Happy Holidays

[Guest guest]

From: " Phil Osipher " <pmd9020@...>

> I hope everyone on this list serv has a Happy Holiday Season!

Dear Phil Osipher,

Before one can acquiesce to your apparent hopes, one must ask one to define

" Happy " ? One needs to set out the meaning of this word and the conditions

under which it may obtain.

Further, one must explain what one imagines a 'holiday' is in order that

your wish that everyone enjoy it, is met. Since, should they NOT enjoy it,

then, under what appears to be your own understanding of such a concept, it

would not, in this case, be valid.

After all, look at what befell the seven who 'holiday'd ' with Snow! They

all ended up in a very serious condition!

As for you use of " Season " one must ask to what one is referring to, since

it is used here in such a loose manner. Normally one refers to one of four

seasons, broadly lasting three months each. Are we to assume that in this

case too, the " Happy Holiday Season " one has aspirations for here, should

indeed last three months?

Dear Phil Osipher, one must, in such expressions of desire, explain oneself

far more clearly.

I remain your friend

Uphor Missem.

[Guest guest]

Hey Everybody,

I have been a lil quiet on this list, but I wanted to wish everyone a safe

and Happy Holidays. Go Philadelphia Eagles!

-Glen

_________________________________________________________________

Take advantage of our best MSN Dial-up offer of the year — six months

@$9.95/month. Sign up now! http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup

[Guest guest]

Fred...shut up and just " be happy... " in a surreal sort of way, of course.

Karin :-)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/13/03 11:57:10 AM Eastern Standard Time,

mail@... writes:

> After all, look at what befell the seven who 'holiday'd ' with Snow! They

> all ended up in a very serious condition!

>

> Dear Phil Osipher, one must, in such expressions of desire, explain oneself

> far more clearly.

>

>

>

>

Ah good old Fred and his holiday humor. ;-) I think you would make a

good Santa Claus because I think you seem to be a very jolly man.

> like to wish Phil and others Happy Holidays too whether you celebrate

> Hanukkah or Christmas.

>

Does anyone on the list have any favorite Holiday specials, songs?

I like the specials The Little Drummer Boy, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Mr.

Magoo's Scrooge.

Some of my favorite songs are Oh Holy Night, Winter Wonderland, Have

Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.

I hope with the New Year '04 approaching the economy picks up, the flu bug

goes bye bye. I heard in the news today about Saddam being captured which I'm

thankful for.

Helen (who her least favorite song is Let It Snow. I do like snow on

Christmas, but am scroogy about this wintry mix now. ;-))

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays! and hope everyone has a Merry

Christmas! Spainhower

[Guest guest]

From: <HelenJW@...>

> Ah good old Fred and his holiday humor. ;-) I think you would make a

> good Santa Claus because I think you seem to be a very jolly man.

Helen!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a genius!!!!!! You've just worked out WHO Santa

Claus is!!!!

No, not me - but it HAS to be " Happy! " He's the one!!!!!!

Think about it! What is Santa's favourite saying? - " Yo-ho-ho "

Now, what is the favourite song of the seven dwarfs? - " Yo-ho, Yo-ho,

it's....... "

Well done Helen!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/14/03 8:31:22 AM Eastern Standard Time,

mail@... writes:

> Helen!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a genius!!!!!! You've just worked out WHO Santa

> Claus is!!!!

>

> No, not me - but it HAS to be " Happy! " He's the one!!!!!!

>

> Think about it! What is Santa's favourite saying? - " Yo-ho-ho "

>

> Now, what is the favourite song of the seven dwarfs? - " Yo-ho, Yo-ho,

> it's....... "

>

> Well done Helen!!!!!!!

>

>

>

Fred,

That Happy man he is pretty happy. You don't think he is too happy do you?

;-)

You mean Ho, Ho, Ho that jolly man says which I think is from eating all

those Hostess Ho Ho's. ;-) You know those little chocolate creme filled yodel

cakes can do a wonder on the waistline. ;-)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho unless they have been dipping into a bottle of rum and it would

be a slow trek to their work if they did.;-)

Helen (who feels like Sneezy right now.) ;-)

[Guest guest]

sent to me by a friend, thought to share this cute holiday greeting with

you .

copy and paste the website below into your web browser , open the card, and

and let your children click each reindeer!!!!!

http://web.icq.com/shockwave/0,,4845,00.swf

Happy Holidays!

Fania

[Guest guest]

Colleen-

If you do end up trying Remicade-I've had excellent results from it! Even

though it scares me to get the infusion, it really has been a miracle drug for

me so far. At Thanksgiving at the table each person said what they were

thankful for, and the first thing out of my mouth was Remicade! Cary

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Colleen! Best wishes for a fine 2004 to you, too!

Sorry that that dang Humira is so expensive for you. I hope that, if you

decide to give it a try, Remicade will be covered under your insurance

and that it will help you.

Keep us posted.

[ ] Happy Holidays

> I guess I am another one of those " lurkers " for I read the RA- Support

everyday and all you guys are a big part of my life, though I don't post

often. I want to thank all for their wonderful Christmas Cards and wish

everyone a wonderful, pain free and comfortable holiday! I began Humira

the same time Tess did, my forth injection is due this Friday. I think

it has helped my RA and somewhat the fatigue I've had. I now have

another type of arthritis and my T3 and T4 as well as my para thyroid

and growth hormones are messed up. I guess something is seriously wrong,

I just pray that the Rheumy will be able to figure it out. I bought

Humira on Drugstore.com, but it ended up costing a few dollars more than

Costco, even thought they advertised for less. I haven't found any

Canadian pharmacies that carry Humira. My Rheumy would like for me to

try Remicade, since it's in the office and I have a better chance of

insurance covering it, but I'm going to try Humira for another month, at

$1270.00 a month. Way to expensive. I wrote to the manufacture of

Humira, but I am ineligible for any free products or reduced price.

Since I've spent over $9000 on medical insurance and medical bills, they

figure I can spend more!

> No more complaining!! I am trying to stay in the holiday mood and in

the spirit of Christmas, I wish you good health, peace and happiness in

2004! Colleen

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Best to you as well,

AntJoan

[Guest guest]

althea, i am so sorry to hear of your struggles. i hope that you can find the

reasons for your headaches and broken bones. you have been thru so much yet

you are always here for others. i wish you the healthiest happiest holidays

ever

kathy in il

[Guest guest]

althea, i am so sorry to hear of your struggles. i hope that you can find the

reasons for your headaches and broken bones. you have been thru so much yet

you are always here for others. i wish you the healthiest happiest holidays

ever

kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Althea,

Oh my goodness.....I certainly have no love for Dr. Codding but never dreamed

that she would leave her current patients in the lurch without even a word of

notice that she was leaving. When Dr. Gismondi retired last year, he had told

his patients that it was a possibility a few months before anything happened,

then called us in for last appts plus we got letters from the office. Even with

that courtesy it was difficult....as it takes 3-4 months to get in with a new

Rheumatologist. When Dr. Gismondi was giving me the short list of doctors he

was referring people to (BTW, Dr. Carson wasn't on that list of his suggested

doctors....and I love Dr. Carson!) he had on the list the doctors at Bone and

Joint in particular a Dr. Larry (I think was his last name....began with

a " W " )......He told me any of the OU Physicians or Bone and Joint were good. I

had however had poor success with some OU physicians so didn't even call there.

Dr. Carson has to have a referral from your primary doctor.....I would say it is

worth a call to his office to let them know of your diliema, it is possible that

they know Dr. Codding left and would work something out for you....is possible

also since they have the new doctor that they have begun taking your Tri Care. I

would say two doctors NOT to go to would be Dr. Delafield and Dr. Schnitz (may

have that spelling wrong but is spelled phonetically correct).

I have not been reading the RA Support list nor much else of my email....has

been crazy here trying to get ready for Christmas, get the house ready for all

the guests, help take care of grandchildren and last night we re-arranged our

schedule to go to Texas today to pickup grandchildren so we can avoid driving on

the snowy roads Wed or Thurs! I am so exhausted and my joints are protesting.

Everyday, I delete more and more from my to do list....and that is okay, we will

all be together who can be here and we will celebrate Christ's birth and just be

together and hug each other. We made sure that the kids, especially the younger

ones, have gifts and we are making everyone's favorite foods but looking

especially forward to attending Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with our family and

church family.

I am so glad that you got your Christmas quilt done....you are such an

inspiration to me. I want to try for 2005 to be the year that I get Christmas

quilts done...would like to do one for each of our three children for next

year's Christmas gift. I have already collected fabrics for at least three

Christmas quilts for myself!...is time for it to become a reality instead of a

fabric collection!! I heard from a Santillian the other day....didn't know

that she is now a long arm quilter...I may have to see about her doing the

quilting to accomplish that task.

Thanks for sending me the copy of your email....after the holidays I will catch

up with the list and emails to all my on line friends.

One other thought....last year, I also developed headaches...we thought they

were perhaps related to the Enbrel as the injections seemed to trigger or make a

headache worse. After months of tests and trials, we discovered that my high

blood pressure was no longer regulated with the medication I was taking and for

whatever reason the injections and that blood pressure problem made the

migraines just terrible....once we found the correct drug to regulate my blood

pressure, the headaches began to taper off. I do carry medications with me as I

now am prone to a migraine but with the newer migraine drugs that is quickly

done and overwith. Also, Dr. Carson suggests that when we are getting headaches

to be sure to check our water intake....he says 3 quarts a day is a must for

patients like us. Headaches are sometimes caused by dehydration....I know you

are really good about your water intake....me on the other hand, I tend to

forget when I get busy and don't have my water readily at hand...I do best at

home with my regular schedule.

As to the bone density....my primary put me on Calcium 1000 to 1200 per day

with Vitamin D.....mine is taken one tablet in the am and one in the pm to keep

the calcium level in my system. I went to BX and got the BX brand (Select or

whatever it is called) and it works just fine for me. My bone density showed

osteopenia expecially in my back so this should help and keep bones from getting

thinner.

Don't know if any of these things that worked for me will be helpful to you but

certainly hope so or that answers are found for you and real quick!!

Hope that you find a good rhummy and that it is someone you can develop a great

relationship with. Keeping you in my prayers....have a blessed holiday.

Janie

[ ] Happy Holidays

Hi all! I have been reading the posts and wish that we all could

find good doctors.

My doctor quit her practice and moved it - now she doesn't take my

insurance and I have to decide what I am going to do. I had my last

Remicade appointment and have till Feb 7th when the next one is due

to decide. The RA that is left that I will have to see didn't even

bother to stop in and introduce himself to me last time. I saw the

PA and she didn't seem to remember what she was supposed to do.

I am in a cast on my left foot for a stress fracture and had a

catscan done of my brain because of headaches I was having. The PA

was more concerned with that then scheduling me for my blood tests

or going over my latest labs with me. She is scheduling me for a

bone density test to find out why my foot broke...

I am in a quandry but am praying that the Lord leads me in the

correct direction. I will make an appointment at the base again as

the headaches are back and I think it might have to do with the

Remicade but am not sure - the Catscan came back normal so it is on

to the next step.

I am worried about so many on here having trouble with doctors...I

don't understand what is happening in our society - doctors became

doctors to help us didn't they...insurance programs were set up to

help defray the costs but now doctors pick and choose what policies

they will allow. My doctor didn't even notify her patients that she

was leaving. If I hadn't had to have a new authorization to be seen

I wouldn't have known. What happened to common courtesy...

I hope that all of you are doing as well as can be expected and that

the year 2005 will be better for all of us.

I will finish my Christmas Quilt tomorrow and post a picture of it

for all to see...It has taken up all my time - it has 1221 pieces to

it and I hand quilted it. It kept me in my chair and off my feet

which was a good thing...

I am thinking of all of you and praying for everyone - please don't

forget me just because I haven't been posting - somedays the

computer chair just hurts to much to sit in - I do the trivia game -

check what is happening here and go sit in my chair but I am

thinking of all of you.

God bless,

Althea

[Guest guest]

Althea,

Oh my goodness.....I certainly have no love for Dr. Codding but never dreamed

that she would leave her current patients in the lurch without even a word of

notice that she was leaving. When Dr. Gismondi retired last year, he had told

his patients that it was a possibility a few months before anything happened,

then called us in for last appts plus we got letters from the office. Even with

that courtesy it was difficult....as it takes 3-4 months to get in with a new

Rheumatologist. When Dr. Gismondi was giving me the short list of doctors he

was referring people to (BTW, Dr. Carson wasn't on that list of his suggested

doctors....and I love Dr. Carson!) he had on the list the doctors at Bone and

Joint in particular a Dr. Larry (I think was his last name....began with

a " W " )......He told me any of the OU Physicians or Bone and Joint were good. I

had however had poor success with some OU physicians so didn't even call there.

Dr. Carson has to have a referral from your primary doctor.....I would say it is

worth a call to his office to let them know of your diliema, it is possible that

they know Dr. Codding left and would work something out for you....is possible

also since they have the new doctor that they have begun taking your Tri Care. I

would say two doctors NOT to go to would be Dr. Delafield and Dr. Schnitz (may

have that spelling wrong but is spelled phonetically correct).

I have not been reading the RA Support list nor much else of my email....has

been crazy here trying to get ready for Christmas, get the house ready for all

the guests, help take care of grandchildren and last night we re-arranged our

schedule to go to Texas today to pickup grandchildren so we can avoid driving on

the snowy roads Wed or Thurs! I am so exhausted and my joints are protesting.

Everyday, I delete more and more from my to do list....and that is okay, we will

all be together who can be here and we will celebrate Christ's birth and just be

together and hug each other. We made sure that the kids, especially the younger

ones, have gifts and we are making everyone's favorite foods but looking

especially forward to attending Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with our family and

church family.

I am so glad that you got your Christmas quilt done....you are such an

inspiration to me. I want to try for 2005 to be the year that I get Christmas

quilts done...would like to do one for each of our three children for next

year's Christmas gift. I have already collected fabrics for at least three

Christmas quilts for myself!...is time for it to become a reality instead of a

fabric collection!! I heard from a Santillian the other day....didn't know

that she is now a long arm quilter...I may have to see about her doing the

quilting to accomplish that task.

Thanks for sending me the copy of your email....after the holidays I will catch

up with the list and emails to all my on line friends.

One other thought....last year, I also developed headaches...we thought they

were perhaps related to the Enbrel as the injections seemed to trigger or make a

headache worse. After months of tests and trials, we discovered that my high

blood pressure was no longer regulated with the medication I was taking and for

whatever reason the injections and that blood pressure problem made the

migraines just terrible....once we found the correct drug to regulate my blood

pressure, the headaches began to taper off. I do carry medications with me as I

now am prone to a migraine but with the newer migraine drugs that is quickly

done and overwith. Also, Dr. Carson suggests that when we are getting headaches

to be sure to check our water intake....he says 3 quarts a day is a must for

patients like us. Headaches are sometimes caused by dehydration....I know you

are really good about your water intake....me on the other hand, I tend to

forget when I get busy and don't have my water readily at hand...I do best at

home with my regular schedule.

As to the bone density....my primary put me on Calcium 1000 to 1200 per day

with Vitamin D.....mine is taken one tablet in the am and one in the pm to keep

the calcium level in my system. I went to BX and got the BX brand (Select or

whatever it is called) and it works just fine for me. My bone density showed

osteopenia expecially in my back so this should help and keep bones from getting

thinner.

Don't know if any of these things that worked for me will be helpful to you but

certainly hope so or that answers are found for you and real quick!!

Hope that you find a good rhummy and that it is someone you can develop a great

relationship with. Keeping you in my prayers....have a blessed holiday.

Janie

[ ] Happy Holidays

Hi all! I have been reading the posts and wish that we all could

find good doctors.

My doctor quit her practice and moved it - now she doesn't take my

insurance and I have to decide what I am going to do. I had my last

Remicade appointment and have till Feb 7th when the next one is due

to decide. The RA that is left that I will have to see didn't even

bother to stop in and introduce himself to me last time. I saw the

PA and she didn't seem to remember what she was supposed to do.

I am in a cast on my left foot for a stress fracture and had a

catscan done of my brain because of headaches I was having. The PA

was more concerned with that then scheduling me for my blood tests

or going over my latest labs with me. She is scheduling me for a

bone density test to find out why my foot broke...

I am in a quandry but am praying that the Lord leads me in the

correct direction. I will make an appointment at the base again as

the headaches are back and I think it might have to do with the

Remicade but am not sure - the Catscan came back normal so it is on

to the next step.

I am worried about so many on here having trouble with doctors...I

don't understand what is happening in our society - doctors became

doctors to help us didn't they...insurance programs were set up to

help defray the costs but now doctors pick and choose what policies

they will allow. My doctor didn't even notify her patients that she

was leaving. If I hadn't had to have a new authorization to be seen

I wouldn't have known. What happened to common courtesy...

I hope that all of you are doing as well as can be expected and that

the year 2005 will be better for all of us.

I will finish my Christmas Quilt tomorrow and post a picture of it

for all to see...It has taken up all my time - it has 1221 pieces to

it and I hand quilted it. It kept me in my chair and off my feet

which was a good thing...

I am thinking of all of you and praying for everyone - please don't

forget me just because I haven't been posting - somedays the

computer chair just hurts to much to sit in - I do the trivia game -

check what is happening here and go sit in my chair but I am

thinking of all of you.

God bless,

Althea

[Guest guest]

Tess, thank you for making the Christmas card exchange happen. It

makes the days a little bit brighter to see all of the cards come in,

and realize you have people that really care.

This is a wonderful group of people, and I'm so thankful this year to

know so many, and it's growing.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a great New Year coming in, T

> Dearest RA Friends...A blessed and lovely Christmas season to you

all &

> your loved ones. This year I was not able to send very many cards,

but

> all of you are always in my heart and in my prayers.

>

> (((((((((((((((((((RA Family))))))))))))))))

>

> Love & hope & blessings...

>

> Tess

[Guest guest]

Tess, thank you for making the Christmas card exchange happen. It

makes the days a little bit brighter to see all of the cards come in,

and realize you have people that really care.

This is a wonderful group of people, and I'm so thankful this year to

know so many, and it's growing.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a great New Year coming in, T

> Dearest RA Friends...A blessed and lovely Christmas season to you

all &

> your loved ones. This year I was not able to send very many cards,

but

> all of you are always in my heart and in my prayers.

>

> (((((((((((((((((((RA Family))))))))))))))))

>

> Love & hope & blessings...

>

> Tess

[Guest guest]

hi tess, happy holidays to you and your family too. the weather is doing a

number on me, but i am still doing pretty well. hope you are too

kathy in il

[Guest guest]

hi tess, happy holidays to you and your family too. the weather is doing a

number on me, but i am still doing pretty well. hope you are too

kathy in il

[Guest guest]

I most heartily second the wish. I was astonished last week when I found not only could I comfortably stand in line, but I could also comfortably walk to the back wall of a Dollar Store and around to the front again. Life is so much better post-surgery. Yes, it is the right decision for those of you moving into it. We want to hear all about it. Next week I am off to the beach. But I will find you when I return.

Merry Christmas to all.

Marge

Hope we all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I truly hope we all hop and skip into 2005 with with bells on our toes and no limps and fewer aches and pains. To those of you pending surgery.... it is the right decision. This is the first Christmas in many years I have actually enjoyed shopping and STANDING in line!! Valeriin fog covered Central California

[Guest guest]

Hang on, Love, its days are numbered!

thanks for the thumbs up; my surgery is set for the 28 December.....the pain is awful...and ruining my life.

[Guest guest]

Those are nice words, Valeri. Thank you. I am waiting to hear back

from my surgeon, hoping he will let me go ahead with the surgery next

year. This Christmas, the shopping was so painful. I tried to keep

up with my wife, , but she tends to get impatient with me and

leaves me in the dust LOL. Standing in line is something I allowed

her to do all by herself this year LOL

cheers,

sparky

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> Hope we all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I truely

> hope we all hop ans skip into 2005 with with bells on our toes and

> no limps and fewer aches and pains. To those of you pending

> surgery.... it is the right decision. This is the first Christmas

> in many years I have actually enjoyed shopping and STANDIN in

> line!! LOL

>

> Please enjoy whatever celebrations you have the next week and

stay

> safe.

>

> Valeri

> in fog covered Central California

[Guest guest]

Helen,

Poor Nick...That just stinks to be so sick at christmas time,

especially when you just want to join in the fun with all of your

family...Good luck finding the siver bell I am sure you will find

something for that sweet boy!

I am jealous that you are able to get together with alia and

leslie. There are so many nice people on this list and I wish they

were my neighbors so we could sit and have a cup of tea! :-) Its

nice that you guys are nearby each other and that you can enjoy a

friendship both online and in person.

Helen, I posted some emails to you about the kids group and fowarded

a letter to you...I know you have been busy with the holidays and

with Nick, but please save them and when you have a chance to

respond that would be great.

Blessings,

sonia (aundrea 10 systemic jra)---

In , " hburger64 " <hburger64@h...> wrote:

>

> I just wanted to stop by and wish all our JRA family a very merry

> Christmas and happy holidays. We wish you all a very safe and

blessed

> time, enoying the good times and forgetitng the not so good.

>

> Nick is sick ( poor guy, high fevers and vomiting. He looks

whiter

> than the snow out side. The doctor rx'd zofran for him a few weeks

ago

> because of ongoing bouts of vomiting, but even thats not helping

him

> right now.

>

> He lay on the sofa last night, we had family over and he couldnt

join

> in. He whisptered in my ear, he is going to be the best little boy

for

> Christmas and all he wants Santa to bring him is a silver jingle

bell.

>

> Now i gotta run out this morning and see if i can find one!!! LOL

>

> last wednesday we had Alia's and leslie's families over, we had

such a

> good time. They are very special people in our lives. People we

would

> never have met if it were not for Nicks JRA. Every cloud has a

silver

> lining.

>

> Blessings to all your families!!!!

>

> Hugs Helen and (8,systemic)

>

[Guest guest]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

I am so sorry to hear that some of our little angels are sick, especially

Nick.

Many wishes for good health, no pain, and many blessings in the new year.

Much love,

and and Rob, 16, Spondy

On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 14:30:23 -0000 " hburger64 " <hburger64@...>

writes:

I just wanted to stop by and wish all our JRA family a very merry

Christmas and happy holidays. We wish you all a very safe and blessed

time, enoying the good times and forgetitng the not so good.

Nick is sick ( poor guy, high fevers and vomiting. He looks whiter

than the snow out side. The doctor rx'd zofran for him a few weeks ago

because of ongoing bouts of vomiting, but even thats not helping him

right now.

He lay on the sofa last night, we had family over and he couldnt join

in. He whisptered in my ear, he is going to be the best little boy for

Christmas and all he wants Santa to bring him is a silver jingle bell.

Now i gotta run out this morning and see if i can find one!!! LOL

last wednesday we had Alia's and leslie's families over, we had such a

good time. They are very special people in our lives. People we would

never have met if it were not for Nicks JRA. Every cloud has a silver

lining.

Blessings to all your families!!!!

Hugs Helen and (8,systemic)

[Guest guest]

Dave

I am positive that you have made a wonderful decision for yourself.

Good luck with your surgery on Friday. We'll be anxious to hear from you.

Happy Holiday's to you too!

Alice

http://www..com

..

>

> My implant is scheduled for Friday Dec 30th with the Freedom.

I think I will stick with the Freedom - probably to late to change

anyway. Anybody with thoughts on

> this?

>

> Dave

>