…coughing like crazy. It was a bad cough but thru out the day it’s not as “chunky” ? dont know how to describe it…but it’s a drier cough now but it burns terribly…..very bad burning when i cough.
ug. if it’s not one thing it’s another. I emailed hubby at work and asked if we could do an easy dinner tonite…we have his daughter on Wed’s…he said of course…that he’d cook or he’d pick up something. He knows how to make mac and cheese…and grill stuff…or if there’s a recipe, he can follow it…:rolleyes: I just appreciate his willingness to help !

I want to lay down.

know of any good remedies for the burning cough ?

till later……
ps…my Connor hit four out of four pitches at baseball practice last night…he was the only one. the coach threw until each kid hit the ball three times…since Connor hit the first three, he got an extra and hit that, too. 🙂
He’s so shy and takes a bit to acclimate…but I’m so proud. :p

Stacey

well, guess what we had for dinner….Mac n cheese and grilled chicken breast.
how did I know ?

Today I woke up and I have the full blown upper respiratory crud going on. Stuffy, drippy nose…chest still burning…so, I called the dr and going in at 1130. I was just there Tuesday. ug. I havent had this since I was diagnosed almost 2 yrs ago…actually, the last time i had bronchitis, I was pregnant with Connor. The body aches and fatigue are pretty bad but how do I know what’s what.

We had strong storms again last night…no tornadoes here but heavy rain and some huge hail…there is flooding near the creeks and more rural areas.
They are calling for more rain tonite….more storms. The humidity is fierce.

I’m at work contaminating everyone around me…they dont beleive you when you call in sick.
I’d better try to get some work done……….:rolleyes:

good day everyone.

Stacey

Stacey, Sorry You feel soo bad. I’m just getting over that stuff which turned into pneumonia. Try honey in a warm drink(of your choice!;) ) it is known to soothe the hardest of coughs! Hugs and hope you get feeling better soon!

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Out weed whacking and mowing two days ago,
sure i looked pretty funny, liberally slathered with insect repellent, socks pulled up over my jeans and long sleeves in 80 degree weather, but am highly allergic to mosquito bites.
Boasted to a friend that i seem to be immune to poison ivy, oops, NOT!
The only area of skin exposed were my wrists above the gloves and guess what? Uh huh. Well guess i learned my lesson, next time i’ll wear gauntlets, or better yet, get someone else to do the job, eh?
[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/Kitten-vs-Butterfly.gif[/IMG][/SIZE][/FONT]

Good for you, Norb! We don’t know until we try, eh?

I have been enjoying the flower gardening. I like to “tuck” unexpected things around ~ like a treadle sewing machine head (not usable for anything), a ceramic worm, an old wooden screen door frame with the rabbit (I’m late, I’m late) from Alice in Wonderland hanging from the center brace. Oh yes, I love “teapots”, that are ready to be re-purposed, tucked among the roses. And tucking a mirror in front of the fence but behind the flowers really magnifies the area ~ more bang for my buck 😀 And we both love “old things” used on an old farm, like a cream separator filled with geraniums and trailing plants. Most things are put away for winter, so when springs arrives how I love to bring out my “old friends” !!

I’ve been experiencing so much more leg pain than usual but being in the garden helps me to “forget” for a few minutes. Wish I could share my flowers with y’all 🙂

I planted a few flowers this year. I’m not the gardening type but must admit I enjoyed it. My mom was an avid gardener so I’d like to think she’s by my side as I am planting.

Severe brain fog…I couldnt remember my password to log in. I went to the dr and have bronchitis…got an antibiotic for just in case and some cough syrup with codeine. I literally slept from 130p yesterday until 430a this morning. I woke only to go to the bathroom and say a word or two to hubby and Connor. I was so sick I thought I was gonna have him take me to ER…couldnt get off the couch.

Still feeling crummy but alot better than that…and I am at work. Like I say, my work has no sympathy for calling in and right now I am one of two filling in for someone on medical leave.
Hubby kinda mad that I didnt stay home. I am not a good patient.

I’m taking Connor to DesMoines next weekend…to Adventureland. Going with my niece and great niece…they are 25 and 4. The great niece is 4 and is bigger than Connor. She is quite the chunk..weighs like 70 lbs. Connor is 51 lbs and 18 mos older than she.
I’m looking forward and hoping the kids have a good time. NOt sure how well I’ll do walking around the park. I probably should bring my AFO, huh.
and my cane.

I’ve been real dizzy since yesterday…wondering if its the cough syrup. I suppose I should measure how much I take rather than chug it out of the bottle. Ha…no, not really. I sip.
😮

My dr also gave me a script for my pain med re-newal and gave me 120 rather than 45. The pharmacist called her questioning the amount. I had just gotten some that were stronger on the 30th from a different dr…which I’d rather not take during the day. They are making me wait until next Thurs to fill them. And, that’s ok b/c I have enough left. Walgreens ticks me off sometimes tho. I guess they are just trying to be careful. They held the script there so I guess I just call em Thursday and get it. I’ll need them then…and especially going to the amusement park.

well enough for now…second night of storms last night but I slept thru it. tornadoes all around us but just heavy rain here. Today is beautiful and sunny just a bit windy. Wish I felt better.

have a great weekend everyone !

Hope you get that cold under control. We don’t have to tell you that you need to take it easy because you’ve already told us you are a bad patient,
but ‘take it easy, anyway’.

Gardening is my therapy. I’ve had to come up with some alternative ways to do things. Like sitting on a bucket to pull weeds, taking my time and accepting that it’s not quite perfect. My husband suggested we downsize our vegetable garden this year. He was just trying to help, knowing how much work it is, but it’s the first comment that made me cry in a vary long time. Guess it was the realization that I can’t do what I used to.

My cup if tea is perfectly steeped, the sun is out and there is a soft southern breeze…I hear my plants calling my name…
Have a great day

[QUOTE=ConnorZmom]I planted a few flowers this year. I’m not the gardening type but must admit I enjoyed it. My mom was an avid gardener so I’d like to think she’s by my side as I am planting.

![/QUOTE][FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]My Mom hated gardening as she grew up on various farms in Texas where there was always hard work to do. After my Dad passed, she sold our old house with it’s huge yard and moved into a brand new mobile home which she had us ‘landscape’ with various colors of rock. When i’d call and ask what she was doing, she’d joke she was out watering her rocks:)
Guess i got the garden bug from my Dad. Have always practiced organic methods but the poison ivy is making me[I] itch[/I] to reach for the BrusBGone, and it’s about those pesky ground hogs…..

[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/Groundhog.jpg[/IMG]

😮 Hey don’t shoot! I was just kidding.[/SIZE][/FONT]

Great idea Norb. Just checking in.

Norb,
I hope you dont have to cancel your trip. The price of gas is just absolutely ridiculous and the sad part is, there is no relief in sight.

We have had a bad bunch of storms roll thru. Saturday night at 230a we were awakened by a tornado. Literally. It hit about five miles southwest of our home and damaged a few homes but left many with trees down and no power. We had no power until late Sunday. My neighbors had a tree uprooted from their lawn. The storm came with no warning and by the time the sirens went off, it had already touched down.
I cant tell you how scared I was. The wind and the pressure in the house was unreal. We went to the basement with a portable radio and flashlight and hid under the stairs. Usually we dont get so worried but this time it was pretty intense.
Nobody was hurt or killed and that was good….

still suffering with the bronchitis…cant shake the cough.

I’m taking Connor to adventureland on Friday….in DesMoines in case you all hadnt heard of it. It’s an amusement park…not like disneyworld or anything but fun enough I guess.

I wish I were home and not at work……..

have a good day everyone,

Stacey

We had huge limbs come off the Sweet Gum tree in the wind last nite. It all landed where our summer bed usually is. It’s been such a cold spring that we hadn’t put it up yet!! Wow, sure made us think . . .

Stacey, I know how you’re feeling with the storms and tornados. We have been getting all those storms from your way–power outages, wind damage, a few funnels and tornados too. I’m tired of it now. Thank goodness it broke this afternoon and we are in for a couple days without rain and storms.
This morning I had an appt with my neuro, still trying to narrow down the list of possible dxs. Did some more lab work and next will be a mri of the brain, another(#12) ncv/emg and a skin biopsy to look at the small fiber nerves. And I got in plenty of walking today.:)

Hi, back again, It good to see all the posts of so many friends again.

Good afternoon everyone.

Its Wednesday. Spaghetti night at Church tonight. Really looking foward to it.

Just thought I would check in.

Norb,

I so love your attitude about everything, there is lots for me to learn from it.

Jerimy

Norb ~ you are a kick!! Survival is seeing the funny every time you can:D

NORB!!!

I thought you were making reference to Billy Joel’s track, [I]And so it goes[/I]——-not Vonnegut’s reference!!!!

I suppose I’ll have to turn the page on yet another new chapter of culture in my life.

Thanks Norb.

[I]And so it goes[/I]……..

Oh Norb ~ how disappointing! I know that you and Carol were so looking forward to “the great adventure”. And the others were so excited about getting to meet you! I’m glad that you are putting the AAA books/maps in a safe place for when the “new” time arrives. Perhaps you can do a special long weekend right there in Colorado ~ something you haven’t done but would like to. Some disappointments are difficult to get over but with the “can do” attitude that you have, it will be alright 🙂 Hugs to you both.

Well Norb, when life hands you lemons…..Make lemonade. So what is the good that is coming out of this? Gotta be something. How disappointing though as I know you were looking forward to the trek across the country.

Keep the maps and itinerary and who knows…maybe you will win the lottery in the next little while and the trip can go ahead. ….You can always hope, right? Best wishes and I will pray for a turn around so you can make your journey happen.

Norb, I’ll meet you over at the tavern! I preordered your drink so it’s waiting for you.

Norb, your reference to a ‘love song’ is a great lead for my “Just checking in…” post of the day.
Today my husband of 33 years and I always greet each other with an extra long hug and a HAPPY FLAG DAY! It’s our 33rd anniversary.

So everyone join us on our anniversary as we proudly fly the flag!

Happy Anniversary JayDee

[COLOR=red]Happy Anniversary Jaydee and Hubby!!!!!!:) [/COLOR]

Happy Father’s Day to All You Fathers out there!!!!
This evening we are getting together with my parents and a sibling or 2 and their families for a Pie Iron Pizza cookout! I Love pie iron pizzas!! Since Dad is not able to camp right now, we are having it at their house over the burn pit.

Cheryl,
I have to ask hope you don’t think I’m dumb.
What is a pie iron pizza?
Shirley

Norb.
I had to look up what the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya was.
Liiving from place to place during my husbands military career, I have always had an interest in different nationalities, cultures and faiths. I found this to be of great interest to me.
The Hawaiians believe that if you take the black lava rock off the islands that bad things will happen to you. I didn’t know this when I brought back a piece of lava rock the size of a grape in 1973, I found it out years later.
If only I had not taken that piece of lava, what a difference my life could have been!!!!! They also say you can take it back and bad things will stop.
I wonder if my GBS would completly go away?????
Wishful thinking ,
Shirley

Norb, would I make something like that up?;) I’m surprised you never heard of them, being a camper and all. Here is a pic of my Dad cooking pie iron pizzas today. He wouldn’t let anyone else do the cookin’! He enjoyed doing it. The plate has a perfectly cooked pizza on it….[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2582578410_948a3ec9b0.jpg[/IMG]

Norb, I can so imagine your dissapointment. I wish I could help.
I took Connor to adventureland this weekend and just the cost of THAT…I cant imagine a trip across the country.

We are planning our own camping trip in Valentine around the 4th. Valentine, Nebraska, that is. We tube down the Niobrara. The last time we were there I was a very 6 months pregnant with Connor. Havent been back b/c I didnt think he could handle it. Hoping he enjoys it …we tube on the river about 5 hours and as long as he doesnt get bored, it should be ok. We’re taking my 11 yr old stepdaughter…which I am reluctant b/c her and Connor dont get along so well. For her it’s an attention thing, I think. She doesnt like him and never really has. Makes it very hard for me sometimes.

anyway…back at work and the boss is on me for being behind……..

good day everyone.
Stacey

Never did it with pizza, but we’ve done regular pies that way for years.
Have you all tried “grilled pizza”? Brush olive oil on a pre made pizza crust.
Grill both sides on the grill for just a minute or two. Then add your favorites beginning with a good sauce, onions, olives, peppers, etc. If you are doing meat such as sausage, brown it first (obviously). Return pizza to grill and top with cheese. When cheese is good and melted, enjoy! Works best on low heat, and if you have a grill pan, like the kind you do veggies on.
Gives the pizza a grilled flavor and you can customize it.

Wow! Norb. Isn’t it simply amazing what satellites and computers can do 🙂

How Awesome is that, Norb!:) I like looking down on my area on the image site also. I just wish they would show a then and now look instead of all older. My area has changed soo much, its fun to see the fields that I grew up with that are now all houses.

Norb,
I worked with a lady from Germany that married an American soldier during WWII and came to live in America. She has never been able to talk about what she saw and went through during WWII.
Reading the few things you said about it helps me understand why she could’t talk about it.
I hope to read more of what you went through. When you do tell more, let me know where I can read it.
I’m glad that bomb didn’t go off when it went through the roof of your house.
Google Earth is great.
Shirley

Just checking in
I took my first walk by myself (since Oct. 07). Went out the back door, down the ramp and around the side of the house to the front of the house. YEA!!! YEA!!! YEA!!! I didn’t fall but sure did stumble even with the cane.
Now I have seen the mulch bed up close and have some triming and weed pulling to do. I’ll try that later.
Shirley

Norb,
Wow, what horrible things you and so many others have been through.
Thank you for telling your story.
Shirley

I just read your story Norb. What traumas and atrocities you had to see at such a young and tender age. I admire you for sharing this with us. It takes trust to open your heart to virtual strangers and let us in to see the pain and grief you have suffered as a result of the war years. God bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing.

[FONT=”Verdana”][SIZE=”3″]Norb,
I echo Shirley and Jan in thanking you for opening your heart to us.
I think your Mutti must have done a wonderful job of raising you, for though you suffered much, you managed to retain your sense of adventure and grow to be the person you are today, the one we all care for deeply.
Was it a difficult adjustment for you to have your father suddenly back in your life after all those years?
Just wondering
Thanks again for sharing.
Veronica[/SIZE][/FONT]

Norb, I look forward to reading your story…awful tired right now, been in the hospital since Tues…but, I’m just checking in. 😮

and, btw, I am ok.

more later………

Stacey

[FONT=”Georgia”][SIZE=”2″]Hi Norb I’ve been away for a little while trying to get an understanding of all the things that happened in my life this yr. But I wanted to say Hello to Everyone here.[/SIZE][/FONT]

Norb, You are a Saint!! I’m sending you alittle extra strength-so you can make it through the next week.;) Big Hugs to You Terry. Sorry I haven’t emailed you back yet-been soo busy and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.:( Last sat night my hubby broke his foot–doing something I have told him many times over the past 17 yrs not to do–he walked across our waterbed and fell off when his foot became lodged between the side rail and the watermattress. He was supposed to start a new job as a truck driver on weds—I guess thats not going to happen now:(
We do look kinda funny when we walk next to each other–him on crutches and me with a cane. Take Care All.

Norb, you are a hoot!!! I love reading your posts. I am sad to hear about your son though. You are right…it will always hurt, but we do learn to somehow go on with life, don’t we?

As for your MIL, sounds to me like she is one lonely lady. 🙁 Maybe you need to set her up with some guy her own age and see if you can’t get a romance budding…you’re never too old!!! 😀 well, it would be worth a try!

Norb, Thanks for that laugh!!!!!:D I really needed that!!!:)

Norb ~ you are to funny! Thanks for giving me my laugh for the day 😀

just checking in….
doing ok…slow to recover from all of this but I will.

hope all is well and wonderful today !

Stacey

Doing okay here but the pain in my feet along with the tingling has been extremely harsh lately. I think I have been overdoing it. I am going to see the dr in a few days as I want to see about going on Lyrica. I find Neurontin causes me to be so lethargic and to retain fluid not to mention I gain weght which I absolutely do not need…I already feel like a beached whale most days:D .So did stop taking it which really may be part of the problem. My hubby gave me a wonderful foot massage this am and it really helped.

It is a beautiful sunny day here so am heading out to catch some rays. Have a great day everyone!

[FONT=Georgia]Hello Everyone: Today is not a good day for me the neuropathy pain is really at it today making me one unhappy camper. Oh Norb could I interest you in some Cicadas, this area was plagued by millions of them. I couldn’t even get outside & cut the grass without them landing on me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]I got bit by the stupid things several times, & the one thing is the hotter the temp gets the worse they get. This was Brood 17 what I call the nuisance brood, I’m just patiently waiting for them all to die. I don’t ever remember seeing them this bad as long as I have been here. Well at least it’s nice & sunny here today ![/FONT]

Just checking in.
It was a good day. Went shopping for carpet and used my cane to walk with.
Made it through two carpet stores. Went home and the shoes came off, the feet went up.
That’s what I call PROGRESS!!!!
Shirley

Norb, I want a ride, [I]paleeze[/I]’? I won’t talk, promise 😀 (the voice has left me . . .)

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”3″]Norb,
Me too please, is there room in there for an old bat, i’ll try to be still and won’t ask a single question, promise.;)
i live alone and so don’t have anyone pestering me (except the cats). Am not fit to be spoken to until i’ve had my 3 cups of tea.
When Significant Other comes to visit he drive me nuts, he’s a morning person and always raring to go as soon as he opens his eyes, so disgusting!:D
My neighbor just turned two of his horses out in the paddock, and am enjoying watching them kick up their heels.
V[/SIZE][/FONT]

Hi Norb-I have an idea-we ladies that live alone could sign up on a list, of “ride in Norb’s car-promise to ask no questions-just have fun”???:D

How I’m doing-had my #3 home ivig yesterday, nurse had me double my premeds, and miracle of miracles-NO headache. Legs feel a little better and balance is better-went out to dinner with a friend last night and didn’t even need a cane !! And today is last day of ivig for a month-once that iv gets pulled out of my arm am going to take an hour normal shower and not feel like the statue of liberty holding her arm up so the iv doesn’t get wet.:)

Take care everybody. Dust Demon-trade you 1000 cicadas for 1000 mosquitoes????? Emma

Norb, I just can’t figure out men. You don’t like ones who talk, and my brother doesn’t like those who don’t talk:confused: I’m a morning person and nightowl-but I don’t talk all that much and get in trouble for it.;) Can I go for a spin too?

Today I have to go shopping for a birthday gift and take my son to the birthday party. One down, 2 to go:D
Can’t do anything outside, its raining for the 7th day in a row!

Got my new car day before yesterday had an accident yesterday. I wear AFO’s on both feet and hit brake and gas at same time.Just hit a curb and the handicapped parking sign.(sign hit another car parked opposite in the handicapped space.)Minimal damage. I need a new bumper. More damage done to my ego than anything else. I figure I set a record at the dealership not even 50miles on the car. Trying to walk without AFOs but I have been wearing them for 2 yrs now. Still numb from my chin down feels like my arms and legs are asleep. My confidence is shakey at best now. Family and friends say it was just an accident and no one was hurt, me not physically but not so sure about mentally.I should be thankful i have come a long way to be able to drive still using forearm crutches and a cane sometimes but havent seen any improvement in functionality for a while. Having a hard time accepting that this could be asgood as it gets.

JoJo,I’m sory about your accident but I bet you gave those guys at the dealership a good story to talk about.

Norb, Your animation getting in your car was worth watching several times and having my husband watch it too. We loved it!
I want a ride also but only if Carol is driving, don’t want to go lurching through those intersections with you . ha! ha!
Shirley

JoJo-sorry about your accident too, but as I read your story, it did make me smile but more importantly it spoke of your character and spirit to keep trying to do more. Enjoy your new car and don’t give up mentally, and stay hopeful and positive; our journeys back to being better are long and have lots of ups and downs along the way. And besides it takes everyone some time to get used to a new car–enjoy it-go for a short crruise with it. God was just having fun with you and the curb and sign and all. A new bumper is nothing-get a new one and get stylin–you’ll get the hang of the AFO’s and the pedals. Emma

Emma, we haven’t met, just want to say hi and welcome.
Shirley

The whole family is together at St George Island FL for a vacation. For the past thee days we have had rain to the north, rain to the south, rain to the west and rain to the east. It looks like today is the day that it will rain here. So we will have the whole afternoon for “quality” time together…:D

JoJo hang in there. Remember, if they put bumpers on cars you are supposed to use them. :rolleyes:

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”3″]Oh poor kid,
When i first started driving again i drove with my hand under my right knee so that i’d be able to pick my leg up and move it to the brake pedal, back in the day i always drove a stick shift, now that would be impossible!
It [B][I]will[/I][/B] get better, never give up! You just got confused and that happens to everyone driving a car they aren’t familiar with, especially if someone is with them in the car.
Cheryl, i’m a night owl too and so i suppose i could consider myself a morning person if we’re talking 2 or 3 in the A.M. 😉 Most of the talking i do around the house is to the cats, but have lately found myself talking back to the TV.. yikes maybe i should get out more??

Emma and JudiZ, Cheryl and Shirley, think we’ll all fit in Norb’s ride? Norb can drive, we’ll work the pedals for him and give Carol a break ( and quite possibly a heart attack, i suspect) so maybe not.

Dustdemon,
i’ve never seen a cicada, are they like grasshoppers?
You poor guy, i remember traveling thru Texas on summer nites and how the crickets were so thick you couldn’t avoid crunching them under foot. they were even all over the gas pumps, ick!
You have been thru so much lately, i hope that something really good happens in your life very soon. Like Norb says, the grieving process is different for everyone, don’t try to tell yourself you should be “over it” by now, let it out and don’t try to hide it, it’s our way of healing, and if some folks don’t understand, they aren’t worth messing with.
We love you, ya know and you’ve always got us.

It’s another beautiful day here in PA and i’ve weeds to pull and plants to plant, but am too lazy to do anything but sit here and gaze out at the sheep next door
Take care ya’ll
Alte Fledermaus

P.S. Norb, you [I]are[/I] driving un less that”s Obi Wan Kenobi in that power chair?:D [IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/JetWhlchr.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE][/FONT]

Norb, If it’s too quiet you could always have the MIL come for an even longer visit!!!!!!!
Shirley

Sounds like things are going well for everyone.

Well, we had a new water heater put in on Wed. and yesterday morning it shorted out so we have been without hot water for a couple days now. The plumbers were here this am to fix it but didn’t have the right parts so had to go back to town and hopefully they will make it back out to the farm before the end of the day. It is our July 1 holiday tomorrow so no one will be working. Can’t imagine a couple more days without hot water.

Been watching the news and seeing all the flooding and levies breaking in the midwest. Are any of you affected? Been thinking about everyone and how horrible it must be to have this happen and loose so much personal stuff. Thoughts and prayers going out to everyone. Let’s hope this rain abates for you for a while.

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”3″]Janet,
i know what you mean! My spring dried up 2 years ago and was living without running water for a bit over a year.
I collected rain water and heated it in an electric teapot, got quite adept at mixing it and taking little ‘cat baths’ while i tried to save up the money for a well. Good thing i had one of these…….
[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/OUTHOUSE.jpg[/IMG]

When i got sick last summer SigOther came out and had a well dug for me and have been trying to remember how in the Heck i managed without! The water has a sulfur smell but i don’t care, to me it’s Manna from Heaven, besides back home in California people paid big bucks for sulfur baths so maybe i should open a Spa?
I think you’re right that we should count our Blessings, since people in the MidWest seem to be getting hit with everything about now.

Norb, was just looking at your Brag Book The Grandkids are adorable.
You mentioned that you’d had Wienerschnitzel, i want to know who did the cooking, can i have the recipe? Pleeze?
That’s another thing i miss about Germany
Should i order that next time i’m in The Tavern? I like mine with lemon and those wonderful fried potatoes, makes my mouth water just to think of it, Yummmy. [/SIZE][/FONT]

Oh how I remember those days!! I didn’t have running water for about 9 years. Well, I had running water…I ran out to the well at the barn and got it!!! It was a chore to do anything like laundry, bathe, etc. Then when our youngest came along, we found some money..well the bank found it and made us pay it back!…and put the system in. At least back then, I was set up for it with huge boilers for the stove to heat the water in, but now I have a small electric kettle. By the time I get water heated for the tub, I’ll be too tired to bath.

The plumber did make it back and I have hot water again. Let’s hope it lasts….

Hi everyone. Let’s see if I can remember all I wanted to say. Hi Shirley-I have been reading these forums on and off all day. Had an energy spurt this morning and no headache and didn’t pace myself, and I know better, had no energy except to sit here and read about all of you rest of day.

Old bat-it looks a little tight to all squeeze in with Norb and ObiWan, but I’m game. Your “outdoor facility” looked alot like back home on the farm when I was a kid but we didn’t have a lean to on the side. Had to prime the outdoor pump everyday for our water and bring it into the kitchen-it was hard water but it tasted fine to me. Played alot by myself as a kid, my sibs are 7 & 11 1/ years older-think maybe that’s why I am comfy being alone, plus I talk outloud sometimes?

DustDemon-hang in there and remember what we said-takin it a day at a time.

I have a new rhyme-rain pain…..we don’t have the flooding in this part of Michigan, other than the usual lowland areas of homes that flood every spring when the ice melts. But we have had so much rain every day it seems that no matter what I take or do I just plain hurt.
The first series of 4 days of home ivig worked better-I really think the sharp intermittent pain in my legs has lessened. No headache today:D 😀 😀

Norb-I read your WWII story tonight-incredible pictures and heartbreaking but heartwarming story of your family’s strength and courage to survive. And you still survive, you and Carol, and I am just getting to know you and I think you are an incredible and inspirational man! And please, I am not patronizing you but you exemplify what we do to survive as children and how our role models teach us to carry both strengths into adulthood-I have not read one story about any of you that isn’t filled with pain, struggles and triumphs.

Thank you again for referring me to this site DustDemon-I am so grateful to have friends that understand.

Best memory of childhood-riding on the tractor with my dad up to the feed mill and picking out the next feedsack for my next jumper.
Worst memory of childhood-gathering eggs-those hens were a mean bunch of women!!!!! I think I still remember every peck….got even with them-my cousins and I played tag on the henhouse roof-those hens didn’t lay eggs for a week–course we got in trouble with mom and dad.

Good night everyone. Hope we all have a better day tomorrow.:) Emma

Norb, I love you little movie clip or whatever you call it….that is cool. I cant or should say really, havent TRIED yet to post pictures…not to mention a movie.

Yes, Jan, I am affected by the weather that has made national news…however not the levee issues. We have had the strong winds of 100mph destroy many homes and trees, and killing two 18 yr olds. Myself personally, I have not had a damaged home or flooding but my neighbors and friends have.

Looking forward to the 4th…will have a four day weekend. Hubby is having his knee scoped so we arent able to do the vacation, but, that’s ok.

Too much going on right now anyway.

I’m going to talk to him about the symposium. I’d love to meet everyone, too.

have a great Tuesday.

Stacey

one more thing to add…
my sister lives in Peculiar Missouri now…one of her many stops along the way I think…but, shortly after moving in, the house flooded in the night…leaving things floating around on the floor. The water was up to the countertops. She lost everything. Including her little Audi mid life crisis sportster.

She rented a car but brought a pick up home to Omaha…leaving the rental in Missouri. While she was here, a tree landed on her rental.

SHE was with me during that storm the other night and I just knew a tree was going to fall on us. It didnt, but they were coming down all around us…and with the black cloud over her head, it was a MIRACLE we survived.

😮

I’m going to the OB dr today…a second follow up from the hospital…this is a second opinion b/c the first one I saw…one that I recently switched to, ticked me off…and there is nothing I like more than firing a dr that wont listen to me !

well, not really…but I do move on and find a better dr.

It’s gonna be 90 and humid in Omaha today….feel sorry for those without power. Especially the elderly and disabled.

Norb-thank you for the recipe and meal idea-am going to make that next week. Really does look yummy!! Did Carol make you something to eat? Emma

Norb-Actually old bat asked you for the recipe but I made a copy. You are getting too many women asking you questions, huh? Maybe when she gets out of the tavern, she’ll come to this thread and see the recipe too. Emma

Today is Canada’s birthday so we are all on holiday but as usual around the farm, this ain’t no holiday!!! Hubby helped me put a huge red rock in front of the house this afternoon and now he is out trying to bale up some hay. We have some kind of weevil in our alfalfa so need to get it down and kill off the little critters. Add to that that we got about 4 inches of hail 2-3 weeks ago and there isn’t much there to hay.

There is a huge forest fire in northern Saskatchewan the last couple days and two towns have been evacuated. There is a strong north wind blowing today so we are blanketed in smoke. Hard on anyone who has allergies.

Was thinking of tracking down some fireworks displays tonight but with this wind and the dry conditions there isn’t too much going around. We have had rain but it was so dry that it just soaked it all away. Stacey, sorry about your sister losing everything. It is a tough time when things like this happen. Will say a prayer. The fortunate part, even though it is hard to see sometimes, is that she is okay and still healthy. Take care everyone.

Jan, I hear you…we farm in northern Il. Always something to do. We have had way too much rain and will loose a some acres of corn at harvest. All we have to do is look at pictures from Iowa and we count our blessings.
July 1st! Where did June go? It’s been so cold and rainy I feel like we got cheated out of springtime. So we stripped down the Jeep Wrangler, good weather or not, and once the load of hogs are gone tonight we will go out for what I affectionately call “wind therapy”. Top down (on the jeep that is) and all back roads!

Well, the smoke has subsided today but over 1000 people have been evacuatied from three communities and more will need to go before the day is over. I sure feel for those folks.

My hubby called after I posted yesterday and asked me to bale so that he could haul the hay home. I love being out in the field so off I went and enjoyed a couple hours alone in the tractor. Looking forward to cutting the alfalfa as I love the smell! He lets me mow the hay and he can get some baled or hauled home.

Planning a big bash on Fri. for my husbands 55th b’day (his b’day is actually Sat.). We are planning a BBQ so praying for good weather. We live in a small house and no way can I fit everyone in here…but the weather man is saying clear and sunny.

Jaydee, never seems to be a happy medium when it comes to farming and weather. It is either too wet or too dry. We are doing the too dry thing this year with cold weather to boot. We were laughing because it is the beginning of July and we’ve had 2 warm days now:D Hope you are able to harvest some of the corn.

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Norb,
Thanks for the recipe’s, will try them out when am feeling energetic enough to do more than simply dump some prepared salad into a bowl 😉
Would be nice with a small glass of your Scuppernong Wine. i remember having some Muscadet from an oex boyfriends home region in France and i think the tastes are similar, except maybe the Muscadet is a bit sweeter?
i too hope Carol fed you!
Jan, Glad you have hot water again, sounds like hard but enjoyable work you are doing up there on the farm, i must send some rain up your way.
Emma, had to leave the tavern early last nite, gotta go to work today and ther’s no drinking allowed within 12 feet of the aircraft 😀

[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/Flying-Pig.gif[/IMG]

Red eye to Sao Polo, short layover and back again Wed. AM, see ya’ll then
Try to stay out of trouble while i’m gone, ‘kay
Bye
/SIZE][/FONT]

[SIZE=3]Can I go to, I’m tired of sitting around here, haven’t felt like doing anything due to NP & right shoulder pain. We have a holiday coming up on the wknd. That means a 3 day wknd. Hooray ![/SIZE]

Hey old bat…Sounds like you work for an airline or something, So are you the pilot or the flight attendant? I travel all over…maybe we’ve met but just don’t know it!!! What air line are you working for.

Old bat—–12 feet of the aircraft????? You gotta explain that. I have missed talkin to you guys and gals. 3 days without power….any of you farmers out there-when I was young and on the farm the government(or some agency) paid my dad NOT to raise wheat….felt badly for my dad, think that was when he stopped loving farming-too much control from outside agencies, plus like you have already said it is either too wet, too dry, too hot, too cold. I also love the smell of fresh cut alfalfa or hay and loved helping with corn-run over by the corn planter when I was 5-an accident. Anybody out there raise Yorkshire hogs? Have a good day everybody. Dust demon, hope your NP and shoulder pain are better. I hurt all over today-blaming it on 3 days without power, had to improvise in everything-think my body is rebelling.:( Emma

Emma, we live in Canada and the gov’t here paid farmers to not raise grain as well. My father in law was one of them. Ewww, run over by a huge machine. You must be okay though?

Well, we had the most awesome party for my husband. We had a huge turnout and everyone had a blast. We had a BBQ with a weiner roast if you wanted to. We sat around the fire until 2 am. It was the most gorgeous night we have had in months. I sat outside with a sleeveless blouse until 2 am and was not the least bit chilled. It was a great day healthwise. I think the good lord was smiling down on me. I had no pain in my feet and my legs were strong and able to carry me up and down the stairs with no trouble. I was so thankful for that! I had worried that it would be difficult but it was great! I had numbness and tingling but was able to almost completely ignore it and that was a blessing. We ate, drank, laughed and enjoyed each other. I want to do it again…..

How was your long weekend everyone? We celebrate on the 1rst in Canada and you on the 4th, so hope you all had a great day.

Heading in to town today to do up some odds and ends, pay the bills….yuck…and visit our daughter. It is a rainy day so my husband is home from work and will probably come with me. Have a great monday everyone.

After constant spring flooding we didn’t think we’d ask for rain for a long time.
But summer arrived and it was getting pretty dry. Since we farm, we watch the weather constantly. Had a good old fashion mid-west thunderstorm last night which brought us a good rain.
This also means my husband will have less to worry about when we head north to the University of Wis. Hosp on Thursday. The staff has scheduled tests all day, knowing it is a fairly long drive. With the price of gas we are hoping not to have to make too many trips.
I’d be happy just to get some questions answered by the end of the summer.
As a teacher, that is coming too fast!

Norb
That’s great, hope all goes well.
My check in – I’m enjoying one of my favorite sandwiches for lunch, a ruben. Don’t get it to often, the blood pressure and saurkraut don’t mix well.
It’s a better day than yesterday, I feel better and it’s not raining.
Shirley

Hi everyone-tis a sunny day in western Mi and the humidity finally dropped. Saw my neuro doc today(actually saw his PA)-tweaking my ivig frequency and rate–the PA not prickly like my doc-I told her everything I needed, got copies of my lab work, mentioned you guys several times and told her that after I get done looking up all the www. sites, reading all my literature that the forum sent me, and your continued support, I will know more about cidp than she does, and she laughed and said I was right.:) Having a good day so far, knock on wood, legs feel heavy as a rock and can’t walk far, but all the side effects and pain are gone from my old ivig brand. Emma

[FONT=Palatino Linotype][SIZE=3]Hi Everyone: This has been a day of painful cramps for me, the lyrica has helped on the stinging pain. But it doesn’t seem to do much for these cramps, I had a bad one in my lower left leg this morning that woke me up. When that one finally eased off I had this nice pain in my left foot, oh & if that wasn’t enough I also got cramps in my left hand. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype][SIZE=3] That also left my hand hurting, I would just love one day without this neuropathy pain. Every time it rains here like last night, the pain really unloads on me from something Oh well I’m just trying to ignore it all right now. I wish this for everyone here a better day, with no pain.[/SIZE][/FONT]

Dustdemon,

I may be away tomorrow so just want to say I will be thinking of you throughout the day.

I too am getting a lot of cramping and have never had these kids of cramps before. 🙁 I am not sure what is going on. I had a doozie last night. My whole left leg was in such pain and I didn’t know what to do with it. It is not a cramp like a charlie horse that you can just stretch out. It was the whole leg in a cramp of some sort so I ended up getting up and walking a round a bit. They seem to happen when I am sleeping or just as I fall asleep and am starting to relax. I have never attriubuted them to weather change but may watch that, as we are in a change right now…Hmmm…anyone have any thoughts on the cramps?

I have to be away for work next week so need to get my act together around here. I usually leave goodies and stuff in the deep freeze for hubby so he doesn’t have to come home from work and start cooking but I still haven’t got to it. See, I’ve been spending too much time in the tavern:D

Talk to you all later.

Jan and Dust Demon, Have you had any bloodwork lately to check your potassium especially? Some of the cramps sound muscular, but I went on a potassium supplement and my cramping reduced. Just a thought from my corner. Emma

Had the bloodwork and have a magnesium deficiency. Take a hefty dose of that. Maybe we should add potassium. Love bananas so that would help.

Hey Jan, sounds like we’re in this together! At 2 am today, I awoke to the sound of my own screaming 😮 The inside of both thighs were doing the “crazy cramp dance”. I have never had this before or this much excruciating pain. Needless to say, I scared the wits out of my husband. The legs are still very sore tonite. I have taken more neurontin than usual plus an extra-strength tylenol. I know that weather can definitely have an effect on the nervous system but this?? There is still so much to learn about GBS/CIDP; I feel like a guinea pig ( at least they are cute 😀 )

Judi,

The cramping has been awful of late. Sometimes, just lifting my foot to take a step (like getting into the shower last night!) sets a cramp in motion. I have gone off my Neurontin because I was retaining fluids so badly and gaining weight which I can’t afford to do. It certainly had helped but I am going to try to stick this out and not go back on if I don’t have to. I am not sure about Lyrica and what side effects it has. I can’t get drug coverage so it makes the choices limited in what I can afford. 🙁

Jan-likely your income is too high to get free drugs from the companies? I think that is so stupid because you have too much income to get free, but can’t afford to spend all your $$ on drugs either; I “fall through the cracks’ when it comes to so many other prograns, like food programs, getting my medicare premium paid, etc. because my income is “too high”, by about $100-200.00 a year-it’s all black and white to those people! As to the cramping-I get that in my foot like you do and in my calves, but I talked to my pharmacist about it and the over the counter potassium isn’t a lot, but honestly, it has helped me-I get the 595mg. caplets and take 4 a day. There is nothing worse than finally getting to sleep and suddenly instant sreaming(like Jeri said) cramping pain when you are sound asleep!! Emma

Norb-when can you have the test again? That would be something if the test was a false positive. Sounds like you and Carol have made good plans for today. And your garden sounds wonderful. Yup-nerve pain is no fun-have a good day now and then that I feel like I could work again, and I clean my home and run errands and push to the max(forget the rest bit) and the next day I can’t even get out of bed hardly-my nerves are screaming and the rest of my body says”nope, lady you did too much yesterday and you are going to rest”, and I guess then I realize I can’t really work my old job. Still do volunteer work when I can and send boxes of goodies to the military and try my darndest to accept my limitations and the pain, but it is hard. I hope you and Carol have a much better weekend. When you don’t feel like doing anything, write me and say hi. Sending you a big hug.:) 🙂 Emma

Norb, I follow your other thread for the rituxen…It is so involved and I get easily lost. I was sorry to see your results arent what you’d been hoping for.
It’s my turn to tell you, dont give up. Dont ever give up.
Carol sounds like such a gem and you are lucky to have a spouse that is so in to you and the research of your illness. You sound like a very happy couple…

I am having nerve pain myself today. UG. It doesnt happen too often but came on last night. My legs are just killin me and it’s in my hands today. It’s an all over, traveling sharp ache. So hard to describe.

I got to work at 4:15am this morning…YIKES. I couldnt sleep so I came in. I havent slept well all week- maybe 4 to 5 hours solid… and have been here by 5 each day. I dont get to nap and have a busy world so…the result…more nerve pain, I’m afraid.

I get to leave at 12:45…but have a dr appt so it’s not like I can go home and rest.

It’s 95 here today with heat index above 100.

I’m tired..have more to say but need to stop here…

well wishes to everyone…good luck on those cramps ladies…
Norb…enjoy tonite.

Stacey

Terry I hope you have gotten some relief from your pain, Hun. And everyone else for that matter!!
Norb, Please give Carol a Huge hug from me, just for being such a Wonderful friend, Great Supporter and a Pillar of Strength! I’m envious of You two!
This past monday I had an appt with my pcp, he suggested I do alittle more fishing(my way of relieving stress) so I followed his suggestion 2 days this week. Weds went well-just sore but still able to get around and get more done at home. Thursday, I took my kids with me, we had a Great time, caught all sorts of fish and even brought home a few to eat. Thats where things steadily went down hill. I’m in another relapse, severe weakness, severe pain-in the back, extremeties etc. Just sitting here typing with one finger and making mistakes with every word i type, is very painful and tiring, but I just have to get my fix!:D My pcp just put me on a pred burst to try to get it under control and told me no fishing and rest all day:( I think I’ll go over to the tavern and relax with a few liquid stress relievers. Take Care.

Hi everyone. Sounds like we are all in the same boat. Norb, and Carol too, I hope there is an error on those tests. It is hard when the news is not good and not what we wanted to hear.

Emma, I live in Canada and only some of our drugs are subsidized. We have private insurance to pay for them and then only pay a nominal fee, but I have been denied coverage because a lot of the drugs used for neuropathy pain are also used for migraines (pre-existing condition as is GBS) so they only cover me for drugs not related to GBS, migraines and arthritis. (I was diagnosed with arthritis pain years ago but they now believe it is GBS rsiduals but now really have arthritis so won’t get coverage). Who said the Canadian healthcare system is great? Some of it is but not everything….:mad:

Am going to add potassium to my “diet”. I also have discovered that if I forget my alphabet vitamins (B,C, D) that I have a worse day. 🙁 I try to take them every day without fail, but in the summer when I get busy, I tend to forget. Need to tie them around my neck, I guess.

[FONT=Georgia]Good Morning from rainy ky, one good thing I got all my mowing taken care of yesterday. I noticed something when this neuropathy, I was upset on Friday because of my wifes birtday. The nerve pain was really bad & the Lyrica, didn’t seem to be very effective it was just a bad day totally for me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]The stinging pain needle like pain was really fired up & I got a numerous amnt of cramps in my left foot that ran up my ankle halfway to my knee. As if that wasn’t enough I also got one bad one in my left hand, when it quit it left my hand hurting. Well I have one more bad day to deal with, that’s July 27th that will be 1 yr since I lost Debbie. I hate this neuropathy it is literally draining all my energy, I just stay tired & worn out all the time. Rainy & damp days just seem to make this the pain really kick in, like today. Just very bad today, anyway I’m just tolerating it today. Wishing Everyone a Good Day Today if at all possible.[/FONT]

Bad start today. Husband is painting , everytime I turned around I was in his way. He had four doors propped up in the garage he and my niece had painted.
When he checked to see if they were dry enough to turn and do the other side they were still tacky. I got the bright idea to send my niece out to open the side garage door so the air could flow through and dry them faster. Just as she started to open the door my husband sees her and said “don’t open that door,” she didn’t hear him and when she opened the door, he also had a door propped against the inside of the garage the door she opened. Those four doors fell like giant dominoes That was the straw that broke the camels back. He had already told me I was in his way in the bedroom then chases me out of the kitchen because he needed the sink. I got upset and stared crying.
I told him I was sorry I was in his way, he gave me hugs and a xanax, I got hugs from my family that came over and I finally settled down .
The rest of the day has been good!
Shirley

Shirley,
I suspect us women are in our husbands way cidp or not. Mine always tells me I’m in the way, and I’m the one who does everything! Go figure. Hey at least you got some hugs and a xanax. Not to mention that is a story for the books you guys will laugh about in the years to come!!! Glad the rest of your day is going well.
Dawn Kevies mom

[QUOTE=Dawn Kevies mom]Shirley,
I suspect us women are in our husbands way cidp or not. Mine always tells me I’m in the way, and I’m the one who does everything! Go figure. Hey at least you got some hugs and a xanax. Not to mention that is a story for the books you guys will laugh about in the years to come!!! Glad the rest of your day is going well.
Dawn Kevies mom[/QUOTE]
Dawn,
You gave me the first laugh about those doors falling. My husband and niece laughed with me when I read what you wrote.
Thank you
Shirley

The only good thing about being in the way is that you could go away…Yup, when that happens I get myself a good book and find a nice quiet place and read. Do I feel guilty? Only for a moment:D I guess it is about knowing what we can do and accepting what we can’t and finding that little place where we are never in the way.

I have to get to work early todaya s this is set up so gotta run. talk to you all tonight.

Norb, got every one of my fingers crossed for you and that lab test. The other day when you mentioned you got the lab work over the phone, I painfully remembered that was how my husband got his news about him having cancer-we cried so long, and then I was really mad that a dr would be that insensitive to break that kind of news over the phone. Well that is past news and now I am crying again.

Terry, I will do my best to support you on the 27th. I have been in those shoes and I really do know the pain you are having.

Jan, I hope you had a good day at work. Come see me at the tavern-only place where I can stop crying.

Shirley, I have to agree with Dawn and glad she helped you laugh. I am a very visual person and as you wrote about the doors, I could see it happening. Not funny at the time, but looking back, it will bring you a laugh or two.

I was having a good day, but then I vacuumed and the pain up my legs crippled me and I hobbled to this computer to read and relax a bit. Went on the NTI site and I don’t know if I qualify for anything yet-bad for self esteem. Miss my husband-wished I had someone telling me I was in their way. Worried about getting my ivig again tomorrow. Well isn’t this a crappy “just checking in” story. More tears coming, so will catch you guys tomorrow. Emma

Emma,

How sad for you. What crap we face in life. But each challenge makes us a better, stronger person. So let your self cry, grieve for a bit and then come for a drink.

Considered yourself virtually hugged. Wish I could do it in person.:(

Jan, your so right, I went out to the yard swing with my niece and relaxed for awhile.

Norb, good luck on those lab resilts.

Emma, I’m so sorry you are sad, I didn’t know until I went back and read your post that your husband had passed. Hugs and better days.
shirley

Norb, hang on to those bear hugs, now that we know you give them your going to have to pass a lot of them out. Can I have one now?
Shirley

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Good Morning Norb & everyone else here, having a little problem with numbness. Running from my little fingers back into the lower part of my hands today. The one thing about the numbness from this neuropathy, I don’t talk on the phone for very long. Or my hands will numb out, I’m just curious if anyone else has that problem. Oh well Just Have a Good Day if You Can ![/FONT]

Terry,
my hands get numb when on the phone, too.

Emma I am sorry about your husband.

As for my husband and I …I dont know that I so much get in his way…I guess I do…but my problem is I cant hear half of what he says. I am 5’4 and he is 6’4 and when his head is turned and he says something…mumbles rather…I cant hear it ! I get blamed for not listening. And so it is. :rolleyes:

I am so tired today. I’m at work and just barely staying awake. It doesnt help that I’ve been here for 17 and 1/2 yrs and I’m starting to burn out real bad. It also doesnt help that anything good or extra I do goes unnoticed. I just really need to be thankful for a job and the ability to come here.

Tomorrow I have to go for a test on my bladder. They are going to put a catheder in…gee, cant wait…and test the potassium. Not real sure why they are doing this. I have an ovarian cyst that needs to come out and the OB dr wanted to rule out something with my bladder first. Why, I dont know…I have no bladder symptoms.

I’m so tired of going to drs.

It’s another HOT day in Omaha…sunny and 90 something. I’m sporting quite the tan this summer. 😀

have a great day everyone.

how could i forget to mention,

I’m going to be a great aunt again…my other neice is now expecting her first!
38 and a great aunt…
my nieces are 28 and 25. The greats are 4yr and 18mos.
My mom is watching over her unborn great grandchild…for sure !

Stacey

Just got back from the new house site…..the framers have started on the basement and will have joists and floor decking on tomorrow. Pretty awesome.

I was able to go out there today, by myself, without any workers or my wife and two girls, and I just sat on a big pile of rocks (driveway gravel, but it was in the shade) and sat back and thought about the last year and a half. Pretty amazing time for me.

I thought about our girls, first Olivia. She’s older and had taken on so much more responsibility than a 4-year-old should, it seems…..she helped me when I was recovering and now has to make sure that Daddy doesn’t go back to the hospital, even though the hospital has really good food all the time (that equals fruit snacks). She remembers so much more than I do about my stay in the hospital. About the time I get concerned that she dwells on it too much she’ll say something so off the wall, that I just laugh out loud. I thought about last weekend, when I was at my grandmothers house, Olivia, my wife and I playing kickball in the front yard.

Then I just pictured my little girl, Jorja. Rambunctious and going full speed ahead [U][B]ALL THE TIME[/B][/U] – I thought about yesterday, when on that very rock pile that I was resting on today, Olivia had climbed up to the top and Jorja had “attempted” to follow suit, unsuccessfully, falling down and crying over skinned knees and hands. I picked her up to soothe her, but she fought me to get back down and attempted to do it again, and again, and again… I just watched, and smiled, and teared up, a proud dad. A dad looking at a chip off of the old block.

Smiling, sitting on a cool rock pile, with my hands laced behind my head, under a nice white oak shade tree on a warm July morning. All the while, thinking about my girls, that’s just about my definition of Heaven. 🙂

Brett, your story made me feel so good inside, imagining how you must have felt and the memories you will have for years to come.
Keep it up, it’s special, your a great dad.
Shirley

Shirley, I was thinking the same thing about Brett. What special memories we have of our kids. Also Shirley, today was better for me, so I got a hug for you too, after Norb.

And speaking of hugs, thank you for the giant hug Norb. Bear hugs are my favorite.
Not sure any of you heard about the rock and roll 3 day weekend concert in a small town in Mich. a couple of weeks ago, but there was a picture of a guy dressed up in a grass skirt and sign that said giving out free hugs; lots of other free things, I’m sure that went on during those 3 days; they were comparing it to Woodstock. Thousands of tents wall to wall on the hay fields-interesting to see when I drove by. Didn’t stop though; feel safer getting my hugs here instead.

Terry-I don’t have that problem with my hands, but if I stand for more than a few minutes, both legs go completely numb. Somehow, we are putting pressure on our nerves with those actions and then we get the numbness. Can you try a headset phone or would a speaker phone help, then you would be hands free-has an echo when talking, but effective maybe for you.

ConnorZmom-thank you for the kind words. I sure hope you don’t have to work 17 1/2 hours a day-no wonder you are burned out-I got tired reading about your hours.:( . Employers sometimes give little praise for what you do, but they are quick to criticize for what you don’t do. Hope your hours lessen up a lot. Need a hug? I don’t wear a grass skirt, but I give good hugs.

Well about my day—no tears and no headache after my 1st day of a two day run of ivig-took 3 pokes to get my iv in and it went bad at the end, so my nurse pulled the iv out, and tomorrow will start over. I feel like I’m going to float away from drinking so much water, but if it helps, I’ll do it. Getting hot today(high 80’s) and supposed to be hotter tomorrow, but sunny.

Thank you everyone, Jan too, for your hugs, kind words, and prayers. A few rough days coming up, but you guys are wonderful-just knowing you are here makes any crummy day better, and any good day great. Emma

Sounds like things are going well for all of you. Emma, you will get through this, difficult as it may be. I think Stacy said she had been at her job for 17.5 years so that made me feel better. 17 hour days would be too much. Brett, I really apreciated your post tonight. I had to say goodbye to my granddaughter that I am very close to. We have a very special and unique relationship, so when she leaves, it is so painful ’cause we never know when we will see each other again. Reading your post reminded me to not focus on her leaving but rather on the fun we had tonight.

Her step mom dropped her off this am at 11 and she got to spend the day with me seeing what Grandma does for a job. After work we went down to the hotel pool where she swam for about an hour. Then it was back up to the room to clean up, do our hair and head off to Tony Roma’s for a big girl supper. We then went for ice cream and had a girl visit back at the hotel. so we did have a great time and I will hold that until I can see her again. All together, it was a great day.

Brett, That was sooo Beautifull!!!
This morning my little man and myself went for a walk around a nearby lake. Its marked for walking and we made the whole 1 1/3 mile! It was a nice walk, I just wished he wasn’t having the childhood problems that he is currently going through. It just breaks my heart when he talks to me about his problems, but I just love it when he feels he can dump his problems on his ol’ mom!! Can’t wait for “our walk” tomorrow. even if all I can do is part of it, its going to mean even more to me. Man I hate these residuals!!!:(

Brett, your story is so very enlightening. I can picture the scenery…having been to your part of the country. Our children lift us up in a way nothing else can. My five year old knows too much about lung cancer and oxygen liters and tubing and nursing homes and hospitals. He spent every day with me for 6 mos taking care of my mom. He was even there, not in the room, when she went to Heaven. He talks of her often and it’s still so hard. They were very very close and he was her every reason for fighting. He told me just the other day, “Nana is always with us”. Sometimes out of the blue, he’ll say things like, “Nana is probably taking a nap right now b/c she always likes to nap in the afternoon”. He told me he heard Nana’s voice and that he smells her alot. In my heart, I know she is here with us and especially him.
You have to wonder what his little mind is thinking and how he processes it all.
When my mom was at the Hospice house, about three days before she died…we asked her to send us pennies from Heaven so that we’d know she was watching over us. You cant beleive how many pennies Connor finds and how absolutely elated he is when he does. It’s like Christmas time excitement. With all the incredible sadness I’ve had losing my mom, the one thing that has kept me afloat is my blonde haired, big brown eyed boy and his million dollar smile. Thank God for our children.

Stacey

Good morning everyone,

Shirley, Janet, Cheryl, and Stacey – I’m glad you liked the post, I really enjoyed writing about it. The sequel to that post is that after I got home last night, I realized that I had a HORRIBLE itching on my feet. I quickly ripped off my shoes and socks and there were no less than 8 chigger bites on my ankles and legs. I suppose if that’s the “cost” for what I had experienced relaxing and thinking about my family and how blessed I have been it was well worth it. Well worth it.

Emma, I remember in the hospital once I had to have my PIC line removed and put in my other arm, but I also had to have some sort of infusion RIGHT AWAY so they had to start an IV line – after a full dozen failed attempts an older gentleman walked in and came over and started talking to me about how he was a flight nurse and such. He threaded the line in with little trouble.

I mentioned to him that all of the other staff stated that my veins were in terrible shape, and that they “roll” making it really hard to thread in an IV.

He quietly remarked that flying backwards at 250 miles per hour, threading an IV into the head of an infant who stopped breathing was much, much harder. I don’t think he was showing off, he was very quiet and what he said was for my ears only – I think he was just reminding me of my situation, and they are others far worse than I.

I give great big bear hugs also. I usually squeeze my oldest till she utters some sort of gutteral noise telling me I’m squeezing her too hard.

Norb, what’s the latest on your trip?

Brett, what are chiggers? Not sure I’ve heard of them. Must ba a bug of some sort, but not sure about them.

Had a great day with my granddaughter yesterday. It will be hard not seeing her today. I miss her already but Dawn gave me a pep talk and I feel better about saying goodbye. Talk to you tonight. Emma, hope that headache wasn’t too bad and you’re ready to get going again today. Good luck with the IVIG today.

[FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]Jan you don’t know what chiggers are, we use to get them all time when I was growing up. Once you get one it’ll let you know very annoying, we got a lot of them from being out in tall grass & did they ever itch. Here’s what I found on chiggers, [/B]Tiny six-legged [B]chigger[/B] larvae attack campers, picnickers, hikers, bird watchers, berry pickers, fishermen, soldiers, and homeowners in low, damp area There’s more info on Wiki Pedia [URL=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chigger”]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chigger[/URL] check it out. [/FONT]
[B][FONT=Palatino Linotype]Anyway I still have the numb little fingers this morning, guess I’ll just try & live with that. At least the lyrica is controlling the stinging pain. Well Everyone Just Try & Have a Good Day ![/FONT][/B]

Brett,you may know this since you know about chiggers. If you put a dab of nail polish on the bites it helps the itch. (Preferably clear polish) Put a fresh dab as it starts itching again.
Shirley

That looks delicious! Here is a picture of a “sushi” cake I made my father for father’s day.

How do you get the pictures to post right in the thread instead of as an attachement?

Thanks!

My just checking in is I am on holidays for 2 weeks. The first week almost up.

Also last year at work I got a disable parking spot but 2 months later another person got a tag and arrives earlier then me so he uses it 90% of the time. I asked for another spot for me and 8 months later I still haven’t got it. There is a small sign waiting to be put on a post and the the emblem on the ground. The original handicapped spot is not of legal size so in the winter sometimes it is hard to park in the spot.

Well yesterday I called the city and explained to the man on the phone my situation. He has on his computer the handicap spot in the front where the offices are but he didn’t know about the one in the employee parking lot. He told me it has to be a certain size and I told him it isn’t. I also told him that when I was asking again about my spot to the head security guy he told me to stop harassing them. 8 months come on I waited long enough.
Well it seems there is suppose to be 1 handicap spot for every 50 parking spot and we have a big parking lot.
He told me he was going to call them. But I think he was referring to the head office not the local place I work at. Will see. He said there were more then 1 issue he has with this.

So when I get back to work in 12 days I am sure I will hear about it.
I will keep you posted
I hate my job so much anymore. After 24 years I wish I could find work elsewhere with the same pay.

Sue

Sue, there is nothing worse than having to go to a job that you hate. I love what I do and feel so blessed to be able to do what I love. I couldn’t ask for a better job. I am in Saskatoon this week doing a training and got to spend time with my granddaughters. It is nice to see them as we never get enough time together.

It is clouding over here and I suspect we will get rain. There was a tornado touch down not far from here today so hope nothing happens as I am always wary when I am on the road and staying in a hotel.

Sue, I’m sorry about your job-after your holiday, I would keep on them about that parking situation-and really start harrassing them, like maybe a talk to that other person that you had senority on that parking spot? !!!!!

ConnerZMom-sorry I misread about your job, but I bet those 17 1/2 years feel like 17 1/2 hours sometimes. I feel pretty lucky-I was a nurse for 32 years, but I traveled around a lot, and changed jobs as I needed to if I wasn’t happy with my current job-makes for little pension, but the variety gave me a lot of wonderful experiences and I met a lot of wonderful people, and some not so wonderful people, but not many.

Haven’t ever met a chigger-not sure I want to since Terry described them. As kids swimming in a creek, we used to get blood suckers on us and usually took a match to them before they could dig in completely under our skin. Fire ants in Florida are vicious too.

Terry-glad the Lyrica is helping the worst of your pain. Numbness is strange to live with, but you get used to it as best you can.

Well Norb-you can go to the tavern to see my comments on your Thai dinner.

My day started out good till my nurse came-then it went down the tubes-four iv sticks and it was in a positional area in my left hand-“now don’t move your hand” the bloodsucker nurse said with a smile and I told her to tape my hand then, because I am left handed and gesture when I talk, so she taped it closed in a fist—for 4 1/2 hours. Have thought about it today and looked at my bruised arms and am going to call the infusion co. tomorrow and request a different nurse. BUT, there was a golden rainbow in my day today-my son called and he is in Seattle to visit his daughter for a week:) and he informed me they are coming to Michigan for Christmas-haven’t seen them since last July-so am storing up lots of hugs for them-hard on a mom and grandma Emma(other grandma is Nana) when you only see your kids every 1 1/2 years-thank goodness for the computer and email…..my day ended with getting drenched in a windy, thunder, lightening,rain storm, but it cooled things down-didn’t mind getting wet, just wasn’t in the mood to get struck by lightening. Sooooo, how was everyone’s day?

Hi Jan I am glad you love your job. I did to for many years but since being on modified work they make you feel like crap and sometimes I do jobs that exhaust me at the end of the day.

Emma for the parking spot it is first come first serve and he is in worse shape then I am so I know he needs it. I won’t keep bugging them about the spot I will just call the guy from City Hall I was talking to yesterday asking about what is being done. Now it is the City who will force their hands not me.

Also good news you have about this Christmas. I hope it turns out really well for you. 🙂

Sue

Sue, it wasn’t always so with me. I worked at a job I hated. I started out loving it but there was a change in management and things just went down hill over time. I was finally laid off. I was so glad to have an excuse to leave and this job just kind of fell in my lap. I think when one door closes another one opens. I hope you find a better job but after so many years, it is hard to lose all the benefits, etc. isn’t it? Take care and hope there are better days ahead for you.

[FONT=Georgia]Hi Sue you know as always I wish you nothing but the best. I hope things get better & all the problems get straightened out.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Emma could those blood suckers your talking about be Leeches, I know all about them to well. We use to go swimming in the river near here, till it got damned up & turned into a lake.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Jan hope your having a good day & hope Norb is also having a good day, I’m planning on getting out the atv & going to go looking around the farm in a bit. Thats the one thing I get alot of enjoyment out of, I wish I had a motorcycle I owned one when I was 18 & I had an operators license for it. I went everywhere on it, I sure do miss that. It would sure help with the price now you have to pay for gasoline. I guess I’m just wishing ! Have a Good Day Everyone .[/FONT]

Hi Terry, I am having a good day. The class I am teaching are a great bunch and we are having fun so that is what helps. I am having a lot of buzzing though. My legs are vibrating like crazy. Wish it would just go away and leave me alone for a bit. But then I think about others like yourself who have so much pain and I think mine is not nearly as bad so who am I to complain?

Talk to you later. Enjoy the ATV ride. That is one of my favorite things to do too!

An ATV ride would be a blast…never did it but would love to try. I imagine it to be like a wave runner only on land ?

I had my catheter test and now they are telling me I have interstitial cystitis…something with the lining of the bladder. I have NONE of the symptoms of it except for abdominal pain, which, I am telling you , THAT pain is from the ovarian cyst. Now they want me to take a new med called Remilron or something like that and it has some bad side effects. I dont know what to do anymore. I cried about it…dont want my husband to know how upset I am b/c he worries about me so much. I find that the shower is the very best place to cry. Some days, I could take alot of showers. :rolleyes:

On a brighter note…my son is learning to read and I am so super proud of him. At kindergarten round up, they gave us a packet that had what they call “core” words…we’ve practiced them and he’s mastered them all and I wrote a few sentences on paper and he read them. Then we got a few books out…my lil man is so smart ! He loves to accomplish.
He starts school on August 15th…my baby…oh where has time gone!

Looking forward to spending time with my husband this weekend. I’ve been realizing how different our relationship is. Distant in a way…yet we still love each other greatly. Since the CIDP and my mom being sick and all the depressing crap in between…and moving and selling and this and that…I just really miss us. I miss the old me.
I have changed alot and I dont think it’s for the better.
I’m so lucky to have him…he’s a very supportive and thoughtful and understanding man.

well, as i type, it seems I’m a bit bummed this morning, doesnt it. I better go get a grip on this attitude.

have a good Friday everyone !

Stacey

Stacey,

This illness does change us. That being said, it’s kay to like the new you. I distanced myself from others because I didn’t want them worrying about me and I still find myself doing that. There is so much I never tell anyone. I come to the forums because here I can say how I feel and none of you judge me. So for you, when you feel bummed out, this is the place to come. No one here has judged me yet. I trust the same for you.

Why not join us over at the Tavern? we’re gonna sit out on the deck tonight, have a few drinks and laughs and listen to Toby Keith…awe what a great virtual world we have here:D

[B][I][FONT=Palatino Linotype][SIZE=3][COLOR=purple]Good Morning: I feel like saying that today it’s Friday, well I had a nice time yesterday out riding around on the farm. We have a lot of overgrown areas here with roads where I can get through on the atv. The bad thing though is I got hit in the face one time after another, by spider webs their everywhere. I also got hit with a low hanging limb that had thorns on it & one of them stuck in the top of my head. I had to stop to remove it, as it was quite painful. That thorn came off a Hedge Apple tree or some call it an Osage Orange tree. There are several of them on this farm & they are full of small thorns. But I did have a good time, I love getting out like that. But I sure don’t enjoy those spider webs, well today is Friday & that means the wknd is here. So I’m just going to try & enjoy it, Wishing Everyone the Best Today ![/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]

Terry, I hear you on the hedge apple warning. We live on a farm too. We pasture some cattle and have a problem with multi-floral rose. Talk about thorns! There was a time when the local extension service suggested planting the ‘nightmare bushes’ for fence row. It worked as well as barbed wire, but what they didn’t mention was it’s ability to spread!
I use a golf cart to run around with the grand-babies. Much safer than an ATV for both Nana and kids!
Guess I better get out on the lawn mower before the it hits 90! If we mow the ditches and all the fence line it takes a day. Obviously, I don’t do it all at once.
Enjoy your Friday and have an enjoyable week-end.

Terry,

The wood from that hedge apple tree (osage orange) is a bright yellow wood, and after it has cured a bit, it is truly harder than iron. I’ve tried MANY MANY times to drive a staple into an old hedge post only to have the steel staple bend and curl around…I’ve resorted to pre-drilling holes most of the time…just thought I would share that.

To everyone else,

Good morning. Its Friday. I’m taking part of the weekend and will visit my with my Dad who will be arriving tomorrow afternoon to inspect our new building site. I’m anxious. I w……

I hope everyone has a great day, I’ll be looking foward to hearing about everyone’s weekend. Supposed to be hot and sunny here in the 90’s. I’ve got a date with a certain cute little 4 year old who has invited me (by note in my briefcase, no less. With stickers!!!) that she would love to go swimming with me today when I get home, and eat watermelon. And that the dog needs washed, and that little sister was next to her when this was written, and that mommy did a good job of writing the note to me…

I think I’m going to get off a wee bit early today…..sounds like a date I can’t miss.

I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend, and enjoy the sunshine.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=purple]I found out that trying to drive nails into locust posts that are seasoned doesn’t work very well either. Needless to say I bent a lot of nails, that also holds true on seasoned oak 2×4’s that are in our barn. With that it’s time to drag out the drill. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][COLOR=#800080]Emma I hope your feeling better & hope everyone is having a most enjoyable day. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Well, now that I have slept the major portion of the last two days away, the weekend is up. Yup, Terry, those blood suckers were likely leeches-as kids-we just torched them off each other and went back swimming and when they got too bad, we quit swimming and found something else to do on all the farms of my folks, grandpa and uncles-got real creative, as we didn’t have the $$ to go to town. Present day-I think I have learned to drive a quad up north with friends-they have a 40 acre lake, and I had a riot driving around it, but you are right-spider webs and thorny what evers-I was either ducking or pulling up a leg to avoid the thorns but I still had a lot of fun going around the lake and 3 of us on quads went around the rest of the property and up and down and through water and everything-saw deer and turkeys-it was really a lot of fun. My girlfriend and I priced a used golf cart and they wanted 1800 bucks for it, so we couldn’t get it–too bad, we had great plans where we were going to go with it.
Brett-sounds like you have great plans with some beautiful women for the weekend, well add a dog and a dad-but I bet he will be proud of what you have accomplished with your new home so far.:)
I have a kinda rough weekend coming up, but with your help will get through it. So, to all of you, I really wish you good thoughts for a nice weekend. Remember, Terry, you don’t have to work. Ride the atv again around your beautiful lake……Emma

Forgot to add 2 things-Terry-I plan to coon some of those veggies out of your garden-thought I’d warn you….

Stacey-A dumb question because I am new here-is Connor your little guy that is just learning to read? Or someone else? No matter-whoever-WAY TO GO on reading so early. You must be so proud…… Emma

[FONT=Georgia]Emma thats a long way to drive just to get here, Ok well come right on down & I’ll show you the farm. Just curious Emma I ran across a weed yrs ago that grew around the river here, where we swam at. Everyone called it Bull Nettle & if you ever got it against your skin you’d know why. It felt like a massive load of needles stinging your skin, we use to get into it every last time we went swimming down at the river. Believe me that is one nasty weed.[/FONT]

No Terry, didn’t come across any bull nettle-had a lot of blue racers, they were bad enough. When we moved from our farm to the river, my folks cut down all the small trees, shrubs, and undergrowth and blue racers so we could mow the yard all the way down to the river-rather treacherous as you were mowing on a side steep hill, but I used to run down that hill everyday and swim back and forth across the river, which had a very strong current, but I loved it.
So just checkin in, I am better tonight. Actually fixed a hot dinner to eat.
It’s 3am, and have been up 8 hours, so am going to bed. Forced myself to stay up awhile. Maybe won’t be so tired tomorrow. Have a good weekend everyone… Emma

[FONT=Georgia]Emma: those blue racers your referring to I take it are snakes, if so the one’s here are black. I don’t hardly ever see any of them here anymore, but there is one snake I see alot that one is a cowsucker. I’ve killed several of them while mowing my moms lawn, I don’t have much use for snakes at all. The one’s I killed were trying to get into my moms house. Anyway hope you feel better today Emma.[/FONT]

Emma,

yes, Connor is the lil man in my life learning to read. He’s five.

Today we have a baseball game…coach pitch. My oldest sister comes into town and when she’s at the game , she threatens to kiss him if he doesnt hit the ball. He HATES that. Needless to say, he rarely misses a hit.

After that, we’ll go swimming for the afternoon. Another hot day in Omaha.

have a great weekend.

Stacey

Way to go Connor! Can’t think of any five year old boy that likes being kissed by any girl, well maybe mom can at bedtime. Hope he gets a lot of hits today..

Yes Terry, blue racers are snakes-and I have NO use for any of them. Your garden is pretty big and with your lake, don’t you have snakes around them?
If I were your mom and saw any snake, of any color, I would be calling you to kill them ALL. My brother used to torment me on the farm with 3-4 foot snakes, alive or dead, and I was 7 years younger than him, so I was an impressionable young kid. Carried over to my adult years. Blue racers, as a rule, squirmed away from you, if you can call a 6 ft. snake squirming, but on occasion they chased after you, maybe they felt threatened, no matter what they felt, I ran pretty fast back then AWAY-never took time to see which way they were going. They aren’t your run of the mill grass snake, and get bigger than 6 feet too. Seldom see a snake living in town now, and they are small ones, but I still walk away from them as quick as I can. Avoid that attraction at zoos and carnivals and look away from tv if they are on. They end up being in my dreams, and that is not where I want them. A result of being too visual a person maybe.
And thanks, Terry, I am feeling a little better. Declined a friend’s offer to go walk out on the pier at Lake Michigan and get a coney dog with them, but it is a little too far for me to walk today. Those are 2 of my favorite summer things to do, especially get the coney dogs-they put a hot dog on a stick, dip into a pancake batter and deep fry them, slather one side with mustard and the other side with ketchup-delicious. I also like to stroll along the boardwalk to the pier, and their great grandson, who is 2 1/2 , and very active and fast just doesn’t combine well with me strolling. Another time.. I hope you and everyone else have a good weekend. Take good care. Emma

[FONT=Georgia]Norb: this is going to require a lot of serious consideration on your part, it might be a good move. Especially due to the fact you don’t have any friends, where you live. Then again moving is always a lot stress, just don’t get any hurry to make your mind on what you decide to do. I wish you the best on this.[/FONT]

Norb,
What major decisions you and Carol have to make for the future. It sounds exciting, especially the ocean.
Whatever decision you make your family here will support you.
My best to you and Carol
Shirley

Norb and Carol-my son has been stationed in Seattle/Bremerton and I really think he will return there. I loved visiting out there-across Puget Sound is a town called Port Orchard, and it had a nice ring to it, so I told my son I would live there. But the stress of packing, moving to a different state is a lot to think about. One interesting note about what I read on Yahoo today-re Alaska-the most expensive gas in the US is in Lime Village, Alaska: $ 8.55 gal. reg.-takes two barges and a small plane to get the gas to this town. Just a piece of trivia. You know that we all will support you no matter what you decide to do.:)

Emma

Wow Norb, sounds like a pickle place that you are in right now. I know how you’re feeling about the thought of moving, contempkating that myself. I like the idea of moving, but then reality makes itself clear again and I have to rethink the fact that I wouldn’t be of much help. We need our own place, currently renting my bil’s house, and its just too small for all of us plus his stuff that he left here. There is alot to consider when looking to move, and I know how it is when others don’t give much thought to what would make life easier for impaired people. In our case its usually 3 against 1 on the houses we would like to move to.

Today we are having Our Family Reunion, and wouldn’t ya know its raining again! I hope the shelter house at the park is going to be big enough for everyone. Well gotta go, there is a nice, relaxing shower waiting for me.:) Take Care.

Wow Norb, what a huge decision 😮 The Pacific Northwest is beautiful but that doesn’t negate the many adjustments. And it would be very “challenging” to leave the home that you love. But, then there are those beautiful grandchildren . . . 😀 I’ll keep you and Carol in my positive energy thoughts!

Norb,

I selected your “Just Checking In” post to post my 100th post!!!!!!!!!

YAY, I’m a senior member!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!!

People in my office are staring at me wondering what I’m doing spinning in my office chair, quietly shouting WOOO-HOOO.

I wonder if they think GBS Guy (a poor nickname) is having a reaction to another medication????? Just a thought.

Everyone have a great day!!!!

Hey GBS guy-I bet we girls at the tavern could come up with a better name for you, since we heard you sing with that openshirt and gorgeous eyes and all.:D 😀 Just a thought-probably would crack everyone up at your office and you would really spin in your chair…….

Welcome to the senior member club-I didn’t even know what it meant till someone told me. Now I will have to go back and figure who my 100th was. Might be Norb too. Hey, how did your dad like your home? How did your date with your beautiful women go???

Have a first to share with everyone-got a call from my 6 year old granddaughter-it is the first time she has ever called me!!!! Usually daddy prompts her to say hi or bye, so this is a first. Thanks to her, hey, even with the pain, my day is great.:)

Emma

My checking in is:
That a co-worker who I have worked with many many years died on Saturday of Cancer she was 51yrs old She was married for 33 years. She was diagnosed with an aggressive kind of Breast Cancer last year in May. I was looking at my local newspaper on Internet about 30 minutes ago. So I assume it will be posted in tomorrows paper.

She was such a nice person. At work when I needed emotional support or encouragement she was always there for me. I didn’t know her as a child but I knew her brother who was mentally challenged because he would have a hockey net and my brother didn’t so they got him to play hockey with my brother and my brothers friends.
I will go to the funeral home on Wednesday but I find it hard not to get upset especially when it is a good friend because I lost 2 brothers when they were teenagers because of lung disease (1976 & 1987) and I am still not over that.

Sue

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][COLOR=purple]That’s good news about the reimbursement on the Honda Norb. Hope everything works out on your aqua therapy, as for my 100th post I don’t even remember that one. I just noticed I have over 1000 posts, oh well Wishing you the Best Norb.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Norb, what a dilemma. there are so many things to consider when contemplating a move such as this. I personally value my privacy and could not fathom living with any of my kids. I don’t want them to know what I’m doing:D and I don’t want to know what they are doing:eek: But that being said it sure is nice when I live close to them and can see them whenever I want to. I hate having to plan a journey and then try to figure out how to fit everything into a day or two.

What ever you decide, we are here for you my friend and computers are good in all corners of the world. Maybe this is a chance for you to show us another corner of the USA.

Sue-am sorry to hear about your friend/coworker dying. Although her battle was not long, still she suffered and I know you’ll miss her. As to your brothers-some deaths in our life, we are just not able to get over completely. I hope you find a peace somehow with all your losses.

Emma

Thank You Emma

Good news Norb about the reimbursement

Sue.

Norb it’s a tough decision, I understand the privacy thing too, I have a rough time when we have visitors overnight and don’t know if I could take it permanently. My parents have told us much the same thing – they won’t move closer because their house is perfect for them. It doesn’t sound like you need or want to make a decision right away so maybe more research is in order – perhaps you can find or build something similar or better out in Seattle – with a separate guest house. 😉 Good luck with the aqua therapy, it is helping me but it doesn’t take long in the water before I’m wobbly. That might be one incentive to move – you might find a place with a pool.

Sue,

Sorry to hear about your co-worker. Also sorry to hear about your brothers passing. Hang in there.

Be safe.

[B][I][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Sue Sorry you lost your friend & coworker, losing good friends are always hard to deal with. I know this yr I’ve had more than my share of losses, you know your one of my online friends Sue. I’m always here for you.[/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]

Just checking in – hey Norb, just think if you build a guest house, I could come visit:eek: The Pacific Northwest is so beautiful, although where you live now is pretty special too. And I have to agree with the others, my privacy is very important-miss my son, but on the other hand, the distance forces us to solve many problems on our own that when you live too close, you end up in the middle of those problems(hate that when it happens).

I know when the time comes to decide, you and Carol will choose well.

Emma

oh, back to the checking in – didn’t get much sleep, too much pain , so am trying to just rest and sit here on the computer-everyone seems to be calling to say hi, so nap is out of the question. Will sleep well tonight, maybe. Have a good day everybody.:)

Just checking in to see how you are doing Sue. A hard week for you.

You too Terry.

And Jan too.

You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Take good care.

Emma

Hi Emma I am managing. I went to the funeral home last night to pay my respect well it didn’t take long for the tears to come out. Today 32 years ago my first brother died of Pulmonary Fibroses. Yesterday it was my parents anniversary My brother died after midnight in the wee hours of the morning on the 24th

To Gilles and Brenda I miss you both so very much.

I am getting my paperwork in order as I am going to see a new Rheumatologist about the tendinitis in my hands and other problems I am having to see if it is work related or CIDP related or something else. Will let you know what he says

Also Thank You Terry for your support I appreciate it.

Thanks Emma

Sue

[I][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][COLOR=purple][B]As Always Sue Remember I’m Pulling For You ! 😉 [/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I]

Sue, I’m really sorry for the “tough stuff” you are going thru. Just know that I care. I’m sending you hugs 🙂

Sue,

I’m so sorry you are going through these rough times with the loss of people you love. I know what you are going through as my sister died 6 years ago
July 24, and 3 mo. later my brother passed away.

Know that my prayers are with you.
Shirley

Norb, that sucks. Don’t you just hate the red tape?:mad:

Sorry to hear you bad news Norb.

Thanks everyone I saw the Rheumatologist and he didn’t see anything wrong he checked my range of motion and it was fine but I haven’t worked in 13 days because I am on holidays. I know there is swelling in my fingers and I know my hands hurt when I work with them and also my back hurts because of my hands my shoulders also and my legs.
He gave a new pill to try and he said if this doesn’t work then he guess that medication is not helping my tendinitis. I tried 5 already for this. Now I got pills and drops. He gave me Tiaprofenic 300mg twice a day. He also gave me drops for my hands and arms called Pennsaid 1.5%.
I asked if I could get an MRI as my Neurologist order one for me but it got canceled in April. He told me to talk to her I tried. After the examination I talk him into let me have one. It will be of my lower back.
I told him I was going to see a new Neurologist in September but don’t know why. He answered maybe your Dr doesn’t know what else to do for you concerning your CIDP. Could be true. Dr Bourque is involved with the GBS/CIDP board in Canada. His name is in the newsletter.

He thinks my CIDP and work is what is not helping my Tendinitis. He also mentioned he was going to let my family Dr know I should get vocational training at work. I assume he meant an Occupational therapist to see what I do and maybe make suggestions. Well I work on a production line.
I will keep you all posted on this.

Thanks Everyone

Sue

Sue-I was watching and waiting to read about your news with the rheumatologist-here’s hoping the medication and drops work. When is your MRI? Sounds like the new neuro. appt is aways off, any chance you can keep calling to get an asap appt. or get on the cancellation list, that you could come in then. Also-that vocational training and your production line( a tough repetitive job )-is there a different area on the line that you think would work for you? Does that mean bumping someone? Sorry for all the questions, but feely badly that you are on holiday and going through so much.

Norb-Jan took the words out of my mouth-that sucks!! Honda otta be glad that you bought one of their cars in the first place!!!!! And being as you are the first owner on the title….that’s it-I am going to get out my voodoo doll my sis bought me in the Caribbean and start using it for a few people, starting with Honda….

my day – one word – poopy. Couldn’t sleep, so slept during the day, now I’m all screwed up:eek: But hey I am hanging in there like everyone else.

Emma

Hi Emma I already called the Neuro office when they had an opening sooner I would take it but so far no luck.
No on the production we go where they need us and since I am on modified duties I don’t work as hard as everyone else but work harder then the people on workers compensation. So I have to keep reminding them I am a modified worker. We are all treated the same no matter the seniority. On the packing lines only; I am #2 on the seniority list and #8 through out the plant. But the last few weeks before I went on holidays I was having problems with my forearms and reported as a work injury so they been treating me better. Will see Monday when I go back to work.

Thanks Emma I hope you sleep better soon

Sue

thanks Sue. my sleeping issues aren’t always related to my pain-worked at least 17 years on night shift and I really like being up late at night, but it does screw up my days when I have appointments that are early am-try to schedule everything for afternoons when I can.

Good luck on Monday Sue-you just tell them you got a lot of forum pals that will inundate some nasty emails if they don’t treat you decent!!!!

OK, Norb-I found my voodoo doll-want to try it and see if it works????

Wow Norb-we were writing at the same time. That is some hail storm!!!!

I hate to ask but I only know about gbs and cidp. I have long been wanting to ask you what he rest is that you have. Mag? I already forgot the rest.

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Me I have a very irritating form of Neuropathy, I came on this forum when I was taking care of my late wife. She had been left totally disabled by GBS in 6/2000, & also had CIDP so she got the double whammy.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Thanks for sharing the photo Norb, that reminds me of a hailstorm we had when I lived in Louisville Ky. About the reimbursement that totally Sucks, just keep on going with it.[/SIZE][/FONT]

Atlanta got together a GBS/CIDP chapter meeting a few weeks ago, my first in twelve years since dx. It was great to meet new friends and discuss the changes in our lives. Thread is a great idea.
Fred

Norb-hope you and Carol have a good time this weekend. Don’t suppose you will see that beautiful granddaughter of yours, will you?:) Boy, you sure have had a lot of red tape, or whatever,, to cut lately to get reimbursements, energy stimilus, etc. Know you will have that all cleared up. Again, have a wonderful weekend.

Terry-sending you good thoughts this weekend. Take good care of yourself. Here’s a HUGE HUG !!!

[B][I][FONT=Palatino Linotype][SIZE=3]Thanks Emma: I know this Sunday is really going to be hard for me to deal with. It will mark 1 yr since I lost Debra, I just marked it on my calendar as a special day in memory of my soulmate. [/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]

Terry, Yes, Sunday will be a very special day and every July 27th. This one will be the roughest. You don’t always have to be the tough guy, ya know.
I saved that picture of Debra that you sent me-a picture says a thousand words and her eyes just say so very much. We’ll all help you get through Sunday. Will watch for your special posting….

By the way, Linda, from the other forum, finally posted here in CIDP-she could use a welcome.

Take good care Terry. Emma

Terry Pray to God on Sunday and say Thank You for letting me have her for all the years I did. Then you can talk to your wife like she is listening because she is most likely listening to you from high up above.

Sue

[I][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4]Thank You Sue & Emma well I got something from my daughter tonight. Debras mom sent a huge flower up by my daughter, to place on Debs grave. Now I have to figure out just how to place it, she got it for Debs birthday, Maybe when I get everything situated I can take a picture & post it so you can see it.[/SIZE][/FONT][/I]

Debra will love looking down and seeing the pretty flowers. Send her our love.

Emma

Terry, Have peaceful dreams, Debra will be next to you always. Hugs My Friend!:)

Terry, as tomorrow approaches, keep in mind you have many friends here thinking about you and praying for you to get through the day the best you can. Just let go and let yourself feel. It’s okay to feel lost and alone tomorrow. Sending you huge hugs.

As for me, I am still experiencing pain. Went back to the dr. yesterday and he is convinced this is shingles but somehow I am doubting that diagnosis. Not a lot of chance for a second opinion this weekend so will see what next week brings. I am on drugs for it and man am I out to lunch. I feel fuzzy headed and on a high. This morning I had a drug hangover….or maybe I hung out at the tavern too long last night listening to Kenny:D
Anyway, still no blisters along the nerve but stabbing pain this am; he thought we got me on to the antiviral quickly enough that we have averted the blisters. Let’s hope so.

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Terry,
Please don’t despair, there have been so many losses in our lives that i don’t think i could go on if not for my firm belief that we will meet again somewhere in time.
Your Debra was special and i will light a Yahrzeit candle for her tonight
[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/Yahrzeit.jpg[/IMG]

Debra alehah hashalom

Veronica[/SIZE][/FONT]

Terry-thank you for the white candles-I will say a prayer special for Debra and you tomorrow and light a white candle. I really truly believe that our loved ones are only lost to us physically(the pain we feel) but we have them forever in our hearts and souls(the healing). Remember all your memories and you and Debra will meet again one day in a place, I call heaven, but others have their special word for it–and the blessed assurance that we will no longer have pain. Take good care Terry.

Jan-sorry for the drug pain/drunk issues. Would love to blame Kenny, but I think it is the shingles. Here is a huge hug……have you tried really ice cold compresses to the painful areas? Sometimes when I get that sudden spiked nail pain through my feet, as soon as I am able to move, I immerse my feet into ice cold water-my brain doesn’t register the hot/cold nor the wet/dry, but my foot pain eases up. Just one thought. By the way, did your cramps ease up with the potassium? Forgot to ask you the other day.

As for me, just checking in, flirting with a headache today. Flirted with nausea yesterday. Just want a couple days good before my next round of ivig, but at least I am sleeping well and not feeling exhausted during the day.
So far behind on filling out forms, that I would like to have a fireplace and have me a form fire.

Have a good weekend everyone. Terry, I know you got the flowers planted, so enjoy those wonderful veggies out of your garden. Blueberries and raspberries are in right now, but they are all a bit sour this year. Can hardly wait till the green beans get here. Did have wonderful asparagus and strawberries though.

Emma

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]I like those photos Norb, I just noticed something I probably hadn’t noticed before. Norb do have a beard, thats great because I’ve had one for the last 10 yrs. It must have caught on because my neighbor also has a beard, & my brother followed suit he has one to. I think I started a club here.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Thanks Emma, Veronica, Jan, Angel, Sue & everyone else. I still have the last words I ever heard Debra speak going through my head. Honey I’m hurting so bad, I can’t hardly stand it. I’m just going to try to get through tomorrow.[/SIZE][/FONT]

Terry-what were your last words to Debra?

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]That one Emma I can’t remember, as I was busy trying to get her medicine prepared. She had a G Tube in her stomach & I crushed all her meds up & put them in water. I used a syringe without the plunger on it to pour the medicine through. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3] After that she just went off to sleep, here’s the thing about her gtube Emma the stupid hospital in the town I work out of. None of the Drs in the ER even knew how to replace the tube, a nurse from VNA showed me how to replace it. After that I replaced the tube several times, the Dr at the office I clean. Was amazed when I told him about this, we have a bond of friendship Emma. Because I took care of Debra for 6 1/2 yrs in fact the Dr asked me for some advice. Debra’s nervous system had been destroyed by the GBS, sometimes it was very hard & the situation seemed hopeless more than a few times.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]But I just faced it & kept going, my love for her was just too strong. Well it’s now officially 1 yr to the date since I lost Debra, I’m just trying to think about the better times when she was here. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]I just want to say this for my soulmate, Honey I Love You & you are missed very deeply there’s a big empty place in my life now. My Love for You has grown even stronger . [I][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][COLOR=purple] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][I][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][COLOR=purple][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][I][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][COLOR=purple][B] I’m going to look at this as a special day, as it was the day all your pain & suffering had finally been taken away. [/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3][I][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][COLOR=purple][B] I Love You Debra ![/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/SIZE][/FONT]

Terry-sounds like you made Debra comfortable in her final moments…I truly admire your dedication–I know that married vows include the ” for better, for worse” but it is amazing how many couples really bail out on each other when the times really get tough. Just get through today. Don’t forget the Lyrica doses. Tomorrow will be better.

Emma

Terry, no matter what I am feeling today, it can’t compare to what you are going through. I am glad you have done things like plant flowers that will bring you closer to Debra. She will always be with you in spirit. You made her last moments comfortable when she told you how badly she was hurting. God bless you Terry for all you did for her and may you find comfort knowing God will continue to look out for you.

Take care today. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Norb, You Look Marvelous!!! You really know how to party man!! We have Dragon boat races here this weekend also!! Maybe next year I can go to them.:)

Terry a candle is lit here in Honor of Your Debra. Take care today My Friend. Just remember there is no pain in Heaven, I know that is true personally.:)

Today we get to see Our Great Nephew for the first time.:D Have a Nice Sunday everyone.

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Norb,
those pictures are gorgeous, who is the camera operator, you or Carol?
Wish i could figure out how to get snaps from my phone onto the computer.
supposed to work tomorrow but am seriously considering playing hooky,
Just the l[B][I]east bit of encouragement[/I][/B] and i’ll do just that, had a nice rain here today and the weeds will be easy pickings tomorrow.
Anyone?[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]By the way,
my Pal Jan and i just celebrated our 34th year at Continental, here’s a pic of us on graduation day, that’s Herself on the right.
[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/flyme.jpg[/IMG]
Not the world’s best shot but it’ll do.
See Ya[/SIZE][/FONT]

Veronica,
Continental? One of my favorite US airlines to fly! Don’t get to very often as they don’t fly out of Regina but when I do I always enjoy the attitude and service. Kinda feels like our WestJet here in Canada.:)

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”3″]Hi Canada Jan,
Glad you like COAIR, now would you mind spelling your Province for me so I can look it up ? Am geographically challenged:D
Norb.
Got you a new power chair, it ought to serve you better than the old one, and you can just run over anyone who gets in your way!
[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/powerchair.jpg[/IMG]
Tried to get a translation for this in German but came up with[B][I] Elektrischer Stuhl.[/I][/B].Electric Chair?:eek:
How about[B][I] Elektrischer roll stuhl[/I][/B], is that closer?
By the way, decided to play hooky today even though no one encouraged me, the beautiful weather here convinced me.
Ya’ll have a nice day, Y’hear?[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3]Love that power chair Veronica ! All it needs is a blade on the front of it. 😀 [/SIZE][/FONT]

Veronica, I live in Saskatchewan. Not too many people can spell it! In fact, not to many people can say it:D We are right over North Dakota/Montana. As kids we had a little rhymy thing we used to say to help us remember how to spell it:
Susan And Sam Kiss At The Church Hall Every Wednesday After Noon.

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Norb
You are truly amazing!
Just remember, everyone needs a little break now and then, to wet the whistle so to speak and the tavern is the happening place.
Canada Jan,
i like your rhyme, will write it down and look you up
Wow Terry,couldn’t we do some damage with a blade on Norb’s new chair!.[/SIZE][/FONT]

Norb, this sounds like a great project. Count on Carol to find a way to keep you on the straight and narrow. Just make sure you drop by the Tavern every now and then and let us know how the foundation is going. We’ll buy the drinks. And if you aren’t using the van, just park it out back. I promise we’ll take care of it for you:D

hello everyone.

As usual, plenty going on in my life. I mentioned in the prayer request thread that I need a prayer b/c Connor was big time exposed to chicken pox yesterday and he starts kindergarten in three weeks. Please pray that if he’s going to get them, they come now.
My regular day care lady is on vacation all this week and my back up, …my niece has the daughter with the chicken pox. Hubby stayed home today b/c we didnt know if we should send him back over there since he’s already exposed or keep him away just in case. He’s been vaccinated…ugh !

Also, I’m set to get IVIG at home on Friday. I had a wonderful idea. I am such a pool girl…dont have one but both of my sisters do. What if I were to ask the nurse to bring her swimsuit and we do my treatment poolside ?
I know…it’s a brilliant idea.:D

If I dont laugh, I will cry.

have a great day everyone,

Stacey

Yeah, Norb, Jan and I will take care of your van-at least at night, all we have to do is fall into it inside of climbing the tavern stairs???:D

Just checking in quick-start my two days of ivig again. Hope I have less of a reaction than last time-will get to my concert with Neil somehow. Once there, I know I will perk up.

Well everyone, have a great day. Norb, sounds like you have a wonderful project that you are helping Carol with. Well, if you get thirsty, you know where to come. 🙂

Emma

[FONT=Georgia]Good Morning Emma, Stacey, Jan, Norb, Veronica & everyone else. I’m being aggravated with numbing pain this morning, in my hands & feet. Thank You Neuropathy I really needed that to make my day, Norb wish you the best on the new venture. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] Emma hope you don’t get any headaches from the IVIG, that always gave Deb bad headaches. Stacey hope your IVIG goes ok too, have you got one of those huge umbrellas to lay under at your pool. That sounds like a good idea too unless it gets unbearably hot. Everyone just have a good day ! 😉 [/FONT]

Good Morning everyone. Emma, good luck today. Stacey, I like the pool idea. Let us know if the nurse goes for it 😀

Terry, sorry your day is not starting out so great. Will say a quick prayer for you.
I am heading out right away to help build electric fence with my hubby. It is a two man job so hopefully he gives me the easy ones! 😮 It isn’t too long a strip so shouldn’t take us a lot of time. It’s a good day though as it is cloudy and cool. Beats working in the hot sun.

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Jan just curious about something, who’s going to be the lucky one to test the fence. To make sure it’s working ok, I have a fence tester I got awhile back from a local farm supply dealer. It has 5 lights on it & if the fence lights all 5 of them up, it is rated at 5,500 volts DC. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Take my word on one thing I have an electric fence around the garden out back, I was testing it a little while back & I touched that fence. Take my word for it that fence has a very nasty bite too it, oh it lit up everyone of those lights on the tester. It also lit me up. 😀 [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Stacey,
What a great idea, hope the nurse goes for it.
Canada Jan,
When you wrote about the hay baler breaking, i had a horrible vision of that guy on ‘I Survived’ who got his arm caught in the corn harvester!:eek: Yikes!
Now Jan and Terry, what animals are you trying to keep in (or out)?
Remember, you just want to warn em, not fry em.;)
Beautiful warm day with a nice dry breeze again, Maybe i’ll go take a nap under the oak tree, sip a cold glass of Pinot Grigio with dinner later. Yum
See ya later, and stay away from that fence Terry! [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Norb
What beautiful photos, the way you write about it is so evocative i can feel myself bumping along over the cobblestone streets of Pirmasens in my 59 VW, where some of the hills were so steep you had to use the emergency brake to stop.
[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/Pirmasens.gif[/IMG]
All my photos of that time are on 35 mm slides, wonder if anyone still can convert those for me? Can’t even find a slide projector, let alone my little viewer. Hmmm.
Any suggestions?
Emma
Good luck with the ivig.
Ya’ll come sit with me under the big old oak and we’ll swap stories.
Later
V[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Georgia]Veronica I figure Jan may be putting up fence to keep either cattle or horses in. As for me I put the fence up to keep the deer out of the garden, as this area is over run by them. They haven’t bothered the garden at all since I put the fence up.[/FONT]

Veronica and Terry,

The fence we are putting up is to keep the cattle in. We have the same gizmo as you, Terry to test it but today when we were putting in the cross brace wires, the cross brace wire touched the live wire and my husband was holding the bracing wire at the time. I think it was my job to keep them from touching.:eek: whoops! Irv reports the fence was indeed working 😀 He then decided it would be a good idea to turn the power off until we were done. We had to hustle as the cattle were in the paddock and they seem to know when the power is off! We did finish and everything is working.

Well, I am tired so going to finish up here and head to bed. Talk to you all tomorrow.

Norb, sounds like things went well for you today. Always encouraging when you get a therapist who knows about your disorder/CIDP.

Took the two puppies in to the vet today. One has a serious skin infection. He can’t stop scratching, poor little thing. They are both on antibiotics for ten days. My least favorite job, getting a dog to take medication. I amy try hiding it in bread or something.

Went out mowing hay this afternoon. Got in after 7:30 but got the patch done that my husband had started. He says I can have tomorrow off. Then five minutes later he asked if I could go to town tomorrow to get him some parts. May go and will get myself something too 😀

[FONT=Georgia]Jan how about a 12 pak & maybe a 1/5 of some good stuff 😉 to get the dust out of your throat from the hay cutting. The worst thing in this area about cutting hay is the dust & the bugs. [/FONT]

I’m thinking the 12 pak sounds good. How does Molson Canadian sound? Wanna share?

Great job Norb. Even at our worst we still all manage to find a way to ustilize the best. You are the best. Way to go Norb and Carol. The world needs more people like you. God Bless.

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”3″]Jan,
Happy Saskatchewan day tomorrow!
[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh47/oldbat2ccats/SASKATCHEWANFLAG.gif[/IMG]
Even though farmers never get a day off, i think you and Irv should at least go in to town and have a nice juicy steak.
Finally getting some Spring cleaning done (i know it’s August already) but this is the first time i’ve felt up to it. Sure glad i don’t have a lot of heavy furniture!
Another beautiful day here with almost no humidity, now there’s something to celebrate!:D

p.s. Norb you really are amazing![/SIZE][/FONT]

Thanks Bat! I think we may do the steak thing if we can get a good chunk of haying odne tomorrow. We have had so much rain that delays us and we are usually done by now. We are not panicking yet, but I see the stress my hubby is feeling. If you can’t feed the cows, you can’t feed us….ARGHH!

I had a quieter day today. I went to town for parts and after much running around, finally found everything I needed. I didn’t do much this afternoon. After last night I knew I needed to slow down and take a break.

Called my son’s friend today She is a single mom with a young child who may have a disability. I am a mom of a grown child affected by a disability, so we had a good chat, mom to mom. I had prayed that I would know what to say and be able to say it in a positve and affirming way. I think we have worked out a direction for her to go. I gave her some options of programs out there and places to go for a firm diagnosis. She was going to make some calls after we hung up. I hope she follows up. I am here for her and she now knows that. I think she was relieved to have someone to talk to and understand. Don’t we all know that feeling? Anyway, she is a lovely young woman and I hope things work out for her.

My grankids are here and watching TV but I think we all need to get to bed so talk to you all tomorrow.

Well Jan it is now Aug.2 so Happy Saskatchewan Day.:) Hope you got all your hay mowed so you can relax a bit today.

Norb-you and Carol are true gems-priceless ones. Am going to check out Neil Young when I leave here. Tis almost my bedtime.

Just checking in-well I am hurting, but I am proud that I reached my goal last night to see Neil Daimond. I said that in my beginning story that seeing Neil was my goal and I did it. Didn’t plan on all the other issues with the ivig at the last moment, but I made it!!

Emma

[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=purple]Well it’s Sunday & I think I overdid it yesterday, mowed my brother’s entire yard & managed to trim it. The thing about his yard is it has a hill to mow that is pretty steep & rough. At the bottom of it is a creek, he has a Z Turn mower it is pretty tricky to operate on that hill. [/COLOR][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=purple][/COLOR][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=purple]Touch one of those operating levers a little too much & believe me your going to get a very nice ride. My brothers wife actually put the mower off in a hollow, because she couldn’t control it. But I managed as they say to Gitter Done ![/COLOR][/FONT]

Got the baling done yesterday, and now have to wait until more cures/dries. Didn’t get to the celebrations in town. It got too late. This morning we woke to no water. Seems the submersible pump has died….and on a long weekend yet. Try to get that fixed:mad: Everyone is off enjoying the sun and the long weekend. One of the disadvantages of rural living. I may need to borrow that outhouse..was it you Bat that used one for some time? Can’t remember who said they didn’t have water. Doesn’t matter I guess.

Tractor also broke down…this month alone, our water heater went, the softener died, the submersible pump, the tractor. This a.m. hubby said if someone came along right now and made a decent offer, it’d be gone. My reply…right about now a nickel would take it away!

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Jan I know exactly what you mean about living in a rural area, seems like when 1 thing breaks down something else has to follow. We just got city water lines in this end of the county last yr, so that put an end to getting water from the cistern. But the local phone company won’t put DSL out here, they’d rather waste money on tv ads bragging about what they can give people. I hate this company with a passion, that stinking company is AT&T.[/FONT]

Jan and Terry-big hugs to you. Hope today brings a moment of goodness. The good Lord knows you certainly need something good to happen to turn things around!

Terry-give you a lot of credit for tackling your brother’s yard-I know you do it all the time plus your own, but I swear as I was reading your post, I saw myself going into the creek, not the hollow!

Hi Norb-ya, you’re right, I didn’t get much sleep-maybe 4 hours-but can really take it easy today and rest if I need to, just have a lot of paperwork that either needs to be completed and sent out or filed, and it just isn’t all going to get done today. Pushed hard all week and bringing that to a stop today. My legs feel like molten lead, if that makes any sense. Weepy and a day that I am really missing my son-maybe I’ll light a candle for awhile. Enjoy your family today.

On a positive note(with a negative underside thinking about the nurse) my arm is less swollen today.

Emma

Boy, Terry, you brought back memories–our family of four lived with a cistern for five years-can’t tell you how many times I was out in several feet of snow holding up a water hose so it wouldn’t freeze(had a well for the laundry room only-hard too-turned all my white uniforms to gold in a couple months despite bleach)and filling up the cistern when it went dry, which was every few days as the shower and toilet and kitchen were connected to it.

Of course my farm days were even more rustic. But what I really miss the most is my home. When my husband died and I then had cidp and couldn’t work, I lost my home-went into foreclosure and was able to sell it at the last minute, but now that I am in an apartment I really miss my garden and my flowers. Am really trying hard to figure out a way to get into a small home again, now that I have my SS income. Have not forgotten those issues of 1st one thing breaks, then another,etc., though and I even have the maintenance guy change my ceiling light bulbs, spoiled?yes, but standing on a ladder and looking up makes me almost pass out, so I consider it a safety issue. Despite having to maintain a home, it is your home, your private place that welcomes you home each night. I miss that.

Gosh, enough nostalgia, maybe I better take a nap and wake up with a better attitude. By the way Terry I hate AT&T too-have a local co. since my last move-I happen to think smaller companies give better service and you actually get a real person on the phone to talk too when you have a question or a problem…….bye guys-have a better afternoon.
Emma

[FONT=Georgia]Emma the cistern at mom’s house is 15 ft x 10 ft & is 9 ft deep & I been think about knocking a hole in the wall & using it for a storm shelter.[/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]As for the creek there’s a 20 ft drop from the bank into the creek & as for AT&T I can think of one thing to compare them to a Vacuum Cleaner & you know what they do. This use to be Bellsouth but AT&T/SBC wanted full control of Cingular Wireless so they got sucked up by at&t. I wouldn’t give a big crap if the gov. busted that company up. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia] The cst service people use to be nice, but I got hold of 2 that had some kind of attitude problem. One of them was a total jerk the last time I wanted something changed I did it online.[/FONT]

Terry-you always manage to make me laugh. Thank you for that. Visual me saw you knocking a hole into that cistern and getting a really quick flood of a shower-don’t forget the soap…know what you mean but it was a funny thought. And then you go and mention 20′ drop to the creek-I am not mowing your brother’s yard-hope the Z turn lands below me in the creek!!:)

Got an hour nap but woke up with brain fog and I hate that-can’t even blame any meds on it-didn’t take any. Guess the forms will be a slow process tonight.

Have a good night everyone. Emma

PS Terry my brain just registered those measurements-that cistern is as big as my bedroom!!!!!! Phooey with a storm shelter-rent it out as a studio apartment…

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Right now a person could probably take a bath in there, as I think there may still be water in it Emma. 😉 [/SIZE][/FONT]

Hey Terry, I meant to ask how your half sister is doing?
Emma

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]She’s doing very good Emma, I talked to one of my niece’s today & she said they were moving her out of the open heart recovery unit. So hopefully now she is getting better & will soon be well enough to come home. Oh her son is getting married this Saturday at a resort close to Taylorsville lake. This one I’m curious about & I got an invitation to the wedding, so I guess you’ll know where I’m going to be. [/FONT]

Thanks for the holiday wishes. The actual holiday is tomorrow but lots of people celebrate on the sunday, instead of Monday.

Well, quite the day at our house. The submersible pump in the well was definitely done. It is almost 27 years old so it doesn’t owe us anything but it was a pain to find one on a sunday. My hubby was down in the well, I was on top having a mild heart attack :p I hate when he is down there and it makes me very uncomfortable. Anyway, I had to run into town and buy a new pump and they definitely are not cheap. But you need water….Finally had it running about 4:30 so was glad that we could all have a shower at the end of the day.

Tonight we went to watch the fireworks for the birthday celebration in my home town. We met friends there and we had a front row seat. It was spectacular. They had fire works I have never seen before. At the end, people were clapping and cheering and yelling happy birthday. It was a nice way to end a crappy day!:) Irv is out baling now as it was too dry earlier..from one extreme to the other!

Have a great night everyone.

Glad you got your water and still managed to go to town and enjoy the fireworks. You must be three hours behind me anyway, if Irv is out baling-it 2am here. No rest for the farmer nor the farmer’s wife. Have a good holiday in the morning Jan………………Emma

I have to share this accomplishment…..I know its the small things that keep us going. Two years ago while I was in the hospital they opened an IKEA store about an hr away and I said that I was going to get better to be able to go. Well it took me 2 years to reach that goal but last week I made it. I was able to walk thru the store pushing a cart. I was there for about 5 hours total with lunch and all. It was an over whelming day and I paid for it with sore tired feet now after it but I felt like I climbed Mt. Everest! I guess it was on my bucket list.

Excellent Jan! I have never been to an IKEA store, so it’s on my to do list. Based on what you said here, I guess I need to psych myself and be sure I am having a good day! We don’t have one in our province so it means travelling….we don’t get to do much of that!

JanB-congratulations on a goal achieved and crossed off your bucket list. Not everyone can reach the top of Mt Everest and understand how good you feel.
Emma

[FONT=Georgia]Good Morning Ladies & Gentlemen ! Glad you achieved your goal Jan, I’ve been sitting here this morning trying to figure out why I even got out of bed. This is another one of those nuisance pain days, thanks to the numbness created by my old friend or enemy. Neuropathy, I hate this condition with more than a Passion it has done nothing but make my life nothing but pure misery. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]I have been watching my neigbor load those roll bales of hay this morning, the man simply amazes me. After being run over by his tractor & roll baler last yr & he survived it. He was right back doing the same thing this yr, he did last yr & the man is 77, he truly has to have a very strong will. [/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia][/FONT]
[FONT=Georgia]Anyway Wishing for Everyone to have a good day ![/FONT]

Ah kids. They are so cute. Your story reminded me of one of my own. I had asked my granddaughter to help me with something and she replied “No thank-you, Grandma.”

I forgot to tell you guys about my experience yesterday. I was out wandering around the yard in my shorts, (the shorts part is important to the story:D ) looking for old “junk” to put in my rock garden. I found an old wooden spoke wheel in one of the old sheds and so I went in to have a look. There were these tall weeds in there that I had never seen before. I didn’t think anything of it and proceeded to go through them to the wheel.

BIG MISTAKE!!!:eek: They were Nettles..the stinging kind. I had never seen them before and I hope I never see them again. Ouch, did that hurt. I still have a couple puncture marks today. I am heading out here right away with my jug of roundup. Those things are gonna be toast!!!!:D

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Jan that sounds like what we call here Bull Nettle it grows wild around the river that dumps into Taylorsville Lake. Take my word for it, when that weed hits you it feels like a thousand small needles. We use to run into it all time yrs ago, when we went swimming in the river. It is very painful ![/SIZE][/FONT]

Hello everyone.

It looks like I may finally get the ivig this week. The nurse came to my house to draw blood for IGA levels. Something I’d never had done. Of all the blood ever drawn, that’s never been done. The nurse was very very nice and I look forward to infusions at home. So far, at least.

I took Connor school shopping last night and he picked out an outfit for his first day. He is painfully shy so I really have to persuade him that this is going to be a wonderful thing. He’s going to wear army like carpenter shorts with a tan button down shirt with an aligator on it. The shorts have a belt…with his bright blonde hair and brown eyes and tan…the kid is gonna look like a million bucks…not to mention one of his top teeth are about to come out. How cute is that. I’ve GOT to learn how to post pictures so that I can share him with you.

Been missing my mom a whole lot. Probably b/c of the big day coming for my little man. I wanted to call her last night so bad….just like I always used to.

The weather finally cooled off in Omaha…humidity down and I can breathe when I go outside.

Happy Wednesday,
well wishes,
Stacey

[FONT=”Comic Sans MS”][SIZE=”2″]Ah Stacey
Almost thirty years down the road and i still want to reach for the phone and call my Mom.
i occasionally have that dream where she is not really gone from this earth but she is always in the next room or she just left.
When the moon is full or nearly so, i look up and can see her pretty round face smiling down on me.
Would love to see pics of Connor in his new outfit!

Just go to Photobucket.com and create an account (it’s free) then you can upload pics from your computer. From there it couldn’t be easier. i mean if i can learn how, anyone can!:o
Actually our own Liz (codystanley) taught me how. She even has a ‘practice’ thread somewhere on here. If i can find it again i’ll post a link.

Found it!
[url]http://www.gbs-cidp.org/forums/showthread.php?t=793[/url][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]You can also use Flickr I’ve saw several others to, well it’s another day of this nuisance numbness & it’s nice little pain that goes with it :confused: . I haven’t felt much like doing anything for the last couple of days, I’d just love to have one day of peace with no pain. Everyone hope you have a decent day ! 😉 [/FONT]

Norb, how sweet is that? This disease is sure hard on all of us. Those of with it and those who support us with it. Glad Carol was heappy being there with you and that it was even an option! Good on ya!

Took my mom to the dr today and she has been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. She took it really well, but I think she may be a bit nervous about the future. My dad had a massive heart attack a couple years ago and so is limited in what he can do. She does a lot of things like the driving that she had never done before. Now she may lose that. It will be tough on her but she is a strong woman and she will persevere!

Norb, Give That Wonderful Woman of Yours a Huge Hug for me!!!:) You are one Lucky Dog, Norb, to have a supportive wife like that!! How touching!!!

[FONT=Georgia]Ditto on that one for your wife Norb, you have one great wife. 😉 [/FONT]

My husband bought me a small pool in our yard and every weekend we take a dip. It does help us use those muscles. And is a good physical therapy.

I’m sure things will work out Norb. And good for Carol!

Going to be out mowing hay this afternoon. Spent most of yesterday baling and we are almost caught up to what is already cut. Whew! That is a relief. We are starting to see the end. I am anxious to have some time off. There is a Ranch hand rodeo this weekend in town so we are planning to go. I pray things work out so we can. It is events like wild cow milking, trailer loading, branding (they use paint), medicine in the field, etc. and then Sunday is stock dog competitions. It should be fun!

Jan-I hope you and Irv have a good time at the rodeo this weekend-sounds like fun and interesting to see how someone else does the cowboy work that you do.

Terry-sorry you are having a few miserable days. Would swimming in your lake or walking around a part of it help? Just avoid the nettles and snakes and the bear…..

Norb-know you and Carol will figure out the plans. I have two fish stories to tell you–The fisherman are catching 13 ” lake perch right off the pier in 13′ water and 2. I am going on my first boat charter this weekend to catch salmon-I know the others just want me to get a license for the day so they can catch more-just another body-but will like getting out on the water–gonna give it my best shot anyway-have to get up at 3 am to get to the charter boat, and some nights I am just getting to bed then so am trying to turn my sleep habits around.

Just checking in-my gp put me on Cymbalta for the neuropathy pain in addition to the neurontin, am quite tired and nauseated, but the pain is a little less in my legs. See my new neuro next Thurs.

Emma

Janet,
You sound like an awesome person with a very full life!!! I do lots of manual labor type things too!!! I think you and I could have made it as pioneer women.
ps, I am jealous of your life on a farm!!!! I would give up the pretentous suburbs in a heart beat! Have fun at the rodeo, the closest I get to one is when we go to the county fair. I love that fair!!!!
Dawn

My life is full Dawn. Some days I think it is too full, but I never have to worry about being bored! I have always wanted to be out there helping but we had three sons and they were always helping their dad so I ended up doing the “woman’s” work 😀 . Now they are grown, gone and have their own jobs so I get to learn so many new things.

Today I was mowing hay with the haybine and was making my first round. It was going good, finished that round and was getting to the second round when I realized I hadn’t put the hydraulics down so the haybine was not on the ground.:eek: Had to recut that swathe. I hope no one notices, 😮 but I am sure hubby will!

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]This has been another day of whatever for me, I just sat around the house most of the day. Maybe this numbing pain will back off soon, well I got a call earlier today from my half sister. She was having problems so they had to go back in this afternoon & put in a pacemaker. [/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype][/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Tonight much to my surprise she called me to tell me she was feeling better, after that surgery today I could hardly believe it. Oh she wanted me to leave her a seat at her son’s wedding tomorrow as she could not be there. Maybe I should get a big peace of paper & write on it reserved & tape it to the chair. [/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype][/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Jan it sounds like you had one of those days, I’ve done that before with the bush hog. Didn’t let it down low enough mowing around the lake & had to go back over it. 😉 [/FONT]

Wish I could go back to those days of cutting hay… Always a sense of accomplishment…. Grew up dairy farming; made a lot of rounds, and a lot of squares… This time of year would be my favorite…baling hay, playing in the loft, filling up the barn, only to empty it again…., then go to the lake or cow pond in the evening… Sounds too Rockwell to me……tears…….. Enjoy…..Nowadays I watch the field corn grow…There is no way I could do that again! deanop

Yeah Dean this is a great time of year. I love being out there but yesterday was a kicker. It was over 30 degrees C and I was on the open tractor 🙁 It was sure hot and I was glad when my husband came at 4:30 and gave me a break.

Today we are going to a ranch hand rodeo..wild cow milking, trailer loading, all the things a ranch hand does. Looking forward to it!

Well Jan you have to let us now how the rodeo went.

Terry-how did the wedding go? Did someone put a reserved sign for your nephew’s moma? Hope your half sister is doing better. Liked your pic of the 3 fawns-I have a doe with 3 also, although they don’t always come too far out of the woods.

Well I am doing better-stopped taking the cymbalta after 3 days -hated that drugged up feeling-got advice to take it at night and may try that, but I want to go fishing tomorrow on the lake and be able to drive to my neuro next week, then we’ll go from there. Even drinking my coffee today, so having a better day. No doped up feeling and no nausea. Guess I will deal with the pain versus sleeping all day.

Have a good weekend everybody.
Emma

[FONT=Palatino Linotype]Emma the wedding is not till 5:30, I’ve already took a few photos of Taylorsville Lake as the resort or what ever you want to call it. Sits on a hill above the lake & if I wanted to get loaded it wouldn’t be a problem. As there’s all kinds of bourbon, tequila, vodka, rum, gin, beer & no telling what else. I don’t think I want to try drinking on this Lyrica, so I’ll watch everyone else. [/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype][/FONT]
[FONT=Palatino Linotype]At least it’s not hot today temps only 78 that’s the good thing as the ceremony is being held outside. Oh & if anyone wants to buy a home there’s one for sale there to, It’s $389,000 & the house is 4,000 square feet. Well it’s off here for me, as I’ll soon be heading there.[/FONT]

Terry, On your way home, if you have extra, you want to bring a couple of 190’s over-Stu has got the punch, and it sold out lasr night……
Hope the wedding went well.
Let’s see, I could prorbaly afford that house if you loan me 387,000 toard it.Sounds big enough for 4 people.
Take care.
Emma

[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2747711321_e673aca054_o.jpg[/IMG]

[B][I][FONT=Palatino Linotype][SIZE=3]Here’s a photo from the wedding it was held entirely outdoors My Nephew Jeff Waldridge & his new wife Stacie.[/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]

Terry glad your day went well.

Went to the ranch hand rodeo today and really enjoyed it. I absolutely loved the Pony Express relay and the wild cow milking events. Makes my job loading the needles during vaccination time seem a breeze 😀 Wow, those cowboys and gals are good…..

Just sittin here peckin on the keyboard and watching triatheletes run by on their final leg of the race—boy they make me tired!!!
Missing my kids-they are in Canada with their Aunt and Uncle til weds.
Plans for cleaning the house while they are gone are put on hold til my leg gets better, I guess I really didn’t have the energy to do it anyways.:)
Terry, looks like my kind of wedding. The Bride looks Beautiful, and the Groom looks Handsome!