Laurie

Welcome back Angie. Sending best wishes to your Dad. Laurie

Hi Everyone, Thank you so much for your support!!! I can't say enough... I feel so bad posting here but I feel like you guys are my family. I don't want to bother my parents, they get so upset and keep offering to come and take me back to NH!! The problem is I don't want to freeze to death I enjoy the sunlight and I'm to old to live with my parents!! I'm a grown woman with a mind all of her own. For some reason I have been feeling as good as I have in months!! I have had 3 good days with only minor problems. I have been able to go outside and do normal errands and so forth without much problem..THANK YOU GOD My Disability came through just in the nick of time. I got a check for back wages too. I'm still going to be going through a barrage of medical testing for the next two weeks... but so far from what I can see my neck injury is causing my spine to be tilted over to one side and my hip is being pulled up. The doctor said that I am close to being paralyzed... if the stenosis continues (Narrowing and compression of the spinal cord).....and perhaps I may need neurosurgery... and if not I'M DONE...(his exact words) As for the fibro well they think there are many reasons why I am having it including I have an overproducuction of spinal cord fluid and nerve impulses are being sent in different directions due to my spinal cord being compressed... possibly into my brain covering???? I have no idea... The Mayo clinic is out here and I just found that out.. LOL.. so I guess I can go there for another opinion.

Kim, Thats great. I am sure glad to hear this. I hope she is home with you soon. Laurie

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear that your fathers having a rough time. It sure is a roller coaster ride. Honestly I haven't heard of the skin turning black. Just red. I would ask the doctor about that. Just wanted to let you know that I am keeping your father in my prayers. Laurie

Shar, Please don't give up...Keep up the fight and try another chemo. I'm sorry you are discouraged and I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Laurie

Hi Everyone, I want to apologize for not posting more. I have been ill and am disabled.. although sometimes I don't feel that bad other times I'm slumped over and feel like I have mono. Every one tells me I look Good.. but its not how you look its how you feel... I'm working with a physical trainer from the Kansas City Chiefs who feels bad for me... Hes an ex Tight End!!! Opps got a little carried away there... Anyway so I tried reading through the financial section but I don't have the stamina in my arms (tremors) to keep reading through all the posts. They doctor disabled me through year 2006 for my neck injury (My doctor said its one of the worst necks hes ever seen) accute pain and fibromyalga. I'm so confused by what this means. I'm so concerned with getting my body better. I used to live in California and have been out of work since may so technically i'm filling late but I didn't think I wouldn't be going back to work. Now I live in Phoenix AZ. Is disability run by the state or the federal government? If I get better do think I will have a hard time getting hired by another company? Do claims usually get denied? Which doctor should fill out the form??? I'm so confused..... Any advice is appreciated. Hugs to all Laurie

YES!!!!!!!!!!!GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!

Hi and sorry for the late response. My Mom had PCI and was fine except she was tired and did lose her hair which grew back. Her doctor from Dana Farber/Beth Israel in Boston said absolutely to do PCI because the chemo doesn't penetrate the brain lining and radiation will kill any tiny cells that may have gotten up there that are undetectible. I think you have to be aggressive with this.. as long as you don't have the medical problems such as history of stroke etc.. that they ask you about prior to getting it. But you have to do what you feel comfortable with. I'm praying for you and know you will make the best decision for your body. Hope this helps. Hugs to you! Laurie

Kel, I'm sorry to hear that your Moms doctor gave you guys this news. I had several experiences like that with my Mom, we were told that her cancer was probably spreading by a Chief Oncologist and her cancer was actually gone. I thought what is this a guessing game???? It sure is frustrating.. the fact is like the others said no one really knows and only God can truley say how long someone has on this earth. We have to make the best of everyday. I am praying for the best for your Mom and you. Hang in there it sure is a rough rollercoaster ride. I am sending big hugs and prayers your Moms way. Laurie

Hi Amy, I'm so sorry to hear that you are feeling worn out! It certainly is understandable with all that you have on your plate.. Oh my.. You are doing a great job and your best is good enough. Does your Mom have any friends who could help out?? When I got overwhelmed and people started asking what they could do to help I started saying something. It is hard but people really pitched in!! and it was good for my Mom to be with her friends. Hang in there and know that we are all praying for you and here to help. Hugs and prayers Laurie

Hello, I don't mean to whine on about my problems on this "good news" link for my Mom but anyone out there have an ideas on this??? Nurses anyone?: Lets Just say that I have been "REFFERED" ... My neck hurt, so my friend reffered me to a chiropractor... My xrays showed a neck injury and My arm hurt to so the Chiropractor referred me to a neurologist... The neurologist zapped me with some electrical currents to check my nerves then reffered me to a pain specialist. My arm still hurt so the the chiropractor reffered me to the orthopedic surgeon. The orthopedic surgeon said my hand had a problem reffered me to a hand specialist. I was feeling so sick so I went to the hospital told him of my problems fever neck pain he referred me to a Internal Medicine specialist. I called the Internal Medicine specialist and she said she would examine me and then reffer me to a rhuematologist or specialist?????? However, the Nuerologist told me not to go to the chiropractor. The orthopedic said I didn't need the pain specialist. The rhuemotologist was dumb founded by the referral to the internal medicine doctor and I was instructed not to see the pain specialist or my tests with the would be skewed. And so far no one really knows what is wrong with me.... My boss asked for a doctors note to be excused from work... However I didn't know who he was reffering too....

Dolly, I'm so very sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family.

Betty, My Mom had similar problems to those you speak of. She felt the same way. I pray that you will be feeling better soon and your treatments will be over. Hugs to you, Laurie

Shawn, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. My heart goes out to you. It is so beautiful that you put your dreams on hold to be with your Mother. You have to look out for yourself and your future is very bright I'm sure you will be led to a path of happiness with your parents lessons and spirit to quide you. Whatever you decide will be best. I just moved from so. cal myself to phoenix. So cal is very beautiful.. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Huge Hugs Shawn Laurie

Have fun!! Laurie

Hi Sharon, Sorry about the confusion. My Mom has been using an inhaler since she caught pneumonia. The inhaler was needed after it, she couldn't breathe as well as she could prior to getting sick and she is still using it. Sorry about the confusion! Hope you are doing well. Laurie

Thanks everyone! Moms retiring in December too after her Christmas Toy Drive (She works for Salvation Army). Elaine, Thanks for asking about me. Well I'm taking it one day at a time and I'm staying positive. I still have about 2 more weeks to go to see the specialist. Yesterday I met someone whos Mom had it, and she had to have part of her hip bone put into her neck and yahda, yahda, yahda... I thought I was going to pass out. I hope someone has a message board for it, so far I can't find one. I have alot of these problems, its very strange and erratic, one day i can barely walk next day i'm okay??? I'm scared and my work is probably going to fire me on Sept 22. but right now i'm not feeling well enough to work. I found this on the internet and I bought a book too. > > > >FM is characterized by the presence of multiple tender points and a > >constellation of symptoms. > >Pain The pain of FM is profound, widespread and chronic. It knows no > >boundaries, migrating to all parts of the body and varying in intensity. >FM > >pain has been described as deep muscular aching, throbbing, twitching, > >stabbing and shooting pain that defines the very existence of the > >Fibromyalgia patient. Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling > >and > >burning are often present and add to the discomfort of the patient. The > >severity of the pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning. > >Aggravating factors which affect pain include cold/humid weather, > >non-restorative sleep, physical and mental fatigue, excessive physical > >activity, physical inactivity, anxiety and stress. > >Fatigue In today's world many people complain of fatigue; however, the > >fatigue of FM is much more than being tired. It is an all-encompassing > >exhaustion that interferes with even the simplest daily activities. It > >feels > >like every drop of energy has been drained from the body, which at times > >can > >leave the patient with a limited ability to function both mentally and > >physically. Additional symptoms may include: irritable bowel and > >bladder, > >headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement > >disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and > >rashes, > >dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, > >vision problems, raynaud's syndrome, neurological symptoms and impaired > >coordination

Thats so great!! Wonderful news!

Melinda, You bet, Prayers for Geoffs Mom coming right away!!!

Hi Everyone, I am so happy to report that the two suscpious spots have actually shrunk! We were concerned because she was having difficulty breathing and had to use an inhaler. But The doctors were so glad and Moms doing fine. Thankyou for all your prayers and support, what a relief!

David and Karen, Well I sure do appreciate the support you give to others.!!!! Don't let it affect you at all if you can. (((((((((Hugs))))))))) Laurie

David, You are absolutely in my prayers!!! Hang in there David and Karen. Huge Hugs!! Laurie

Cheryl, Keep the partying spirit alive!! Please.... I would like to visit you and come to a "survivors" party. I have a friend in Dallas I would like to visit and although I don't have LC (Mom does) I would like to meet you and come if thats okay. Thankyou, Laurie

Sorry to hear Bruce is in the hospital. Sending wishes for a speedy recovery!

David, Congratulations!! What an inspiration! You are amazing!!! Laurie