I'm home too...

[Guest guest]

, & everyone-

Sign me on for the bus. - seriously, while you may

have the finest family physician - this would be over

the heads of even the most superb family physician. I

have been to some weird GI guys - but yours sounds like

he can't tell which end is up ( and that is a very nice

way to say what I am thinking). IT IS TIME FOR A REAL

HOSPITAL AND A REAL TEAM WHO KNOW WHA%T THEY ARE

DOING!!!! You cannot stay on liquids and can't deal with

this regular of anemia. PERIOD. This is dangerous to the

max. Enough said. Give my e-mail address to your son-

who by the way sounds wonderful- if he doubts this and I

will talk to him.

I'm home too. Weirdly enough I couldn't open regular

messages when I opened this groups individual e-mail

while I was at my sister's, so I tried to keep in touch

and respond through the digests. I flagged a few for my

return. I'll work on a few individually as I tried to do

there.

- The parafin wraps aren't in the least weird. My

doc prescribed them as PT also. They feel wonderful. She

actually offered to prescribe one for home - which

sounds great in theory - but picture a long haired black

cat - very curious by nature- and a kitten near a bath

of wax. I shudder to think. She however still prescribes

the PT when I need it. Women have one advantage. I have

a friend who gives manicures with hand massages and

wraps your hands in these wonderful heated mittens. My

sister and friends have given me gift certificates for

these things and I use them when my hands get real stiff

or when I am down in the dumps (I am not on anti-

depressant - although after reading Jon's article think

maybe it would be a good idea...) It works wonders.

- I meant every word I said. You mean a great deal

to this group.

Elaine- I promise messages after your surgery - waiting

just for you.

Canadian Crew and Surrounding Area- My sister and BF

treated my mom and me to dinner in Sarnia last

night. The restaurant was an avante garde (sp.?) little

bar/restaurant called the Smoked Oyster. For seafood

lovers in particular -the food is too die for. Of

course, we with RA can rationalize many fish dishes !

I wasn't too adventurous- I had grilled salmon with a

ginger and grapefruit glace'. When I have the energy to

cook and entertain (once or twice a year... or a

decade)- salmon is one of my specialties ...and mine has

never tasted this good. ( I still make a mean Irish Stew

though...the secret is in the Harvey's Bristol Cream...I

have refined the recipe since law school... when my dad

forgot and left a bottle of BC behind...at first he was

bemused but later asked me to make it for him.) Gee guys

if we take the bus - I'll cook... as long as you have a

padded stool for me to sit on. Don't worry about the

alcohol...it cooks off during the simmering I'm told. )

Either that or you just won't care...

The trip to Sharon's was a little bittersweet. We spent

Tuesday afternoon with Joanne and her little guy,

. I hope this is just my Irish pessimism but

Joanne does not look good...she has really aged and she

is getting pneumonia more and more frequently...I don't

know how much her little body can take this onslaught.

She has been the comeback kid for the past 8 years but I

am concerned that her strength may be waning. We saw her

family doctor who is a friend of Sharon's and 's

and has a little boy about 's age. Annette had

tears in her eyes when she started to talk about the

amount of fluid in Joanne's lungs... and said Joanne was

much more than a patient to her. I don't think the end

is imminent but had to wonder if this wasn't the last

holiday. Yup... let's keep on going to that breast

cancer site too and keep her in your prayers.

The trip was fun but my body and RA didn't cooperate. On

Christmas Eve morning, I managed to come down with a

bladder infection...I think. , bless his soul,

cause he hates to do this without an exam, called in an

anti-biotic so that I could be comfortable. My main

concern with this and the bleeding I had right after the

surgery was the timing. I am concerned that it might be

endometrial tissue that wasn't completely removed during

the surgery. I still have ovaries so the tissue could

still slough off as a mini-cycle... it isn't a large

amount and the antibiotic seemed to work. I'd hate to

think of more surgery...even laparascopic. Before I am

lectured...I am going to see Dr. Su- the yet another ob-

gyn tommorrow a.m. He will let me know if I can go back

to work on Tuesday and I will discuss the options with

him or Hines when he gets back. I am actually hoping he

suggests another couple of days off. I am tired.

As usually happens with me, when I take an anti-

biotic... it interacts with some of the RA drugs - and

mornings were extremely painful. I could barely even

walk to the bathroom and getting dressed took an

eternity. My mom and sister...even after all these years

don't have a clue. They are morning people and were

rather impatient when I had trouble keeping up with them

when they wanted to meet a group of friends of Sharon's

for coffee and breakfast. They thought I just stayed up

too late or I was afraid of falling on the ice and

snow... they don't know that the ice and snow were an

excuse. (And to top it off on the way home - I repacked

everything but my meds - I left them in a bathroom at

Sharon's and locked the door - without a key - and

Sharon and were on their way to Detroit - I think

there is RA fog too.) Fortunately I am on a first name

basis with my pharmacist and the prednisone and prevacid

were replaced for the weekend. Sharon and will

bring them to my place over New Years Eve/Day. I have

enough to get me through Tuesday if the weather is bad.

I have never done that before...but I guess there is a

first for everything.

Jeannette- Sweetie- we will take that roller coaster

ride with you - this is NOT the time to hole up by

yourself. I lost my dad almost 13 years ago - and he was

one of my closest friends. I would not have made it

through that time if I didn't have people to listen to

me and swing through the moods with me. You are in our

prayers but I think it would be good if you were online

too.

If I have forgotten someone or something, I apologize. I

also apologize for the length. This is a novel. My MD

appointment is early in the a.m. I am tired from the

drive and I have much cleaning to do if and Shari

are coming on Saturday or (please God) Sunday. My

sister's house is like a bed and breakfast...she has a

cleaning lady. I don't and I have learned to live with

too much clutter and dust. My mom said she would help

me but it will still be a job.

Love & Hugs to all.

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Thanks for your notes. I hope you are feeling better soon. Perhaps a new

dr. can get your problem resolved. Right now I do not have a very high

opinion of drs. They seem to try hard but fall short. Even my Rheumie, whom

I love dearly did not do me any favors when he put me on Arava. I told him

when I left his office that day that I did not feel good about taking it.

Sure enough, within two days I was in the ER. I told him that he does not

understand how sensitive I am to drugs. He told me to keep reminding him and

God I will.

Jeannette

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My son is wonderful and cute too. Today was my best day, I think I have

had this infection since Nov. 1st. I have actually been eating good today,

still some pain but after the ERCP that is to be expected. I think by next

Thursday I will have a new doctor. I want to get to someone quickly, so

after the BIG talk on Tuesday I hope to know who the lucky doctor will be.

I can't eat a lot but it has been four months since the original attack, so

I am eating little meals at a time.

Thank you for your note, I do hope you are feeling better.

Me Mom

----------

> From: k.j.choate@...

> egroups

> Subject: [ ] I'm home too...

> Date: Thursday, December 28, 2000 10:08 PM

>

> , & everyone-

>

> Sign me on for the bus. - seriously, while you may

> have the finest family physician - this would be over

> the heads of even the most superb family physician. I

> have been to some weird GI guys - but yours sounds like

> he can't tell which end is up ( and that is a very nice

> way to say what I am thinking). IT IS TIME FOR A REAL

> HOSPITAL AND A REAL TEAM WHO KNOW WHA%T THEY ARE

> DOING!!!! You cannot stay on liquids and can't deal with

> this regular of anemia. PERIOD. This is dangerous to the

> max. Enough said. Give my e-mail address to your son-

> who by the way sounds wonderful- if he doubts this and I

> will talk to him.

>

> I'm home too. Weirdly enough I couldn't open regular

> messages when I opened this groups individual e-mail

> while I was at my sister's, so I tried to keep in touch

> and respond through the digests. I flagged a few for my

> return. I'll work on a few individually as I tried to do

> there.

>

> - The parafin wraps aren't in the least weird. My

> doc prescribed them as PT also. They feel wonderful. She

> actually offered to prescribe one for home - which

> sounds great in theory - but picture a long haired black

> cat - very curious by nature- and a kitten near a bath

> of wax. I shudder to think. She however still prescribes

> the PT when I need it. Women have one advantage. I have

> a friend who gives manicures with hand massages and

> wraps your hands in these wonderful heated mittens. My

> sister and friends have given me gift certificates for

> these things and I use them when my hands get real stiff

> or when I am down in the dumps (I am not on anti-

> depressant - although after reading Jon's article think

> maybe it would be a good idea...) It works wonders.

>

> - I meant every word I said. You mean a great deal

> to this group.

>

> Elaine- I promise messages after your surgery - waiting

> just for you.

>

> Canadian Crew and Surrounding Area- My sister and BF

> treated my mom and me to dinner in Sarnia last

> night. The restaurant was an avante garde (sp.?) little

> bar/restaurant called the Smoked Oyster. For seafood

> lovers in particular -the food is too die for. Of

> course, we with RA can rationalize many fish dishes !

> I wasn't too adventurous- I had grilled salmon with a

> ginger and grapefruit glace'. When I have the energy to

> cook and entertain (once or twice a year... or a

> decade)- salmon is one of my specialties ...and mine has

> never tasted this good. ( I still make a mean Irish Stew

> though...the secret is in the Harvey's Bristol Cream...I

> have refined the recipe since law school... when my dad

> forgot and left a bottle of BC behind...at first he was

> bemused but later asked me to make it for him.) Gee guys

> if we take the bus - I'll cook... as long as you have a

> padded stool for me to sit on. Don't worry about the

> alcohol...it cooks off during the simmering I'm told. )

> Either that or you just won't care...

>

> The trip to Sharon's was a little bittersweet. We spent

> Tuesday afternoon with Joanne and her little guy,

> . I hope this is just my Irish pessimism but

> Joanne does not look good...she has really aged and she

> is getting pneumonia more and more frequently...I don't

> know how much her little body can take this onslaught.

> She has been the comeback kid for the past 8 years but I

> am concerned that her strength may be waning. We saw her

> family doctor who is a friend of Sharon's and 's

> and has a little boy about 's age. Annette had

> tears in her eyes when she started to talk about the

> amount of fluid in Joanne's lungs... and said Joanne was

> much more than a patient to her. I don't think the end

> is imminent but had to wonder if this wasn't the last

> holiday. Yup... let's keep on going to that breast

> cancer site too and keep her in your prayers.

>

> The trip was fun but my body and RA didn't cooperate. On

> Christmas Eve morning, I managed to come down with a

> bladder infection...I think. , bless his soul,

> cause he hates to do this without an exam, called in an

> anti-biotic so that I could be comfortable. My main

> concern with this and the bleeding I had right after the

> surgery was the timing. I am concerned that it might be

> endometrial tissue that wasn't completely removed during

> the surgery. I still have ovaries so the tissue could

> still slough off as a mini-cycle... it isn't a large

> amount and the antibiotic seemed to work. I'd hate to

> think of more surgery...even laparascopic. Before I am

> lectured...I am going to see Dr. Su- the yet another ob-

> gyn tommorrow a.m. He will let me know if I can go back

> to work on Tuesday and I will discuss the options with

> him or Hines when he gets back. I am actually hoping he

> suggests another couple of days off. I am tired.

>

> As usually happens with me, when I take an anti-

> biotic... it interacts with some of the RA drugs - and

> mornings were extremely painful. I could barely even

> walk to the bathroom and getting dressed took an

> eternity. My mom and sister...even after all these years

> don't have a clue. They are morning people and were

> rather impatient when I had trouble keeping up with them

> when they wanted to meet a group of friends of Sharon's

> for coffee and breakfast. They thought I just stayed up

> too late or I was afraid of falling on the ice and

> snow... they don't know that the ice and snow were an

> excuse. (And to top it off on the way home - I repacked

> everything but my meds - I left them in a bathroom at

> Sharon's and locked the door - without a key - and

> Sharon and were on their way to Detroit - I think

> there is RA fog too.) Fortunately I am on a first name

> basis with my pharmacist and the prednisone and prevacid

> were replaced for the weekend. Sharon and will

> bring them to my place over New Years Eve/Day. I have

> enough to get me through Tuesday if the weather is bad.

> I have never done that before...but I guess there is a

> first for everything.

>

> Jeannette- Sweetie- we will take that roller coaster

> ride with you - this is NOT the time to hole up by

> yourself. I lost my dad almost 13 years ago - and he was

> one of my closest friends. I would not have made it

> through that time if I didn't have people to listen to

> me and swing through the moods with me. You are in our

> prayers but I think it would be good if you were online

> too.

>

> If I have forgotten someone or something, I apologize. I

> also apologize for the length. This is a novel. My MD

> appointment is early in the a.m. I am tired from the

> drive and I have much cleaning to do if and Shari

> are coming on Saturday or (please God) Sunday. My

> sister's house is like a bed and breakfast...she has a

> cleaning lady. I don't and I have learned to live with

> too much clutter and dust. My mom said she would help

> me but it will still be a job.

>

> Love & Hugs to all.

>

>

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeannette,

You keep reminding that doctor that you have a problem with drugs. It is

very important that he NOT forget that. You know what you can and can not

take. I find it amazing how the doctors don't listen to us and think they

can ignore what we are saying. I was into all what I thought was best for

me yesterday when I spoke to the Rheumy's secretary, she was tying it as

fast as she could. I don't think there is any doubt in anyone's mind what

I think maybe what is right for me. I am thinking the Rheumy may know a

good GI doctor he sort of mentioned it last time I talked to him.

I also think when these doctor don't want to listen to us, it turns into

frustration on their part. God forbid we have better suggestions or

answers then they have. I often wonder how many of these doctor have any

first hand knowledge other than medical of these diseases. How many have

seen a mother, father, sister, or brother actually suffer it. I think you

would have to be close to someone to understand it all.

You are like me, Jeannette we don't tolerate drugs well. We know it but

getting it across to some of these yoyo doctors is another story. I must

say though that my Rheumy doesn't mind my researching or coming here for

advise. He is always willing to talk about it.

I hope the New Year bring you some peace. I can only tell you, I never

had the chance to tell my Dad what he meant to me, he died so quickly.

Take this time and tell your parents, they know it but for your peace of

mind for whatever the future holds do it.

Me Mom

----------

> From: ednettieolson@...

> egroups

> Subject: Re: [ ] I'm home too...

> Date: Saturday, December 30, 2000 1:18 AM

>

> Hi :

>

> Thanks for your notes. I hope you are feeling better soon. Perhaps a

new

> dr. can get your problem resolved. Right now I do not have a very high

> opinion of drs. They seem to try hard but fall short. Even my Rheumie,

whom

> I love dearly did not do me any favors when he put me on Arava. I told

him

> when I left his office that day that I did not feel good about taking it.

> Sure enough, within two days I was in the ER. I told him that he does

not

> understand how sensitive I am to drugs. He told me to keep reminding him

and

> God I will.

>

> Jeannette

>

>

> Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/

> http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/

> Change subscription options:

[Guest guest]

Hi Me Mom :

My rheumy also has RA so he should know better to listen to me. I think with

my last episode, he will from now on. He is really a nice nice guy but made

a boo boo.

I am sorry you lost your dad. It is such a hard thing to go through. I

still have some hope for some recovery. I call them 2-3 times a day even

though it is long distance. I tell them I love them all the time. They are

both 83 years old. However, my mother's mother lived to almost 96 and dad's

mom lived to about 88-89. We do have longevity. However, my aunts and

uncles died younger than that. Could have been their life styles too. They

were all smokers. What does that tell you? I worry so much because my

husband smokes and his father died of cardiac disease. He won't quite

smoking even though the kids and I are at him all the time. I don't need to

become a widow. Besides, the smell of his cigars is awful. He thinks

smoking those small cigars isn't as bad as cigarettes.

Jeannette