Wednesday Chat: What ails you?

Speaking of writing books...

I don't know where to start because I am daily trying to focus on all the good things that are happening in my life...see my Gratitude article for 2007. I tend to focus and worry about the things I didn't accomplish versus the things I have.
I probably need a hysterectomy...enough said. Insurance isn't that good so I'm putting it off.
I need to lose weight. It is effecting my BP now so it's time.
My SO just got a job, so we are struggling to catch up.
That's about it.

Dec 12th, Prayer for the Day:
I pray that love will drive out the fear in my (your) life. I pray that my fear will flee before the power of the love of God.

well I can't complain about as much as you,
but we are so broke right now, that I don't know how we are ever going to get caught up in bills..
my neck has been bothering me, a lot more lately than usual. It got messed up in a car wreck 4 yrs ago, and still isn't right from it.

hmm, that is all I can think of right now.

I try to stay positive also, and look to the good things, so there may be more, but I can't think of them, because I don't dwell on them..

Wow Lydia. I don't know if I can find time to answer this today. It is so long and complicated it will take me a while to organize my thoughts. I'll be back later with my contribution to todays chat. Later.

my prayers to you lydia, hoping things get better for you soon!
myself, physically, my knee hyrts the orthopedist thinks i have either popped my patella out of place or torn my meniscus. I am on crutches and unable to drive. Mentally I am a little stressed because so many of my friends are in really bad places right now financially and mentally and I don't have the capacity or resources it would take to help them as much as they need!!! spiritually and financially i am doing pretty good!

Lydia, I've had an upper GI scope and it's not bad at all. Technically, you're "awake", but they give you that drug that makes you feel like you're asleep, so you're not at all aware of what's going on, and you don't remember any of it afterwards. You won't even know you had anything done. And it could be someting serious, so don't put it off too long. The little purple pill didn't work for me, but Zantac, which you can get by prescription or over the counter, works well for me.

My back hurts this morning. Don't know what I did this time. Going to see the chiropractor on Friday!

Let me preface this by saying that I am a very lucky person. So lucky that I would not trade my troubles and problems for those of any other human being on earth. I am inremarkably good health for a person as old as I am (66) so the "wandering arthritis" I have that moves from joint to joint at about 18 month intervals (only one joint at a time) and the inability to sleep as soundly as I would like are trivial.

That said, I am human and no matter how unimportant my problems may be, they are still my very own problems and I feel them as if they were actually important even though my rational mind often points out to me that they are not important enough to worry about.

I think sometimes we get bogged down by our problems and ailments - and we end up dwelling in them for a long time. We need to stay positive and count our blessings, even the tiniest ones.

I was diagnosed with hypertension when I was sixteen. But did it stop me from enjoying Life? No. I played tennis, swam and did the normal things a teenager would do, even though the specialist I was seeing was breathing brimstone at me. Right now, I am on medication to keep the BP from going skyhigh and I am happy to say that I am stable at the moment. It is a blessing.

I have a cold - feel weak - going back to bed

Considering all that I have been through I guess I am pretty lucky, just to be alive.

My son turns 39 today and I wont be able to spend his birthday with him. It makes me sad.

What doesn't bother me these days is more like it. Mostly my machine bugs the heck out of me. I finally cleaned it enough so it runs better but...

I put in 48 hours at work since Friday (worked 8 Friday, 16 Sat., 16 Sun, and 8 Monday) and although I was off yesterday, I'm still dragging. I had to make a 2 1/2 drive to Crawfordville on my day off to take care of personal business. At least I was able to see my sister and my mom and stepfather during the excursion.

Chris (my stepbrother) has been on my mind a lot the last two weeks. He was killed (got stabbed) in 1999 on Dec 5th and it's always a little rough during the holidays without him around. I think of him often, but moreso lately.

On the brighter side, I have been looking for a day shift position and just received a phone call. They offered me a job at a local clinic and I accepted. I start it Monday!!!

trying to stay postive althought Id have to say my hubbys disease Ankylosing Spondylitis

It's hard not to let life weigh you down. I tend to recall something John Lennon said: "Life is what happens while you're making other plans." (Not a direct quote.) Like anyone else, I have a laundry list involving secular and personal issues that cover the gamut from health through relationships. So, I control the controllables and try not to worry, which is a misuse of imagination.

I have a terminal lung disease,along with my bones are decreasing at a rate they cannot stop.
But all is what it is and life goes on. I have healthy children and a grandson who is fantastic, my art and good friends. All is well

Bravo, Vickie F. May your life be of high quality.

Wow Vickie - I too have a terminal lung disease as well. Mine is called Primary Pulmonary Hypertension or PPH, and today I'm suffering from a severe sinus infection that I can't seem to cure even with antibotics and medicated flushes/sprays soooooaside the migraine from h*ll that I have and a tooth bothering me......life is as usual.....sickly.

Lydia - I will pray for you, and I too have had an upper GI and it's a piece of cake - sounds and looks worse then it is, really considering all your pains it should be the least of them to make you suffer anything so go and get it done girlfriend. And I commend you for opening yourself up like you did......very few people are willing to really open up and share their "dirty little secrets or laundry" to strangers especially, but I'm an open book and I figure truth is better then trying to remember all the lies you told so I stick to the truth, which seems to me you do too......I'm proud of you. Good luck and as I said I will pray for you to get better in every way. Thanks for sharing yourself with us.

Just found out yesterday that I've either got a)fibromyalgia, b)rheumatoid arthritis, or c)a combination of both.

Results of blood work due on Friday, and there's always the possibility that there's nothing more than a viral infection going on, too.

Doc thinks it's fibro, though.

So, it begins..life's next journey. Time to strap myself in and hang on. :-)

Just found out the other day that my best friend died.

Hope things get better for you as well as everyone else.

As for me hubby went back to work who knows how long. Yes! prayers are answered. As far as all the down in dumps stuff for me its best to leave alone. I am in one of my moods today.

Bless your heart, Lydia. You have lots going on, and yet you are usually so positive and encouraging. I'm with the others. That scope thing isn't so bad. The docs had to poke and prod me up one side and down the other until they finally decided that all of my digestive problems are just part of the fibro.

CA, I'm sorry you're dealing with that. Everyone else, when get through with this comment, I'll offer a prayer for each one. (I have started doing that - praying immediately so I don't forget.)

So...I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and chronic depression. Today, my worst pain is in my left armpit. Feels like I'm trying to give birth to something. (That's the pain level, folks.) I also had a back injury in '97 and a knee injury in 2002. I have permanently thinned skin - from pain management injections for the back injury. Just going about everyday life means that I bump my hands...and the skin tears and bleeds. I'm sensitive to chemicals. Even my own drugs. Sometimes they work just fine; at other times they make me sick, sick, sick. So I have a pill to pop for that too. My veins and arteries spasm (a fibro thing), as do my heart and my stomach.

We're strapped financially. Various reasons. Hubby stinks at finances (and won't let me help - the frugal queen!?!). Plus we have all of those 20% that insurance doesn't cover.

But you know what? God is good - all the time. I think Gather has allowed me to make a small difference in the world, and that's a good thing.

Hi Lydia..wow, sorry to hear you're going through so much...I hope things improve soon. We have a brand new year coming up.. here's praying it will bring better things for you. Personally,things are mostly good. Finances could be better, but if I would work instead of Gather that would change LOL Health is pretty good, though I could stand to lose some weight, and I have a swallowing thing too.. and I'm with ya on the chicken thing. I'd rather chew carefully and deal with it LOL My main troubles are external forces .. namely my roommate.. wanting me to send Daisy, my great dane, to live somewhere else. He says he's decided she's too big for the house, with the other 3 dogs and the cat, its too much. So.. I'll have to find a place for her, and then I'll have to move too, when I find a place that will let me keep her.. i HATE!!! moving more than anything..but I'll do it for Daisy.

JoAnne, what did you mean when you said "Speaking of writing books..."?

Danielle, it's great to work toward maintaining a positive attitude. As soon as I'm done answering the responses here I'm going to go read your Gratitude article.

The rest is all stuff we can help with by praying for you.
: )

Amen, JoAnne.

Amanda, I'm glad you feel that you have relatively little to complain about... but like I said to Danielle... we can pray for you about the rest. I think prayer works best when it's focused. We may not need to know what is wrong... but it helps to at least have a name in mind I think. Otherwise we could all pray generically for the world every day and everything would be hunky-dory, right?

You have a good attitude and that's always the place to start.

Harrel, don't stress over it. If it's a LOT, perhaps you should write your own article and then link to it from a comment here. I can tell you how to do that if you need help...

Kimber, thanks for the prayers. They're greatly appreciated! Especially when you're in so much pain yourself. Bless your heart! I think we all need to pray double for you right now. Now how do you do that? (Pray double, I mean)

Sherrie, maybe now's the time and I should get all the testing I need done between now and next September. Since my son had an appendectomy that meets the deductible for the year and the rest will be nothing but copays which are affordable. I think... maybe... LOL

I've had success with Zantac but not with Prilosec too. Prilosec makes me feel WORSE instead of better! Ugh.

I hope that enough people have read these comments and prayed for your back by now that you are feeling some relief! Just the same, a visit to the chiropractor is good. I loved the hot packs and massage... the adjustments I wasn't always so crazy about.

Larry, as always, you're the epitome of rationality and sanity. Amazing. I know you're not religious, but I'm praying for you anyway... and I'm sure others here are too.

Joyce, you are right. That is why if we are believers we need to turn these burdens over to the Lord. Even those who are not, tend to believe in the power of the Universe or something... so the same principle likely applies.

Terry: double prayers for you, too! And lots of fluids!

Donald? I wish you two would sign your posts so we knew which one of you was talking! I feel lucky to be alive most days, too. I'm sorry you won't get to spend your son's birthday with him. My son's in the Navy, and while he'll be home for Christmas, his birthday is too soon after Christmas (February 6th) for it to be likely he'll be able to swing any more leave time. It will be the first of his 22 birthdays that I won't see him. I'll think of you on that day... and for the rest of today I hope you'll just think of him with joy.
: )

JoAnne, by "machine" do you mean your computer?

Renda, sorry to hear you've been working such monstrous hours. Hope the new job (congrats!) will be kinder. You have my mose sincere condolences regarding the loss of your loved one - I know how that makes the holidays harder. Once again, extra prayers coming your way...

Melissa, we're with you. I'm so glad I posted this... it really gives us all more of a clear picture of what we're praying for.

Lora, thanks. Yes, we'll pray for the continued prosperity of your family! We don't have to restrict prayers to negative things. There is power in prayer no matter what we are praying for!

Michelle, thanks for stopping by!

Landen, we don't need specifics to lift you up in prayer. And you're right about worry. A wise woman once told me why worrying is futile. She said 99% of what we worry about never happens and the other 1% is going to happen whether we worry about it or not!

Vickie, wow. We will definitely keep you in constant prayer. I'm so glad that you have the joy of your family surrounding you!

Kitty, likewise. Gosh... I wish I lived near you two so I could visit!

I've had an upper GI, but the one where you drink the barium and then they strap you into a machine that turns you all around. The swallowing study is different... actually swallowing a scope so they can see what's going on when I swallow. Sounds like a good way to gag... ugh. Scary.

Thanks for your prayers, too... and I agree about secrets. They only come 'round to bite you in the behind eventually so I figure it's better to toss the skeletons out into the sunshine for all to see. Not that I'd ever intentionally confess my deepest darkest secrets publicly... but who knows what age and dementia may initiate one day? LOL

C.A., since we don't know yet... we'll pray that it's a virus and you'll get over it quickly. Amen?

Oh, Steve! That's terrible. You have my most sincere condolences! We will pray for you and for his family and other loved ones as well!

Thanks, Renee. Things HAVE been getting better for me. In fact, I SHOULD be querying a database right now for a client who's paying me $18/hour to do so... but I wanted to respond to everyone before I start the clock and begin "working"!

So glad to hear hubby's back to work! I'm going to have to post an updated praise report adjunct to the prayer chain. Perhaps tomorrow, as I'll likely update the chain again tomorrow.

Marilyn... yes. It's best to pray right away. Paul said "pray without ceasing"!

What you said to me is equally true of you, my dear. You're a wonderful friend to all. We will keep you in our constant prayers as well.

I have no idea what the future brings... I'm almost as scared of the treatments if I find out I have something treatable... as I am to not know what the problem(s) is/are.

Suze, gosh. I kinda only spilled my guts so much cuz I wanted others to do likewise. Now I feel like everyone's feeling sorry for me and they shouldn't be. My life's pretty good, all told. I do appreciate the prayers, though!!!

I know people who quit chewing and blend all their food to consume a 100% liquid diet. Not because they have a problem swallowing, but because that's their preference. A lot of autistic people have "texture" issues with food.

How old is Daisy? That's really amazing. I've never heard of anyone loving their pet enough to move for them! So sweet! We'll pray you find just the right place.
; )

Wow, LOL that turned out LOOOOOOOOOONG!

Lot of little things, but nothing I'm going to worry about.

I'd like to request a prayer for my little girl on the way. Sorry to go into too much information or details, but I'd like you to understand what to pray for or so you understand. I'm 8 1/2 (34 weeks) pregnant with my first child. My man and I have a so-so relationship that I see needs improvement on, but for the time being,we're doing well. Ever since the 6 month of pregnancy, I've had these odd symptoms : higher protein, pH levels and now sugar levels - most recently in my urine. I'm not sure what is wrong, but the little girl is always stated as healthy by the blood work? I've been taking my vitamins and doing my best to eat right with lack of calcium and eating foods I crave with the calcium (even if a little, cheeseburgers, pizza, etc). Well, most recently the doc says I may have Gestational Diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) and with reading this risks that it can harm the baby if I do not go by a strict diet. Well, that was by the urine samples he thought this, so who knows what blood work will state? Maybe different- atleast I hope. It says if diet isn't changed and you do have this- your child can be born with health problems: seizures, breathing problems, and possibly hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). I'd like to ask for prayers for my little girl Gracee Ann - the name we've picked to come out as a healthy baby with no health problems and that I do not have this gestational diabetes- and that all testing come back as normal. I know this may be asking for a lot, but as a first time mother, I'm worried and concerned about my little girl and I'm afraid of losing her which is the last thing I want. Thanks agian for listening!

Michelle

My House has had trouble selling and I need a job, I also need a chance to be able to move even if it means abandoning my House (I don't even own it anyways, my Parents do but they live somewhere else).

Please pray that I will get a Job that gives me at least 20 hours a week or that I will get a record contract from a Record Label that would also be willing to pay for me to move to the city they are located in (whether it be Chicago, Milwaukee or New York or somewhere).

If I did get a Record contract with an offer to move to where the Record label is located, I would happily take up that offer as I am eager to get out of my State anyways.

Please pray fro me, thanks and God Bless

Lydia, you are so kind and sweet, for all that you do. I have not heard did you get the job. Thanks for all the love and prayers.

Hi Lydia - I will list this here only because it is a prayer chain and because I do not want to sound like I am in a pity pot. I am not. I could use some prayers for a few things... First of all, I am dealing with an unbelievable amount of pain with my RSD/CRPS and it is spreading even more. I have it close to full body now and it just keeps spreading. The cold weather is making it so much worse. Secondly, I need prayers that our bankruptcy will go through with no problems. We have our creditors meeting on Friday and I'm so nervous about it - what if they all want to contest our bankruptcy or something? LOL. Next, our house is being foreclosed on and we need to find somewhere else to live. Please pray that we can find somewhere that is a ranch style house that has some living space... and accepts our dogs. They are our family and I couldn't and wouldn't dream of getting rid of them. We need the ranch style because I can't do the stairs anymore... I also want prayers to have some semblance of a Christmas for my son. My husband and I have already decided that we are not going to exchange gifts because of money but I would like to be able to do "something" for my son... he shouldn't have to have nothing. My husband got a call today about a new job and I need prayers to know if this would be a good change for him or not... with the benefits he already has at his current job (3 wks vacation, etc.) would this be a good move for him, etc... and of course could we really go with out insurance for 30-90 days??? That's a huge problem there... So anyway, if you could please pray for us for those things, I'd be really appreciative.. I'm trying so hard to stay positive.. but sometimes this pain is almost unbearable. RSD is the most painful type of chronic pain there is and it really sucks.

You had to pay 2500&8000 yourself out of your own pocket linda??? Wow we have it good out here! Unless its cosmetic surgery, most of our medical costs are covered by the government.

My whinge(s)?

I have many.
But I will just say one. And hopefully people reading may go "woops;maybe I'm one of these people".
PERFUME: I hate it! Deodorants that are 'loud' too. Sometimes I have to get off a bus or train & wait an hour for the next one & hope there isnt another rude person who has overdrenched themselves in toxic fumes for all of the rest of us to deal with. NOT to mention those who actually spray while on the bus or train!!!!!! If I smoked & there was smoking allowed on train & buses , I think im getting to the point where I would go up and blow smoke right into those peoples faces. It sounds a bit harsh & mean doesnt it?! But their (over)use of chemicals effects other people. maybe they dont realise. Maybe if they had to experience nasal overload they would understand.
As I already feel like a bit of a reject, being auty & not fitting in, its really sets me off. Because 'the world' says I have to act normal & try hard to join in & participate, but then how can I when these people are wearing what, to me, feels like poison made to say directly to me "Go home & hide & dont come back. You are not entitled to even breath in our society."
Just imagine, you are walking along & someone else had a remote control to your ipod. And at random times, without warning, your music turns up full boar & bursts your eardrums. How do you think your nerves would cope? that is my life in a world with perfumes everywhere.
Sure its not personal, but when its your oxygen you are talking about it FEELS personal.
Thats my rave........
Tad Auty, Dec 12, 2007, 8:10pm EST

Great attitude, William!

Michelle, you and Gracee take care. Of course we will add you to our prayers!

Good luck, Ryan. We'll be praying... be sure to keep us updated. That goes for everyone else, too! I want praise reports when your prayers are answered!!!

Betty, thank you. You don't have to LIVE with me, though. LOL

I will not know until after Christmas if I got the job because she is not making a decision 'til then... or at least not disclosing it. I think she's still interviewing people.

Wow, Lisa. BTW... I got your Christmas card today. Thanks!
: )

As for the bankruptcy not going through... if it doesn't, what can they take if they've already taken it all?

Your son does deserve a decent Christmas. I will pray... and I wish I were rich so I could help everyone with their needs. Not just for Christmas but always. Can you imagine how much more productive/creative we could all be if we weren't always on the hamster wheel trying to keep the basic bills paid?

When you go straight from one job to the other, part of the package should be immediate insurance coverage. It is ludicrous for people to be expected to leave a secure position with benes for a probationary period. I would think very carefully about making such a move during these times, unless there are very good reasons for doing so.

Our chief prayer for you will be to diminish/relieve/eliminate your pain and shore up your positive attitude.

Tad, those fumes are repellant to more people than you'd imagine. There is a sign in my doctor's office stating that due to staff and patient allergies, if you arrive wearing a perfume or deoderant with strong fragrance you will have to reschedule and come back odor-free. I guess our prayer for you is that you run into as few such people as possible!

Right now I just hate work and I hope they move me or I may have to quit and find a new job!

I try to tend to look on the postive side, so there is more to my story. I pray each and everyone of you find the peace and comfort you need.

I am a member of a website called: dailystrength.org which has support there. Which I find to be helpful at times.

I am getting really tired of these crutches and hope that I don't have to use them this saturday which is the only day we have free to go christmas shopping!!!! LOL

Thank you! Happy Holidays!

~ A prayer is said for you and yours~
~May your New Year have much in stored~
~May all good Health surround you too~
~May all God's Blessing pour down on you!~
~AMEN~


BLESSED be all soldiers who stand at the front doors of injustice,
Who lay down their lives for freedoms never questioning the judgments!
For the Lord is with them as they uphold the Laws, in God's mighty kingdom their lives are not lost!

Sandra, our prayer for you will be that you find your perfect situation: or that it finds you!

I never heard of dailystrength.org before. Thanks for sharing that link!

Kimber, don't they rent wheelchairs at the mall? Maybe you could borrow one. Have you tried asking for one on Freecycle?

Thank you, Rose.
: )

Currently, pneumonia is ailing me (not to mention still going to work while having it).

Oh, Jessica! Please be careful. Double prayers for YOU today!

What ails me? I'm alive ,I live in America,My wife loves me,I have somthing to eat,I am retiring from 37 years of State service. After that how could I possibly having anything to complain about? I don't think so.

Good attitude, John.
: )