Update

[Guest guest]

Ginger, I rarely post but your email touched my heart. You have placed yourself in God's hands and he will take you through this. You are in my prayers.

God Bless you....

Bobbee

[Guest guest]

Dear Ginger,

I also do not post very often, but wanted to send you all my Love, Thoughts and Prayers.

I pray that the Lord will ease your pain and help guide you through this most difficult time.

My Love and warm thoughts,

Shirlee

[ ] update

Hello, My friends,

It is with a very heavy heart that I must send this post. I have nit been doing well for some time now. I recently had some tests done and I have been diagnosed with end stage pancreatic cancer. My team of doctors are wonderful, however, there is no cure or treatment at this stage. It has spread to other organs. I have been given 3 to 6 months to live.

GOD is with me and I am at peace with my mortality at hand. I pray that HIS will be done. I also pray for strength to get through each day with dignity.

They have me on morphine already and have told me I can get whatever I need to keep me as comfortable as possible.

I will miss all of you, but I will be looking out for you from above. This group has been so good for me. Three years ago I formed my own small group with several people from this group that I had grown close to. We talk everyday, and I feel that they are here with me.

Only GOD knows what HIS plan is for me. I am HIS instrument.

hugs and kisses, Ginger

[Guest guest]

Ginger, my heart is saddened by your news. Really, I am totally

speechless. I will pray that your journey will be a comfortable one

combined with joy when you reach the other side to see family and friends who

have gone on before.

I will pray for you.

Debby

[ ] update

Hello, My friends,

It is with a very heavy

heart that I must send this post. I have nit been doing well for some time now.

I recently had some tests done and I have been diagnosed with end stage

pancreatic cancer. My team of doctors are wonderful, however, there is no cure

or treatment at this stage. It has spread to other organs. I have been given 3

to 6 months to live.

GOD is with me and I am

at peace with my mortality at hand. I pray that HIS will be done. I also pray

for strength to get through each day with dignity.

They have me on morphine

already and have told me I can get whatever I need to keep me as comfortable as

possible.

I will miss all of you,

but I will be looking out for you from above. This group has been so good for

me. Three years ago I formed my own small group with several people from this

group that I had grown close to. We talk everyday, and I feel that they are

here with me.

Only GOD knows what HIS

plan is for me. I am HIS instrument.

hugs and kisses, Ginger

Group

Rules

1. Please no religious, political, race or sexual

preference discussions.

2. NO slamming of other members, advertising or

vulgarity. Thank you!

To UNsubscribe send a blank e-mail to

-unsubscribeegroups

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen:

Sorry to hear is feeling the drop in Prednisone:(

How are his knees today? Did he make the whole school day today?

Take care,

Patty

[Guest guest]

Hi Becki:

I hope the double dose on Enbrel is successful for

Another half inch in the last 3 weeks, WOW. What are you feeding this child?

That stinks about Rob and How come they can't kill the strep germ

in his friend ?

Take care.

Patty

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/20/04 5:42:27 PM Central Daylight Time, Emeraldsx3@... writes:

How come they can't kill the strep germ in his friend ?

Take care.

Patty

Hi Patty,

I don't know.They both got strep at the same time in Feb. for the first time had all the classic symptoms and in less then 12 hours from onset we were fighting to get the top of his bottom exposed for a hefty dose of a Bicillan shot.Tammy waited a few days with Ashly and she wound up having trouble.Her ped said she has had enough shots in her little life time and went with oral.Since then she has had multiple cases and now they did the ASAO and numerous labs and found the antibiotics never killed it.It will take a long time to get the strep out of her body.I am praying that Ashly's ordeal will follow Caitlin's.She is already on Enbrel and Thursday gets her first increase from .3 to .5(s dose).Her oldest sister was a carrier for strep and now the middle child and keep passing it back in forth.The tonsils are comming out for .This is why we had s taken out.Not strep but chronic infections involving the tonsils and the risk of developing strep and flaring.For his adenoids were severely infected and causing all the trouble.Anyways she is on 30mg pred a day with a split am,pm dose.

I hate this disease and know deep down that at some point duiring s taper we will be back at square one.

Is Caitlin still symptom free?I wish I could tell you more cause I know how much the relationship between JRA and strep interests you.

Love and Hugs

Becki and 5 systemic

[Guest guest]

Helen. It sounds like Nick is having a really tough go at it. I bet that it's the Prednisone drop. How long ago did he taper? I agree with you. I wouldn't even think about dropping the dosage again until his body can adjust. I hope that it isn't like this every stage of the taper.... I am glad he was able to make it though the school day, that is a good sign. Mornings are definitely the toughest for us too... Those long resting periods are both beneficial and agonizing...

Tell Nick to hang in there!

Alia and Caroline, age 2, poly and Uveitis

-----Original Message-----From: hburger64 [mailto:hburger64@...]Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 1:42 PM Subject: UpdateWell, is definately feeling the effects of the drop in prednisone.Last thursday, he couldnt fall sleep because his knees hurt. After a dose of tylenol he finally fell alseep in my arms at 11.30pm.Sunday night after his shower my hubby noticed his left knee was swollen. I could'nt see if, but when i compared it to the right it did look different. Both his knees look really large compared to his skinny legs, but i think they are just really boney.yestereday he didnt want to go to school, said he could'nt walk too much. I ended up driving him there and carrying him straight to the nurses office. She got him a hot water bottle and I told her he would feel better after a little warmth for awhile. Mornings are always tough. But once he gets going he does better. I told her to call me and I left. he did fine the rest of the day.This morning he was in my room at 3.30am complaining of his knees, i cuddled him and we both fell back to sleep, he seemed ok this morning and went off to school.Its not like hes flaring, and hes not bad all the time, its just that once in awhile we are reminded that this nasty disease is lurking. We will just keep on going and hope that the increase in MTX starts to help. I do know i will NOT drop the pred at the end of the month if he has not settled down. We are due back at the docs the 1st week in May.Hugs Helen and (6,systemic)

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen,

Sorry for the delay in posting,havent recouperated from our trip yet.

Poor Nick,I always hated the pred tapers.You deserve alot of praise for how you are handeling it.I understand how painful it is to see your child hurting but you are hanging tough.These kids could all be put on massive doses of pred and feel great but you would never know if the DMARDS are working or doing enough.A part of me hated s rheumy for making him suffer so much with such rapid tapers,but along the way they knew that his drugs just weren't enough so everything kept getting upped and other stuff was added.It was such a long painful journey but the end reward was well worth it.I hope the increase in MTX kicks in soon and helps.Could just be one of those things but when got maxed out on 25mg MTX exactly 6 weeks later the swelling in his ankles just dissapeared right before our eyes.Unfortunately though a couple more pred tapers and they were huge again.Luckily for the kids now, Enbrel and Remicade are widely used,so there are more options.When was stuck on the Enbrel waiting list I asked about Remicade but they weren't familiar enough with it at the time.They added Plaquenil and said they were just going to have to treat him like they did before Biologics.If it wasn't for the Enbrel he would still be on pred.Sorry to have gotten so long winded.I am just realy proud of you and while difficult to see him hurt, they will be able to treat Nick as agressive as it takes and much quicker then just a few years ago.

I better go,s crying.The neighbors dog came in the garage and took his special basket from Grandma.

Love and Hugs

Becki and 5 systemic

[Guest guest]

Becki or anyone else... Is there a waiting list to get on Enbrel? Why is that?

Alia and Caroline, age 2, poly and uveitis

-----Original Message-----From: Arthurnator@... [mailto:Arthurnator@...]Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 3:18 PM Subject: Re: UpdateHi Helen, Sorry for the delay in posting,havent recouperated from our trip yet. Poor Nick,I always hated the pred tapers.You deserve alot of praise for how you are handeling it.I understand how painful it is to see your child hurting but you are hanging tough.These kids could all be put on massive doses of pred and feel great but you would never know if the DMARDS are working or doing enough.A part of me hated s rheumy for making him suffer so much with such rapid tapers,but along the way they knew that his drugs just weren't enough so everything kept getting upped and other stuff was added.It was such a long painful journey but the end reward was well worth it.I hope the increase in MTX kicks in soon and helps.Could just be one of those things but when got maxed out on 25mg MTX exactly 6 weeks later the swelling in his ankles just dissapeared right before our eyes.Unfortunately though a couple more pred tapers and they were huge again.Luckily for the kids now, Enbrel and Remicade are widely used,so there are more options.When was s! tuck on the Enbrel waiting list I asked about Remicade but they weren't familiar enough with it at the time.They added Plaquenil and said they were just going to have to treat him like they did before Biologics.If it wasn't for the Enbrel he would still be on pred.Sorry to have gotten so long winded.I am just realy proud of you and while difficult to see him hurt, they will be able to treat Nick as agressive as it takes and much quicker then just a few years ago. I better go,s crying.The neighbors dog came in the garage and took his special basket from Grandma. Love and Hugs Becki and 5 systemic

[Guest guest]

Becki:I am so glad that there is one less shot for ! That is excellent! I'm glad that they listened to you!

I couldn't believe how different looked since one year ago. It is so wonderful to see him doing so well.

Love, and Rob 14 Spondy

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 16:37:37 EDT Arthurnator@... writes:

Hi gang, I hate posting this.I found out earlier that is now suffering from being s best bud over the weekend and s little friend is in a full blown systemic flare due to not being able to get rid of strep.Not good news to come home to. I mentiond all the muscle pain s been having just below his knee and the complaint of his shoulder burning.Dr.Lovell manipulated him like some sort of rag doll and found nothing at all.One look at s calloused knees and bruises told him just felt perfect and was acting like a normal,healthy boy.He did find that stinking old residual minor contracture in his lft wrist.I guess cheating right before a rheumy appointment isn't the greatest idea.We could play this game in the waiting room and in under 3 minuites I could work it out.Hadn't thought about it since Jan. We got permission from Amgen to let double his Enbrel dose and give 1x a week.Not an official study but will be monitored for the efficiacy(sp)of it.While FDA approved it was never tested on children.Everything went great. grew another half inch in the last 3 weeks and is hanging on at 52 lbs.I can't believe he wore a 7/8 and now can wear a 5 slim. My heart goes out to all of those who aren't doing well right now and may God bless you and may scientist find a cure for this stinking disease soon. Love and Hugs Becki and 5 systemic

[Guest guest]

Ginger, I don't write often, but I read all the e-mails. My prayers and thoughts

are with you and your family. God Bless you. Sue (from Ohio).

gehud119@... wrote:

Hello, My friends,

It is with a very heavy heart that I must

send this post. I have nit been doing well for some time now. I recently

had some tests done and I have been diagnosed with end stage pancreatic cancer.

My team of doctors are wonderful, however, there is no cure or treatment

at this stage. It has spread to other organs. I have been given 3 to 6 months

to live.

GOD is with me and I am at peace with my mortality

at hand. I pray that HIS will be done. I also pray for strength to get through

each day with dignity.

They have me on morphine already and have told

me I can get whatever I need to keep me as comfortable as possible.

I will miss all of you, but I will be looking

out for you from above. This group has been so good for me. Three years ago

I formed my own small group with several people from this group that I had

grown close to. We talk everyday, and I feel that they are here with me.

Only GOD knows what HIS plan is for me. I am

HIS instrument.

hugs and kisses, Ginger

[Guest guest]

Ginger, how are you doing? Are you still very bad? Oh, I do

care,

Debby

[ ] update

Hello, My friends,

It is with a very heavy

heart that I must send this post. I have nit been doing well for some time now.

I recently had some tests done and I have been diagnosed with end stage pancreatic

cancer. My team of doctors are wonderful, however, there is no cure or

treatment at this stage. It has spread to other organs. I have been given 3 to

6 months to live.

GOD is with me and I am

at peace with my mortality at hand. I pray that HIS will be done. I also pray

for strength to get through each day with dignity.

They have me on morphine

already and have told me I can get whatever I need to keep me as comfortable as

possible.

I will miss all of you,

but I will be looking out for you from above. This group has been so good for

me. Three years ago I formed my own small group with several people from this

group that I had grown close to. We talk everyday, and I feel that they are

here with me.

Only GOD knows what HIS

plan is for me. I am HIS instrument.

hugs and kisses, Ginger

Group

Rules

1. Please no religious, political, race or sexual

preference discussions.

2. NO slamming of other members, advertising or

vulgarity. Thank you!

To UNsubscribe send a blank e-mail to

-unsubscribeegroups

[Guest guest]

Ginger I am so sorry. My prayers are with you. the WV hillbilly

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Patty, for your response to me on night sweats. Also, blessings to

Ginger, and thanks to Harper for responding earlier to my questions and all

the many questions that people ask. Harper, you seem to know so much about

AIH. Have you struggled with it for along time? .

Pat

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Tess,

I hope you are feeling better. It¹s not fair that you loose all that weight

and have to deal with more pain because of it. You¹re supposed to be

feeling better! You¹ve been through so much and moving on top of everything

else. Is your neck having spasms? I hope it doesn¹t last long. Neck pain

is so painful.

a

> Hi Friends...My bariatric surgery continues to help...I am down 74

> pounds now since surgery. I'm in quite a flare, but am told this is

> common as when the weight starts coming off one just does more, and the

> body just says WHOA! I also think the herniated disks are part of my

> back issues and FMS is all riled up as well.

>

> Emotionally, I am better, thank the Lord. My hormones get all frenzied

> and I tend to forget I've had 2 major surgerys in 1 year (hyst & DS)

> that both impact hormones. But right now it is better, so I'll take it!

>

> I am having some sporatic deep pain towards the back of my neck, and

> when it happens, I can feel my pulse beat strongly in that area. Any

> ideas?

>

> Love to all...

>

> Tess

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

great to hear you are gonna get out tess!!! i am sorry for em's heartbreak

and stress at work. have fun on your concert trip. i still have 5 weeks to plan

for my trip. got my room reserved and ordered my tickets thru the fan club, so

we will be right down front this time. i am getting excited about it!! kathy

in il

[Guest guest]

>

> Tess,

Hi, fome me in okla. Glad to see you are doing well...Have a

good time on holiday...tell your daughter Em that some time you

have to kiss a frog before you find your prince...take care and

bless this group...

[Guest guest]

>

> Tess,

Hi, fome me in okla. Glad to see you are doing well...Have a

good time on holiday...tell your daughter Em that some time you

have to kiss a frog before you find your prince...take care and

bless this group...

[Guest guest]

Tess,....I'm sorry to hear about your friend, I'm glad that your

going to be there for her during the surgery. I hope, and pray that

all will go great on the surgery.

That is cool that you all our going to do a little traveling, and

then see a great concert. That will be good to get out, will make

you feel better.

Sorry, about Emmy's breakup, it is tough when your young. She will

be alright, she has you to help her. I will keep you, and the

family, and your friends in my prayers, Tawny

PS:Have fun on your trip!!

> Hi...just an update. I'm still on weekly Humira injections, and

using a

> Durogesic patch for pain. The Ra/PsA are only mildly agitated, and

the

> FMS flare is about 50% better on most days. There are days when I

> thoroughly enjoy the energy the continuing weight loss has given

> me...and some days the autoimmune problems just are more stubborn, I

> guess.

>

> Monday I leave on a holiday with 2 good friends...we are travelling

to

> Bend, Oregon, and will see Crosby, Stills & Nash at the amphitheatre

> there, and enjoy the high desert country. My best friend has been

dx'd

> with thyroid cancer...her situation is complicated by some other

health

> factors, so she is being treated at the U of W Med Center in

Seattle.

> I'll be travelling with her for her surgery and to be with her those

> days after, the 2nd week of October. I am enormously grateful I am

able

> to travel some now.

>

> My middle daughter many of you know of, Emmy, just went through a

> break-up in the first serious relationship she had. She was pretty

> confused at first, but she is feeling better every day, and seems

to be

> at some peace about it. Work is pretty stressful, so she may look

for a

> different job.

>

> I'm sending love to all, and prayers of hope & health

>

> Tess

[Guest guest]

Tess,

Hi Tess. Have lots of fun at the concert. It seems like you've become lots

more active, which is the best medicine. I'm sorry about your friend's

diagnosis. I'm glad you are able to be there for her. When I moved, I left

3 friends that are battling cancer, and it pains me that I'm not there for

them. I know your friend is glad you will be with her during her sugery.

I'm sorry about Em's breakup, but glad she is taking it well. It's hard to

watch our kids go through such painful experinces. I hope her job hunting

goes well.

a

> Hi...just an update. I'm still on weekly Humira injections, and using a

> Durogesic patch for pain. The Ra/PsA are only mildly agitated, and the

> FMS flare is about 50% better on most days. There are days when I

> thoroughly enjoy the energy the continuing weight loss has given

> me...and some days the autoimmune problems just are more stubborn, I

> guess.

>

> Monday I leave on a holiday with 2 good friends...we are travelling to

> Bend, Oregon, and will see Crosby, Stills & Nash at the amphitheatre

> there, and enjoy the high desert country. My best friend has been dx'd

> with thyroid cancer...her situation is complicated by some other health

> factors, so she is being treated at the U of W Med Center in Seattle.

> I'll be travelling with her for her surgery and to be with her those

> days after, the 2nd week of October. I am enormously grateful I am able

> to travel some now.

>

> My middle daughter many of you know of, Emmy, just went through a

> break-up in the first serious relationship she had. She was pretty

> confused at first, but she is feeling better every day, and seems to be

> at some peace about it. Work is pretty stressful, so she may look for a

> different job.

>

> I'm sending love to all, and prayers of hope & health

>

> Tess

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

You sound very good, Tess! So nice to hear from you.

Have a great trip with your friends. Wish I could tag along - it's going

to be fun!

I'm very sorry to hear that your friend has thyroid cancer. I hope her

treatment is 100% successful. It's kind of you to be with her and help

her through.

That's too bad about Em's relationship. Hope she can find a better job

and a nice fella soon.

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] update

> Hi...just an update. I'm still on weekly Humira injections, and using

a

> Durogesic patch for pain. The Ra/PsA are only mildly agitated, and

the

> FMS flare is about 50% better on most days. There are days when I

> thoroughly enjoy the energy the continuing weight loss has given

> me...and some days the autoimmune problems just are more stubborn, I

> guess.

>

> Monday I leave on a holiday with 2 good friends...we are travelling to

> Bend, Oregon, and will see Crosby, Stills & Nash at the amphitheatre

> there, and enjoy the high desert country. My best friend has been

dx'd

> with thyroid cancer...her situation is complicated by some other

health

> factors, so she is being treated at the U of W Med Center in Seattle.

> I'll be travelling with her for her surgery and to be with her those

> days after, the 2nd week of October. I am enormously grateful I am

able

> to travel some now.

>

> My middle daughter many of you know of, Emmy, just went through a

> break-up in the first serious relationship she had. She was pretty

> confused at first, but she is feeling better every day, and seems to

be

> at some peace about it. Work is pretty stressful, so she may look for

a

> different job.

>

> I'm sending love to all, and prayers of hope & health

>

> Tess

[Guest guest]

No expert on this one...but my guess is the fact that you can't make

it thru a work week would help prove your case....but that seems

logic, so who knows ? LOL

Kris

>

> Hey you guys! Remember me?...LOL

> Gosh, where to start. I've got to make this quick because I don't

> have time.

> I think last time I was here, I was basically saying that I was

going

> to save the money to go see the doc.

> Well, I haven't gone yet. I got down to bread and bologna as far

as

> my finances go so I just felt so trapped.

> I got a job offer at the local DSS office where I used to work. It

> is an 8 week job. I didn't want to take it because of my back, but

> at the same time, I really needed the money. So I took the step

and

> accepted the job. Last week was my first week. I had to stay out

> Thursday because my back pain had gotten so bad that I could barely

> move. But then after looking at my hours I figured I couldn't

afford

> to do that again. So I'm pushing so hard. I'm in severe pain

which

> has pushed me into a deep depression. I feel like I have cornered

> myself. I can't afford not to work, but if I don't work, I'm going

> to be broke and I won't have money to go to the doc. I even told

my

> boss about my situation and what I was thinking and they told me

> there were no programs available for me plus they told me there was

> no point in applying for disability since I was able to work. I

> explained that it's not like I'm feeling fine and just hurting for

a

> little while...I am pushing through an enormous amount of pain just

> to come in to work, and they said that since I wasn't bed ridden

that

> I won't get disability.

> I don't want to listen to them because we've been through so much

> talk here on the board and I finally got it in my head that I was

> going to apply, but gosh they talk so negatively about disability

and

> my situation.

> By me going to work now, is that going to hurt my disability if I

> apply? I mean are they going to see that I worked for 8 weeks and

> say " oh, well she can work so she's not disabled " . You know? Plus

> now I've got the added pressure of DSS and their transportation

> department agency that is hinting for me to apply for full time

jobs

> that will be coming out. It scares me. I'm not sure how much more

> pain I'm going to take. And I hate to accept a full-time job then

> have to ask for a lot of days off because of my back. I just don't

> know what to tell them. I've explained to the DSS office about my

> back and they've let me do more sitting this week, but at the same

> time, they don't understand that something as little as sitting is

> hurting my back as well, it's not like it's alleviating all my pain

> by sitting down. I feel like I have to hide the fact that I'm in

so

> much pain so I don't come off as a whiner or complainer. Then when

I

> get home, all I want to do is curl up in the bed. I can feel that

I

> am getting more and more depressed, but at the same time I'm trying

> to not think about it and just tell myself there's nothing i can do

> about it which in turn upsets me more. But what can I do? I don't

> feel like I have a choice here.

> Anyway, I gotta go. I can't stay up too late now because I have to

> get up for work. (sigh) Just thought I'd drop by and let you guys

> know what was going on with me.

> This is much cheaper than a psychiotrist I'm sure .. LOL

> Hope everyone is having an ok day.

> Talk to you guys soon.

>

> Robin

[Guest guest]

No expert on this one...but my guess is the fact that you can't make

it thru a work week would help prove your case....but that seems

logic, so who knows ? LOL

Kris

>

> Hey you guys! Remember me?...LOL

> Gosh, where to start. I've got to make this quick because I don't

> have time.

> I think last time I was here, I was basically saying that I was

going

> to save the money to go see the doc.

> Well, I haven't gone yet. I got down to bread and bologna as far

as

> my finances go so I just felt so trapped.

> I got a job offer at the local DSS office where I used to work. It

> is an 8 week job. I didn't want to take it because of my back, but

> at the same time, I really needed the money. So I took the step

and

> accepted the job. Last week was my first week. I had to stay out

> Thursday because my back pain had gotten so bad that I could barely

> move. But then after looking at my hours I figured I couldn't

afford

> to do that again. So I'm pushing so hard. I'm in severe pain

which

> has pushed me into a deep depression. I feel like I have cornered

> myself. I can't afford not to work, but if I don't work, I'm going

> to be broke and I won't have money to go to the doc. I even told

my

> boss about my situation and what I was thinking and they told me

> there were no programs available for me plus they told me there was

> no point in applying for disability since I was able to work. I

> explained that it's not like I'm feeling fine and just hurting for

a

> little while...I am pushing through an enormous amount of pain just

> to come in to work, and they said that since I wasn't bed ridden

that

> I won't get disability.

> I don't want to listen to them because we've been through so much

> talk here on the board and I finally got it in my head that I was

> going to apply, but gosh they talk so negatively about disability

and

> my situation.

> By me going to work now, is that going to hurt my disability if I

> apply? I mean are they going to see that I worked for 8 weeks and

> say " oh, well she can work so she's not disabled " . You know? Plus

> now I've got the added pressure of DSS and their transportation

> department agency that is hinting for me to apply for full time

jobs

> that will be coming out. It scares me. I'm not sure how much more

> pain I'm going to take. And I hate to accept a full-time job then

> have to ask for a lot of days off because of my back. I just don't

> know what to tell them. I've explained to the DSS office about my

> back and they've let me do more sitting this week, but at the same

> time, they don't understand that something as little as sitting is

> hurting my back as well, it's not like it's alleviating all my pain

> by sitting down. I feel like I have to hide the fact that I'm in

so

> much pain so I don't come off as a whiner or complainer. Then when

I

> get home, all I want to do is curl up in the bed. I can feel that

I

> am getting more and more depressed, but at the same time I'm trying

> to not think about it and just tell myself there's nothing i can do

> about it which in turn upsets me more. But what can I do? I don't

> feel like I have a choice here.

> Anyway, I gotta go. I can't stay up too late now because I have to

> get up for work. (sigh) Just thought I'd drop by and let you guys

> know what was going on with me.

> This is much cheaper than a psychiotrist I'm sure .. LOL

> Hope everyone is having an ok day.

> Talk to you guys soon.

>

> Robin

[Guest guest]

Hey Robin, Read your post, in many ways - I could have written

it myself! I am sorry to hear you are suffering so much because

the system just doesn't have provisions for people like us.

Disability and workers comp. rules changes heavily in 1994

and that is why you hear stories about collecting a windfall

settlement, or qualifying for perm. disability right away.

Those are the experiences of the past, since so many people

took advantage of the large payouts for " questionable pain "

the insurance carriers fought back and made things unfair for

those truly in bad shape.

Doing the 8 week job can be used to portray that you are

infact able to work. But if you fight hard enough, you can

convince someone that not only were you making a desperate

attempt to earn some money for medical treatment - but also

that being absent regularly due to pain proves that you were

not physically able to perform your duties at said job.

That if the position were not " county " employment, or if

the job lasted longer than 8 weeks, you probably would have

been terminated. However don't be surprised when they start

telling you that if you can dial a telephone from your bed,

then you are employable as a telemarketer or bill collector

and should consider training for those type of jobs (this

crap happened to my husband, but we won out).

On the issue of depression, when we can not function because

of our pain, we grieve for who we used to be and that is

depressing. What I try to do, is look at the most severe

injuries and limitations that I have known and thank g-d

that I only have to deal with my situation. Sometimes it

helps and other times I am too far gone to accept that

I deserve all the things I have had to endure in my life.

But it always helps to tell someone (like me) who shares

an understanding of the loss of living back pain brings.

Hope things start improving for you soon!!

I too am unable to work anymore and am not eligible for

any disability coverage at all. My group medical insurance

is not real anxious to spend money on my back, since they

know it was caused by a car accident (they got repaid for

all bills until now).

Just keep repeating to yourself; 'I am right, this is not

my fault and I deserve help'.

Debi

> >

> > Hey you guys! Remember me?...LOL

> > Gosh, where to start. I've got to make this quick because I

don't

> > have time.

> > I think last time I was here, I was basically saying that I was

> going

> > to save the money to go see the doc.

> > Well, I haven't gone yet. I got down to bread and bologna as far

> as

> > my finances go so I just felt so trapped.

> > I got a job offer at the local DSS office where I used to work.

It

> > is an 8 week job. I didn't want to take it because of my back,

but

> > at the same time, I really needed the money. So I took the step

> and

> > accepted the job. Last week was my first week. I had to stay

out

> > Thursday because my back pain had gotten so bad that I could

barely

> > move. But then after looking at my hours I figured I couldn't

> afford

> > to do that again. So I'm pushing so hard. I'm in severe pain

> which

> > has pushed me into a deep depression. I feel like I have

cornered

> > myself. I can't afford not to work, but if I don't work, I'm

going

> > to be broke and I won't have money to go to the doc. I even told

> my

> > boss about my situation and what I was thinking and they told me

> > there were no programs available for me plus they told me there

was

> > no point in applying for disability since I was able to work. I

> > explained that it's not like I'm feeling fine and just hurting

for

> a

> > little while...I am pushing through an enormous amount of pain

just

> > to come in to work, and they said that since I wasn't bed ridden

> that

> > I won't get disability.

> > I don't want to listen to them because we've been through so much

> > talk here on the board and I finally got it in my head that I was

> > going to apply, but gosh they talk so negatively about disability

> and

> > my situation.

> > By me going to work now, is that going to hurt my disability if I

> > apply? I mean are they going to see that I worked for 8 weeks

and

> > say " oh, well she can work so she's not disabled " . You know?

Plus

> > now I've got the added pressure of DSS and their transportation

> > department agency that is hinting for me to apply for full time

> jobs

> > that will be coming out. It scares me. I'm not sure how much

more

> > pain I'm going to take. And I hate to accept a full-time job

then

> > have to ask for a lot of days off because of my back. I just

don't

> > know what to tell them. I've explained to the DSS office about

my

> > back and they've let me do more sitting this week, but at the

same

> > time, they don't understand that something as little as sitting

is

> > hurting my back as well, it's not like it's alleviating all my

pain

> > by sitting down. I feel like I have to hide the fact that I'm in

> so

> > much pain so I don't come off as a whiner or complainer. Then

when

> I

> > get home, all I want to do is curl up in the bed. I can feel

that

> I

> > am getting more and more depressed, but at the same time I'm

trying

> > to not think about it and just tell myself there's nothing i can

do

> > about it which in turn upsets me more. But what can I do? I

don't

> > feel like I have a choice here.

> > Anyway, I gotta go. I can't stay up too late now because I have

to

> > get up for work. (sigh) Just thought I'd drop by and let you

guys

> > know what was going on with me.

> > This is much cheaper than a psychiotrist I'm sure .. LOL

> > Hope everyone is having an ok day.

> > Talk to you guys soon.

> >

> > Robin

[Guest guest]

Hey Robin, Read your post, in many ways - I could have written

it myself! I am sorry to hear you are suffering so much because

the system just doesn't have provisions for people like us.

Disability and workers comp. rules changes heavily in 1994

and that is why you hear stories about collecting a windfall

settlement, or qualifying for perm. disability right away.

Those are the experiences of the past, since so many people

took advantage of the large payouts for " questionable pain "

the insurance carriers fought back and made things unfair for

those truly in bad shape.

Doing the 8 week job can be used to portray that you are

infact able to work. But if you fight hard enough, you can

convince someone that not only were you making a desperate

attempt to earn some money for medical treatment - but also

that being absent regularly due to pain proves that you were

not physically able to perform your duties at said job.

That if the position were not " county " employment, or if

the job lasted longer than 8 weeks, you probably would have

been terminated. However don't be surprised when they start

telling you that if you can dial a telephone from your bed,

then you are employable as a telemarketer or bill collector

and should consider training for those type of jobs (this

crap happened to my husband, but we won out).

On the issue of depression, when we can not function because

of our pain, we grieve for who we used to be and that is

depressing. What I try to do, is look at the most severe

injuries and limitations that I have known and thank g-d

that I only have to deal with my situation. Sometimes it

helps and other times I am too far gone to accept that

I deserve all the things I have had to endure in my life.

But it always helps to tell someone (like me) who shares

an understanding of the loss of living back pain brings.

Hope things start improving for you soon!!

I too am unable to work anymore and am not eligible for

any disability coverage at all. My group medical insurance

is not real anxious to spend money on my back, since they

know it was caused by a car accident (they got repaid for

all bills until now).

Just keep repeating to yourself; 'I am right, this is not

my fault and I deserve help'.

Debi

> >

> > Hey you guys! Remember me?...LOL

> > Gosh, where to start. I've got to make this quick because I

don't

> > have time.

> > I think last time I was here, I was basically saying that I was

> going

> > to save the money to go see the doc.

> > Well, I haven't gone yet. I got down to bread and bologna as far

> as

> > my finances go so I just felt so trapped.

> > I got a job offer at the local DSS office where I used to work.

It

> > is an 8 week job. I didn't want to take it because of my back,

but

> > at the same time, I really needed the money. So I took the step

> and

> > accepted the job. Last week was my first week. I had to stay

out

> > Thursday because my back pain had gotten so bad that I could

barely

> > move. But then after looking at my hours I figured I couldn't

> afford

> > to do that again. So I'm pushing so hard. I'm in severe pain

> which

> > has pushed me into a deep depression. I feel like I have

cornered

> > myself. I can't afford not to work, but if I don't work, I'm

going

> > to be broke and I won't have money to go to the doc. I even told

> my

> > boss about my situation and what I was thinking and they told me

> > there were no programs available for me plus they told me there

was

> > no point in applying for disability since I was able to work. I

> > explained that it's not like I'm feeling fine and just hurting

for

> a

> > little while...I am pushing through an enormous amount of pain

just

> > to come in to work, and they said that since I wasn't bed ridden

> that

> > I won't get disability.

> > I don't want to listen to them because we've been through so much

> > talk here on the board and I finally got it in my head that I was

> > going to apply, but gosh they talk so negatively about disability

> and

> > my situation.

> > By me going to work now, is that going to hurt my disability if I

> > apply? I mean are they going to see that I worked for 8 weeks

and

> > say " oh, well she can work so she's not disabled " . You know?

Plus

> > now I've got the added pressure of DSS and their transportation

> > department agency that is hinting for me to apply for full time

> jobs

> > that will be coming out. It scares me. I'm not sure how much

more

> > pain I'm going to take. And I hate to accept a full-time job

then

> > have to ask for a lot of days off because of my back. I just

don't

> > know what to tell them. I've explained to the DSS office about

my

> > back and they've let me do more sitting this week, but at the

same

> > time, they don't understand that something as little as sitting

is

> > hurting my back as well, it's not like it's alleviating all my

pain

> > by sitting down. I feel like I have to hide the fact that I'm in

> so

> > much pain so I don't come off as a whiner or complainer. Then

when

> I

> > get home, all I want to do is curl up in the bed. I can feel

that

> I

> > am getting more and more depressed, but at the same time I'm

trying

> > to not think about it and just tell myself there's nothing i can

do

> > about it which in turn upsets me more. But what can I do? I

don't

> > feel like I have a choice here.

> > Anyway, I gotta go. I can't stay up too late now because I have

to

> > get up for work. (sigh) Just thought I'd drop by and let you

guys

> > know what was going on with me.

> > This is much cheaper than a psychiotrist I'm sure .. LOL

> > Hope everyone is having an ok day.

> > Talk to you guys soon.

> >

> > Robin