daggiesmom

Eric, I'm so saddened to hear of her passing. She was very special here and helped many of us with encouraging words and thoughts. May she rest in peace. Joanie ((()))

Welcome back and congratulations on 2 YEARS. That is truly wonderful. As far as the friend thing goes, seems that this is a common problem for us. In my situation the friend's parents both had cancer so they HAVE walked the road. However, they look at me and I know they think "cured, get over it." They don't seem to understand. They don't bring it up and if I do, it's a short conversation. At this point, I've accepted that's how they are. Some people run like h... when trouble appears, they disappear. I guess I have to accept it. I'm very glad you're back, and yes, this has been a horrible week. Maybe next week will be better. Joanie

Thanks to all for your concerned responses. As far as I know, according to the tatoos on my neck and a very wise, clever doctor, I was told that the radiation totally killed my thyroid. That diagnosis was back in November 2002. They put me on synthroid and have been checking my levels ever since. Just this week he upped it to 112 from 100. I do feel that once I get the proper dose I may be little more symptom free and feel more normal. No more teary little hissy fits, trouble sleeping, eating problems and excessive fatigue. You guys are the best. I'll let you know. Joanie ((()))

A celebration of life is a wonderful way to honor your Mom. God bless you and your family. Joanie ((()))

Regarding Andrea's post about fatigue - boy, I sure can relate. I feel strongly that stress equals fatigue, at least in my case. I have been like a walking mummy these past two weeks. Find it very hard to make myself do anything. I still haven't been able to go for a walk by myself for fear my legs will buckle under me. I do exercise at home and this symptom seems to be going away, thank goodness. But yes, stress sure does take it's toll mentally and physically. My husband keeps telling me to rest, others tell me to exercise, my oh my! I do find that if I make a small game plan for the day and accomplish just those things on the list, somehow it makes me feel better. Guess we just have to keep trying. Joanie (()))

Your Mom was a beautiful lady, indeed. God bless you and your family. prayers for you all. Joanie ((()))

Rest in peace, Jim, you were a true inspiration to your family here. God bless you. Joanie

I am heartbroken to hear about Lucie. May she rest in peace. ((()) and prayers for you and your family. Joanie

Just read this. Excellent news about Lucie. Big hugs to you both. Joanie ((()))

I am so, so sorry to read this about your Mom. She was such a fighter and brave soul. May God give her peace at last. Love to you and your family. Joanie ((()))

Gotta show this to Brian! Joanie

Praying for you today Don & Lucie ((())) Joanie

Have you both in my prayers. Joanie ((()))

Yes, I have applied for NYS Short term disability. I collected some of that (about 3 weeks or so) back in March. I believe the balance should still come to me, which is one of the questions they need to answer for me. Back in April I had looked into applying for Social Security Disability. At that time I was under the impression that the doctor had to agree that you're sick. We'll I'm almost 4 1/2 years out and so I thought they wouldn't agree to put thru the paperwork based on the cancer diagnosis. Maybe I'm wrong there? And yes, I'm on FMLA leave. I'm entitled to 12 weeks leave of absence with a guarantee of returning to my same job. After the 12 weeks is up, they don't have to give you your same job back; which is what they're doing to me. As Ry said, I think it's a great way of them avoiding wrongful dismissal suits. I don't ever think of going back there, and I won't no matter what. I just want to see to it that I get what I'm entitled to. Will look at all the paperwork for SSD tomorrow. Thanks for all your help, everyone. Joanie

Losing Mom is so terrible. There isn't anything that compares to it. Hugs and prayers coming your way, Deb. Joanie ((()))

This is sort of long, I'll try to keep it short. On August 8 our dept. had a meeting with our new boss who was replacing the former "witch." I'll try and keep name calling to a minimum, but boy, it's hard. After the meeting ending around 4:15 I started coughing severly, much blood. The wicked boss was standing there chatting with her little clique, leaned past the cubicle and asked "are you alright?" to which I shook my head. I was frantically trying to call my dr.'s cell phone, get my bag and run over to the hospital which is about a 5 city block run. They saw all this going on and not one of them offered to help me. I ran out of the building and thankfully a cab came right away. I was admitted latter that night. My husband heard from the wicked witch (whose last day would be that next week) and told him she would send out the STD papers. I received them and sent them back on 8/30/06. No further word from anyone at work. No phone calls, no cards, nothing. I receive a letter dated 8/5/06 stating that I have been removed from my post in Human Resources effective 8/5/06. This is because their policy is they hold your position one week for every year you've been there (in my case, 12 years). They started counting this 12 week period from my first absence back in January - returned in April - out again August 3 (they have the wrong date, it should be August 8th. They have put me on a one year leave of absence and according to them I can contact them when my dr. says I can work. That is a joke, as there are no suitable jobs. I may as well just start looking for a job outside when I can and not waste my time with them. I certainly can't work with these people. When I talked the other day to the new boss I explained the dates on the letter were wrong and asked that she check up with the disability people and let me know exactly when I can expect my wonderful $170 check! She actually started off the conversation with me by saying, "oh you would have heard from us but Jackie (witch) thought it would be too upsetting." I could'nt think of a weaker excuse if I tried. And this woman is running HR? Does anyone have any advice as to what I should be doing. I'm waiting till mid week to hear about the STD. I believe I should be entitiled to 24 weeks (I'm assuming they will deduct the few checks I received in the winter), but I should be due quite a few checks? Also what about SSD. I know that's a big issue. Should I be applying now. How do I know 6 months from now that I'll be unable to work. I hoping to go back to a working life in a few months. I know this is really long, but any insight would be greatly appreciated. Brian and I were going to go out to dinner last night with friends, but at the last minute I was really sick to my stomach. We made the right choice staying home. It's true, I gotta stop pushing myself. Love ya all, Joanie ((()))

Thanks for you posts everyone. I'm still really tired and don't have much energy to type. Maybe over the weekend I'll catch up! Thanks ALOT to everyone. Joanie ((()))

Hi everyone. Tomorrow will be one week since I'm home from the hospital. I've been going out a bit with Brian (a little shopping, a car ride) and find myself pretty exhausted following these trips. Maybe I'm pushing myself, I don't know. As I sit here typing, I really feel like I could just lay down and go to sleep. I'm on alot of medications (about 8 or so) and if I had the energy I'd take out the medication forms and look up the side effects, but I DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY I truly hate feeling like this; has anyone else gone through this dragging, neverending fatigue? Is this a typical side effect of pneumonia and surgery? I guess I'm feeling blue. You guys are so great. Don't have the energy now, maybe tomorrow, but will tell you then about the wonderful letter I got regarding losing my position at work. Oh boy. I keep telling myself to take it one day at a time. I'm really trying. Bless you all. Joanie ((())))

My prayers are right there with you. God bless you all. ((())) Joanie

I'm so sorry to hear this news about Lucie. She is a fighter, Don, and she WILL get thru this. Please give her a big, big hug from me and tell her to try her very best. Praying long and hard for you, Lucie and your whole family. Joanie ((()))

Hi everyone - I finally Broke Out!!!! Made it home today at 12:10. I think it totals something like 33 days. I gave Dag the biggest hug! I so missed him and of course, you guys. You really don't know how much you all mean to me. Thank you for all your prayers and support. I don't have much energy, that will take a while. The dr. didn't give me oxygen to use at home, i think they want me to be able to get around without it. I sure would like that. I am on a significant amount of pain meds, thank goodness for them. And the prednesone seems to make me totally wacky. But I guess in time these things will all work out. I'll be posting alot since I'm temporarily out of work. Keep smilin!!!!! Joanie ((()))

Joanie is off the oxygen and was moved from step down to a regular room tonight. The plans are to release her from the hospital on Friday. Brian

Joanie asked me to post this short note: Hi Everyone, Here's my update -- As of now, the docs think that the surgery went very well and consider it a success. I am on anti viral & antibiotic meds as well as prednisone and they seem to be working. The pneumonia & pneumonitis in my good lung are showing improvement. I am still on oxygen but it is in ever decreasing amounts. They had found aspergillus at the surgical site, so I am also receiving anti-fungal medication to prevent that from causing problems. You all have been down that road with the medicines. After 24 days in the ICU, they moved me to the respiratory step down unit on Thursday night. So once they finish clearing up the pneumonia & pneumonitis, I should be on my way home. I'm hoping by next week. Brian has been such a doll. Couldn't have been in better hands and all 'n all we're pulling thru. I sure hope I never have to go through this again. Thank you for your kind support & good wishes. Love you all, Joanie. ((( )))

I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a few days but things have been pretty hectic with me running between home, work & hospital. First, the doctors are still optimistic about the surgical outcome. However, there has been an assortment of complications that are delaying Joanie's recovery. She was doing well and in really good spirits throughout the weekend. Monday morning, however, she wasn't feeling well & an x-ray showed that there had been a partial collapse of her right lung. It was apparently caused by a phlegm blockage that they were able to clear Monday afternoon with a bronchoscopy. She was also experiencing atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythms) that they have successfully controlled with amiodarone. Normal sinus rhythms have returned. However, the amiodarone has upset her stomach. The doctors were also concerned about the possibility of Joanie developing a blood clot as a result of the surgery & the atrial fibrillation. To lessen the chance of that happening, they are giving her heparin (an anticoagulant). That, in turn, has allowed for some minimal bleeding to continue, lowering her hemoglobin levels and necessitating a few transfusions. If all of that were not enough, Joanie started running a fever yesterday and was diagnosed with having "a touch" of pneumonia in her left lung, the otherwise healthy one. Considering everything, she is still in pretty good spirits but is fairly well exhausted and really, really fed up with being sick. I'll update again in a few days. Please keep those prayers and good wishes coming. Brian

Joanie continues to do well & asked me to say Hi for her. We both greatly appreciate all of your prayers and good thoughts. I'll print this & the other threads & bring them with me tomorrow. She may not have computer access but, in this way, she can still see your great outpouring of support first hand.