Re: A combined reply from Z. and my combined reply

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You control the stress level of the unpacking. Remember, not a single

thing that has to be done any particular day, so do it at the pace

right for you.

Operative word on Alaska's fuel is " going through " . Of course

delivery charges within the state add to the cost even more. Tracing

the route of a gallon from the ground through the pipeline to a

refinery and back and ultimately to the pump would be quite

interesting. You're retired now, Jim....try that one. lol.

And Irene's story tonight was a snowstorm, the subway she needed

closed, a shuttle to somewhere, buses you don't know. I felt like I

was living an Alfred Hitchcock movie just being on the phone while

she tried to get home and not freeze to death. But two hours after

leaving work she arrived safely home in time to get at most 4 hours

sleep before heading to hospital tomorrow. Hopefully, tomorrow's

infusion will turn her around and she won't strangle the nurse who

caused all this. At least she gets to sleep for the infusion and her

GI, the one doctor who really seems committed to helping and caring,

will be checking on her at the hospital. By Friday, she should

whether the infusion has solved the problems and/or the next steps,

if any.

and any other new members.

You'll hear horror stories, but take those as just a part of what

goes on here. The real essence of this board is the art of living,

learning to live with our disease and making the most of life in

spite of it. While I get outraged at what Joyce and Irene and

sometimes others encounter, its also the strength of others that has

told me I can deal with this. Just reading a post from those with far

more courage than I have helps more than they know. I met Gwynne for

lunch and saw a lady who looked incredible and no one would have

guessed her condition but knowing what it is and seeing her made me

feel if I continue to learn I can handle it. I am fortunately not at

the stages of some others here yet. I hope that gives me the time to

continue to build strength from them so when I do get there I can

deal with it just partially as well as they do.

So, we're about pain and sharing of the disease we hate. But we're so

much more about love, about a community of people who understand each

other and deeply care. We're about people like Kerry who before

embarking to Indy this week is our liasion with Joyce at the hospital

last week. We're about those like and Zena (got to watch all

rhyming four letter names) who both live in a slightly different

world (and I'm not referring to their countries of residence),

especially . But don't ever let it fool you, they are real, deep,

sincere, caring, and they suffer equal to anyone else. While one

person posts a beautiful poem that makes you want to cry or pray or

both, takes us out of reality into a far off land of fantasy

through parties or the life she lives.

Basically we're about everything the closest of friends could ever

share plus a little more, because we understand, unfortunately, what

it feels like to have this disease, and your best friend or spouse

can't truly. For my friends and family, I hope none of them ever have

to. We have a few here who have had to experience both the family

member having the disease and then themselves and, in some cases,

them more family members.

But, again, we see a cantankerous woman the age of Sher who has a

beautiful stuffed bear as large as her, Rosebud. We see all those

with dogs bringing them pleasure and comfort. We see Peggy laughing

at herself and blaming everything on Oxygen Deprivation and

Blondeness. I warn you its addicting. You'll get to where you miss

your friends here if you're away. But, you'll miss them because

they're the ones who truly do support you, who lift you up, who

empower you with the battle power you need, not to beat a disease,

but to beat what the disease could do to your life, your inner self,

and your beliefs if you let it.

If we had to be cured to win, we'd face an impossible task. But thats

not what's required. We each win every day we face the disease, we

share with friends, and we derive a little pleasure and value from

that day. Then we go to the next and repeat it, and do so for as long

as we can.

>

> , Welcome to an amazing group. Sorry you need to be here.

>

> Leanne, I will try my best to be there on Thursday night!!!

> The unpacking is stressful but things are beginning to shape up

>

> Irene, Your experiences at the hospital could be a movie..a horror

movie!.

> I cannot believe that through all that you are still going to work!!

>

> Joy, Happy Birthday in advance...you and Washington!!!

>

> Jim, $ 5.25 a gallon for gas in the state with the huge pipeline

going

> through it?

> Gas was $ 3.09 here today in the Philadelphia area.

>

> Kerry, Travel safely . I hope your testing goes well.

>

> ..sister..Great story..Thanks for the chuckles.

>

> Joyce D. Boy are you brave...just reading ypur post made me upset.

> How can they have you self-administer that drug? Can't they have

your local

> physician do it for you? I missed a lot of posts so maybe this was

> discussed.

> Take care.

>

> Gwynne, Sorry that your Mom is ill. She'll be happier at home

instead of

> the hospital!

>

> Sher, Thanks for the Valentine card..Right back at you!!!

>

>

> Geeta, Congratulations on your son's marriage. I can't wait to

see

> pictures.

> I also rely on my children to help with computer related things.

> Take care of yourself.

>

> To everyone ...Have a good night and a great Valentine's Day with

your

> loved ones.

>

> Our daughter is due any day!!!!The last ultra- sound indicated that

the

> baby is already about 9.5 pounds !!

> She's 38 1/2 weeks along so the baby is good and healthy.

> Yikes! They are planning a C-section by next week if this big

baby

> doesn't decide to come now.

> Both my daughter and her husband were big babies...

was

> 8lb. 5oz and Kurt was 9lbs..

> .but 9lb 8 oz and growing as I type this is really big!!! We are

going

> to have to get bigger clothes to just get the baby home!!

>

> So, I plan to be on the chat ,but the baby may change that.

> I'll let you all know .

>

>

>

> --

>

>

> Z fibriotic NSIP/o5/PA

>

>

> And " mild " PH/10/07 and Reynaud's too!!

>

>

> Potter, reader,carousel lover and MomMom to Darah

>

> * " I'm gonna be iron like a lion in Zion " Bob Marley***

>