Re: prayer request

March 18, 2003

,

ie and his family will be in my prayers.

W

March 18, 2003

: Of course, prayers are coming your way for ie.

Love -

gina

March 19, 2003

,

My prayers are with you also today.

Take care of yourself.

Lyn in Ark.

PS.. I hope this don't post twice...I forgot if I hit the send button.

gina413@... wrote:

: Of course, prayers are coming your way for ie.Love -gina

April 2, 2003

Hi . I'm sorry about your leg. I went through the same thing before

I had my knees replaced and know how difficult it is to walk when your leg

won't straighten. I walked on my tip toes for a long time. I'm facing the

same thing with my elbow now and what I do is lay in bed with a pillow under

my elbow and another pillow on my forearm to add enough weight to stretch

it. If I don¹t do this regularly, I'll loose my mobility. Please talk to

your doctor before trying anything since you've already had tendons snap. I

have not had that happen so I'm not afraid to do therapy on my elbow. Maybe

he will prescribe physical therapy.

Living on disability alone is scary but many people do it. I hope you don't

have to go this route, but if you do, somehow you will manage. Maybe you

could get rental assistance. Your problems are not miniscule. They are

real and you're faced with tough decisions. I wish I could do more except

offer a shoulder and keep you in my prayers.

a

> Hello everyone. It's from California. I'm sorry I haven't

> been a part of the group for the past few months, but there has been

> a lot going on around here and I just couldn't keep up with all the

> posts. So I hope you'll forgive me for just popping in and out

> occasionally.

>

> Just to remind you, I am a 46 y.o. divorced female with R.A. for

> almost 24 years. I live in Southern California with roommates and my

> 2 cats. :-)

>

> I just wanted to tell you the latest re my RA, and ask for your

> prayers and advice. I'm experiencing " contracture " in my left leg.

>

> con·trac·ture [ kn trákchr ] (plural con·trac·tures)

> noun

>

> muscle tightening: a permanent abnormal tightening or shortening of a

> body part, such as a muscle, a tendon, or the skin, often resulting

> in deformity

>

> What's happening is I can't straighten out my leg completely. When I

> try to walk I can't put my heel down. So in order to walk halfway

> normally I guess I'd need a low heel on the left foot (where the

> ankle is fused and doesn't bend) and a flat on the right! (My 86 y.

> o. Mom doesn't know about any of this... she would become very

> agitated and upset, so I feel I have to keep it from her in order to

> protect HER health). I'm seeing the rheumatologist. on Thursday...

> I'm PRAYING that this is NOT permanent, that maybe through physical

> therapy, stretching or whatever I can get the muscle to release. Or

> that it can be fixed surgically. I'm really scared. If I lose my

> job I'll have no income. I have three fingers on my right hand that

> are useless (tendons have ruptured), so I can't pass any typing test

> for a new job, and now this new development with my leg. Also if I

> lose my job I lose my medical insurance. Legally, they can't fire me

> until all this disability stuff is resolved. I'm going to ask the

> rheumatologist to possibly put me out on permanent disability. Of

> course this would be for the arthritis, which is a pre-existing

> condition, so I would have to apply for disability though the State

> and not through my work insurance. I think I can only get a little

> more than $1000 mo on state disability... my rent is $500 and my car

> pmt is $350, so I'd have $150 mo for food, gas, car insurance, etc.

> If I could get some church singing gigs at least that would help a

> little, but I'm really scared.

>

> I know there's so much going on in the world, and that my problems

> are so miniscule in the face of the atrocities going on in the Middle

> East, etc. I don't want to sound selfish or self centered, or like

> I'm whining, but I just really needed to talk to someone about this.

>

> If anyone else has experienced these symptoms, and has any

> information or advice, I'd love to hear it. You can reach me

> directly through my email, or post something here. Also, if anyone

> has any experience with the disability system in California, I could

> use advice there too. Thanks so much for listening. And for

> praying. I really appreciate having this forum for information and

> support.

>

April 2, 2003

Wow ! Prayers are on the way. Wish I could add more.

Peace,

Suzanne

April 2, 2003

,

No need to apologize for not writing! We are happy to have you come here

when you need to. We're here for you in good times and in bad.

I'm very sorry that your situation is still so difficult. You aren't

whining, and your problems aren't trivial. It's good that you are seeing

a rheumatologist tomorrow.

I'm sending along some links to some information that I hope will help.

Some studies involving flexion contracture of the knee (in relation to

total knee replacement):

http://www.traumaweb.net/biblioflexo.htm

From Wheeless' Textbook or Orthopaedics, " Flexion Contracture of TKR " :

http://wheeless.orthoweb.be/o12/72.htm

Interesting information from Aetna Insurance on mechanical stretching

devices (which are only covered in certain circumstances):

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/data/CPBA0405.html

" California Department of Social Services " :

http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/Disability_193.htm

" California State Disability Insurance (SDI) " :

http://www.edd.ca.gov/diind.htm

" California Disability Alliance (CDA) " :

http://disweb.org/cda/

Good luck at your appointment and please let us know what happens.

You have my prayers,

[ ] Prayer request

Hello everyone. It's from California. I'm sorry I haven't

been a part of the group for the past few months, but there has been

a lot going on around here and I just couldn't keep up with all the

posts. So I hope you'll forgive me for just popping in and out

occasionally.

Just to remind you, I am a 46 y.o. divorced female with R.A. for

almost 24 years. I live in Southern California with roommates and my

2 cats. :-)

I just wanted to tell you the latest re my RA, and ask for your

prayers and advice. I'm experiencing " contracture " in my left leg.

con·trac·ture [ kn trákchr ] (plural con·trac·tures)

noun

muscle tightening: a permanent abnormal tightening or shortening of a

body part, such as a muscle, a tendon, or the skin, often resulting

in deformity

What's happening is I can't straighten out my leg completely. When I

try to walk I can't put my heel down. So in order to walk halfway

normally I guess I'd need a low heel on the left foot (where the

ankle is fused and doesn't bend) and a flat on the right! (My 86 y.

o. Mom doesn't know about any of this... she would become very

agitated and upset, so I feel I have to keep it from her in order to

protect HER health). I'm seeing the rheumatologist. on Thursday...

I'm PRAYING that this is NOT permanent, that maybe through physical

therapy, stretching or whatever I can get the muscle to release. Or

that it can be fixed surgically. I'm really scared. If I lose my

job I'll have no income. I have three fingers on my right hand that

are useless (tendons have ruptured), so I can't pass any typing test

for a new job, and now this new development with my leg. Also if I

lose my job I lose my medical insurance. Legally, they can't fire me

until all this disability stuff is resolved. I'm going to ask the

rheumatologist to possibly put me out on permanent disability. Of

course this would be for the arthritis, which is a pre-existing

condition, so I would have to apply for disability though the State

and not through my work insurance. I think I can only get a little

more than $1000 mo on state disability... my rent is $500 and my car

pmt is $350, so I'd have $150 mo for food, gas, car insurance, etc.

If I could get some church singing gigs at least that would help a

little, but I'm really scared.

I know there's so much going on in the world, and that my problems

are so miniscule in the face of the atrocities going on in the Middle

East, etc. I don't want to sound selfish or self centered, or like

I'm whining, but I just really needed to talk to someone about this.

If anyone else has experienced these symptoms, and has any

information or advice, I'd love to hear it. You can reach me

directly through my email, or post something here. Also, if anyone

has any experience with the disability system in California, I could

use advice there too. Thanks so much for listening. And for

praying. I really appreciate having this forum for information and

support.

June 8, 2003

Haley is 9 yrs old now I believe.

June 19, 2003

Jan, I'm praying for n and Carolyn and their family (and you, too).

I hope the news is as good as it can be. Everyone must be so upset and

frightened.

Diabetes is a risk factor for cataracts, so I'm not sure if it's

something your eye doc saw as much as knowing that if someone has

cataracts forming you should check for diabetes. Everything else was

normal, right? No signs of glaucoma or retinopathy?

My dad is in his 60s and had cataract surgery for both eyes fairly

recently (both eyes were not done at the same time). It is an amazingly

quick and easy procedure these days and he is very happy that he did it.

Over the years, a few of the members of our group also had cataract

surgery.

[ ] Prayer Request

> Hello everyone.

>

> My best friend of many, many years is in need of prayers. She and I

have been friends for over 25 years and what makes it nice is that she

only lives a few doors from me. We have been through so many things

together. Her name is n and she is a member of our family (Gabby

Gut04)though she doesn't post often. Usually, just when I need her to

pass on a message from me (but does keep up with the mail) She has

psoriatic arthritis and a heart condition and has been trying to recover

from pneumonia for several months now. Just as she started to show some

signs of maybe beating whatever has a grip on her, she received some

disturbing news last week. Her youngest daughter (Carolyn) who lives in

Texas with her husband and two small children had an upper GI series on

Thursday to determine why she has been having difficulty swallowing.

Instead of locating an upper GI problem, they discovered a massive

growth on her liver. Monday, she went for additional tests (I think a

MRI was

> included) and is now awaiting results. My friend, n, has also

gone downhill since receiving the news. She is so afraid she cannot be

there to help and she is very close to her youngest (she has two other

children)as Carolyn was just around 10 or so when her ex-husband put her

through so much. (n had 2 brain aneurysms at the time her ex was

doing her in so to speak) n is a very spiritual person and we

have discussions about the Lord all the time. Her daughter is a very

devout Christian and is active in her church. They both know the power

of prayer.

> I introduced n to her present husband about 22 years ago thinking

they were two peas in a pod and sure enough they were. She and

have been married for 20 years now. n has been through the mill

and back again and has been a tower of strength in her life. But

both she and Carolyn really need prayers to get them both through this.

Carolyn is 34 with two young children under 6. Her husband's family is

there with her in Texas but she is sorely missing her mother's arms.

> I just was on the phone with her and her daughter has not heard

anything from the test as of yet.

> Please keep them in your prayers.

>

> I am feeling that I need prayers also if you could please keep me in

mind also. I had my annual eye exam this afternoon and was told that

the cataracts in my eyes have gotten alot worse (after telling me last

year that they were just beginning and at my age (62), it would be

several years before anything needed to be done about them. I have been

experiencing blurry vision for sometime and the signs on the freeway are

not readable until I am on top of them. The doctor said that the right

eye is so bad it probably will need surgery almost right away and not

long after that the left eye would need to be done. She also suggested

that my internist to do a diabetes test. She didn't give me a reason on

that one..........I didn't even know a Dr could look at your eyes and

tell if you might have diabetes.....or is that a possible connection the

cataracts have gotten worse?

> I had hoped I could have made it through the rest of my life without

another surgery but here I am again. My mother and my grandmother both

had cataract surgery but were around the early 70's when it was done.

>

> Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

>

> Wishing you all sunshine and a painfree (or nearly so) day tomorrow.

Don't have a shabby night tonight. Think positive thoughts and take

care.

>

> Love and prayers, Jan +/:=)

June 19, 2003

Dearest Jan,

I will be keeping everyone in my thoughts and my prayers. Please keep

us informed about this.

Love and hugs,

Alan

> Hello everyone.

>

> My best friend of many, many years is in need of prayers. She and

I have been friends for over 25 years and what makes it nice is that

she only lives a few doors from me. We have been through so many

things together. Her name is n and she is a member of our

family (Gabby Gut04)though she doesn't post often. Usually, just

when I need her to pass on a message from me (but does keep up with

the mail) She has psoriatic arthritis and a heart condition and has

been trying to recover from pneumonia for several months now. Just

as she started to show some signs of maybe beating whatever has a

grip on her, she received some disturbing news last week. Her

youngest daughter (Carolyn) who lives in Texas with her husband and

two small children had an upper GI series on Thursday to determine

why she has been having difficulty swallowing. Instead of locating

an upper GI problem, they discovered a massive growth on her liver.

Monday, she went for additional tests (I think a MRI was

> included) and is now awaiting results. My friend, n, has

also gone downhill since receiving the news. She is so afraid she

cannot be there to help and she is very close to her youngest (she

has two other children)as Carolyn was just around 10 or so when her

ex-husband put her through so much. (n had 2 brain aneurysms at

the time her ex was doing her in so to speak) n is a very

spiritual person and we have discussions about the Lord all the

time. Her daughter is a very devout Christian and is active in her

church. They both know the power of prayer.

> I introduced n to her present husband about 22 years ago

thinking they were two peas in a pod and sure enough they were. She

and have been married for 20 years now. n has been

through the mill and back again and has been a tower of

strength in her life. But both she and Carolyn really need prayers

to get them both through this. Carolyn is 34 with two young children

under 6. Her husband's family is there with her in Texas but she is

sorely missing her mother's arms.

> I just was on the phone with her and her daughter has not heard

anything from the test as of yet.

> Please keep them in your prayers.

>

> I am feeling that I need prayers also if you could please keep me

in mind also. I had my annual eye exam this afternoon and was told

that the cataracts in my eyes have gotten alot worse (after telling

me last year that they were just beginning and at my age (62), it

would be several years before anything needed to be done about them.

I have been experiencing blurry vision for sometime and the signs on

the freeway are not readable until I am on top of them. The doctor

said that the right eye is so bad it probably will need surgery

almost right away and not long after that the left eye would need to

be done. She also suggested that my internist to do a diabetes

test. She didn't give me a reason on that one..........I didn't even

know a Dr could look at your eyes and tell if you might have

diabetes.....or is that a possible connection the cataracts have

gotten worse?

> I had hoped I could have made it through the rest of my life

without another surgery but here I am again. My mother and my

grandmother both had cataract surgery but were around the early 70's

when it was done.

>

> Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

>

> Wishing you all sunshine and a painfree (or nearly so) day

tomorrow. Don't have a shabby night tonight. Think positive

thoughts and take care.

>

> Love and prayers, Jan +/:=)

>

June 19, 2003

Dearest Jan,

I'm so sorry to hear of the challenges that n and her daughter are

facing right now. I will be sure to add them to my prayer list, and

will have you in my prayers as well.

Please keep us informed.

Love and prayers,

Carol

[ ] Prayer Request

Hello everyone.

My best friend of many, many years is in need of prayers. She and I