Re: Hello, my story/lessons learned and THANKS.

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry that you have had to suffer what the rest of us have been

through. At least you took some action and braved the system while the

rest of the school continues to examine their polyps. Poor kids. For

the sake of money and denial, these kids will have a hard time

functioning. Cruel world. God bless and heal you.

Barth

---

m> I'm new to this " hidden underground " and thankful that you exist and

m> understand. I had no idea that my simple request for a classroom

m> with reasonably good air quality would end up with me absent for

m> medical leave and people questioning my sanity. I'm still in shock.

m> Of course, it took at least 6 weeks to finally convince someone that

m> the musty-smelling, dry, green and blackish mold-like substance on

m> the ceiling tiles was actually mold. The next week the maintenance

m> staff removed over a dozen tiles out of my room during the 24 minutes

m> the kids and I were at lunch. We returned to the room, and my middle

m> school students started asking, " What's all this stuff on my

m> bookbag? " All the mold spores/dust and bits of ceiling tile

m> had " rained down " on the room. My next class walked into the room

m> (not knowing what had happened) and immediately wrinkled their noses

m> and said, " What is that smell? It smells like mildew or something.

m> Gross! " I was sick for days--congested, feverish, weak, and my

m> muscles ached all over—like an instant flu, but with a day off and

m> the weekend, the " flu " disappeared.

m> I continued to fight the system--requesting the mold-spotted pipe

m> insulation be treated and the moldy tiles they missed to be removed.

m> I gave the administration a copy of the EPA guidelines as well as

m> other basic mold information. Maintenance didn't think they could do

m> the job until a short fall break--couldn't do it over the weekend

m> because they needed more time. I waited patiently until I found the

m> leaking pipe, dripping onto a moldy tile, growing new mold. I

m> mentioned the new complication and inquired about the upcoming

m> remediation. Yes, it was scheduled. I tried to relax and trust the

m> system. ( " Hope springs eternal " --or used to!) The scheduled date

m> came and went and nothing happened. Days later I found out the

m> reason--a crew member was sick and so they rescheduled for the next

m> weekend. " WHAT? You COULDN'T do it over a weekend. That's why

m> we've had to wait so long! " We were asked to cover the desks and

m> bookcases and such. The principal said he'd give us some old

m> leftover material from home ec. I explained, " Mold spores will go

m> right through the cloth. You can't use cloth. It has to be

m> plastic. " " Okay. We'll get plastic. " I guess he didn't read the

m> information I gave him, with important parts highlighted.

m> The " mold remediation " was scheduled to start at 8am. I don't know

m> if they started on time but they were cleared out by 2pm.

m> Hmmm.....less than 6 hours to do the job, the job that needed an

m> extended weekend. I went back with my camera, dust mask, and gloves

m> to inspect the job. (No one else would.) I found a few broken tiles

m> in my trash can, along with tobacco spit, used gloves, and a

m> paintbrush covered in gray goopy stuff. The pipe insulation was

m> sloppily covered with the gray stuff--they missed numerous (hard-to-

m> reach?) places. They painted right beside moldy tiles but left them

m> in place. There was a sign on the closet door saying there was a

m> leak (REALLY?) and they would fix it ASAP. I heard from a colleague

m> yesterday that they finally removed that moldy tile under the leaky

m> pipe, 6 weeks after I told them about it. The story is that they

m> fixed the leak weeks ago but left the moldy tile to make sure it was

m> fixed. (Because it would be easier to spot a leak on an old, moldy,

m> moist, warped tile than on a brand new clean tile?) I have my doubts

m> as to whether the leak is actually fixed...and if the wet, mold-

m> filled insulation around the pipe was replaced. I said a prayer of

m> protection just before I closed my classroom door. I haven't been

m> back since.

m> I was tested for allergies--negative. Still waiting on the blood

m> test, but the skin test (98 pricks on my back) and the intradermal

m> (12 needles in my arm) came back negative. The allergy doctor is not

m> a believer in mold illnesses. (And how can you blame him? I mean,

m> he's part of a multi-office allergy and asthma business. Moldy

m> buildings are excellent for business.)

m> My psychiatrist is helping me with my medication. He's understanding

m> about the mold, but can only treat my symptoms.

m> I brought up the mold to my regular doctor and she said, " We're not

m> going there. " And basically implied that those " internet sites " are

m> unaccredited and people would think I was crazy and I would ruin my

m> life. On the positive side, she said she KNEW that I WAS NOT CRAZY.

m> She even conceded that there may be some validity but that I wouldn't

m> be able to prove anything, that I couldn't fight the system, that it

m> would just cause my health to deteriorate further--and that seemed on

m> target. And despite the fact that we weren't going to talk about it,

m> we did, and she even offered to have the mold tested for me! That

m> made my day. Even if she doesn't believe all this " bullsh*t " --(her

m> word, not mine), she listened and offered me a small token--a lab

m> swab kit!

m> I'm feeling better but I still worry about the kids' health. Are

m> their headaches, sore throats, congestion, nosebleeds, etc. better?

m> The mold exposure has been significantly reduced—maybe they do feel

m> better. I believe the parents have a right to know what their

m> children have been exposed to, but it would be insubordinate to tell

m> them. Then I realized that the medical community would probably

m> dismiss their mold concerns. The allergist told me that mold cannot

m> cause any health problems outside of allergic reactions. When I

m> asked, " So, why am I sick when I'm at school but not sick when I'm

m> away from school? If I'm not allergic to mold, what's going

m> on? " " Well, you may react to it, but you're not allergic to. It

m> can't hurt your health in any significant way. " Oh, well, then I

m> guess you'd better tell my body because ever since it's been in that

m> room, it's been sick.

m> Symptoms that have more or less disappeared since being out of the

m> building:

m> sore throat

m> congestion,

m> postnasal drip

m> painful, clogged-up ears

m> fever

m> I'm still experiencing:

m> headaches (although less often)

m> shortness of breath

m> tightness in my chest

m> irregular periods

m> anxiety

m> depression

m> And I found out yesterday that I have a growth on my thyroid.

m> They'll be doing an ultrasound on Tuesday. And my blood pressure was

m> higher than usual for me (142/80). I don't think I've ever been over

m> the 120's on that first number.

m> My basic strategy for regaining my health (besides getting away from

m> the building and the frustration of dealing with people in charge) is

m> to focus on sleeping and eating, with a little exercise and prayer

m> thrown in--the basics of life. The doctor is switching my

m> antidepressants (which had been working for years). I don't have to

m> make any decisions until mid-January and I hope I will feel well

m> enough to know what to do. I miss my students, but the place isn't

m> good for me. I've requested a classroom change, but haven't heard

m> back about that. Even if my doctors don't agree about the role of

m> the mold, they do agree that I shouldn't be back in that classroom.

m> That's good enough for me. A year and a few months was more than

m> enough.

m> Here's are some things I've learned through this experience.

m> 1. My health and well-being has to take first priority. If I ignore

m> my body and allow the stress to get to me, I will become quite sick.

m> If I don't take care of myself, NO ONE else will.

m> 2. The squeaky wheel does get the grease. People have complained

m> about the air quality in that room for over 10 years and until this

m> year, nothing has been done. (The grease wasn't applied well, or in

m> a timely manner, but still—action was taken.)

m> 3. The above squeaky wheel (the underdog) will be seen as a

m> troublemaker and/or a lunatic. One person cannot fight the system

m> and win (except on TV). They will be discredited and gotten rid of,

m> one way or another. Even people who have been the underdog's

m> supporters will abandon ship--they get scared and don't want to lose

m> their jobs. It's disappointing, but I understand.

m> 4. My notion that Education (as opposed to Business) was a noble

m> profession that valued children above all was incorrect. Kids and

m> teachers/staff are way at the bottom of the list of priorities--

m> apparently, we are quite replaceable.

m> 5. There are wonderful people in the world, who listen and care and

m> help you through the hard times.

m> 6. Dogs worry about their owners and are great at cheering them up.

m> Simple things are healing, like a walk in the woods or good music.

m> 7. Sometimes, life takes an unexpected twist and although it wasn't

m> your plan, it turns out to be a good plan. I recently convinced my

m> grandparents to move closer to me so I could be a support to them .

m> It turns out that I need them much more than they need me.

m> Humbling, but wonderful. I don't know that many 86-year-olds feel so

m> needed. :-)

m> 8. People can become " obsessed " with mold. " Knowledge is power " and

m> research/learning is good. However I have to be careful to limit the

m> time spent on mold issues (to gather the information and seek to

m> understand it and apply it to my situation). When I start FREAKING

m> OUT because I learn that others with mold exposure have had thyroid

m> problems and my brain immediately jumps to the conclusion that I am

m> doomed and the mold will kill me, probably by the end of the year, if

m> not sooner--well, then, I need to step back and do something else

m> (and when I think about my thyroid again, think more rationally and

m> remember things like: my maternal grandmother and aunt had thyroid

m> issues, we don't know what the lump is yet, it could be nothing, it

m> may disappear on its own, etc.)

m> 9. I have very little power when it comes to justice, but I am able

m> to decide my own future.

m> Thanks for reading my story and for making the path a little easier

m> for those behind you. Your experience and wisdom are a light in the

m> darkness. Actually, that metaphor doesn't quite work. You're not in

m> the darkness. You are in the light, a bright, revealing light and

m> I've joined you. (I may just have to keep it a secret.) It's

m> amazingly obvious to me that exposure to a sick environment made you

m> and me sick. It perplexes me that my school system, the government,

m> most of the medical community, etc. doesn't see it that way.

m> I guess that leads to a 10th lesson learned:

m> 10. People who think I'm crazy are not people who think.

m> Thanks for being thinkers, even if your illness has damaged your

m> ability to think. I think my " mold time " is done for the day. I'm

m> going outside, to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

m> MoldyUnderdog

m> p.s. I had to have an alter-ego to protect my job and those who

m> weren't so good at protecting me...now that's crazy! ;-)

[Guest guest]

Moldyunderdog:

Tell your medical doctor for me that if she truly believes that pathogenic

microfungi exposures affecting serious diseases in humans is " BS " , that she

should put her professional career where her mouth is and research the molecular

sciences on the subject instead of the " BS " she was taught in medical school.

Then, perhaps should she care to discuss it personally with me, give her my

Email: _Haney52@... and I would be glad to provide her with a

" real " medical education she will never forget! That goes for any medical

doctor who thinks before they investigate. The extent of nonsense to which we

health insurance premium paying Americans put up with in dealing with ignorance

in the American medical field is absolutely astounding. I would rather deal

with a " home visit " medical doctor doctor of the early 1800s' than a medical

doctor of today, anytime... at least the doctor of the 1800s' truly believed he

was helping medically and often stated, " now we will just have to wait and see. "

At least he was somewhat honest and sincere! Today, your doctor states

something like... " Your body may be full of cancer madam, but we will have to

wait for the next 12 months to get the results back... in the meantime, I

suggest that it is simply just depression, and therefore I am going to refer you

to a psychiatrist to have your head examined. Now if you do not mind, you are

taking up needed office space, and I have a 12-noon " tee-off time. " In the

1800s' you might have had to pay a quarter per hour, today you have to pay...

and pay... and pay... even after the disease turned out to be cancer years later

when the results finally came back. (Just a little humor for your daily

pleasure.)

Doug Haney

EnviroHealth Research & Consulting, Inc.

@...: moldyunderdog@...: Thu, 6 Dec

2007 18:51:52 +0000Subject: [] Hello, my story/lessons learned and

THANKS.

I'm new to this " hidden underground " and thankful that you exist and understand.

I had no idea that my simple request for a classroom with reasonably good air

quality would end up with me absent for medical leave and people questioning my

sanity. I'm still in shock. Of course, it took at least 6 weeks to finally

convince someone that the musty-smelling, dry, green and blackish mold-like

substance on the ceiling tiles was actually mold. The next week the maintenance

staff removed over a dozen tiles out of my room during the 24 minutes the kids

and I were at lunch. We returned to the room, and my middle school students

started asking, " What's all this stuff on my bookbag? " All the mold spores/dust

and bits of ceiling tile had " rained down " on the room. My next class walked

into the room (not knowing what had happened) and immediately wrinkled their

noses and said, " What is that smell? It smells like mildew or something. Gross! "

I was sick for days--congested, feverish, weak, and my muscles ached all

over—like an instant flu, but with a day off and the weekend, the " flu "

disappeared.I continued to fight the system--requesting the mold-spotted pipe

insulation be treated and the moldy tiles they missed to be removed. I gave the

administration a copy of the EPA guidelines as well as other basic mold

information. Maintenance didn't think they could do the job until a short fall

break--couldn't do it over the weekend because they needed more time. I waited

patiently until I found the leaking pipe, dripping onto a moldy tile, growing

new mold. I mentioned the new complication and inquired about the upcoming

remediation. Yes, it was scheduled. I tried to relax and trust the system.

( " Hope springs eternal " --or used to!) The scheduled date came and went and

nothing happened. Days later I found out the reason--a crew member was sick and

so they rescheduled for the next weekend. " WHAT? You COULDN'T do it over a

weekend. That's why we've had to wait so long! " We were asked to cover the desks

and bookcases and such. The principal said he'd give us some old leftover

material from home ec. I explained, " Mold spores will go right through the

cloth. You can't use cloth. It has to be plastic. " " Okay. We'll get plastic. " I

guess he didn't read the information I gave him, with important parts

highlighted.The " mold remediation " was scheduled to start at 8am. I don't know

if they started on time but they were cleared out by 2pm. Hmmm.....less than 6

hours to do the job, the job that needed an extended weekend. I went back with

my camera, dust mask, and gloves to inspect the job. (No one else would.) I

found a few broken tiles in my trash can, along with tobacco spit, used gloves,

and a paintbrush covered in gray goopy stuff. The pipe insulation was sloppily

covered with the gray stuff--they missed numerous (hard-to-reach?) places. They

painted right beside moldy tiles but left them in place. There was a sign on the

closet door saying there was a leak (REALLY?) and they would fix it ASAP. I

heard from a colleague yesterday that they finally removed that moldy tile under

the leaky pipe, 6 weeks after I told them about it. The story is that they fixed

the leak weeks ago but left the moldy tile to make sure it was fixed. (Because

it would be easier to spot a leak on an old, moldy, moist, warped tile than on a

brand new clean tile?) I have my doubts as to whether the leak is actually

fixed...and if the wet, mold-filled insulation around the pipe was replaced. I

said a prayer of protection just before I closed my classroom door. I haven't

been back since.I was tested for allergies--negative. Still waiting on the blood

test, but the skin test (98 pricks on my back) and the intradermal (12 needles

in my arm) came back negative. The allergy doctor is not a believer in mold

illnesses. (And how can you blame him? I mean, he's part of a multi-office

allergy and asthma business. Moldy buildings are excellent for business.)My

psychiatrist is helping me with my medication. He's understanding about the

mold, but can only treat my symptoms.I brought up the mold to my regular doctor

and she said, " We're not going there. " And basically implied that those

" internet sites " are unaccredited and people would think I was crazy and I would

ruin my life. On the positive side, she said she KNEW that I WAS NOT CRAZY. She

even conceded that there may be some validity but that I wouldn't be able to

prove anything, that I couldn't fight the system, that it would just cause my

health to deteriorate further--and that seemed on target. And despite the fact

that we weren't going to talk about it, we did, and she even offered to have the

mold tested for me! That made my day. Even if she doesn't believe all this

" bullsh*t " --(her word, not mine), she listened and offered me a small token--a

lab swab kit!I'm feeling better but I still worry about the kids' health. Are

their headaches, sore throats, congestion, nosebleeds, etc. better? The mold

exposure has been significantly reduced—maybe they do feel better. I believe the

parents have a right to know what their children have been exposed to, but it

would be insubordinate to tell them. Then I realized that the medical community

would probably dismiss their mold concerns. The allergist told me that mold

cannot cause any health problems outside of allergic reactions. When I asked,

" So, why am I sick when I'm at school but not sick when I'm away from school? If

I'm not allergic to mold, what's going on? " " Well, you may react to it, but

you're not allergic to. It can't hurt your health in any significant way. " Oh,

well, then I guess you'd better tell my body because ever since it's been in

that room, it's been sick. Symptoms that have more or less disappeared since

being out of the building:sore throatcongestion,postnasal drippainful,

clogged-up earsfeverI'm still experiencing:headaches (although less

often)shortness of breathtightness in my chestirregular

periodsanxietydepressionAnd I found out yesterday that I have a growth on my

thyroid. They'll be doing an ultrasound on Tuesday. And my blood pressure was

higher than usual for me (142/80). I don't think I've ever been over the 120's

on that first number.My basic strategy for regaining my health (besides getting

away from the building and the frustration of dealing with people in charge) is

to focus on sleeping and eating, with a little exercise and prayer thrown

in--the basics of life. The doctor is switching my antidepressants (which had

been working for years). I don't have to make any decisions until mid-January

and I hope I will feel well enough to know what to do. I miss my students, but

the place isn't good for me. I've requested a classroom change, but haven't

heard back about that. Even if my doctors don't agree about the role of the

mold, they do agree that I shouldn't be back in that classroom. That's good

enough for me. A year and a few months was more than enough.Here's are some

things I've learned through this experience.1. My health and well-being has to

take first priority. If I ignore my body and allow the stress to get to me, I

will become quite sick. If I don't take care of myself, NO ONE else will.2. The

squeaky wheel does get the grease. People have complained about the air quality

in that room for over 10 years and until this year, nothing has been done. (The

grease wasn't applied well, or in a timely manner, but still—action was

taken.)3. The above squeaky wheel (the underdog) will be seen as a troublemaker

and/or a lunatic. One person cannot fight the system and win (except on TV).

They will be discredited and gotten rid of, one way or another. Even people who

have been the underdog's supporters will abandon ship--they get scared and don't

want to lose their jobs. It's disappointing, but I understand.4. My notion that

Education (as opposed to Business) was a noble profession that valued children

above all was incorrect. Kids and teachers/staff are way at the bottom of the

list of priorities--apparently, we are quite replaceable.5. There are wonderful

people in the world, who listen and care and help you through the hard times.6.

Dogs worry about their owners and are great at cheering them up. Simple things

are healing, like a walk in the woods or good music.7. Sometimes, life takes an

unexpected twist and although it wasn't your plan, it turns out to be a good

plan. I recently convinced my grandparents to move closer to me so I could be a

support to them . It turns out that I need them much more than they need me.

Humbling, but wonderful. I don't know that many 86-year-olds feel so needed.

:-)8. People can become " obsessed " with mold. " Knowledge is power " and

research/learning is good. However I have to be careful to limit the time spent

on mold issues (to gather the information and seek to understand it and apply it

to my situation). When I start FREAKING OUT because I learn that others with

mold exposure have had thyroid problems and my brain immediately jumps to the

conclusion that I am doomed and the mold will kill me, probably by the end of

the year, if not sooner--well, then, I need to step back and do something else

(and when I think about my thyroid again, think more rationally and remember

things like: my maternal grandmother and aunt had thyroid issues, we don't know

what the lump is yet, it could be nothing, it may disappear on its own, etc.)9.

I have very little power when it comes to justice, but I am able to decide my

own future. Thanks for reading my story and for making the path a little easier

for those behind you. Your experience and wisdom are a light in the darkness.

Actually, that metaphor doesn't quite work. You're not in the darkness. You are

in the light, a bright, revealing light and I've joined you. (I may just have to

keep it a secret.) It's amazingly obvious to me that exposure to a sick

environment made you and me sick. It perplexes me that my school system, the

government, most of the medical community, etc. doesn't see it that way. I guess

that leads to a 10th lesson learned:10. People who think I'm crazy are not

people who think.Thanks for being thinkers, even if your illness has damaged

your ability to think. I think my " mold time " is done for the day. I'm going

outside, to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.MoldyUnderdogp.s. I had to have an

alter-ego to protect my job and those who weren't so good at protecting me...now

that's crazy! ;-)

_________________________________________________________________

Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.Download today it's FREE!

http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_Wave2_sharelife_112007

[Guest guest]

Well said Mr. Haney!!!!! I wish we could pass your comment on to the

medical community, NATIONWIDE!!!!

Sue

Moldyunderdog:

Tell your medical doctor for me that if she truly believes that pathogenic

microfungi exposures affecting serious diseases in humans is " BS " , that she

should put her professional career where her mouth is and research the

molecular sciences on the subject instead of the " BS " she was taught in medical

school. Then, perhaps should she care to discuss it personally with me, give

her

my Email: _Haney52@... and I would be glad to provide her with

a " real " medical education she will never forget! That goes for any medical

doctor who thinks before they investigate. The extent of nonsense to which

we health insurance premium paying Americans put up with in dealing with

ignorance in the American medical field is absolutely astounding. I would

rather

deal with a " home visit " medical doctor doctor of the early 1800s' than a

medical doctor of today, anytime... at least the doctor of the 1800s' truly

believed he was helping medically and often stated, " now we will just have to

wait and see. " At least he was somewhat honest and sincere! Today, your doctor

states something like... " Your body may be full of cancer madam, but we will

have to wait for the next 12 months to get the results back... in the

meantime, I suggest that it is simply just depression, and therefore I am going

to

refer you to a psychiatrist to have your head examined. Now if you do not

mind, you are taking up needed office space, and I have a 12-noon " tee-off

time. "

In the 1800s' you might have had to pay a quarter per hour, today you have

to pay... and pay... and pay... even after the disease turned out to be

cancer years later when the results finally came back. (Just a little humor

for

your daily pleasure.)

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

I agree. Well said, Doug!!

ssr3351@... wrote:

Well said Mr. Haney!!!!! I wish we could pass your comment on to the

medical community, NATIONWIDE!!!!

Sue

Moldyunderdog:

Tell your medical doctor for me that if she truly believes that pathogenic

microfungi exposures affecting serious diseases in humans is " BS " , that she

should put her professional career where her mouth is and research the

molecular sciences on the subject instead of the " BS " she was taught in medical

school. Then, perhaps should she care to discuss it personally with me, give her

my Email: _Haney52@... and I would be glad to provide her with

a " real " medical education she will never forget! That goes for any medical

doctor who thinks before they investigate. The extent of nonsense to which

we health insurance premium paying Americans put up with in dealing with

ignorance in the American medical field is absolutely astounding. I would rather

deal with a " home visit " medical doctor doctor of the early 1800s' than a

medical doctor of today, anytime... at least the doctor of the 1800s' truly

believed he was helping medically and often stated, " now we will just have to

wait and see. " At least he was somewhat honest and sincere! Today, your doctor

states something like... " Your body may be full of cancer madam, but we will

have to wait for the next 12 months to get the results back... in the

meantime, I suggest that it is simply just depression, and therefore I am going

to

refer you to a psychiatrist to have your head examined. Now if you do not

mind, you are taking up needed office space, and I have a 12-noon " tee-off

time. "

In the 1800s' you might have had to pay a quarter per hour, today you have

to pay... and pay... and pay... even after the disease turned out to be

cancer years later when the results finally came back. (Just a little humor for

your daily pleasure.)

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Tell your medical doctor for me that if she truly believes that pathogenic

microfungi exposures affecting serious diseases in humans is " BS " , that she

should put her professional career where her mouth is and expose herself for

months at a time and then let's talk about it if she still has a functioning

brain.

Boy am I mad about this. I can't even find someone to give me the VCS test in

the Denver area and every doctor I have approached is running away and doesn't

want to work with me. They are such chicken shits and I'm a paying customer.

Sharon Hanson

Tell your medical doctor for me that if she truly believes that pathogenic

microfungi exposures affecting serious diseases in humans is " BS " , that she

should put her professional career where her mouth is and research the

molecular sciences on the subject instead of the " BS " she was taught in medical

school.

---------------------------------

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

Sue/ALL: I freely and unconditionally will allow anyone to share or quote

anything I have said in my response herein to any medical doctor or public

health professional nationwide and/or worldwide. There is little doubt; with all

the confidence in the universe, that with this full release expressed, that I

can completely back up what I have said. Be my guest.

Thank you for your deeply appreciated comments. God Bless and take care.

Doug Haney

@...: ssr3351@...: Fri, 7 Dec 2007

18:13:18 -0500Subject: Re: [] Hello, my story/lessons learned and

THANKS.

Well said Mr. Haney!!!!! I wish we could pass your comment on to the medical

community, NATIONWIDE!!!!SueMoldyunderdog: Tell your medical doctor for me that

if she truly believes that pathogenic microfungi exposures affecting serious

diseases in humans is " BS " , that she should put her professional career where

her mouth is and research the molecular sciences on the subject instead of the

" BS " she was taught in medical school. Then, perhaps should she care to discuss

it personally with me, give her my Email: _Haney52@... and I

would be glad to provide her with a " real " medical education she will never

forget! That goes for any medical doctor who thinks before they investigate. The

extent of nonsense to which we health insurance premium paying Americans put up

with in dealing with ignorance in the American medical field is absolutely

astounding. I would rather deal with a " home visit " medical doctor doctor of the

early 1800s' than a medical doctor of today, anytime... at least the doctor of

the 1800s' truly believed he was helping medically and often stated, " now we

will just have to wait and see. " At least he was somewhat honest and sincere!

Today, your doctor states something like... " Your body may be full of cancer

madam, but we will have to wait for the next 12 months to get the results

back... in the meantime, I suggest that it is simply just depression, and

therefore I am going to refer you to a psychiatrist to have your head examined.

Now if you do not mind, you are taking up needed office space, and I have a

12-noon " tee-off time. " In the 1800s' you might have had to pay a quarter per

hour, today you have to pay... and pay... and pay... even after the disease

turned out to be cancer years later when the results finally came back. (Just a

little humor for your daily pleasure.)

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000300000000\

01)

[Guest guest]

It doesn't take long for doctors to show their true colors when push

comes to shove. They won't do anything if they think it will

jeopardize their practice or ego.

[Guest guest]

You said the magic word: EGO. I just went to a gastro guy about my

liver and the minute I told him about my mold exposure and the fact

that I was taking milk thistle and colloidal silver, he referred me to

a homeopathic doctor. " Liver boy " did admit to not knowing anything

about those 2 items. I should have known better than to have wasted a

co-pay on seeing a horse-blinded AMA brainwashed parts man.

Barth

---

l> It doesn't take long for doctors to show their true colors when push

l> comes to shove. They won't do anything if they think it will

l> jeopardize their practice or ego.

[Guest guest]

You are so right. Where are the warriors?

Patilla DaHun <glypella@...> wrote:

---------------------------------

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Hello,

just read this and I have been going through much the same only a

hotel! I found my results for what was wrong with me or the people

think I am crazy answers came from an ENT. He sent me home with

petri dishes and took my blood, the company also did thier " quality

air tests " . The company to get petri dishes for is

ImmunoLytics

4301 Masthead NE

Albuquerque, NM 87109

505-217-0339

They usually come in packs of for at $30 apiece, but I had to resend

mine because a did not know they had to be sent within 24 hrs and was

waiting on money go figure. I also have the type of blood test

ordered to test for the fungus if it will be helpful.

reb_black@...

, " moldyunderdog " <moldyunderdog@...>

wrote:

>

> I'm new to this " hidden underground " and thankful that you exist

and

> understand. I had no idea that my simple request for a classroom

> with reasonably good air quality would end up with me absent for

> medical leave and people questioning my sanity. I'm still in

shock.

> Of course, it took at least 6 weeks to finally convince someone

that

> the musty-smelling, dry, green and blackish mold-like substance on

> the ceiling tiles was actually mold. The next week the

maintenance

> staff removed over a dozen tiles out of my room during the 24

minutes

> the kids and I were at lunch. We returned to the room, and my

middle

> school students started asking, " What's all this stuff on my

> bookbag? " All the mold spores/dust and bits of ceiling tile

> had " rained down " on the room. My next class walked into the room

> (not knowing what had happened) and immediately wrinkled their

noses

> and said, " What is that smell? It smells like mildew or

something.

> Gross! " I was sick for days--congested, feverish, weak, and my

> muscles ached all over—like an instant flu, but with a day off and

> the weekend, the " flu " disappeared.

>

> I continued to fight the system--requesting the mold-spotted pipe

> insulation be treated and the moldy tiles they missed to be

removed.

> I gave the administration a copy of the EPA guidelines as well as

> other basic mold information. Maintenance didn't think they could

do

> the job until a short fall break--couldn't do it over the weekend

> because they needed more time. I waited patiently until I found

the

> leaking pipe, dripping onto a moldy tile, growing new mold. I

> mentioned the new complication and inquired about the upcoming

> remediation. Yes, it was scheduled. I tried to relax and trust

the

> system. ( " Hope springs eternal " --or used to!) The scheduled date

> came and went and nothing happened. Days later I found out the

> reason--a crew member was sick and so they rescheduled for the next

> weekend. " WHAT? You COULDN'T do it over a weekend. That's why

> we've had to wait so long! " We were asked to cover the desks and

> bookcases and such. The principal said he'd give us some old

> leftover material from home ec. I explained, " Mold spores will go

> right through the cloth. You can't use cloth. It has to be

> plastic. " " Okay. We'll get plastic. " I guess he didn't read the

> information I gave him, with important parts highlighted.

>

> The " mold remediation " was scheduled to start at 8am. I don't know

> if they started on time but they were cleared out by 2pm.

> Hmmm.....less than 6 hours to do the job, the job that needed an

> extended weekend. I went back with my camera, dust mask, and

gloves

> to inspect the job. (No one else would.) I found a few broken

tiles

> in my trash can, along with tobacco spit, used gloves, and a

> paintbrush covered in gray goopy stuff. The pipe insulation was

> sloppily covered with the gray stuff--they missed numerous (hard-to-

> reach?) places. They painted right beside moldy tiles but left

them

> in place. There was a sign on the closet door saying there was a

> leak (REALLY?) and they would fix it ASAP. I heard from a

colleague

> yesterday that they finally removed that moldy tile under the leaky

> pipe, 6 weeks after I told them about it. The story is that they

> fixed the leak weeks ago but left the moldy tile to make sure it

was

> fixed. (Because it would be easier to spot a leak on an old,

moldy,

> moist, warped tile than on a brand new clean tile?) I have my

doubts

> as to whether the leak is actually fixed...and if the wet, mold-

> filled insulation around the pipe was replaced. I said a prayer of

> protection just before I closed my classroom door. I haven't been

> back since.

>

> I was tested for allergies--negative. Still waiting on the blood

> test, but the skin test (98 pricks on my back) and the intradermal

> (12 needles in my arm) came back negative. The allergy doctor is

not

> a believer in mold illnesses. (And how can you blame him? I mean,

> he's part of a multi-office allergy and asthma business. Moldy

> buildings are excellent for business.)

>

> My psychiatrist is helping me with my medication. He's

understanding

> about the mold, but can only treat my symptoms.

>

> I brought up the mold to my regular doctor and she said, " We're not

> going there. " And basically implied that those " internet sites "

are

> unaccredited and people would think I was crazy and I would ruin my

> life. On the positive side, she said she KNEW that I WAS NOT

CRAZY.

> She even conceded that there may be some validity but that I

wouldn't

> be able to prove anything, that I couldn't fight the system, that

it

> would just cause my health to deteriorate further--and that seemed

on

> target. And despite the fact that we weren't going to talk about

it,

> we did, and she even offered to have the mold tested for me! That

> made my day. Even if she doesn't believe all this " bullsh*t " --(her

> word, not mine), she listened and offered me a small token--a lab

> swab kit!

>

> I'm feeling better but I still worry about the kids' health. Are

> their headaches, sore throats, congestion, nosebleeds, etc.

better?

> The mold exposure has been significantly reduced—maybe they do feel

> better. I believe the parents have a right to know what their

> children have been exposed to, but it would be insubordinate to

tell

> them. Then I realized that the medical community would probably

> dismiss their mold concerns. The allergist told me that mold

cannot

> cause any health problems outside of allergic reactions. When I

> asked, " So, why am I sick when I'm at school but not sick when

I'm

> away from school? If I'm not allergic to mold, what's going

> on? " " Well, you may react to it, but you're not allergic to. It

> can't hurt your health in any significant way. " Oh, well, then I

> guess you'd better tell my body because ever since it's been in

that

> room, it's been sick.

> Symptoms that have more or less disappeared since being out of the

> building:

> sore throat

> congestion,

> postnasal drip

> painful, clogged-up ears

> fever

>

> I'm still experiencing:

> headaches (although less often)

> shortness of breath

> tightness in my chest

> irregular periods

> anxiety

> depression

>

> And I found out yesterday that I have a growth on my thyroid.

> They'll be doing an ultrasound on Tuesday. And my blood pressure

was

> higher than usual for me (142/80). I don't think I've ever been

over

> the 120's on that first number.

>

> My basic strategy for regaining my health (besides getting away

from

> the building and the frustration of dealing with people in charge)

is

> to focus on sleeping and eating, with a little exercise and prayer

> thrown in--the basics of life. The doctor is switching my

> antidepressants (which had been working for years). I don't have

to

> make any decisions until mid-January and I hope I will feel well

> enough to know what to do. I miss my students, but the place isn't

> good for me. I've requested a classroom change, but haven't heard

> back about that. Even if my doctors don't agree about the role of

> the mold, they do agree that I shouldn't be back in that

classroom.

> That's good enough for me. A year and a few months was more than

> enough.

>

> Here's are some things I've learned through this experience.

>

> 1. My health and well-being has to take first priority. If I

ignore

> my body and allow the stress to get to me, I will become quite

sick.

> If I don't take care of myself, NO ONE else will.

>

> 2. The squeaky wheel does get the grease. People have complained

> about the air quality in that room for over 10 years and until this

> year, nothing has been done. (The grease wasn't applied well, or

in

> a timely manner, but still—action was taken.)

>

> 3. The above squeaky wheel (the underdog) will be seen as a

> troublemaker and/or a lunatic. One person cannot fight the system

> and win (except on TV). They will be discredited and gotten rid

of,

> one way or another. Even people who have been the underdog's

> supporters will abandon ship--they get scared and don't want to

lose

> their jobs. It's disappointing, but I understand.

>

> 4. My notion that Education (as opposed to Business) was a noble

> profession that valued children above all was incorrect. Kids and

> teachers/staff are way at the bottom of the list of priorities--

> apparently, we are quite replaceable.

>

> 5. There are wonderful people in the world, who listen and care

and

> help you through the hard times.

>

> 6. Dogs worry about their owners and are great at cheering them

up.

> Simple things are healing, like a walk in the woods or good music.

>

> 7. Sometimes, life takes an unexpected twist and although it

wasn't

> your plan, it turns out to be a good plan. I recently convinced my

> grandparents to move closer to me so I could be a support to

them .

> It turns out that I need them much more than they need me.

> Humbling, but wonderful. I don't know that many 86-year-olds feel

so

> needed. :-)

>

> 8. People can become " obsessed " with mold. " Knowledge is power "

and

> research/learning is good. However I have to be careful to limit

the

> time spent on mold issues (to gather the information and seek to

> understand it and apply it to my situation). When I start FREAKING

> OUT because I learn that others with mold exposure have had thyroid

> problems and my brain immediately jumps to the conclusion that I am

> doomed and the mold will kill me, probably by the end of the year,

if

> not sooner--well, then, I need to step back and do something else

> (and when I think about my thyroid again, think more rationally and

> remember things like: my maternal grandmother and aunt had thyroid

> issues, we don't know what the lump is yet, it could be nothing, it

> may disappear on its own, etc.)

>

> 9. I have very little power when it comes to justice, but I am

able

> to decide my own future.

>

> Thanks for reading my story and for making the path a little easier

> for those behind you. Your experience and wisdom are a light in

the

> darkness. Actually, that metaphor doesn't quite work. You're not

in

> the darkness. You are in the light, a bright, revealing light and

> I've joined you. (I may just have to keep it a secret.) It's

> amazingly obvious to me that exposure to a sick environment made

you

> and me sick. It perplexes me that my school system, the

government,

> most of the medical community, etc. doesn't see it that way.

>

> I guess that leads to a 10th lesson learned:

>

> 10. People who think I'm crazy are not people who think.

>

> Thanks for being thinkers, even if your illness has damaged your

> ability to think. I think my " mold time " is done for the day. I'm

> going outside, to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

>

> MoldyUnderdog

>

> p.s. I had to have an alter-ego to protect my job and those who

> weren't so good at protecting me...now that's crazy! ;-)

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the responses. You all are some of those wonderful

people who have helped me through this difficult time.

It's shameful that the medical community doesn't listen...that as

soon as they hear the word " mold, " a switch is flipped and everything

is just a big coincidence. I tried to find a doctor who specialized

in occupational or environmental medicince but the dozen or so in my

state worked for corporations or only did workman's comp. claims or

didn't believe in mold illness beyond allergies.

The person who has agreed with me most is a friend who is studying

Chinese medicine/acupuncture. Many of my symptoms make sense to

her...they all fit together from that point of view. I'd have to

discuss it with her again to be able to explain. (And maybe I will

and start a new topic.) But it was so refreshing to talk to someone

who didn't look at me like I was crazy. In fact, she even believes

that my " obsession " with the mold is a symptom.

I haven't gotten the results of all of my tests, but my thyroid lump

is just a fluid-filled cyst. That was a relief. My depression seems

to be lifting, finally--switched meds. I haven't had too many

headaches lately...I'm starting to feel more like my old

self...except when I think about going back to work--that stirs up

the anxiety--but I won't have to think about that for a few weeks yet.

Keep fighting the good fight.

[Guest guest]

Glad you're feeling better and that you have a supportive friend

there. Most of us just get raised eyebrows from " friends " .

Barth

---

m> Thanks for all the responses. You all are some of those wonderful

m> people who have helped me through this difficult time.

m> It's shameful that the medical community doesn't listen...that as

m> soon as they hear the word " mold, " a switch is flipped and everything

m> is just a big coincidence. I tried to find a doctor who specialized

m> in occupational or environmental medicince but the dozen or so in my

m> state worked for corporations or only did workman's comp. claims or

m> didn't believe in mold illness beyond allergies.

m> The person who has agreed with me most is a friend who is studying

m> Chinese medicine/acupuncture. Many of my symptoms make sense to

m> her...they all fit together from that point of view. I'd have to

m> discuss it with her again to be able to explain. (And maybe I will

m> and start a new topic.) But it was so refreshing to talk to someone

m> who didn't look at me like I was crazy. In fact, she even believes

m> that my " obsession " with the mold is a symptom.

m> I haven't gotten the results of all of my tests, but my thyroid lump

m> is just a fluid-filled cyst. That was a relief. My depression seems

m> to be lifting, finally--switched meds. I haven't had too many

m> headaches lately...I'm starting to feel more like my old

m> self...except when I think about going back to work--that stirs up

m> the anxiety--but I won't have to think about that for a few weeks yet.

m> Keep fighting the good fight.