Hi Everyone

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Sheeeww, I’ve finally caught up with the e-mails! I’m going to try and keep

up again now so I don’t fall so far behind – I miss you guys so much that it

distracts me when I’m behind. Hopefully life is going to slow down a bit

but already the week’s looking busy. It’s our 4 year wedding anniversary

tomorrow so we’ll be celebrating that (with some cheap wine Keri LOL!) Then

we are going away for a kind of “marriage encounter” weekend where you work

on your relationship. It’s something organized by the church and sounds

quiet interesting, I really believe in working on a marriage for it to work

so am looking forward to it. Single beds though? :-( LOL!

I’m lumping all my individual replies below into one mail so as not to flood

the board, there are quiet a few – sorry if I missed anyone out! I love you

all, thank you so much for the continued support on my baby mission. I’m

still smoke free!! I just know that was the last time I’ll need to give up,

it feels wonderful!

Sending giant ((((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))) and

prayers to all!

Heidi

Hi Rose,

I’m sorry you have RA but Welcome to the group! This is a wonderful safe

place where you can come for information, support and just fun whenever you

need it. Our wonderful Debs will tell you that

“it’s a Cheese and Whine party every day – with no limit on the Whine”

I’m so sorry you are having a flare, and you are right, not all doctors are

created equal, many here will sympathise with that feeling. What

medications are you taking?

I don’t know the answer to your question but I’d like to, I’m also on

Prednisone and the pathologist I use for my tests told me the same thing

about it affecting the RA factor, but my Rheumy doesn’t think it’s necessary

to redo it anyway.

I look forward to getting to know you.

Take care,

Heidi

Hi Joy!

Welcome to the group! I’m sure you’ll find it’s a great place to come for

support, information and friendship. I’m 26 years old and live in Mauritius

(an island in the Indian Ocean) with my husband and 21 dogs (my dog family

grew recently LOL!) I was diagnosed with RA about a year and a half ago and

take Prednisone to keep it under control until I have a baby.

Tell us a little about yourself. I’m looking forward to getting to know

you.

Have a great day!

Heidi

Hi Jeanine!

Welcome to the group! Sorry about your back operation and RA but I’m so

glad you were Debs roommate and can now join us! Deb’s is just the most

wonderful soul.

I will be praying for a speedy uneventful recovery from your back surgery

and for Janet in her flare, I hope the Pred works, I’ve been on it for about

15 months now and as bad as it is it’s my miracle drug! The “visible” side

effects haven’t been too bad except for a bit of weight gain.

I’m looking forward to getting to know you! You and Janet are in my

prayers.

Take care,

Heidi

(((((((((((Kathy)))))))))))

I’m so sorry you are having so much trouble lately, we are here if you need

a shoulder. I wish there was something I could do for you, please know you

are in my thoughts and prayers.

((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))

Heidi

Subject: The West Wing

Oh Judi, phuleeeeze can I have an autograph! :-) Pretty cool, sad that I

don’t get West Wing though.

Thanks so much for the baby wishes! Gosh I think I need to put my husband

on rations, I’m really a bit nervous about the whole multiple births thing

LOL! I saw a lady pushing twins in a pram today – wonder if it’s an omen

LOL!

Wow you sound like a gardening fundi! Sorry about your sore paws though. I

have no idea what kind of Basil I have – it’s green?…duh?? LOL! It’s the

first herb I’ve had that hasn’t died on me so I’m still trying to save it by

picking off the caterpillars when I have the time. I’m a total amateur but

find I’m really enjoying my new hobby.. I had a major gardening day

yesterday, tried to wash the caterpillars off with the hosepipe and then

save them from drowning and move them to something they could eat – they

might become butterflies and I couldn’t find the heart to kill them! I’m

such a naff! Plus they were kinda cute, bright green (probably from eating

my green basil plant!)

I also bought two strawberry plants, I hung them in wire cages I built to

save them from birds and mice, the wire scratched me all over my arms – I

look like I was in a fight with a cat LOL! I hope my McGyver plan works, I

love strawberries but they are so expensive here they’re a real luxury. I

tried planting dill once but it died on me, not too sure why – I need to

give it another go.

I loved the imagery of your prayer quilt, it really comforted me, it was

really beautiful.

Your daughter is in my prayers for her surgery, I hope everything goes well,

you must all be very nervous. Pheew it sounds like you are going to have a

busy 2 weeks, it’s a good thing that you are training Ron to do new things,

it’s never too late to upgrade your skills LOL!

Sending you ((((((((((((((((((Big Hugs))))))))))))))))of ENERGY!

Love,

Heidi

Hey Tess,

Pheew, I’m so glad you went to see the doctor about your toe, sorry the news

wasn’t great but thank goodness you got it sorted out, I’m glad the surgery

went well.

Thanks for the baby prayers!

Your latest poem to Lynn was absolutely beautiful, I think it’s my favorite,

but I love them all so much I don’t think I can choose!

I’m so proud of you for losing so much weight – you are a role model for us

all! I’m sure that this will be a better long-term solution for you than

the surgery – you are learning healthy eating habits that will last you a

lifetime.

I’m also glad to hear you have become a liberated cart user! Go girl!! It

sounds like fun anyway!

Rest my friend, and look after those tootsies!

((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))),

Heidi

((((((Thanks Barb)))))

I appreciate the baby prayers, I’m sure they’re going to work!

Hugs,

Heidi

((((((((((Thanks for the baby prayers Lynn)))))))))))

Six kids!! Yikes, mmmm maybe tone the prayers done just a teeeeeny teeeeeeny

bit LOL! :-)

Only kidding, 6 is better than none!

Hugs,

Heidi

((((((((Stacey)))))))))

I’m so sorry you have to wear “the stockings” and are feeling so

uncomfortable. Apparently the stockings are hard to get on, I remember

someone here saying to try baby powder on your legs to help them slide on –

maybe it’s worth a try. Just a thought but have you cut salt out of your

diet? My Rheumy told me to stop taking it when I started the Pred, I don’t

touch it at home and it helps enormously with reducing fluid retention

caused by the Pred. If I go out a lot and eat out during the week I

noticeably swell from the salt added to food. It was a bit bland in the

beginning but I don’t even notice it anymore.

Have you been to your gynae about the pain in your breasts? What does he

think?

I’m so happy Smokie made it into the world okay! He sounds beautiful, I’m

going to miss hearing about him now that he’s free but look forward to

hearing next years butterflies life story. It was really amazing – I hope

those pictures come out. How did Wyatt’s butterfly come out? Didn’t you

have two?

How’s the smoke free life going? I think it’s great, don’t even get

cravings anymore and I haven’t even put on any weight, been eating lots of

fruit.

So who’s the “friend”!!?? Is it the nice play station playing policeman? I

had a giggle at your story, good to see you are keeping busy my friend! ;-)

I’m going to try and stay up to date on the posts again, it’s crazy how fast

I manage to fall behind!

Sending ((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))) for you and Wyatt.

I hope you feel better soon, please take care of yourself.

Heidi

Hi a,

Thanks for the stork prayers, I’m working on it! :-) I must say I’m much

more relaxed about it than I was when we were trying before, I know there’s

no more hormones or tests and gynae visits for at least the next 5 months

and knowing we can always try in-vitro if it doesn’t work takes a bit of the

pressure off, I’m quiet enjoying it this time :-) LOL!

Hugs,

Heidi

Kathe,

LOL! Wink wink :-)

I am quiet enjoying my mission this time around.

Thanks for the baby prayers,

Hugs,

Heidi

Subject: I am So Excited

Shandi,

That’s great news! I’m so happy for you. I will pray that it is your

“miracle drug”.

Hugs,

Heidi

Hi Jan!

I hope you’re feeling a bit better today, I would love some of those

recipes, I’m not great in the kitchen so need all the help I can get LOL! I

do love baking though – if we could live on cake, pancakes and banana bread

it would be fine LOL!

How are you feeling today?

Hugs,

Heidi

Hi !

Thanks for the prayers!! I’m getting really excited, I’m sure it’s going to

work this time!

Hugs,

Heidi

Hi Sheri!

Nice to have you back – how are you doing? I’m so sorry to hear about your

Dad, you and your family are in my prayers.

Hugs,

Heidi

Susie!

I’m so happy that Ami is also in good shape. She is in my prayers! It

would be great if both of us got a visit from the stork at the same time!

I’ve noticed babies always seem to come in batches, so maybe its time for

OUR batch, prayers flying heavenward for just that.

Hugs,

Heidi

Lynne,

I’m so glad your Remicade infusion went well, I’ll pray you start to see the

results soon.

Hugs,

Heidi

LOL Kathi!! I told my husband about the “serious hanky panky”, he laughed

too, we’re working on it ;-) LOL!

We’re hoping to take our holiday at the end of October, we want to take 10

days off, only problem is I have a big project on at work and might have to

work the weekend we want to take off, Blerck! I’ll know by tomorrow but

either way we will definitely take it within the next month and a half.

Thanks so much for the good wishes. How are you feeling?

Hugs,

Heidi

Hi !

How are you doing? Are you still having problems with your breathing?

Sending hugs your way,

Heidi

(((((((((Carol)))))))))))))

Thanks for the baby prayers!

Gosh this baby is keeping you all in suspense! You must be getting so

excited. You are going to be the most amazing aunt! Thanks so much for the

baby prayers, I really appreciate them. I’m actually not stressed at all

this time (at least for now); I have a really good feeling about this. With

all these prayers I’m sure that God is going to give us a little surprise

soon!

I’m so glad you are feeing well, it must be so great to be with your family

again. I really miss mine, they are so scattered around; I have two sisters

and a brother in London and two brothers and a sister and my Dad in South

Africa. I haven’t seen my brother and sisters in London for over 5 years

now!

Your sister is in my prayers, let us know how it goes!

Love and ((((((((((((((baby)))))))))))))))) hugs,

Heidi

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Al)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Oh I’m so sorry, you and must be absolutely beside yourselves with

worry. You are both in my prayers, I will pray and pray that they are wrong

about this and that you are the only half Greek with Celiac

Disease!

I’m so far behind and only just saw this - becoming a prodigal daughter

myself!

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, please let us know what

they say, I’m very worried about you my friend and want you to get a break!

(((((((((((((((((((((((crushing (gentle) hugs)))))))))))))))))))))) for you

and

Heidi

Laurie,

Thanks so much for letting us know how your mom is doing, please give her a

big hug from me and tell her she is being thought of and prayed for.

Take care,

Heidi

Subject: O.T. - sports commentator bloopers - a little racy but funny

LOL Kathe!!! I burst out laughing in my OPEN PLAN office! Hee hee! Oh

well now they KNOW I wasn’t working on my project! LOL!

Thanks for the laugh,

Hugs,

Heidi

Subject: Endometriosis Study Links Ailments

Thanks for this article a! I found it particularly interesting since I

have endo – I remember my new gynae mentioning about 6 months ago that they

were researching this link. Hopefully this will help them come closer to

understanding why.

Hugs,

Heidi

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Louise))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I’m so sorry about y’s surgery, thank goodness it was caught in time

though and the surgery went well. You and yours have been in my thoughts

and prayers, I knew when we didn’t hear from you that something must have

happened. I’m so happy that everything else worked out positively, amen to

that!

Hugs and prayers for y to have a speedy and thorough recovery. Look

after you too, you don’t need a flare on top of all of this.

Heidi

Hi Shirl,

I don’t think we’ve met, HI!

Your daughter is in my prayers, this must be a very difficult time for her

and your family.

Glad to hear your RA is doing well. I’m looking forward to getting to know

you.

Take care,

Heidi

Hi Keri!

Thanks so much for the baby prayers! LOL! I think I’m going to take your

advise on the big bottle of wine thing! We are going on holiday soon and I

was thinking more along the lines of French Champagne (the bubbles make me

silly LOL!) but I could always try both! How are you keeping, still having

all that back pain? I hope gets some answers after all those tests, it

must be difficult for you taking a large part of the responsibility for his

disease, you’re a wonderful supportive wife but I can understand that it

must get frustrating. You can come here and scream whenever you need to :-)

I can’t say I follow a diet and exercise program specifically for RA but

have been told to swim; it’s the best as it’s gentle on the joints and also

stretching to keep them supple.

Hugs,

Heidi

Subject: Re: Re: Kineret or and other meds

Hi Joanne,

I’ve been on Prednisone for about 15 months now. Even though I know it’s

terrible for me I love it! It gave me back my life. I also used to take

Celebrex when I needed something extra, it works well and is the only anti

inflammatory that doesn’t upset my stomach. Before that I tried Voltaren

(ouch on the stomach but worked a little bit), Mobic (did nothing for me but

hurt my stomach) and Panado (LOL! First thing I was prescribed!).

Your list should be interesting!

I hope you are well,

Hugs,

Heidi

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