Traci

May 6, 2002

>PS. . . kicks too much and rotates during the night - NOBODY wants to

>>sleep next to him. LOLOLOL

Kathy,

Beside that, is like Sam--the size of a man. And Tim is the one who

joins us in bed but not as much since she is not so much since he is not

sharing the room with Sam.

& Garry, parents of (11 ds), (10 ds), JJ (8

ds/autism/celiac), (7 ds/ADHD/Celiac), and Esther (5 ds). All adopted.

August 27, 2002

Traci,

it is so wonderful to hear from you, and you cross my mind just about every

day. I am hoping that your birthday had some happiness to it. I know what

a hard time that you are having right now, but here on Stilligans Island,

you are cared about more than you know friend. You have always been so

supportive and such a wonderful friend to everyone. We just want to see

some wonderful things happen for you. Keep hanging on, we are here with you

as always.

Love, Sue #2

-- Friends....

Hello again to all my friends here at Stilligan's Island. I just

wanted to let you all know that I am doing as best as I can, and I

wanted to thank all of you who sent well wishes, prayers, and

birthday wishes to me. I haven't been able to respond to individual

emails due to the horrendous (sp?) amount of computer viruses that I

have been getting. I think I finally have that all sorted out though,

and I hope to be able to respond to future emails.

Carly, thank you so much for your birthday wishes and well wishes,

and I hope you had a beautiful, fairy-tale come true wedding. May God

bless your marriage so that it will be all you hoped for.

, thank you also, and try not to worry yourself about me. You

have had a horrible time of it as well, and the last thing I want is

to add to your (or anyone's) pain or misery.

Patty, I am thinking of you also; you are always in my heart and on

my mind (as are all my friends here) and I hope you are doing better.

Please call me if you get a chance, ok?

Love and hugs to all of you.... Traci

September 3, 2002

Dear Traci,

how are you doing friend. You are daily on my mind and I just wondered how you

were. Thinking of you, and when you get a chance write to me okay hon. Be

well.

Love.Sue #2

September 3, 2002

Hey, dear. So nice of you to think of me so much and to ask how

I am when you are always so down yourself. I am doing ok right this

moment; the physical pain is not so bad right now, and the blues

haven't attacked me today. I finally got to talk to my little girl on

the phone today and I told her how sorry I was that I didn't take her

to the Dr. when she was here and had complained about her chest

hurting. I told her that I honestly thought it was just gas and would

pass. You know what that little angel said? She said it is ok Mommy,

I thought it was just gas, too. I asked her if she could forgive me

and she said she was never mad or hurt about it and that she would

always love me no matter what and that she could never be mad at me

for long anyway. How sweet of her, don't you think? Then she goes on

to ask how I am feeling. We are talking about a ten-year old girl

here. She has always been " Mommy's 'Lil Angel " and " Mommy's

Sunshine " , and I guess she has got to be the sweetest little girl in

the whole world. My little boy and I have been getting along better

also. I don't know if it has to do with it or not, but ever since I

started sleeping with him at night, he seems to be in a lot less

fierce mood. Maybe he is just finally getting out of his " terrible

two's " , but his temperament has definitely changed lately. He is

becoming more lovable and less destructive and mischievous, thank

God. I have been praying about it so much- that God would give me

more patience and understanding so that I could cope with him better

and be the best mother for him that I can possibly be. So, I haven't

been yelling at him and spanking him near the amount that I was

before, which makes me feel much, much better. As far as my SSDI

case goes, the first I have heard in this whole time of waiting was a

phone call from them the other day. The lady called to ask if I would

be willing to go see a Psychiatrist. I told her I will do whatever it

takes, but that they would have to work with me on the scheduling. My

husband is back on that crazy schedule now, and we only have one

vehicle that is operational right now, and it is not even very

reliable; not to mention I have no-one to keep the baby while I go. I

also asked her why they wanted me to see a Psych. Dr. and she said

that adding the emotional aspects of the disease to the physical adds

weight to your case, so of course I said by all means let's do

whatever it takes.

Well, I think that is enough about me; how are you doing? I hope you

have seen some improvements, and I hope that your spirits are a lot

higher than they were the other day. Oh, I meant to tell you, I am

having to send this through the site, because I still have some

repairs left to do before I can send personal email.

Anyway, thanks again for asking, and I hope this letter was not so

long as to cause you stress..

Love and hugs.... Traci

> Dear Traci,

> how are you doing friend. You are daily on my mind and I just

wondered how you were. Thinking of you, and when you get a chance

write to me okay hon. Be well.

> Love.Sue #2

>

September 11, 2002

Thank you Traci for responding. Yes, she said that they thought it was

ringworm too, but sent him to a Dermatologist, who sent them to a Infectious

Disease Doctor whom sent them to a rheumatologist. She says that he

sometimes encounters 102-103 or higher fevers, but the outside of the rings

are white and the inside of them are black and there are so many of them.

She is so frustrated and I feel so bad for her. A mothers worse nightmare,

not knowing what is going on. I feel so bad for them. They thought that he

had Webber Christian Disease also, the first diagnosis that they diagnosed

me with. Thank you for your input Traci. I very much appreciated it friend

Love, sue #2

-- Re: Fw: sort of OT, can anyone help

, ask her if these " dots " itch, and if she notices if they get

darker and more itchy after a bath. Several years ago, I came down

with something that sounds similar. At the onset I thought I had a

ringworm, then after a few days several more smaller " dots " started

erupting all over my body; mainly on my trunk and legs, never on my

face.After about a week, I was covered with them. I finally went to a

dermatologist and he diagnosed me with Pityriasis Rosea (sp) which is

a skin virus similar to Chicken Pox. He told me to avoid hot

baths/showers, not to use a wash cloth or towel during bathing, and

that this would eventually go away in 6-8 weeks. Well, he was right.

I followed his advice and it did eventually go away, although it was

more like 10-12 weeks. Even if she replies that these are not his

symptoms, I would recommend her to a dermatologist. This is the kind

of thing they are trained to recognise and treat.

Well, I hope I have been of help. Thanks for the thoughts you sent to

me today as well.

Love and hugs..... Traci

> Hello friends,

> I received this letter and a few others from a woman a couple of

weeks ago and she was asking about those horrible pictures I had

taken last year with all those bruises on my body. She heard of them

on the Stills Site,and she wanted me to forward them to her, so she

could view them. Her three year old son has been diagnosed with

Panniculitis, but they are still not sure if this is what he has. As

usual, she has been getting the run-around for over three years and

is so upset. The doctors have diagnosed him with several things.

After reading her letter, does any of these symptoms sound at all

familiar to anyone of another disease? I was just wondering. There

are so many people that are so knowledgeable of different diseases

here, that I was wondering if maybe we can give her a little

direction. She is very kind, and as a usual mother, is so worried

about her little son. I feel so bad for her and I wish that there

was something that I could say or do, but I thought that I could

forward the letter and let you all read it. If anyone has any

suggestions, can you please e-mail me. Thank you friends, as

always.

> Love, Sue #2

> Re: From Carla Hello again

>

> Good morning Sue

>

> My little boy got sick with these ( I call them spots that keep

growing),

> at age 1, he is now age 3. We were told a lot of different things

before

> they settled down on Panniculitis. But recently we are not happy

with this

> word eighter. Which was why I said that you got a real diagnose.

Frist they

> said Sweets, Lupus, then WCD. When I told my first doctor that the

doctor he

> recommended said WCD, He said not to use this term. WCD is a term

that means

> that they have know ideal what it is or it is self inflicted by him

or by us.

> So I guess the doctor talked to the other doctor and then they said

> Panniculitis. This 2nd doctor had never treated this before and

said so and

> put him on medicine that was not good for him at all. So I

dropped her and

> went to a different doctor that has treated 4 patients. And of

course I try

> my best to figure out what has cause this so the last time we saw

the doctor

> I was throwing a lot of questions at him. Finially, he said

everyone gets

> Panniculitis. HUH, WHAT. Panniculitis is a fancy word for Knots.

We did

> not say any to the doctor but on the wayback home my husband and

talked about

> it and was not happy. We thought we had a diagnoses with this big

word, but

> its kindof like WCD in the fact that they don't know what it is are

what has

> caused it. They say its not caused by his vacines that he recieved

3 days

> after his first outbreak. He would get 20 of more dots that grew

in to

> rings, as the dot grew into rings the center would turn white then

back to

> normal. They say he is in remission. They can't tell me if he

will out grow

> this condition. Only remission. Now I understand why, They just

don't whay

> it really is.

> I'm sorry this is so long. But I'm sure you understand that

when you get

> to talking about it, its hard to stop because you hope someone has

been

> through this and knows what is going on. I am always thinking about

it triing

> to figured it out. So you are lucky that you got real diagnose,

and hope it

> was just a short lived disease.

> I got your email last night but was unable to pull down the

pictures. My

> computer said that this email contained pictures and if I wanted

to still

> open the mail, I said yes but only got the letter. Thanks Again

for talking

> to me. Your friend Carla

>

September 18, 2002

Hi Carmen. Yes, it's 'lil ole me that lives in NM. (or should I say

big ole me???) I looked at a map just now and if you follow route

triple 6 straight up from I-40, you will end up in Farmington where I

live. Do you know yet when you will be coming through? And are you

planning on going to the Vegas conference? I am planning to go, God

willing, and I made arrangements today for a neighbor/friend to sit

my little boy for my husband while I am gone. I am so very much

looking forward to meeting everyone who is able to go.

Anyway, let me know about your plans for going back to CA, and we

will go from there.

Love and hugs..... Traci

> Hi Traci,

> It's YOU that lives in N.M. Somehow I thought it was Sue #2. How

nice to

> know that someone does and I'm not hallucinating.

>

November 5, 2002

Carmen, I just checked, and the pic's are still there. Try going back

to my message (#14553 I think) and just click on the link line. That

is how I just checked them. Let me know if you have anymore problems.

Love and hugs...... Traci

> Hi Traci,

> I went to your picture site but it had expired. Are you going to

put them in

> the Still's photo album?

> Tom.......do you know anything about plain, old chickens? My son

adopted

> three of them which he thinks are hens because they don't have that

thing on

> top of their heads nor do they crow. He's had them about two weeks

now and

> " zero " eggs. Any idea why not? He thinks they are about two and a

half to

> three years old.

> Bob and Vivian......I've never heard of a Golden Corral

restaurant. Do you

> think they have them in Michigan? That's a wonderful gesture on

their part.

> .......Oh Brother Where Art Thou is one of my favorite movies

also.

> I've seen it a few times and love the music.

> Tricia.......I'm sure I just heard another scream.

> xxoo

> Carmen

>

June 1, 2003

In a message dated 6/1/03 7:46:08 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

>

> Garrett loves headphones-that's a great idea. The eyelash/finger biting

> thing can be controlled by meds the ped says. I'm just really afraid of these

> drugs, especially since he's sooo young. Anyone have any experience with

> young kids on meds? As for the summer... I'm thinking of starting some ABA.

> Maybe that would help him.

>

> Traci-mom to 4 little hooligans in Texas

>

I don't like meds very much but if it keeps a child from causing himself

permanent damage then I look at it as necessary. Even with meds there are no

guarantees. (I keep teling the psychiatrist that I want the magic pill that

creates

compliance and gets rid of swearing).

As far as the ABA. I say go for it. Find an approach that is positive and

uses only positive motivators. Donna is the floortime expert. We use a

combination of discrete trial and verbal behavior with some sensory stuff thrown

in.

thrives on the structure. We've been doing it for 4 years.

I also dread summer. I can't imagine no extended school year). only

gets 2 hours, 4 days a week for 6 weeks but it is way better than nothing.

If I remember right you posted that he isn't getting (ESY) because he

achieved his goals -supposedly. Remember that recoupment is also a major reason

for

extended school year. If they can't show that he is back to functioning where

he was at at the end of the school year by the second month of his new school

year then that gives you another reason for ESY.

Karyn

June 1, 2003

In a message dated 6/1/2003 10:15:52 AM Eastern Standard Time,

KVanRyzin@... writes:

> I can't imagine no extended school year). only

> gets 2 hours, 4 days a week for 6 weeks but it is way better than nothing.

> If I remember right you posted that he isn't getting (ESY) because he

> achieved his goals -supposedly. Remember that recoupment is also a major

> reason for

> extended school year. If they can't show that he is back to functioning

> where

> he was at at the end of the school year by the second month of his new

> school

> year then that gives you another reason for ESY.

>

Yes Karyn, good suggestion. Also Traci, if Garrett does get an autism label

(or PDD), you could argue on the havoc no ESY does to his schedule ...push

the behavior issue.

Donna

June 1, 2003

I agree Traci.....really analyze the IEP and the criteria for achieving the

goals (%'ages).....decide if what they consider to be appropriate progress

is what you consider it to be. Also make sure the goals for next year's

IEP are ambitious enough so that there is some room for you to justify ESY

next summer. The other thing that you can use to justify ESY is

maintaining newly acquired skills. I am working on getting a good solid

ESY program in place for my son right now....Good Luck.

mom to Tim, 5 1/2

At 01:12 PM 6/1/03 -0400, you wrote:

>In a message dated 6/1/2003 10:15:52 AM Eastern Standard Time,

>KVanRyzin@... writes:

>

> > I can't imagine no extended school year). only

> > gets 2 hours, 4 days a week for 6 weeks but it is way better than nothing.

> > If I remember right you posted that he isn't getting (ESY) because he

> > achieved his goals -supposedly. Remember that recoupment is also a major

> > reason for

> > extended school year. If they can't show that he is back to functioning

> > where

> > he was at at the end of the school year by the second month of his new

> > school

> > year then that gives you another reason for ESY.

> >

>

>Yes Karyn, good suggestion. Also Traci, if Garrett does get an autism label

>(or PDD), you could argue on the havoc no ESY does to his schedule ...push

>the behavior issue.

>Donna

>

June 2, 2003

In a message dated 6/1/2003 10:55:17 AM Eastern Standard Time,

shoewoman32@... writes:

> I'm not really familiar with the floortime approach. Donna, if you're out

> there, can you tell me about it?

Traci,

Floortime was devised by Dr. Stanley Greespan (yup, he's Alan's

brother....they must have proud parents, huh??? LOL) The essential theory

behind it

is to follow the child's lead and to teach with affect!! If you go to the

files section of the ds/aut site, you can read the 25 Floortime tips.

Greenspan's book on it is a bit tedious to actually read, but it's great for

scanning. Maddie had a sensory integration therapist who was a absolute

genius at

it and taught me so well. We went weekly (very expensive, but worth every

cent) for 3 1/2 years and I sat in on every session, with Jeanetta explaining

everything she did with Maddie and why. I was a sponge!! We started out

imitating Maddie's behaviors to get her attention. It worked like a charm

(well,

when you notice that your mom is dangling your toy, sitting goofy and making

clicking sounds with her teeth, YOU would notice too!!!! LOL But prior to

that Maddie tuned us out...it was like she didn't even notice we were there

(or was pissed we were). Alison, our 10 yo, was the best at it. I guess

being a little kid, she could pick up on things that adults miss. It's

difficult to find someone skilled in it and often I think it's because people

are

just uncomfortable doing it. After you've engaged the child in interaction,

you work on teaching relationships. You do what he calls *closing circles of

communication* and that means that you initiate the circle and the child

responds and " closes the circle " .....it's very cool to watch someone who knows

exactly what they're doing. The tough part is knowing how and when to move

forward and expand (you are ALWAYS expanding) I went to his conference a year

ago

and just was mesmerized. I credit our finally *reaching* Maddie 100% to

Floortime......then we put her in a school that implements ABA/DTT. I have to

say that we saw stuff super fast with ABA.......and Greenspan says that

ABA/DTT and behavioral approaches like them are good for kids like Maddie to

attain

a goal, but that you must ALWAYS go back to teaching with AFFECT!!! Makes

perfect sense to me; it's way more fun learning when you are invested in it

and having fun rather than doing it in a robot fashion. Just my opinion!!!

Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out. I'd be glad to answer any

other questions.

Donna

June 2, 2003

In a message dated 6/3/2003 12:40:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

shoewoman32@... writes:

> Wow! That is small minded! If I reported to the police every time my

> typical children were injured by another student they would call me a lunatic!

> My 5th grader was given a head injury last year by a boy who pushed her into a

> steel bar on a slide. She has some permanent problems from the injury, and

> the school still walks on eggshells, but I recognized that it was one of the

> many hazards of childhood, and we just dealt with it. This is scary! I will

> keep you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this horrible ordeal!

Hi Traci,

I hope your daughter's injury wasn't severe. My other children have had the

same but not with a permanent injury, thankfully. This woman thinks she is

doing a wonderful thing and has called the paper every day asking when they are

going to print the story. I think she chose the wrong parent to tangle with.

Time will tell. Welcome to the group.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 10 DS/OCD?

June 3, 2003

> Yes, Yes!!!! I want more! I crave information!

>

> Traci-mom to 4 little hooligans in Texas

>

Hi Traci,

You remind so much of me when I had joined. I was totally hooked to

this list. Ok, still am. : )

If it was not for this group I would be totally in denial and grief.

Aren't you glad your aboard? I'm glad you are and everyone else on

this list. I can't cry over spill milk as I had wish I had access to

the information that is out. So I have to share what I know now to

certain a point as every individual are different and some trials

might lead towards the right path for some HOPE & comfort. Thanks

for listening. I'll be glad to send you some info. But, please make

sure you continue to ask away on the list so that you could have

more than one opinion towards some answers. This helps out alot.

Hugs!

Irma,14,DS/ASD

July 10, 2003

In a message dated 7/9/2003 6:31:05 AM Pacific Standard Time,

writes:

> From: " traci_link " <tracibrown1@...>

> Subject: Somebody Please Help!!

>

Where are you located Traci?

Anne in Santee

July 11, 2003

AHHH!! I can't remember if I repied to you yet! Sorry, I am in Sacramento,

CA.

Traci

>From: CanDakota1@...

>Reply-

>

>Subject: Re:Traci

>Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2003 17:19:46 EDT

>

>In a message dated 7/9/2003 6:31:05 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> writes:

>

> > From: " traci_link " <tracibrown1@...>

> > Subject: Somebody Please Help!!

> >

>

>Where are you located Traci?

>

>Anne in Santee

>

July 15, 2003

OH MY GOSH!! I can't believe I'm not a freak for this stuff. Thanks so much

for your kind words and advice. I feel tons better and won't have to wait

several days to convince myself to " get over it " . I don't know what we all

would do without this site putting us all together!

>From: " Kym " <kymberly@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: Traci

>Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 23:38:12 -0000

>

>It's my day for posting <grin>

>

> My dream is to go to Hawaii or Florida for our 10th

> > anniversary with our kids, and feel like I can wear a bikini,

>tasteful mind

> > you, with a skirt/sarong thing. No women in my family can do this,

>or ever

> > has, and its just some stron weird fantasy I have.

>

>Tell him to hand sew you up too. especially if you think you won't

>have plastics after

>

>Nothing wrong with dreams darlin'. Those are realistic dreams too.

>Cause with the DS you WILL lose at least 80% of your excess weight!

>

> >

> > 2) Am I going to be overly depressed with the skin problems after I

>lose?

>

>My advice to you is to not look at your WLS as an " event " that is

>going to fix everything. Its a process. It takes a year or more to

>lose the weight. You are young, so you stand a good chance of your

>skin being elastic. Although... with three pregnancies under your

>belt (assuming all your kids are bio) you are probably right... you

>aren't going to look like a super model when this is all done. You

>might need plastics. But deal with that when it happens. You can

>go to Brazil and get an extended tummy tuck for $1800 bucks, plus

>airfare. Boob lift for $1500. Plane is about $850 bucks. And

>truth is... you can excercise like a maniac...but if you have

>stretch marks, chances are you aren't going to be able to make that

>skin go back. The other thing that you can do ..is WEAR YOUR

>BINDER. Now that I have done all this research on plastics, I have

>learned in Brazil.... they even make women who are done with

>childbirth wear compression garments!!! So... wear your binder as

>long as possible. Helps the facia reattach to the muscle underneath.

>I wish someone had given me the rationale for the binder before my

>DS... maybe I would have used the stupid thing longer! <grin>

>

>Anyway.... you are normal!! And you are going to feel SO AWESOME

>when you have your surgery. No matter what your skin looks like --

>I promise!

>

>--Kym in Seattle

>DS 6/5/02

>Down 133 lbs

>Going for plastics in Brazil in August

>Boob lift, Lipo and Extended TT

>

_________________________________________________________________

Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online

http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

July 15, 2003

Traci,

I won't lie - the skin is a bit more than I bargained for. If I

couldn't afford to get it removed it would be fine and I would be

forever thankful..... however, I *think* I can afford it and I

definitely WANT it, if I can get the COURAGE!!!! As for the scar from

the DS - amazingly it doesn't bother me at all. I went in scar free

but morbidly obese - now I am thin with a scar - I really thought the

scar would bother me and it doesn't. I do wear a bikini - in the back

yard only - but not because of the scar - with a tan it is less and

less noticeable - however, all the skin may frighten small children

hee hee! I am down 130 pounds from my highest weight - so that is

essentially the skin of a person - a small person - but still. I

agree with Kym this is a process and each of us will take our own

journeys after the DS - some will get reconstructive surgery, some

won't, it will be YOUR individual decision as to what you want and

can afford. I choose to fight this saggy skin with every resouce

available - wink wink!! I do have to say while I may look hideous in

a bikini I look great in capri pants!

hugs, cindy lee in fort worth texas

5'8 " wearing size 8 and feeling great!

> OH MY GOSH!! I can't believe I'm not a freak for this stuff. Thanks

so much

> for your kind words and advice. I feel tons better and won't have

to wait

> several days to convince myself to " get over it " . I don't know what

we all

> would do without this site putting us all together!

>

> >

> > My dream is to go to Hawaii or Florida for our 10th

> > > anniversary with our kids, and feel like I can wear a bikini,

> >tasteful mind

> > > you, with a skirt/sarong thing. No women in my family can do

this,

> >or ever

> > > has, and its just some stron weird fantasy I have.

> >

July 20, 2003

Hi Traci!

Thank you so much for taking the initiative to start counting members

who are coming! That is a big help, Traci. We are looking forward to

seeing you again in Vegas, remember The Orleans is remodeling

everything so much will be new, probably not the same ol' same ol'. I

still get warm shivers when I remember our talks and playing there last

year.

Our family situation came up so severely and quickly that we had no time

to alert anyone. That's just what families do, we all go when needed.

We are actually getting a handle on things, Greg insisted we hire

someone to come two or three times a week to help with cleaning, meals

and errands so that I can get enough rest. I think we can make it with

a little cooperation from the boys, which they seem to be eager to

offer. The Lord is looking out for use I know. You take care, Louise.

Traci wrote:

> Hi Louise, glad to have you back. Sounds like you have been very

> busy. I must have missed a post somewhere, because I didn't know that

> you were dealing with so many problems. I hope your sister's kids

> will be more help to you than problems.

> I wanted to let you know that I am planning to go to Vegas, but just

> haven't made my reservations yet. I will as soon as I can; I am one

> of those people who put it off as long as I can in case something

> comes up. I asked the group a few days ago who all was planning to go

> and these are the names I have compiled: Lynn D., Tricia and family,

> Bob and Carole H., Patty and B., Marilyn H. and husband,

> Carmen, and some others that I think are going to try to make it are:

> R., Ann K., and J. wrote that if she can she will go as

> well. I think there are just a lot of us who it is difficult for us

> to try to plan anything very much in advance, due to so many

> different things going on in our lives- but you know all too well

> about that, hunh? I just don't want you to worry about this because

> it sounds like you are dealing with enough right now. I am really

> looking forward to going, and as soon as I know for sure I will let

> you know, ok? I was thinking of staying at a different hotel (just

> for the experience of it) but after looking online, I decided that

> would not be affordable for me. Anyway, you take care of yourself and

> your family and try not to worry over this, ok?

>

> Love and hugs..... Traci

>

August 3, 2003

Margaret,

Sounds like this is right up Gavin's alley....he loves T.V. Maybe this is

an incentive that would work for him. We'll give it a whirl!

I've been trying to contact you, but my e-mails aren't accepted by your

account. You had mentioned talking, since we're both in Lancaster. I would love

that, as we're still new to this diagnosis and I have lots of questions.

Contact me privately and I'll give you my phone number. I even contacted Parent

to

Parent to get in contact with another parent with a dual diagnosis and that

hasn't worked out and it's been several weeks Oh well just trying to learn

what I can.

Thanks Magaret,

Traci

August 23, 2003

Dearest Friend,

thank you ever so much for just caring and being you. You are a tremendous

person Traci and I cannot tell you how forward my mom and I look to seeing

you again. She talks about you very much. Thanks for the words of

encouragement, thanks for being such a good friend. Love you too, and a

huge hug is coming your way.

Love, Sue #2

-- Hi all/ Sue#2, Patty, Bob, others

Hi all. I have had some phone troubles for the last few days, so I

was unable to come online until today. First I wanted to say thank

you again to all my friends who wished me a Happy Birthday. It was

definitely far from anything special, but knowing that you all care

made it bearable. I also wanted to wish Bob a late Happy Birthday-

sorry I didn't get it to you before your big day; I hope you had a

wonderful day!

While trying to catch up on the posts, I read Sue's email, and I am

very sad for you, Sue. I know you have been battling the pain for so

long, and you are a very strong person, but even the strongest of

people get tired of being strong and having to fight just to go on. I

know how you feel, and I want you to know that I love you and I care.

If ever you need me.....

Patty, you keep at it girl, and you will kick that blue funk right

out the door on your new place. I know being sick on top of being

sick will make any normal person depressed, but just try to keep

telling yourself that if you stay blue and down you won't have as

much fun setting up house and decorating in your new place. Try to

get as much rest as you can to help with the ills and the blues, and

know that I am here for you as well....

I also wanted to tell you (whoever is interested) that I finally

called Britani today. First time I have talked to her in a month. She

started school (Middle School) on Monday and has been a little

jittery and confused about all the differences, but she likes her

teachers and classes. She acted like everything is ok, and I didn't

ask. I am so afraid of being disappointed and hurt by her- I just

don't think I could live with it. It was of some relief to finally

just hear her voice though, and I don't regret calling her.

I also called and made my reservations for Vegas today, so that was

another relief. I am very much looking forward to going and meeting

some more of our friends here, and I am definitely looking forward to

getting a break from my reality for a few days. If I can just hold

out for another month.... Anyway, if you are reading this Louise,

thanks for setting all of this up for us and thanks for the reminder.

I would never have remembered on my own, and I am just lucky to have

gotten my phone fixed today so I could check some of my email.

Well, I guess that is enough for now. I hope I didn't overlook anyone

out there, but if I did, please know that it wasn't intentional. I

love you all and hope everyone is feeling much better by the time you

all read this.

Love and hugs....... Traci

August 27, 2003

> Hello, What I want to know, is how can we tell if we

> get anything new, like west nile virus? We have all

> the symptoms anyway? ita

>

Yup....my family and I often joke about this ;-) So many diseases have the

same symptoms! I actually know a woman who got Lyme disease and West Nile virus

TOGETHER while hiking the Appalachian Trail.

(wsm311@...)

Peace and Carrots Farm

Vermont

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/

http://www.sHikingHiatus.com/

August 27, 2003

Hi juanita,

Just jumping in here with my " penny's " worth of thoughts. It used

to be " two cents " worth, and with inflation should now be about

a quarter, but...my advice isn't worth much. I would suggest to

ask your doctor, if you have a good relationship with him/her.

They should know if it's something like West Niles, Lymes,

Chicken Pox, Shingles, etc. I do know what you mean though.

I get a sore throat, and wonder if it's just giong to last a day

or two, or turn into strep. Aren't we special folks though? I

mean that in a good way.

~~tricia~~

Wisconsin

" Home of the Harely on "

**********************************************************

-- Re: Traci

Hello, What I want to know, is how can we tell if we

get anything new, like west nile virus? We have all

the symptoms anyway? ita

--- Lynn D <ldudette@...> wrote:

> Hey Traci,

> Take care, polka dots huh? Sounds like such fun.

> West Nile scares the crap out of me! Hope you are

> feeling better soon. If it makes you feel any

> better I am suffering also so you are not alone. I

> don't have spots though. Just intense joint pain in

> every joint in my body and have had a headache for

> over 2 weeks.!! I am bummed cause today is the last

> day my nieces will be here and I am in bed. Take

> care

> Luv ya

> OT: The new me, complete

> with pink polka-dots

>

> Hi all. I had to make a trip to Urgent Care last

> night. I have been

> feeling really strange for several days, and two

> nights ago started

> getting strange little pink dots all over. I have

> had a headache,

> neck pain, fever, earache, sore throat, body aches

> (what's new?), etc

> and have been more tired than usual. I got really

> nervous because the

> West Nile Virus has just recently come into our

> area, and you all

> probably know that we just recently had the

> National Rodeo, which was

> held just three miles from our home. Anyway, I got

> checked and was

> told that it is something viral, but they do not

> believe it is the

> West Nile Virus, and I should be fine in a few

> days or so. I started

> vomiting today, so I guess I will be ok in a day

> or two. It was a

> relief being told that it isn't the WNV though. I

> guess until this

> thing runs it's course, I will just have to get

> used to having pink

> polka-dots, lol. I think I can live with that

> though, rather than

> have to deal with the WNV.

>

> Love and hugs to all....... Traci

>

September 14, 2003

Hi Traci,

I am sorry your mother in law is so difficult, that sure strains the

whole family relation. I had to laugh at the way Liz put her answer: " I

turned my conversations with my mother in law into polite Cliche' And

how are you today " That is exactly what I do with difficult people, I

just do not let them get close enough to matter. Liz is right, It is

their loss! My sister in law and I NEVER get beyond the surface because

she is to hurtful. I am not rude to her but pretty much think of her as

a very sick personality and beyond my boundaries to have much of a

relationship with!

lizdaly101@... wrote:

> I know how you feel Traci..I turned my conversations with my mother in

> law

> into polite Cliche " And how are you today " conversations after she

> insulted my

> wonderful dad who had just died..?? Her lossLiz NJ

>

September 14, 2003