Re: Donna in WA [3 Attachments]

[Guest guest]

Dear DonnaIt's good to hear from you and know life is still happening for you. My mom used to have endoscopys regularly and she never remembered a single one because of the meds they gave her. I hope the test gives a clue to the problem for Nick. hugs to you for all you deal with each day.... SharonThis email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. To: MSersLife Sent: Sat, August 21, 2010 9:48:25 AMSubject: Re: Donna in WA [3 Attachments]

[Attachment(s) from Donna included below]

Hi Sharon and All, I am still alive. Just exhausted. The hot weather does me in every year. Along with that are the issues with Nick's health. In a two week period, Nick had been to the Emergency Department at our hospital about 6 times. One of those times, the ambulance had to take him. He is finally scheduled for an Upper Endoscopy for September 8th. I have to have him at the hospital at 7:30 AM. Nick has lost over 30 pounds since his visit with the Internist back in January. Most of the weight has come off over the last couple months. Nick has not been trying to lose weight, even though he is at a better weight now than he was before. The Internist had told him back in January that if he could lose about 20 pounds, it would help his hiatal hernia and reflux heal. The

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is, it has not. Nick can't eat much of anything because it gets stuck. He has a hard time taking his medications because they tend to get stuck, dissolve, and get regurgitated. So, I am not sure how much benefit he is getting from his meds. Our city does not have a Gastroenterologist. The nearest one would probably be in Yakima or Wenatchee. So, if the Interist discovers something requiring surgery, then Nick would be sent to either Dr. or Dr. O'Brien. Remember how fixated Marcus became with his swallowing? He insisted that his tonsils were getting in the way of his eating. Although, the Barium Swallow did not show this to be true. Marcus's lowest weight was 111 lbs. Marcus worked on his swallowing skills with the help of an excellent speech therapist. He still doesn't eat a wide variety of foods; but, he is eating and has gained back all the weight he had

lost. Nick is just as fixated with his health issues. I have been informed by other parents of children with autism that this behavior is fairly typical. Around here, the practitioners in the Medical and Mental Health community seem to be reluctant to diagnose anybody with autism, especially if that person has Medicaid. Earlier this month, or maybe it was at the end of July, I had signed up to participate in a basket exchange. The theme was Summertime. So, I developed my exchange basket around a beach theme. From the baskets that have been exchanged so far, my guess is that most of the participants also used the beach theme. I have attached the exchange basket that I sent to its recipient in Florida. I call it She sells Seashells. Also, I took one of my paintings that I had done last year down to the Copy Shop and had a color copy made in a greeting card size.

The painting is called Cold Drinks on a Hot Beach. I don't remember if I had shared it here or not. I have not been able to keep up with all messages. The weeds in my garden had not quite taken over when I was finally able to get to the garden. I sent an email to the president of the community garden and told her what I had been going through with my sons. She wrote back thanking me for contacting her and that she was about to send out weed tickets; but, she would cut me some slack. Since his last appointment with the Internist earlier this week, Nick has been fixated on the endoscopy. I try and reassure him as much as possible. But, I have been able to get to the garden somewhat regularly this week. The weeds are under control now. Sort of. I don't know if they will ever totally disappear. Oh, I just added a copy of the painting I used for my greeting card to the exchange

basket recipient. If I've sent it before, you might recognize it. About Marcus, since his experience with his rapid heart rate due to the sub-normal potassium level in his blood, he has developed this anxiety issue about being in a car or truck that is moving. He can sit in a motor vehicle if it is not moving; but, when it starts moving, his heart rate goes up. So, he has been riding his bicycle. He rides on the sidewalk whenever possible. Even where there is a bike lane, he is not comfortable being in the lane. After all, it is right next to the care lane. With budget constraints and the way the city is designed, there is just not the space to put a bike road away from the traffic. When I lived in Ohio, our city built a bicycle road that had a wide median between where the motor vehicles traveled and where the bikes traveled. Ideally, this is how it would be

everywhere. As long as Marcus is allowed to ride his bike on the sidewalk, he will be able to get around town, at least. Donna in WASubject: Donna in WATo: "Group" <mserslife >Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010, 8:48 PM

Has anyone heard from Donna from Washington? I hope she's okay and that her boys are well. SharonThis email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

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Attachment(s) from Donna

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[Guest guest]

As usual, Donna, your art/basket is stunning. You REALLY aregifted, and I thank you for sharing this gift with so many.You sure do have a lot going on--especially with Marcus.Please tell him I had an endoscopy, and it REALLY, trulyis NOT that bad. They put you under, so you don't knowwhat is going on.How will you get him to his appointment if he is that fearfulof being in a car? Certainly he can't bike there, right?Sounds like he needs a dose of xanax or valium beforehe gets in a car, to slow down his heartrate.. Not sureis that really is a solution,but just a thought.Know we are here for you. I'm glad you posted and caughtus up on what is going on with you.love, Kate Donna in WA> To: "Group" > Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010, 8:48 PM> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Has anyone heard from Donna from Washington? I hope she's okay > and that her boys are well.> Sharon> This email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations > in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and > beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __._,_.> > > > > > > > > > > love and blessings,Kate

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[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry , Donna, I'm mixing Nick and Marcus up!You have a full plate with each of them. I hope everythingresolves soon for each.love, Kate Donna in WA> To: "Group" > Date: Thursday, August 19, 2010, 8:48 PM> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Has anyone heard from Donna from Washington? I hope she's okay > and that her boys are well.> Sharon> This email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations > in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and > beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > __._,_.> > > > > > > > > > > love and blessings,Kate

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