View Full Version : Keep me in mind
For those that pray I would really appreciate a mention. Those that do not maybe have a good thought or so for me. If a few agnostics are out there a "hey, if your up there" would be appreciated.
I have something called myleodyspalstic sydrome. This means that down on the stem cell level my bone marrow isn't producing enough decent blood. I'm on thousands of dollars of medication that mostly get paid for by insurance and one that doesn't to the tune of $6K a month which is more than my gross income. Fortunately in that case the drug company stepped up to cover it.
But while, yes, this does cost money even with insurance money is not what I'm looking for (don't test this by sending me any). I'm looking for the prayers and thoughts and I'm also looking for folks to do the everyday things that will save a life of someone who don't know. Hey it could be me ("ALL I knew about Steve was that he liked Gordon Lightfoot a lot") You know a lot of this - give blood. I have to do day long transfusions every two weeks right now. I've become aware at just how much of this they need. The hospital has been getting it from all over. Today I got a unit from San Juan. My Spanish isn't any better. Fill a donor donation card. I don't think anyone is going to want much of my body parts when I no longer use them but they are quite welcome to them once I'm done with them.
Maybe look for a spot volunteering in a hospital to hang out with people like me whose battle during the day of the transfusion is boredom. I read, listen to my Ipod and watch a tiny bit of daytime TV. You don't know how isolated you feel until you meet the threapy dog and realize how much of you is in that dog and your relating to it.
Just some thoughts. Thanks for reading.
Jesse Joe
10-03-2008, 07:47 AM
This is not pleasant to hear, but hang in there my good man. :(
charlene
10-03-2008, 11:21 AM
healing thoughts are on the way from the Toronto area..
I know from experience that the folks here and in the Lightfoot fan community elsewhere on the net have helped me and mine thru several crises, a few of them medical and I am ever thankful for their support..they are as fine as fine can be and you are in our thoughts for sure.
keep us posted about your progress..
Char
You'll have plenty of good thoughts emanating from this end. I'm still plodding through the Steve Goodman biography that you brought to my attention. Every time I pick it up, I'll think of that short guy named Steve.
Patti
10-03-2008, 04:38 PM
Hi Fezo,
I pray everyday. I will keep you in mind and pray for you too.
A few years ago, two eye doctors told me that I had macular degeneration. I felt, ... lets say, 'not too comfortable' about that. I heard about a healing Mass in Duluth, MN and I went. Later, I went to the eye doctor and there was no sign of macular degeneration. I hope everything gets better for you.
Thanks. folks. I knew I could count on this crowd.
Very happy to hear from someone who is reading the Goodman biography! Really weird to read that as a short guy named Steve who plays (though not anywhere in his league) and has screwed up blood. I really don't want to join the bone marrow transplant club but you do what you've gotta do. Another couple of months before we could be looking at that. I've actually E-mail ed the author, Clat Eals a few times. Nice guy. If he ever comes back this was promoting the book (he did an East Coast tour but before I knew about the book) he'll have me play Goodman music at teh signing. That would be way cool. I sent him a copy of my CD and he wrote me a really nice review. MAkes up for a lot of negative going on.
Had another transfusion yesterday. That's about 15 in a year and a half. Regular 9 - 5 experience.
I have to keep going - even though I'm 57 I have young kids. I started late and kept going... 19 down to 7. All girls. 4 of them.
healing thoughts are on the way from the Toronto area..
here here!
I sent him a copy of my CD and he wrote me a really nice review.
Why don't you post the info on how to purchase your CD ? I understand that you're not soliciting, but I'll buy a copy if you have any left. I believe the title was "Taking The Moon For A Walk". It just sounds like it's gotta be good.
joveski
10-03-2008, 09:46 PM
healing vibes from the land downunder!
Why don't you post the info on how to purchase your CD ? I understand that you're not soliciting, but I'll buy a copy if you have any left. I believe the title was "Taking The Moon For A Walk". It just sounds like it's gotta be good.
it is wonderful stuff, a talent...archived some from an old thread:
http://fezo1.fileave.com/mp3s/02_Taking_The_Moon_For_A_Walk.mp3
http://fezo1.fileave.com/mp3s/01_Is_The_Chicken_Done_Yet.mp3
http://fezo1.fileave.com/mp3s/05_Mommy_Can_You_Hear_The_Rain.mp3
http://fezo1.fileave.com/mp3s//03_Our_Love_Has_Been_A_Jukebox_Full_Of)_Old_Hank_W illiams_Songs.mp3
Being as discreet as possible.... I still have CDs. $15. Drop me a line - fezo@rocketmail.com
Thanks, folks.
Just had the guitar out earlier tonight with one of my 7 year olds playing percussion with chopsticks on a paper bag and table. Not bad.
Well, had a little scare over the past couple of days and I thought I'd be in for more blood but false alarm.
This by no means indicates being out of the woods but we like good news.
Darn it. Back in for two more units tomorrow.
Keeps me going but it's not the solution.
podunklander
10-15-2008, 08:53 AM
Darn it. Back in for two more units tomorrow.
Keeps me going but it's not the solution.
I am so sorry to hear this -but please, keep the faith :)
Pam
charlene
10-15-2008, 10:06 AM
we're thinking of you..
geodeticman.5
10-15-2008, 11:49 AM
re:
For those that pray I would really appreciate a mention. Those that do not maybe have a good thought or so for me. If a few agnostics are out there a "hey, if your up there" would be appreciated.
<snip> -I did read it all fezo....
I have something called myleodyspalstic sydrome. You don't know how isolated you feel until you meet the threapy dog and realize how much of you is in that dog and your relating to it.
Just some thoughts. Thanks for reading.
Fezo - you bet I'll keep you in mind, and openly state I will say prayers for you and your family. I know personally, as so many of us Corfidians do - how hard..so hard...medical can be that is protracted over time... I won;t distastefully mention too much detail of mine and my wife's...but if it is any inspiration - we have been told... and now I and my daughter have been told, that what I and My wife, and our daughter , living in "hospital house" while in her teen years 15 - 19, such a hard time for her, makes me think of your girls... I feel so much for you and family.
What I forgot to finish there was a tremendous number of people locally, including my doctors, my wife's former doctors...and all our good friends, including some extremely kind people that patiently listened to me here in corfid for so long,,,,from not quite being able to type or think well in 2006 or so, to writing way too much and spelling and ...goll-dern it driving people nuts with the skills that returned to me after my own climbing and then car accidents, 9 surgeries now, and then all my wife's trouble before she passed, I hear ya man, I hear ya 10 years in total of non-stop unbelievable odds medical, with no common thread.....like a Job's test..... point is...... I can never fully appreciate what you are going thru without ambling 100 yards in your hospital slippers...but I have some sense... from listening to you... I think you're situation must be so hard...
my offering is twofold - my daughter and I will pray for you and family..I'll ask my daughter to pray for your daughters strength to endure in there young lives as well... and 2.) Just let you know, that no matter how unbelievably hard it gets....the love, help, and good people out of nowhere...start gradually pouring into your life....are you on-line with your County services at Human Services ? I had Douglas County Government here- my employer - that waited ten years for me to be able to work....State of Colorado as well.... there will be phenomenally wonderful ppl in your life if not allready , if your experience is anything like mine; it sounds so much worse.,,... but they say each individuals pain and trouble is the worst in the world- because its happening to THEM... and their family... I learned that about my daughter after I was able to re-learn how to think again from head injury, I mean no detail on my situation, just concepts...
it WILL get better, I've been told by SO many ppl that (religious or not) they have said - you know, you must have 9 lives, and somebody, something, somewhere, HAS TO HAVE A PURPOSE for you still being alive, there is a plan for you...hang in there and know it will become known at some time, maybe helping others as you say....after watching my father in Hospice, I've thought of becoming an ombudsman I think they are called, but in any event- visiting families hanging on by a thread medically, especially with children- who can't understand 'why their family"?. You bet you have our prayers my friend, and when I am on my feet again - 2 more things to get thru my way...and lots of talk....and for my daughter to...lots of talk...secondary victims they are called - the children, the wives, the husbands, but when it is both wife and husband, the children suffer so in a different way.... but I have watched it all make my daughter AN INCREDIBLY STRONG businesswoman... successful, determined, a climber.....hard worker...good ethics...kindness... after several years of bitter teenage-hood of why us ?
It'll all come around you watch fezo, no one goes thru that much without there being a reason, no matter what you believe in ....intelligent design, whatever....there is a reason.. so hang on to these thoughts if they comfort you...because they are turning true in whats left of my family..... all I mean is I lost my wife....but U are the subject here..... you will make it....don't hesitate to "not be strong" all the time - us men are taught to be stoic, strong, not cry - thats hooey - we're human - so give yourself a break....and seriously - almost all but agricultural counties have a noteworthy Human Services Department, branches of State as well, and they have a wide range of Support, Money, advocates to talk too, (I'd have gone nuts without my advocates, of a few kinds)....SSDI, state disabled funds for ppl awaiting SSDI, etc, and the County I live in and have worked (off and on) so long for.. after another county and state and fed agencies that totalled 13 years before this gov agency I am in now....and they wait...and wait.. and don't give up...makes you feel like there is a reason...and there are good things waiting when you get better..
.OK I've talked your ear off, but your story touched my heart in hearing so many of the similar things - even help in total on meds over $4,000/month for free, well, with assistnce, after my insurance ranout of lifetime max benefit, and my car insurance medical (which I had at triple normal) exhausted too, but the help when I could not work at all...so many times off and on now at DOUGLAS....tells me there are still lots of good ppl in the world...and so many that care....the 1 in 50 that are special make up for the 49 that don't care.... forget them.... and hang in there...will be thinking of you and family, and as the others said - keep us informed....and I take it you listen to Lightfoot therapeutically as I have for so long ? Its amazing what that can do as well.... OK man hang tuff, and conversely, you don't HAVE to be strong... get that support network broad enouogh to spread out the stresses and ...things to solve and figure out every month....have ppl involved with you on that , if you don't mind my advice - its a little late for me to ask that....lol...take care and keep the faith....
'geo" steve & daughter Mamie
geodeticman.5
10-15-2008, 11:57 AM
put me down for a CD too fezo...details on buying ? likely next month.. :)
johnfowles
10-15-2008, 04:06 PM
Having been in contact with my fellow NJ resident,Steve, with a view to resurrecting his old website (which is actually archived at:-
http://fezo.notlong.com ) I am extremely upset to hear his news, and as a confirmed agnostic I will certainly keep my fingers crossed for him.We had hoped to meet at the recent Morristown NJ concert and at my prodding he had got great second row seats next to the two we had got for Susan's sister
He was then unable to attend due to the onset of his illness and the treatment but fortunately his tix were gratefully bought by Bruna/silverheels, so she and her friend were at the last minute able to get great seats
Steve had passed me a spare copy of his superb debut CD
"Taking The Moon For A Walk" and after the concert as promised I passed it on to The Man himself together with a letter of explanation suggesting that he should listen to at least the title track with a view to solving his current lack of time and inclination to devote to writing new songs for another CD.
I followed this up at a later concert to be told politely that he had a pile of (such) CDs a foot high to plough through but at least he appeared to remember my letter which I took to be a good sign although he did not actually admit to reading it!!
Meanwhile I had made good quality mp3s of all ten tracks on Steve's CD
and in another thread
http://www.corfid.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=18581
I had given links to 4 of them as repeated here by JJ.
As I had said in that thread I am trying to make time (not easy when in my retirement I find so many projects to do) to complete the job of recreating a fully functional version of Steve's original website using the details in that internet archive set as linked above. I also need to get Steve to revise his "bio" page as it was obviously written a long time ago.
I did say in that thread that I had however created a spoof of such a revision which is at:-
http://ww.fezo1.notlong.com/biotxt_revised.htm
Sorry Steve I could not resist repeating that link, not having heard from you to tell me if you approved it or not
I can now think of two recommendations for corfiddlers that should help him in his predicament
as many as possible should shell out the small sum of $15.00
for which they will receive the most excellent and varied CD
Perhaps Steve could reply by stating how many thousand copies he has stashed away in his garage or basement!!
Also in that thread I had displayed a scan of Steve's CD's rear insert
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/images/back_insert.jpg
which features Steve's home address and telephone number which has been on public display previously in that thread and of which again Steve raised no objections so
give him a call I suspect that evenings might be best as I having tried him during the day today he was out (possibly receiving treatment)
There will be a lot here thinking of you Steve so keep your chin up!!!
BILLW
10-15-2008, 08:30 PM
I'm praying all day most days. Be glad to include you. And I would request prayers and "good thoughts" for my Mom who passed away Monday after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. I know some people are a little uneasy with the thought of "prayers" and thats OK. I think good thoughts, etc. get translated after they leave your head. And even if you don't believe in anything - good thoughts and actions are all good, eh ?
Peace Be With You,
Bill :)
Jesse Joe
10-15-2008, 08:46 PM
Real sorry to hear about your Mom Bill. :( My sympathies to you and your family...
Thinking of you Fezo, healing thoughts up your way from Atlantic Canada... Hang in there and be strong.
~Jesse Joe~
Thanks, folks!
Sir John - great! Of Course it was fine to post the alternate biography. Obviously I've had a lot of things slide as this has gone along. I really do expect to come out on the other side. When this all started the hematologist said to still count on a couple more decades and I'm still thinking that way. BTW - were you an atheist you couldn't pray. Agnostics are another story. You could pray and think you might be talking to yourself....
Bill - sorry to hear that woth your mom. We went through nine years of dementia with my mom and a long bout of Alzheimer's with my father-in-law. It's not easy and even under the circumstances the end isn't easy either.
Oh - you can see my address and phone on that abck of teh CD. If you need an E-mail it's fezo@rocketmail.com
Thanks, everyone. The suppor helps loads and I remain optimistic even while I'm muttering "hurry up already".... And I'm still hanging in at work....
charlene
10-15-2008, 11:13 PM
Bill - I'm sorry to hear about your mum..good thoughts are on their way from north of the border...
I'm praying all day most days. Be glad to include you. And I would request prayers and "good thoughts" for my Mom who passed away Monday after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. I know some people are a little uneasy with the thought of "prayers" and thats OK. I think good thoughts, etc. get translated after they leave your head. And even if you don't believe in anything - good thoughts and actions are all good, eh ?
Peace Be With You,
Bill :)
Peace Be With Your Mom
many good thoughts on their way from the north, Bill & Fezo
formerlylavender
10-16-2008, 07:25 AM
Bill, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. Count me in for the positive thoughts and prayers. Hang in there.
Lisa
Patti
10-22-2008, 05:15 PM
Count me in too.
Hey Fezo,
I just got the CD and I'm playing it on my walkman right now.
I'm on track 4. :headbang::):biggrin:
Nightingale
10-23-2008, 12:36 AM
My prayers are with you, Fezo.
So sorry to hear of your troubles. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Bill, very sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Steve, it's a fabulous CD. Knowing you're from New Jersey, I was bit surprised by the country influence. That's just fine by me. I could feel the pool stick in my hands, the beers flowing down my throat, and see the smiles crossing the faces of those in pursuit of a good time.
Your wit shines through also.
It's Excellent.
Thanks.
Patti
10-23-2008, 10:41 AM
I'm cherishing this CD. I've heard this kind of music live more than any other. It reminds me of the days when my Dad would take me and my friends out and the music was great. I don't know how my Dad knew all so many long-haired country musicians, but they would spot him right away and head to our table on their break. Lots of good conversation.
Great music - thanks much.
Oh, Linda
10-23-2008, 04:12 PM
Bill W and fezo--my thoughts are with you.
Hey, thanks!
I'm glad you folks like that.
I can remember my dad playing Patsy Cline on a jukebox when I was maybe 7 or 8. She was still alive at the time. That's the first time I remember hearing Crazy.
I wasn't consciously into country until I figured out there was a country station in New York. A real eye opener.
Where I live now, down by the Jersey shore, there's a place not 15 minutes from my house that has a 300 seat hall and live country - just folks from around here laying for free - every Saturday night. Very heavy bluegrass influence. I always thought my CD is kind of bluegrass without a banjo for most of it. Sure wish that mandolin player hadn't moved to North Carolina.
Meanwhile i'm hanging in here. Probably more blood next week but I'm OK.
Peter Bro10
10-25-2008, 07:52 AM
My prayers are with you, Fezo.
So sorry to hear of your troubles. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Bill, very sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. My prayers are with you and your family.
Precisely what I meant to say!!!
Fezo, as a family man I am feel keenly akin to your situation! I'm 48 and have 6 kids ranging from 24 to 5 (including two step-daughters, 22 and 15). A sort of "yours, mine and our's" arrangment!
Anyhow, I'll be praying for your family as well.
Bill, I'll be praying for your Mom all so.
May happy memories prevail.
Well, here I am wit two new units of blood imported from Columbus, Ohio in me. As a result I feel better anyway. Right now this happens about every two weeks. Either medication or surgery will fix that eventually. I'm sure rooting for the medication!
Remaining optimistic.
Patti
10-30-2008, 11:53 AM
Glad you're feeling better. That was nice of someone in Columbus, Ohio. I hope you do get some good medicine very soon.
p.s. I really like singing Patsy Cline songs 'specially the midnight one.
Grrrrr... Back in for more blood tomorrow. At least the doctor says to still count on being around for a couple of more decades.
I'll report on what exotic place the blood ccomes from this time.....
podunklander
11-11-2008, 08:53 PM
Grrrrr... Back in for more blood tomorrow. At least the doctor says to still count on being around for a couple of more decades.
I'll report on what exotic place the blood ccomes from this time.....
I wish you the best for tomorrow :)
charlene
11-11-2008, 10:23 PM
let us know how you are..
Patti
11-11-2008, 11:58 PM
What kind of blood do you need? I have some extra A+
Jesse Joe
11-12-2008, 09:04 AM
Always thinking of you Fezo, all the best. :)
ELizabeth
11-13-2008, 06:19 AM
How are you doing Fezo? Keeping you in my thoughts.
Staying in one piece more or less...
On blood donation - I don't need people to specifically donate (and I'm AB positive so I can take any type) but there is always need for people to donate. Obviously I can't (and never could for other health related reasons) but I always encourage anyone who can to do so. It really is life saving. Were the supply of donated blood not around I'd probably be gone by now. With it I will probably live another couple of decades because the donated blood buys time.
Next time I'm in the hospital I'll have to bring my laptop (finally bought a month ago). No wi-fi but I can play DVDs. Six hours or so is a long time to sit around. I nap, read, listen to the iPod. Wonder if I could play my guitar with an IV in my hand?
brink-
11-17-2008, 01:19 AM
Fezo, if somebody donates in your name isn't it credited half to you? Hope all is going well for you, I would certainly be more than willing to donate in your name. I am also on the marrow donor list, again would be glad to help you out.
you know, since the blood I get is covered by insurance (thank goodness! Between that and the medication I couldn't afford to live!) I never asked about that part.
I'm at least another medication away from having to deal with a transplant. Am hoping like mad that it doesn't come to that but I appreciate anyone being on the list! Still might need it down the road.
Meanwhile, for all - getting yourself tested for a bone marrow match is quick and painless. Actually being the donor (or in my case one who got actual marrow tested) is another story. Even that, however is not as ad as it sounds.
Well, I'm down a quart again..... Back in for that tomorrow.
Am going for a couple of weeks without the medication to see if that does anything. Will find out more after that.
At least I will be my old self for Thanksgiving...
Have a new quart of Omaha's finest. That's probably the furthest I've seen the blood come from.
Am still in one piece.
talbot10
11-26-2008, 08:05 PM
Have a new quart of Omaha's finest. That's probably the furthest I've seen the blood come from.
Am still in one piece.
God bless you Fezo. I will be praying for you. There are people from as far away as Norway that donated blood in honor of my Daughter Dana. If not for the gift of life that blood donors everywhere gave, I and my family would not have the gift of the 4 1/2 extra years of life we had with Dana.
Every day that gift saves so many lives. I truly believe that people giving blood have a special place in God's heart. Happy Thanks giving Fez!
Bill
talbot10
11-26-2008, 08:11 PM
Fezo, if somebody donates in your name isn't it credited half to you? Hope all is going well for you, I would certainly be more than willing to donate in your name. I am also on the marrow donor list, again would be glad to help you out.
Thanks Deb,
So many people in this world with blood diseases often find that their
only hope of cure is a peripheral stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant
from an unknown doner. That is a great thing you are doing. Happy thanksgfiving Deb!
Bill
Thanks, Bill.
I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. I just can't imagine. But an extra four and a half years is a good thing.
Right now this is keeping me going while they try to beat it into remission. I think drug #1 officially didn't work. I suspect that after two weeks we'll be on to drug number two. Ultimately it may be a bone marrow transplant. We'll see.
I appreciate every prayer I get. I still think I'll beat this. So does my doctor.
ELizabeth
11-27-2008, 06:49 AM
Fezo...Hoping that you beat this beast into submission. I am in awe of your courage. You remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Keeping steady on the health front.
My sad news of the day is my dad passed this morning. He was six weeks short of 91 and had an amazing, happy life but it's rough right now.
I may be disconnected for a couple of days.
charlene
12-04-2008, 12:01 AM
I'm so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and hugs are on their way. I'm so so sorry..
Char
Jesse Joe
12-04-2008, 07:57 AM
Sorry to hear this bad news fezo. :(
Thanks, folks. In his own words - maybe about a year ago we were up at the house and dad was in his chair - the throne from which dad pronouncements might come if he wasn't watching baseball or golf - and he looks up at us (me, my wife and out four daughters (40% of his grandkids...) and says "If God takes me right now I have had a great life." Indeed he did.
I'm hurting now but only because I was used to haviong that presence for all of my near 58 years. It's a big empty space right now.
SilverHeels
12-04-2008, 11:53 AM
Steve, I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad and am thinking of you all right now.
podunklander
12-04-2008, 01:15 PM
My deepest sympathy for your loss, Steve. May you find much comfort in your memories of your dad. Pam
Patti
12-04-2008, 11:48 PM
Prayers for you, fezo.
Sundown17
12-05-2008, 09:42 AM
Add me to the list of Lightheads and others that have you in their thoughts for all you are going through. Even though your dad expressed content with his life's journey, it's the ones he leaves behind that experience the loss. I went through the same thing with both my folks. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
And good thoughts that your health issue stays manageable...and hopefully improves! I can certainly commiserate with the being tied to an IV pole for hours. I used to get IV drug infusions that would last for 3 hours. I would get so bored and restless that my teeth would ache. And the recliners would lose their comfort after 2 hours, so I can't even imagine 6+ hours. wow
Diane
Patti
12-06-2008, 06:15 PM
I woke up still clutching the rosary I started saying for you last night. I finished it this morning. That was very kind of your dad to let you and your family know how he felt about living a good life. I feel that he said it in loving hopes that it would help comfort you in this present time.
BILLW
12-06-2008, 10:09 PM
Our prayers are with you.
Bill
Two more units of blood yesterday. I'm good for the moment....
SilverHeels
12-12-2008, 09:22 PM
You're doing great, Steve. Hang in there.
Nightingale
12-13-2008, 12:30 AM
I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss, Steve. My thoughts and prayers are with you for your healing, both emotionally and physically.
Take care,
Anne
Ah... It's Christmas Eve getting blood. guess it will keep me out of the stores anyway...
Grrrr... back for more blood tomorrow.... To add to things I now have way too much iron in me which is the result of all the transfusions. It's showing up in tests on the liver. That will clear if we can get the blood issue settled.
Sigh...
charlene
01-07-2009, 11:59 AM
oh dear..get that sorted out and let us know how things go tomorrow! good luck..
char
Will do. Thanks. Getting nuts. At one point this has to get better.
SilverHeels
01-07-2009, 01:19 PM
Thinking of you, Steve, and wishing you better. Try and stay positive, buddy.
btw love the cd!
podunklander
01-07-2009, 01:33 PM
I hope all goes well tomorrow and as always...my thoughts and prayers.
Dream Street Rose
01-07-2009, 02:42 PM
Hi fezo,
With so many of your friends praying and sending positive thoughts your way you have to start to feel better very soon. Please do not go nuts, that's my job. Sending you a hug along with prayer.
DSR
Yeah, my New Years resolution was to stop this stuff but my body isn't cooperating.
Actually in terms of how I'm feeling the only really bad part is being dog tired all the time.
I have to get out playing because when I have an audience all the endorphins kick in and I'm great. I'm beat the next day but that's fine.
Gotta make sure the iPod is charged and the books are set. Six hours of sitting there - you need to be prepared.
Got my two units yesterday. Genuine Philadelphia blood. I hope this doesn't make me tolerate the Eagles on Sunday... Go, Giants!
Now I can safely turn another year older tomorrow....
charlene
01-09-2009, 11:07 PM
well congrats on the new "philly" blood and happy birthday!!
Just a note here...
Well, the past month since I last reported has been more or less the same - transfusion every two weeks. Well, until today anyway. Today the hemoglobin came in at 8.7. That's not a great number but it's high enough that i was given the option of going another week if I felt up to it. Indeed I do so it will be a whole three weeks this time if things hold up. It's not earth shattering but it's the first good news on this front in a long time. I'll take that.
charlene
02-03-2009, 03:00 PM
must be the philly effect.. ;)
good news indeed!
Actually the last batch was from Columbus, Ohio but who's counting?
Dream Street Rose
02-03-2009, 03:42 PM
Happy to hear what I think is a good report. I hope you are not as tired as you were. Sending happy thoughts your way. :)
DSR
Yes, it's a good report and indeed I'm a bit less tired.
now if you went to the doctor and tehy found your hemoglobin with an 8.7 they'd probably zip you into the hospital and order a gazillion tests but for me it's a good sign that the rate of it dropping has slowed. It's a first step. Been waiting a long time for that!
Will of course keep you posted as this goes along.
Peter Bro10
02-03-2009, 06:47 PM
Fezo, as always, you're in my prayers.
Keep the faith!
podunklander
02-04-2009, 01:54 PM
Yes, it's a good report and indeed I'm a bit less tired.
now if you went to the doctor and tehy found your hemoglobin with an 8.7 they'd probably zip you into the hospital and order a gazillion tests but for me it's a good sign that the rate of it dropping has slowed. It's a first step. Been waiting a long time for that!
Will of course keep you posted as this goes along.
So glad to know :biggrin:
pleased to hear of the good report...hope the next one is great
ELizabeth
02-04-2009, 03:08 PM
Fezo...as always I'm keeping my eye on you. Please rest and continue to improve. We got your back!
Many thanks!
So here i am in uncharted territory and so far so good... I'm still tired but better than I've been.
Heck, today I earned being tired - was up last night to see what Letterman might do having former Governor Blagojevich on the show. He skewered him. What is the ex-gov thinking pleading his case with Letterman. He was better off with softball questioners. it was worth it to me for the laughs...
was up last night to see what Letterman might do having former Governor Blagojevich on the show. He skewered him. What is the ex-gov thinking pleading his case with Letterman.
Give Blago a break.......2 Presidential cabinet appointees have withdrawn due to tax issues and our President is uttering "I screwed up". I appreciate the honesty, but would prefer wisdom. Power corrupts.
Well, back for more blood. We'll see how this batch holds. Overall I still think it's turning here but we will see.
Patti
02-10-2009, 12:54 PM
Hi Fezo, I got my new blood type card in the mail just yesterday.
Hope things are going well. How is the music going with the 7 year olds?
I'd get much more done without the seven year olds but I'm much happier with them....
Lately I've taken to hanging by the computer with the guitar and playing along with whatever strikes my fancy on either the iTunes or fooling around with youtube. On the latter i found this great version of the old George Jones tune "That's All It Took." It's been covered a million times, probably most notably by Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. On youtube they've got it with Ricky Skaggs and Elvis Costello. Sweet!
Too bad I don't have Internet during transfusions.... I make do with iPod and books though.
Patti
02-10-2009, 05:59 PM
I was wondering what kind of music your 7 year olds might be playing.
I went and saw that video with Ricky Skaggs and Elvis Costello. That is sweet. I have one Ricky Skaggs album here called Family & Friends. It's nice to be able to check out videos on the computer sometimes. I've never really tried hard enough to figure out the MP3 and iPod and things like that. They're so small, and when I first got one, I was too busy and the ol eyes were starting to change, but I think it may be possible for me to learn how to use those things soon. What a drag, having to get transfusions, but good you can listen to music, and read.
The 7 year olds are being tricked by the Disney machine. They (especially Claire) sing the Hannah Montana theme song. So far they don't know dad put out a CD...
I have a couple neat Ricky Skaggs CDs with perfect country names - Don't Cheat in Our Home Town and Highways and Heartaches.
iPods are a ton easier than mp3s. I highly recommend them
Patti
02-11-2009, 01:40 AM
That's good that Claire likes to sing.
:cool:
Absolutely! I have to get her into a kids music class. She's definitely got it. It's kind of funny that of all the kids the one with the really serious musig gene (they all have some music gene) is the adopted one.
Got my two units today (one Philadelphia and one Omaha) today. Feel better. Capped taht with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel up in Red Bank. More on that tomorrow.
Patti
02-13-2009, 01:50 PM
Got my two units today (one Philadelphia and one Omaha) today. Feel better. Capped taht with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel up in Red Bank. More on that tomorrow.
Glad you are feeling better, and that you got to get out and enjoy some good music! :)
Patti
02-16-2009, 10:59 AM
Absolutely! I have to get her into a kids music class. She's definitely got it. It's kind of funny that of all the kids the one with the really serious musig gene (they all have some music gene) is the adopted one.
Got my two units today (one Philadelphia and one Omaha) today. Feel better. Capped taht with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel up in Red Bank. More on that tomorrow.
Didn't mean to not mention Claire in my previous post. Had just been waiting to hear any news on the concert. I think that is great for you to encourage the kids in their music. Music classes can be good. Usually the teachers are into music themselves, so they like to see students that are interested in music. I think Claire might be excited to get to go to a music class. The regular classroom may not provide enough music instruction.
When you first mentioned 7 year olds, I thought they might be twins. That's interesting one is adopted. Did you get to raise her from a newborn?
Patti
02-16-2009, 11:13 AM
:)
Just got a view of New Jersey from Regis. He was on the 103 floor of the Empire State building. lol I think I saw your house. :biggrin:
Well, you'd have to overcome the curvature of the earth but...... I'm probably 90 miles southwest of the Empire State Building. Incredibly i have never been up it. My "tall building in New York" experience was going up the World Trade Center. Still spooks me when I think of that.
Ah! Another chance to talk about the "twins." We had decided to get a girl from China about a year and a half before it all happened. Wasn't a fertility thing. It was a 'those kids have a terrible time of it and you can't help the big picture much but can do everything for one kid" thing. Well, halfway through things Jen gets pregnant but we'd decided beforehand that if that happened we were still going through with it.
So Carrie was born September 21,2001. Believe me that was a weird time to be having a kid! We continue on things for Claire. In January 02 I have a series of ministrokes leading to a seizure. We pause and really started thinking this might not be a go. We tell the adoption agency we're slowing down but come May I get a call from the agency telling me she's looking at a picture of my daughter. I'm there "excuse me?" She had been away and never got the delay message. Says we can say no but in conversation says she was born on September 22, 2001. I know at that point that I'm going to go get her.
Jen was already in bed. i go up and tell her and first she's says we can't do it. Then i say "she was born on September 22 - I'm going." She was quickly on board.
The trip to China was at the end of June of 2002. At the time the girls were nine months old. Jen didn't see taking Carrie to China at 9 months so i took my oldest daughter, Jill. She was 13 at the time. On July 1 we arrive in Changsha, the capital of the Hunan province. They hand Claire off to us almost before I've put down my suitcase! Jen sends me an E-mail. Now we had named Claire before she was even conceived. i named her after my mother who just missed ever getting to meet her. The orphanage, where she had lived from the age of two days had given her the name Wei. We had checked on the meaning of that and when you look in a baby name book Claire means exactly the same thing! The Chinese speak of a red thread holding people together. If you are connected to another person by a red thread you will meet that person no matter how tangled the thread may get. We were obviously connected to Claire by that red thread.
It was tough early on because Carrie is such a laid back happy kid and Claire is very temperamental which we were warned first thing is a Hunan characteristic. They are often very opinionated and passionate. Mao was from Hunan. Carrie and Claire have become twins for all practical purposes. Best friends and worst enemies. More often friends.
I'll have to post a picture at one point.
Meanwhile, I'm tired but getting along. I imagine I'll have another blood trip on Wednesday. As long as i can keep it going which I'm sure I can.
charlene
02-20-2009, 05:50 PM
what a remarkable story! love it!
hope things go well on wednesday..
luv4lightfoot
02-21-2009, 03:19 PM
That really must have been a weird time to be having a kid. Especially since you lived so close by the world trade center and you had been way up there before. It was pretty freaky hearing about it way over in this part of the country.
Thanks for sharing the story about Claire. That's good you are all a family. I'd like to see a picture. :) That must have been a fun trip for Jill.
I want to encourage others here to give blood. I did in December, and can again soon, but I would like to help more if I can.
Oh, yes! Keep those blood donations coming!
It was so weird here in that time frame. The next county north of here lost more people on 9/11 than any other jurisdiction except the city of New York. For more than half a year there were multiple obits in the paper as folks waited to mark the many deaths. While i didn't do it you could go not far at all from here and see things smoking up there. A friend who lives up where i grew up (and may yet go back) was watching the event through binoculars from his deck. Yeah, it was insane. If you want some chills listen to Tom Paxton - http://www.tompaxton.com/audio/the_bravest.mp3
Will have to get a good picture going. Today, however, I'm working and then heading up about an hour and a half to go see Jonathan Edwards. Should be fun.
luv4lightfoot
02-21-2009, 10:41 PM
Hi Steve, I just found this web address on the back of my brother, Andy's guitar tuner. I thought you or Claire might like it. :)
http://www.cherub.cn/
Thanks for the link to that song. I listened to it.
Jonathan Edwards! Wow, hope you had fun there.
Oh, cool. Thanks!
Jonathan Edwards puts on a great show! I had only seen him at all once before and it was in a bar that didn't do him justice at all. Tonight was an acoustic music outfit that holds concerts every couple of weeks. Good stuff. I saw Rodney Crowell there last month.
Anyway, Jonathan played with a trio of him, a really good mandolin player and Sturat Schulman who has been with him on and off for forty years. Great original stuff spanning that length of time and very interesting takes on others material. Fantastic harmony.
Funny thing - he used the old Lightfoot joke - "I'd like to introduce the band - Stuart, Taylor, Taylor, Stuart....
It's one in the AM. I need to sleep.
Joke tonight - His wife says come upstairs and make love to me. He replies "pick one. I don't think I can do both."
Grrrr....
I'm back to square one. today's hemoglobin count was down at 6.9 - lowest it's ever been. Back in the hospital tomorrow...
luv4lightfoot
02-24-2009, 07:05 PM
Back in there for for 2 more units of blood, or do you have to stay in there for a longer time because of the hemoglobin count?
Two more units. That brings the count right up. Essentially someone else's bone marrow is doing the work mine is supposed to do. You'd think mine would be ashamed of itself.
As this has gone along it takes longer now because they have to give me medication before the transfusion to keep my body from trying to reject it and then different medication after to prevent iron from building up. Too much iron is way bad for you.
If you ever read the Steve Goodman biography, Facing the Music, there's a piece in there on how he got picked up by the Chicago police because they thought all the little needle bruises on his arms were from heroin use when in fact he was fighting leukemia. My arms are starting to look like that. Be ready to post my bail.....
luv4lightfoot
02-24-2009, 08:34 PM
I can't afford to post bail for anyone, but if I can donate bone marrow for you, I'm willing to do that. Make sure the cops don't see those little needle bruises. You don't need to be going to jail. Going to the hospital is close enough. Does Jen have some concealer? That might help.
I'm cool. At least I have a brother who's a lawyer.....
I could see that with the concealer... Cop: "I love what you've done with your arms."......
Dream Street Rose
02-24-2009, 09:32 PM
Fezo,
Happy to see you still have your sense of humor. I really admire you. :) Keep up the good work.
Thinking of you.
DSR
ELizabeth
02-25-2009, 07:15 AM
fezo...I'm so sorry about the relapse (?). Hope you're out of the hospital soon.
Will just be the day. I'll check i tonight.
Off I go.
Two units of Portland, OR a+. Hoping for the best. At least things feel more like something normal. I learned to never let it get that low again.
Have three new holes in my arm..... I'm ready to start a really miniature golf course....
luv4lightfoot
02-26-2009, 12:39 PM
Well, you'd have to overcome the curvature of the earth but...... I'm probably 90 miles southwest of the Empire State Building. Incredibly i have never been up it. My "tall building in New York" experience was going up the World Trade Center. Still spooks me when I think of that.
Ah! Another chance to talk about the "twins." We had decided to get a girl from China about a year and a half before it all happened. Wasn't a fertility thing. It was a 'those kids have a terrible time of it and you can't help the big picture much but can do everything for one kid" thing. Well, halfway through things Jen gets pregnant but we'd decided beforehand that if that happened we were still going through with it.
So Carrie was born September 21,2001. Believe me that was a weird time to be having a kid! We continue on things for Claire. In January 02 I have a series of ministrokes leading to a seizure. We pause and really started thinking this might not be a go. We tell the adoption agency we're slowing down but come May I get a call from the agency telling me she's looking at a picture of my daughter. I'm there "excuse me?" She had been away and never got the delay message. Says we can say no but in conversation says she was born on September 22, 2001. I know at that point that I'm going to go get her.
Jen was already in bed. i go up and tell her and first she's says we can't do it. Then i say "she was born on September 22 - I'm going." She was quickly on board.
The trip to China was at the end of June of 2002. At the time the girls were nine months old. Jen didn't see taking Carrie to China at 9 months so i took my oldest daughter, Jill. She was 13 at the time. On July 1 we arrive in Changsha, the capital of the Hunan province. They hand Claire off to us almost before I've put down my suitcase! Jen sends me an E-mail. Now we had named Claire before she was even conceived. i named her after my mother who just missed ever getting to meet her. The orphanage, where she had lived from the age of two days had given her the name Wei. We had checked on the meaning of that and when you look in a baby name book Claire means exactly the same thing! The Chinese speak of a red thread holding people together. If you are connected to another person by a red thread you will meet that person no matter how tangled the thread may get. We were obviously connected to Claire by that red thread.
It was tough early on because Carrie is such a laid back happy kid and Claire is very temperamental which we were warned first thing is a Hunan characteristic. They are often very opinionated and passionate. Mao was from Hunan. Carrie and Claire have become twins for all practical purposes. Best friends and worst enemies. More often friends.
I'll have to post a picture at one point.
Meanwhile, I'm tired but getting along. I imagine I'll have another blood trip on Wednesday. As long as i can keep it going which I'm sure I can.
Very interesting post, and I would like to learn more about what the Chinese say about that red thread.
A reasonably quick description of the red thread -
"The Red Thread
The Chinese have an ancient belief that an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break.
When a child is born, these invisible red threads reach out from the child's spirit to all the important people who will enter her life. As she grows, the thread shortens, drawing her closer to the people who love her."
Patti
03-10-2009, 01:11 PM
Hi Steve,
About two weeks ago I got a really cool PM from ... China.
Cool pics on her website too.
Thanks again Jeanette.
:)
BILLW
03-10-2009, 01:55 PM
What a story man, hang in there !
Peace,
Bill :)
Hey!
Well, I'm in again tomorrow for a couple of units... Will let you know how it goes. I'm beginning to try and plan my schedule around these things since otherwise I'd run out of sick days. You do what you have to.
The doctor was away on vacation for a week and then had a family emergency so getting everything done was wackier this time but I'm due in tomorrow morning now which is right on schedule.
geodeticman.5
03-10-2009, 03:53 PM
Fezo - I havn't kept up on your story from the time I wished you well the first day. Reading today, I am astounded by your high spirits, and just plain toughness getting through what you are. And to be so giving as to adopt your child from China, that I think is one of the most giving things a couple can ever do. I wish you well in the 2 more units, and hope your arm make-up works ! I am very humbled in reading your proud struggle - I have no doubt all will be well with your love of life. All the best,
geo- steve
Many thanks to my fellow Steve...
On the adoption front let me tell you - I've gotten far more back than i ever put into it. She's one special girl. named her after my mom. Major daddy's girl - like none I've seen. I mean my second daughter was a daddy's girl (still is to a fair degree) but nothing like this. She's very opinionated and passionate which is a challenge but loving as all get out and scary bright.
So I'm back with two units from Columbus, OH.... We carry on..
So I get home and we just have some fried chicken from the store. Claire asks how they catch the chickens! You can't buy that kind of entertainment. Once she figured out that the chicken didn't live to a ripe old age you could see the wheels starting to turn in her head. Her 16 year old sister (my daughter Michelle) hasn't eaten meat in a year and a half.
podunklander
03-12-2009, 03:42 PM
Hey!
Well, I'm in again tomorrow for a couple of units... Will let you know how it goes. I'm beginning to try and plan my schedule around these things since otherwise I'd run out of sick days. You do what you have to.
The doctor was away on vacation for a week and then had a family emergency so getting everything done was wackier this time but I'm due in tomorrow morning now which is right on schedule.
I hope all went well :D
Nightingale
03-13-2009, 01:33 AM
Well, I really enjoyed reading your story about the adoption. That is wonderful and I am sure the babies bring a great deal of joy to your life.
I loved the story about the red thread :) Really a lovely thought. :)
You hang in there :) It sounds like you are going through some tough experiences. I don't know if I could be as brave and upbeat as you are. I admire your mind set and courage. I still keep you in my prayers.
Anne
charlene
03-13-2009, 04:41 AM
Send her up here - the local paper has a job posting for a 'chicken catcher' at a local chicken farm.
My sister went thru a 'no meat' phase around age 15 or so. It lasted a couple of years if I remember correctly.
BILLW
03-13-2009, 06:29 AM
So I'm back with two units from Columbus, OH.... We carry on..
So I get home and we just have some fried chicken from the store. Claire asks how they catch the chickens! You can't buy that kind of entertainment. Once she figured out that the chicken didn't live to a ripe old age you could see the wheels starting to turn in her head. Her 16 year old sister (my daughter Michelle) hasn't eaten meat in a year and a half.
Mostly with a machine that looks like a Bobcat thats been modified to have soft rubber fingers, like a street sweeper sort of. But it's also still done by hand and it's a lot faster than you might imagine. But from birth to fying pan the treatment is largely humane, a happy, well cared for chicken is what you want.
I work in the corporate offices but in your first year of employment you usually get a "tour" of a processing plant. Believe me, if you like chicken you'll want to skip the tour. I was off meat eating for a good 8 - 10 hours after that. Really.
Next time you have Cornish Hens I'd love to hear the story from that table side chat, LOL. (they're just "younger" by the way)
Good story,
Bill :)
charlene
03-13-2009, 10:28 AM
I was off meat eating for a good 8 - 10 hours after that. Really.
Bill :)
LOL - A whole 8 - 10 hours..mygoodness! Hard to believe!
;)
I suspect Claire's immediate idea was they they went hunting wild chickens... i don't know for sure. You would think between Old MacDonald and all the little farm stories that she'd figure they were there on the farm.
I noticed she was asking about chicken at dinner last night. she likes it so I don't think that image stuck with her.
Weird stuff going on. Two weeks ago I was scheduled to see the doctor his first day back from vacation. I get a call that he has a family emergency and will have to reschedule. The next week still no doctor and the on premises blood lab that he owns as part of the practice isn't operating either. They send me over to the hospital for the tests and the next day i get two units of blood. Since I like Mark i get Columbus, OH blood so I can still associate with him.
Yesterday i call the office and everything is still shut. They faxed an order to my local blood lab but not until a few misses on that so that a simple blood test takes up a good chunk of my morning.
Meanwhile, my older brother's roommate from college was the clinical director at Sloan Kettering at one point so I sent my brother my bone marrow test and asked for a recommendation which I got. once they have a copy of where I am at the moment I'll have an appointment with him. I should have done this in the first place.
What I have isn't technically cancer but that's who treats it and it's kind of related. It can turn into a nasty leukemia down the road so I'm disagreeing with current doc on conservative approach. We will see.
Nightingale
03-18-2009, 12:00 AM
I think you are taking a really smart approach to this. It's so easy for a patient to get lost between paper work and test results that doctors sometimes seem to know much less than they should about the person they are treating.
It always makes sense to have an active role and strong opinions about your care.
Doctors aren't always right and they aren't always on top of a situation.
I hope the new doctor works out well for you.
Dream Street Rose
03-18-2009, 12:24 AM
Hi fezo,
I am sorry to hear about the hassle you have had to go through. I bet the new doctor will be a God send. It is time someone stepped up to the plate to help you. Our technology has improved so much. Hopefully moving on will for the better.
Wishing you good luck, better health and all the good times you can get. :biggrin:
DSR
charlene
03-18-2009, 07:55 AM
Being pro-active and advocating for yourself is the best thing. Let us know how it goes..
Patti
03-18-2009, 10:58 AM
Weird stuff going on. Two weeks ago I was scheduled to see the doctor his first day back from vacation. I get a call that he has a family emergency and will have to reschedule. The next week still no doctor and the on premises blood lab that he owns as part of the practice isn't operating either. They send me over to the hospital for the tests and the next day i get two units of blood. Since I like Mark i get Columbus, OH blood so I can still associate with him.
Yesterday i call the office and everything is still shut. They faxed an order to my local blood lab but not until a few misses on that so that a simple blood test takes up a good chunk of my morning.
Meanwhile, my older brother's roommate from college was the clinical director at Sloan Kettering at one point so I sent my brother my bone marrow test and asked for a recommendation which I got. once they have a copy of where I am at the moment I'll have an appointment with him. I should have done this in the first place.
What I have isn't technically cancer but that's who treats it and it's kind of related. It can turn into a nasty leukemia down the road so I'm disagreeing with current doc on conservative approach. We will see.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since I like Mark i get Columbus, OH blood so I can still associate with him. :)
podunklander
03-18-2009, 12:28 PM
Sorry to know about this -so odd that happened and I know it's confusing for you-the last thing you need when you have a major health issue. I know it's hard to advocate for yourself when you're not feeling well and Sloan should have a patient advocate you could ask to work with you? Or perhaps there's an agency in the community where you live? You don't have to take everything on youself and I hope you've had some family members and friends to help you through. Well you know you have us here to support you :biggrin:
Things are still nutty at the doctor's office but was in for more blood today. Here was something different - they actually gave me a unit of my own blood type!
I'm AB positive. We can take anything and up until today that has meant all A positive. One unit of that today but one of the real thing.
The hemoglobin wasn't horribly low (by my standards) going in so maybe we are still improving....
johnfowles
03-29-2009, 12:15 AM
I was just doing my monthly logging in to the two free websites I created for Steve Lasala (fezo) and played again the mp3 of the title track from his one and only CD
http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot/images/fezo_front.jpg[/URL]
and was reminded of just what a great song it is. Of course that is In MY Humble Opinion. I thought it worth repeating the download link, if you like what you hear then please comment as I am sure that it will cheer Steve up in his hopefully succeeding treatment.Like all great songs you will need to play it a few times (ten minimum) to really appreciate it .
[URL]http://fezo1.fileave.com/mp3s/02_Taking_The_Moon_For_A_Walk.mp3 (http://www.johnfowles.org.uk/lightfoot/images/fezo_front.jpg)
right click then "save target as"
am I right???
Peter Bro10
03-29-2009, 04:07 AM
Thanks John, yes the link worked as you suggested.
Enjoying the tune as I type... Thanks Fezo!
Many well-wishes, as you are in my daily prayers...
Much appreciated.
Sir John continues t do his part to rid the space under my bed of CDs.....
Yesterday we went into NYC - lower Manhattan - to have some fun testing out a radio performance studio that's just about built. Essentially they wanted some musician sorts to play while they checked out equipment so several of us went because one of our band mates works at the station. Good time, far better acoustics than we are used to working with and lots better monitoring so I could hear what we were up to.
No brilliant work on our part but a really fun - and pretty exhausting - day.
johnfowles
04-01-2009, 08:59 AM
According to the statistics shown against the listing of this thread 53 people have looked at this thread since I posted my reminder and invited comments to cheer Steve up yet only Peter and Steve himself have so far posted comments did the other 51 have nothing to say at all or are they all
"Of the kind that will (not) pass by " (Stay Loose)
OR
"So if you’ve got the time and you’d like to pass by" (NOT)
(Sea Of Tranquility)
OR will you too
"be one who passed through but never saw
Never knowing never feeling anything
Will you live your whole life through never knowing what to do
Will you be one who passed through but never saw"
(In A Windowpane)
Patti
04-01-2009, 12:03 PM
I think that's great about the acoustics and monitoring there, Steve. Cool. Sounds like a neat day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by charlene http://www.corfid.com/vbb/images_corfid/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.corfid.com/vbb/showthread.php?p=143263#post143263)
healing thoughts are on the way from the Toronto area..
here here!
let me echo my healing thoughts here and please know that they are not one time wishes but continual...and glad music is continuing to be very therapeutic...pharmacists have yet to emulate it's healing and/or soothing powers
Thumbs up on the thumbs! Bah on the other stuff.
This is my "good" week so nothing going on in the transfusion department. OTOH, the doctor's office had been wacky, canceling appointments and not using their blood lab at all and Monday I get a letter from the board of health and all of a sudden the mystery is solved. At the doctor's other office (he has two) there was a possible hepatitis B infection tracable to the office. There's something I don't need! I got a hep b test yesterday and apparently passed.
We're going to manage those duck pins! Just gotta figure out logistics.
Well, rather than continue to hijack the Connecticut Huskies topic I'm back in here.
This morning was an insane run of figuring out my hospital stuff while doing an end run around the now non-licensed doctor... my primary care doctor has taken over for now until my new hematologist takes over at the beginning of May. Wow. The spell check on Firefox recognizes hematologist. I'm impressed...
Anyway, she writes out a thing to do a blood count, transfusion, type and cross (that they need to do before very transfusion - no wonder I'm running out of blood!) and tests for hepatitis b and C and HIV just to clear things from the old doc. Well, they tell me at the hospital that those last three won't get covered by my insurance without the letter from the Board of Health explaining why they need to do these tests so it's back to the house (20 miles) to get the letter and then back up to the hospital. They then needed something else from my primary care which she faxed up. took all morning.
The good news is I seem to be through the flip of doctors and do feel better at two weeks than I had. I consider this progress.
of course the Mets won yesterday so things are looking better....
podunklander
04-07-2009, 07:16 PM
What a pain in the ass this medical shit is! Pulled his licence already??? Like suspended it or for good and gone?
I really, really feel bad for you having to do all this running around, and what you went through with the bad doc when you're having to deal with an illness. Glad you're feeling better though and good enough for some duckpins ;).
gee, I'm collecting unemployment and I'm going to more doctors appointments than job interviews!!!! Like almost every freakin day!! (venting, sowwy).
If you don't mind my writing this here well I got good and not so good (will find out tomorrow about that one :rolleyes: news.
Good is that my follow up with the endodontist today worked out great! The high doses of ibuprfen did eventually start to work on the inflammed muscle last week and I have my face back :biggrin: and only a little pain left.
She still doesn't know what's causing this and is certain now it has nothing to do with my teeth :confused:. In fact - I am not going to have to go back!!! For any fractures in my teeth... she said she'd have to destroy the teeth to find them and said my teeth will be fine as long as I don't clench or only chew using that side.
Have to follow up with my PCP tomorrow because the endo is recommending we try to find the cause and also, physical therapy. ok so she is thinking this may be related to a procedure I had on my eyes back in 2004 so I may have to head up to Beantown (I was determined, next time I go to Boston would be for a Sox game, man!!). And I can't imagine what my physical therapist would recommend doing on the left side of my face. Anyhooo...
More good news is that I'm working on getting implants. Not the kind I once thought of getting when I was a 32A (no comments, please) -rather 2 teeth that need to be replaced and my insurance will pay for this :).
The yucky not so good -yesterday, I had the dreaded ummmm almost annual big vice grip (I'd rather have the stomach grippe) and now have to go back tomorrow morn for a freakin another one. Had to have 3 last year :(. Excuse my freakin attitude but am at the point where if anything shows up again-the girls are getting removed ASAP...I have spent most of my life flat chested and so for once in my life, I have a little because I got fat. And now am losing weight anyway so they, (and my ankles) are the only places I'm losing weight anyway. ok I'm going to stop there!!!
Unemployment has insurance that covers implants? (Don't mind me...)
The doctor was suspended and actually initially just until tomorrow but that is because only two of the 5 members of the board met initially. Tomorrow the whole board does.
This becomes irrelevant to me in that I'm on to the next guy. this is maybe the second time I've gotten tested for HIV. The first time was to go to China to adopt. At that point there was 0% chance that I had it. It's north of zero now because of all the transfusions but tha's still way low.
Am trying to picture the face PT.... (I really need to figure out how to do the rolleyes in here...)
I think you are trying to you're having a contest with me as to who has the wackiest things wrong with them. Watch out if I bring out the heavy ammunition. This thing is the worst but it's in big competition for the wackiest...
Doing my best to stay in one piece...
Dream Street Rose
04-08-2009, 01:31 AM
Hey Pam,
At least she has good taste. You are a pretty woman. :)
DSR
..I'm working on getting implants. Not the kind I once thought of getting when I was a 32A
sounds like regular flossing would be required in either case, lol
Oh, hijack it as much as you would like. I like the entertainment. It's good for me...
"Follow-up with my PCP this afternoon and then back to digital imagining for a CAT scan of my sinuses. That's enough radiation for the day!"
i ahve been x-rayed enough that I am surprised I don't either glow in the dark or suddenly develop secret super powers... I always wondered about that with the F;ash who got his super powers from accidentally spilling a beaker of chemicals on himself. Some time later he's showing a kid how it happened and manages to do the same thing and we got Kid Flash. he was the one who could go forward in time by running around the world faster than light clockwise and back in time by doing it counterclockwise. Learning this at 12 or 13 has made it impossible for me to really understand physics.
I've got two units of actual AB positive from San Juan. So far so good.
Two more units today. New hematologist in two weeks. About it.
OK, long time no post....
They grabbed another bone marrow sample today which, while not as bad as that image may conjure up, certainly isn't any fun. They did one about a year ago. This one was better than that anyway. I'll have results in a week.
Meanwhile I managed to go three weeks with no new blood but that's done. I'm back in on Thursday.
charlene
05-12-2009, 06:22 PM
no fun at all..
good luck with the test and on thursday...
ELizabeth
05-12-2009, 11:22 PM
Hey Fez...Hope your trip to the hospital went ok. We still have your back.
The hospital will be tomorrow. I'm sure it will be fine but boring as all get out as usual. You are mostly just sitting there for 8 hours. Book and an iPod are musts.
I have to give credit to the new doctor. He does a better bone marrow draw than I'd had previously. You can't make it not hurt at all but he did a good job of keeping pain to a minimum and, while last time I was sore at the site for a couple of weeks, I feel fine today (well, other than being fatigued). Better days ahead.
podunklander
05-13-2009, 07:54 PM
Best wishes for tomorrow fezo, have a good drip.
Patti
05-13-2009, 11:26 PM
What are you reading Fez? :)
formerlylavender
05-14-2009, 07:28 AM
Good luck today, fezo. I keep up with your thread but haven't posted yet. You're a brave guy with a positive outlook, and I think that's wonderful. I'll keep you in my thoughts today.
KHester
05-14-2009, 12:23 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the medical staff
Kevin
I have two new units of Philadelphia type A positive. Better than I've been anyway.
On the reading front today I was reading John Grisham's newest - the Associate. It's OK so far but he's done better.
I like when I find an interesting author who has written a bunch of things that I've never read. Opens a whole bunch of stuff to read. I'll always take author suggestions. I also like to mix in non-fiction. Am reading a book about Volkswagen in America right now.
Weird thing with the hemoglobin is when it drops below 9 or so my vision drops a little bit. It's no great shakes to start with... When I started today reading wasn't working so much and I was nodding off. Later on I was awake and the print was clearer. I put the iPod on and set it to shuffle which is pretty cool.
Patti
05-15-2009, 12:46 AM
Philadelphia type? That might be alright.
I kind of like James Patterson, but it's been a while since I've read one. I just finished an old hippie-farmer novel. Today, checking out a little about Plate Tectonics. ... I almost bought a good used Volkswagen once and some old boyfriend talked me out of it. I wish I would have bought it.
Weird about the hemoglobin affecting your vision. iPod on shuffle? Sounds good. :)
Patti
05-16-2009, 04:19 PM
Oh, I thought of one, if it's still in print and you haven't read it already...since Claire was from China, you might like reading Across China by Peter Jenkins. It was a book my dad gave me a long time ago. I had read one of Peter Jenkins' other books before that called A Walk Across America. That was good, but I liked reading the one about China even better.
Oh, that sounds like it could be fun. I'll have to go look.
Meanwhile I am dealing with some pretty nasty headaches. Last time I had something like this I ended up in the hospital for a week. I'd like to avoid that, thanks. Back then they discovered my blood clots too easily and I had a series of ministrokes as a result. I walked around for a couple of weeks with that before I had a seizure....
I'm sure this isn't that but the fact taht I had to go off coumadin for 5 days so they could take the bone marrow sample certainly got my attention.
Think I'll try some serious sleeping....
I'll be seeing the doctor tomorrow. Today things are better.
There have been so many bugs going around here that it's nuts.
podunklander
05-18-2009, 11:44 AM
I'll be seeing the doctor tomorrow. Today things are better.
There have been so many bugs going around here that it's nuts.
Glad to know...thanks -I was worried :( good luck tomorrow
And sounds like a can of Raid might help :rolleyes:
Patti
05-18-2009, 12:36 PM
I'm sorry to hear that you hadn't been feeling well, Steve, and I am praying for you.
Glad to know...thanks -I was worried :( good luck tomorrow
And sounds like a can of Raid might help :rolleyes:
Wrong bug..... Raid won't help...
That said I am plugging along. tomorrow is the doc who ordered the new bone marrow test but I'll hit him with this issue as well if it's still going on.
Since early 2002 if i get too tired my head hurts. That's left over from that whole episode. Based on things right now, however, I can probably blame my 16 year old for this round....
As tempting as it all sounds.....
All the 16 year old did was have a bug that I may have caught. Will be interesting to see what happens with her. Already have one in college.
Meanwhile I am holding my own here and have avoided taking any pain killer which wasn't much of an option yesterday so we call that progress.
Patti
05-18-2009, 03:01 PM
but I'll hit him with this issue as well if it's still going on.
Even if the issue is not still going on, it may be good to tell the doctor anyway.
Good plan. Will do.
Have gotten better as the day progressed.
I really need to be playing out instead of working. My natural clock would have me up until 2 AM and sleeping until noon.
Patti
05-19-2009, 02:53 PM
What'd the doctor say?
I think I figured out the headache before I hit the doctor's. At any rate he's not worried about it. I think the head problem is actually the neck. That started up today and it all made sense. I'm scheduled for the chiropractor Friday. I'll see if I can move that up.
Meanwhile, the bone marrow is stable which is better than being unstable but still not what it should be. The game plan now is a series of infusion chemo as opposed to chemo pills. This one is specifically made to target what I've got. even at that it's a 50-50 shot but if it doesn't work there are other things to try. Nature of the beast.
So starting next week I go into the doctor's at 8 every morning for 7 work days in a row and get this stuff in a vein for 15 minutes a day.. Then I'm off for 21 days and we do it again. if it's going to work I'll need fewer transfusions within 4 - 6 months. Overall I'm more optimistic about this. The stuff is called vidaza. we will see.
OK, Pam... If you happen to check in I will be in Hartford tomorrow night. On our way to New Hampshire and I put a stop in there to keep the little ones entertained. There's a duck pin alley in Hartford.... I forget how far you are from there...
podunklander
05-21-2009, 05:43 PM
awwwwwwwww!!! I wish I could!!! I'm still recovering from a sprained back and am in the middle or graduation stuff!! Sorry to miss you coming through.
Don Quixote
05-21-2009, 08:36 PM
Dang, Fezo, I'd join you if I could. I'll be at my college in West Hartford--meetings all day. I didn't know Hartford had a duckpin alley still. I used to do my bowling just on the other side of the river, at the Holiday Lanes in Manchester.
Good luck with all you're going through; we'll say another prayer.
Best,
DQ
Appreciated, folks. I go through the area every year at this time and sometimes another trip at one point. I have friends in southern New Hampshire and a brother in Portland, ME.
I don't know why Connecticut but they have like a dozen duck pin lanes there. HArdly any states come even near that number.
Dang! I have a cousin in Manchester. He's an emergency room doctor. I can see it now - "Hey, Rocky! Drop your scalpel. There's duck pins to be played."....
Maybe when I get up to New Hampshire I'll at least get some candlepins in. Been a long time.
According to http://www.robinsweb.com/duckpin/duckpin-locations.html there are lanes at The Alley 860-233-5855 572-1/2 Farmington Avenue Hartford, CT.
Well, i passed through Connecticut twice on the weekend but didn't get in the duck pins. Didn't get to candlepins either. Bummer.
Was actually pretty zonked the whole weekend. today's blood test explained why - hemoglobin at 7.3. It's amazing I'm still standing. Tomorrow I'll be in the hospital getting more blood. Thursday the chemo starts and maybe we start getting around all of this.
They will give me an anti-nausea drug with the chemo. Wouldn't you know it. All those years when I could get my own anti-nausea medication and now i don't know a single dealer.... I'll be fine. Word is this chemo has few side effects and it takes 15 minutes to do. Worst part is a round trip of 50 miles a day for a week and change every month to get to the doctor.
Nightingale
05-27-2009, 01:32 AM
Hi Fezo, I haven't been here for awhile. It sounds like you are on quite a roller coaster ride lately.
I am still remembering you in my prayers. I hope they get your health stabilized soon.
Watch out for those bugs! That's the last thing that you need to deal with on top of everything else you have going on.
Good luck with the chemo treatments.
Nightingale
05-27-2009, 01:34 AM
Oooo, Pam...a sprained back? That sounds painful! Hope you get well soon.
Doh! I just realized i forgot to pick up a gallon of maple syrup while in New Hampshire! Maybe August....
Second day of chemo. So far so good. Yesterday at teh end they just bandaged up the arm with the catheter still in there rather than start a new line this morning. That worked. Two days in and no side effects. It will take a while to see if any desired effects but it's a load more hopeful than the last treatment.
charlene
05-29-2009, 02:00 PM
sounds promising..take it easy...
i just opened my bottle of nova scotia maple syrup the other day..mm mmm good!
Patti
05-29-2009, 04:07 PM
Last year I just found out that my uncle still has some good maple syrup in his basement that my dad made, and he has been away for 17 years now! My sister says that my uncle said I'm supposed to ask him for some, (she got some), but I forgot last time I was there. I helped my dad make syrup one year, ('75). Nice memory, walking around in snowshoes, collecting the sap and pouring it in a big rectangle pan.
How often do you have to get chemo? How many days in a row?
Oh, I forgot to tell you, once a few years ago, I was reading The Pelican Brief and then the movie came on while I was reading it, then I didn't finish it. lol I know I don't read half as much as you do. I have The Testament here, should I read it? :)
Oh, I'd read the Testament. I liked it.
I get chemo, which is only a 20 minute or so operation, 7 actual work days (they skip weekends and Wednesdays) and then get three weeks off. In theory we should see results in 4 - 6 months. I still hold that one thing or another will work. I intend to be around a long time yet.
At least we can get maple syrup here. I used to pick up a big jug in Ontario every year but I haven't been there in a couple. Maybe next year. I love that you remember making it. That's beyond me...
Hey! In theory I should be in Nova Scotia next year! There's a shot... We'll hit 25 years next year. We honeymooned in Nova Scotia.
Patti
06-03-2009, 02:40 PM
JOIN the registry for FREE June 8 - 22,...
http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Events/Marrowthon2009/index.html
Hey. thanks for posting that! I'm still hoping to not need it but it's such an important thing.
A couple more sessions with the chemo drug and it's off for a couple of weeks. Have to go in on Saturday of all days to get more blood.
Patti
06-06-2009, 06:40 AM
JOIN the registry for FREE June 8 - 22,...
http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Events/Marrowthon2009/index.html
.
Just posting the link again on this page.
Back with more blood.
The nurses in the lab like the ones at the doctor's office speak very highly of the new medication. They say give it a couple of months for results. I'm pretty optimistic.
Meanwhile....
Woodstock Translation
Finally, after 40 years, someone has opened the vault and revealed the
answer to a question that has clawed at our brains since the 1969 Woodstock
album was released:
What the hell were the lyrics to Joe Cocker's version of 'A Little Help
From My Friends'?
He was so wigged-out, no one has been
able to understand his garbled, mush-mouth version.
....until now!
Click link below for the lyrics .. FINALLY IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR!
....... <http://www.elwp.com/Joe%20Cocker.html>
Scary....I understood Joe back in '69. Now things ain't so clear... Peace!
talbot10
06-07-2009, 12:56 PM
.
Just posting the link again on this page.
That is a great thing you did Patti.
A lot of lives are saved with bone marrow and peripheral stem cell transplants. For many people it is a last chance for a cure for blood cancers. and of course so many lives are saved every day with blood trasnfusitons. Thanks for doing that.
Our prayers are with you and your family Fez!
Bill
Many thanks!
It looks better and better that I won't be doing the bone marrow transplant but if nothing else the one thing that this MDS has done for me is to make me keenly aware of that. Get yourself checked and if someone needs the bone marrow go for it! I can tell you as the veteran of a few marrow draws that the pain is short and less than you think. What you can do for another person is immeasurable!
Last day of chemo for the first cycle Tuesday morning. Second cycle starts probably end of the month. Maybe by August the transfusions will slow down. That's the idea anyway.
Patti
06-08-2009, 07:09 PM
They will send me a kit in about a week. All you do is swab the inside of your cheek and send it back in the postage paid envelope. I would love to be able to help someone.
Hey, thanks, Bill. :)
Hi Fezo, I have 4 chapters left to go in that Grisham book, The Testament. It's good! I like the name of Troy Phelan Sr.'s attorney. :biggrin: Rings a bell. I'll have to read some more of his. Thanks!
Yeah, I like that one.
Yes indeed - the test is absolutely nothing and the procedure if they do need your marrow isn't so bad.
Good combination of things yesterday. 1st thing in the morning was the last chemo of the month. Now we let it work and keep hopes up.
In the evening it was Elvis Cistello and the Sugarcanes. he's doing a kind of American these days. This was the opening night of the tour and was really good. Acoustic. Way cool.
Patti
06-10-2009, 09:36 PM
Yeah that was a good book. I had it on the shelf for so long,... like some others. I asked my mom if she had any John Grisham books. She didn't but she is going to help me look for some.
Wow, you had something good to do yesterday. Good way to start your time off. Sounds like that was a great show.
I listened to your CD, 'Taking The Moon For A Walk' 3 times yesterday. Also played my new Yusef CD, 'Roadsinger' once. It's really good. Nice pictures too. There is this blue and white volkswagon van he got looking really cool. I used to ride around in one like that a lot in the 70s listening to music. (but Cat's is painted up with some nice artwork) Way cool.
Yeah, that's one of my favorite Grishams. i have to start another novel. I'm doing a little non-fiction right now and it's dragging. nothing like a good novel to kill time when getting blood....
Glad to hear you're still listening to that CD! I really have to put enough songs together for another. Between kids and various medical maladies it's tough to concentrate on such a thing.
Nightingale
06-14-2009, 01:11 AM
Hey Fezo, it sounds like you are doing well with your treatments. That's so great to read :) It's gotta be rough sometimes but you seem to be keeping your chin up through all of this. That's wonderful...it will help you get well.
Patti, I am so proud to be your friend :) You are such a special lady...hugs to you!
Patti
06-14-2009, 01:54 AM
There are so many Grisham novels. Glad I happened to have one of your favorite ones here. Took me long enough to get it off the shelf. Didn't know if I would like reading courtroom drama, but it was an excellent adventure in Brazil. If you don't mind, what's another one or two of your favorite Grishams? ... it must get to you sometimes having to get blood. God be with you.
Yeah, I do like that CD. You guys done good. I miss going out listening to music like that. Might start that up again someday. Just a couple days after you had mentioned that your mandolin player had moved away, someone happened to let me check out his new mandolin. I had never gotten to hold one before. It was really nice. I hope that if you have a good mandolin player living close by, that you meet him soon.
Nightingale, you are a wonderful friend. :) ... or you were.
Fezo, that Joe Cocker video with those goofy lyrics cracked me up.
Nice to have good friends. !!!
http://www.elwp.com/Joe%20Cocker.html
OK, let me see.... The Broker is pretty cool. I liked The Firm. The Last juror is very good.
I liked Playing for Pizza a lot but you have to have the right head for it. No lawyers - well, there's a judge but that part isn't the main thing in the novel.
Back for more blood tomorrow. Phooey! Oh, well. Expecting better things in the next couple of months.
Patti
06-17-2009, 01:42 AM
Thanks very much for the information on the books, Steve.
Hope all goes well tomorrow.
Well, I'm back and all seems well. I still get all kinds of encouragement on the new medication so we will see. Tough to wait for things to kick in but att this point I'm used to it.
Boy, that homeloan86 person seems to be everywhere.....
Dream Street Rose
06-18-2009, 04:18 PM
fezo,
You are an excellent example for the rest of us to never give up. Thank you so very much for your positive attitude and your willingness to share. I have learned a lot from you. :) :) :)
DSR
charlene
06-18-2009, 09:55 PM
madam moderator is trying to get a tan in sarasota (2 weeks now) so there will be some spam that is not eliminated immediately.
while here i have deleted at least 20 to 30 posts per day before any one sees them and have even nabbed some spammers and banned them before they've even posted.
one week left of vacation...
Hey, doing that much - go ahead and take an extra week vacation!
I could stand being in Sarasota...
Patti
06-24-2009, 09:31 AM
These books sound good, Fezo. I just heard about them on tv. You might like the last three.
http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/062409_fiction.pdf?tag=contentMain;contentAux
Patti
06-25-2009, 10:02 AM
Hi Steve, I hope you don't mind me 'recommending' books I haven't read, but I trust they are good ones since they were recommended by some alright people. The first one sounds like it was just for people that were into 'Sex In The City' or something like that. That title may have captured a large viewing audience, and it may have been a good show, but I wouldn't know. I dug around on some old shelves but didn't find any Grisham books, so I guess I will have to go to the library...maybe. There's a library basement I have been wanting to go to where they sell used books for 10 cents or so on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but it's an hour away. Today I have to see if the computer repair people show up.
I'm always good to hear what someone recommends. sometimes i follow up and sometimes not largely because I get a ton of recommendations. Would that I had better eyes.
Just finished a recent Stephen King - Duma Key. It was OK. While not a far of the genre he writes well - particularly so before he got big. His first several books, other than Carrie, are great reads - The Stand, the Dead Zone and The Shining.
Patti
06-25-2009, 11:05 PM
Just got back from the library a little while ago. I checked out The Firm. Since it's one you liked, I think it must be good. I hope your eyes get better. You know, I got diagnosed with macular degeneration a couple of times, but they are fine now.
Stable is the best to hope for from my eyes. My mom was exposed to toxoplasmosis when i was still in there. My left eye has been legally blind since i was 10 and the right one keeps fighting the good fight. Toxoplasmosis is the one where they tell all the pregnant ladies to stay away from the cat box to avoid. Mom didn't have a cat. Probably a bit of undercooked meat or something. The only reason they know she was exposed was because of what happened to me.
I never get something normal....
Patti
06-26-2009, 11:57 AM
It hard to believe there is nothing that can be done for your eyes. With all the advances in medical science, etc.... Toxoplasmosis sounds pretty bad. There must be some seriously powerful crap in cat litter. Pregnant or not, people should wear gas masks or something.
I guess the problem with it is it's a protozoa and takes up residence where you can't get at it. It goes off to sleep or some such thing but when it wakes up it inflames the retina (or wherever it takes up residence) and leaves scarring behind. Nowadays I take a lower dosage of the stuff they use to treat it just to try and keep it nailed down. That's because the ones in the right eye are now in the field of vision. used to be i could tell there was a problem because my vision changed but after they took care of it things went back to normal.
So far this lower dose antibiotic has done the trick.
ELizabeth
06-26-2009, 03:03 PM
Fezo: Wishing that the antibiotic keeps doing the trick. Which antibiotic is it?
Bactrim. It's an old one that is nicely in generic. Actually only used it once to treat because there was another one, rarer and with horrible side effects, that they had been using. Treating was always a lousy time - four different medications one of which was prednisone. no fun at all. I told the kids I was on my grouch pills.
Patti
06-26-2009, 06:58 PM
Stable is the best to hope for from my eyes. My mom was exposed to toxoplasmosis when i was still in there. My left eye has been legally blind since i was 10 and the right one keeps fighting the good fight. Toxoplasmosis is the one where they tell all the pregnant ladies to stay away from the cat box to avoid. Mom didn't have a cat. Probably a bit of undercooked meat or something. The only reason they know she was exposed was because of what happened to me.
I never get something normal....
Well fezo-steve, you never know. There could be cures coming up. Stable is good, but there could be more good. When I got diagnosed twice with macular degeneration, from two diferent doctors, well, that was not fun. Usually I just try to 'handle' everything, but I went to a healing mass on this case, and last time I went to the eye doctor, he said there was NO macular degeneration. I'm still hoping it's alright. I really did feel something good happening there that day. I believe in miracles.
Nightingale
06-26-2009, 09:28 PM
Patti, that is an inspirational story about your eyes being healed. That's wonderful :)
Wow, Fezo...you really have had your share of medical issues. I hope it calms down for you and that the antibiotics work well. I bet your kids want you off the "grouch" pill :)
Hang tough...prayers are with you.
Patti - good for you! Very good! We always think that macular degeneration is what slowly did in my mom. Because she had it they yanked the medical certificate on her pilot's license (she learned how to fly small planes at age 62!) so she couldn't fly solo at the time. This may have been the event that started her depression and once you have that and start into dimentia it's all downhill. I like your outcome way better!
Nightingale - the good news there is that the grouch pills are the ones when they are actively treating it. The ones to keep it away, which seem to do the trick, are fine.
Today I ended up at the ER. Should have been to the regular doctor but kept putting it off. Have had these regular headaches for several weeks now and since I've had ministrokes in the medical history I was concerned. Well, last night I couldn't keep food (or my medicine) down and it became a real concern. Took forever in waiting but about 5 minutes worth of tests put the worries to rest and I'm better on teh food front. I'm guessing the headaches are muscular and related to my balky cervical disks. Need to exercise them.
ELizabeth
06-28-2009, 02:03 PM
Fezo: 'Balky cervical disks'? What exactly are they? Why are they 'balky'?
Herniated disks. What they used to call slipped disks. Cervical 5 - 7. Discovered when it was hurting my right arm a year or two ago. I need to keep exercising to keep them more or less in place - not putting pressure on things. Problem has been with the hemoglobin problem the very last thing you want to do is exercise.
The good news at the hospital is the hemoglobin reading was OK. I might be getting somewhere. Meanwhile, I'm restarting the exercise and will check in about a little physical therapy for the neck.
Started second round of the chemo treatment and they take my hemoglobin count - 11.2! Woo! Hoo! That's up and it's the highest it's been in two years. We will take that.
charlene
06-29-2009, 10:47 AM
woo-hoo!
great news indeed!
ELizabeth
06-29-2009, 02:55 PM
Alright! Way to go Fezo! Prayers continue tho'.
Can never have too many of the prayers! I have no idea how long I'll have to continue the chemo but this is indeed a good day.
Patti
07-02-2009, 10:30 AM
Fezo, I hope you are doing alright.
That was very sad to hear about your mom. I'm sorry. That must have been very difficult for your family. Whether I say anything or not, just know that pray. Praying is something I do regularly, and well, I am one of the people that pray for you.
... actually, your post also about your mom got me a little worried about my mother. She is 75 and sometimes I'm concerned she may be depressed. She doesn't want to do much sometimes. I know she's 75 and doesn't have to do a whole lot of jumping up and down if she doesn't want to, but,... you know.
That is so cool that your mom learned to fly small planes at age 62!
geodeticman.5
07-06-2009, 05:32 PM
Fezo-Steve - My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. You certainly are fighting the good fight - on more fronts than one should have to. One thought on the discussion of cervical discs gone awry: are you looking at a cervical fixation ? And have they discussed cervical stenosis with you ? I am only curious , as I may have some thoughts for you, perhaps off-line in a PM ? I could share some thoughts with you in specific, especially if a D.O. or a D.C. wants to do a manual "twist/crack/adjust" on your neck. It has proven to be a very undesirable thing if you are posessed of herniating discs, or are further beleguered by stenosis. IMO to be avoided at all costs - the "adjustments". I'd be happy to share info with on this.
I am sorry to hear of your mothers' conditions, and of your 'inherited' toxiplasmosis problems. I'll surely continue to keep you in mind. Take care - and I am glad you went to the E/R when you were concerned about the headaches and mini-strokes. Keep us updated !
podunklander
07-09-2009, 10:10 PM
Started second round of the chemo treatment and they take my hemoglobin count - 11.2! Woo! Hoo! That's up and it's the highest it's been in two years. We will take that.
This is GREAT!!! I'm happy for you :). I'm coming in from the other direction, lol. From a high of around 17 ish 5 years ago, my January count in my pre-op CBC had me finally in the normal range at 15.5. Just .3 from being high -but I'll take it!
Hope you don't need too many more of the chemo treatments?
Jesse Joe
07-10-2009, 07:17 AM
All the best to you both fezo & podunklander ! :)
Ya know, Pam, you're the second person I know with too much hemoglobin. Talk about a foreign concept to me! Cool that it's in range.
I am approaching four weeks since transfusion. I can almost guarantee there will be on in the upcoming week but we're heading in the right direction.
All of my various chronic things are ones that can be treated as opposed to cured. As long as they keep me going I'm fine with that.
Thanks, all, for the good thoughts.
podunklander
07-11-2009, 08:24 PM
Ya know, Pam, you're the second person I know with too much hemoglobin. Talk about a foreign concept to me! Cool that it's in range.
I am approaching four weeks since transfusion. I can almost guarantee there will be on in the upcoming week but we're heading in the right direction.
All of my various chronic things are ones that can be treated as opposed to cured. As long as they keep me going I'm fine with that.
Thanks, all, for the good thoughts.
I'm thinking good thoughts your way -that you may not need that transfusion, that you stay well and continue to do so.
I do feel fortunate that I have a chance to be cured because I've about had it with all the chronic symptoms that keep popping up and specialists, treatments and surgeries. All which most likely could have been prevented years ago.
The latest thing that came up (low chronic DHEA...lower than in the 70-80 year old range) and adrenal dysfunction -if not that a friend asked me what caused this (DUH...I hadn't even thought about it) and asked me if it might be related to Lyme. I would have never considered this in relation to Lyme, and found that it's called "type 2", which is commonly found in Lyme patients.
Halting the Lyme arthritis with the antibiotics and I'm taking DHEA supplements and hoping that perhaps it will re-build bone/cartilage.
Finally read the surgical notes from the thumb surgery I had...as well as a letter the surgeon sent to my PCP ...where he stressed his concerns about the condition of my bones...and also cited the fact that I had a total hip replacement at a very young age, etc. And he also wasn't able to repair the bone in my right thumb :(. I'm kind of pissed off that my PCP ignored the concerns in this letter...well until recently anyway.
Just to throw something new into the mix....
A couple of years ago I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. For quite some time things pretty much held at that. Well, in the last six months to a year the glucose number has gone berserk. Looks like I'll be starting insulin in the very near future.
Part of this seems an awful lot like just one more thing to me. I still plan to live to be 100. I do think however that this will be the call to drop weight and build some muscle. I'm not going to be Charles Atlas or anything but less flabby and such has got to help.
On the good side my cholesterol has gotten so low that I'm being kicked off the medication for that.
Patti
07-14-2009, 08:07 AM
Hey Fezo Steve,
I found this video just last week. :biggrin:
This guy is someone I used to watch about everyday, and workout with years ago, and he really helped. I got in great shape. It seemed funny to me when I found this video. I better subscribe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOHYlL0wW3k
podunklander
07-15-2009, 12:20 AM
Just to throw something new into the mix....
A couple of years ago I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. For quite some time things pretty much held at that. Well, in the last six months to a year the glucose number has gone berserk. Looks like I'll be starting insulin in the very near future.
Part of this seems an awful lot like just one more thing to me. I still plan to live to be 100. I do think however that this will be the call to drop weight and build some muscle. I'm not going to be Charles Atlas or anything but less flabby and such has got to help.
On the good side my cholesterol has gotten so low that I'm being kicked off the medication for that.
grrrrr me too :(. I'm getting hyper and hypoglycemic swings but that should get straightened out with the treatment for the adrenals (which includes dietary -protein, cruciferous veggies :rolleyes:, pathetic acid (pantethetic...that is, B5) and vitamin C along with DHEA supplements. And I'm forcing myself to not go so long in between meals by doing mini's. I bought the little boxes of Newman's Own organic raisins at Wallyworld (cheap)and other healthy snacks and I make sure to keep some with me at all times.
And so because I've been eating more..I've put on weight :(. Yesterday, I did the "Master Cleanse" ...not to lose weight but for the liver detox...but I lost 2 pounds :biggrin:.
But there was NO way I could go to bed hungry and figured I made it well past 24 hours and treated myself to a big bowl of steel oats and a handful of grapes at 3am.
We're obviously in no condition for duckpin bowling! But dammit I'm determined to be running around and playing with my friend's kids and grandkids at the end of the month!!! I couldn't even run away from the bubble-gun toting wee one's last time I was there -so I just let them bombard me from head to toe :(!!!
Pam, we have to stop one upping each other. It's gonna kill one of us.....
Got my two units yesterday. we'll see if we can stretch it out further...
podunklander
07-16-2009, 01:14 PM
Pam, we have to stop one upping each other. It's gonna kill one of us.....
Got my two units yesterday. we'll see if we can stretch it out further...
LMAO yeah especially if we both live to be 100!!! So you got through another day of infusions and feeling good today then, huh?
ok well I better get on with my research here -trying to find a Lyme literate doc for the rest of my treatment :rolleyes: and so far I can't find one nearby :(.
You would think that where you live there'd be a Lyme literate doctor. Heck, you folks invented it!
Yeah. transfusion did its trick. Let's see how long we can hold it this time....
SherylKat
07-17-2009, 07:14 PM
This is GREAT!!! I'm happy for you :). I'm coming in from the other direction, lol. From a high of around 17 ish 5 years ago, my January count in my pre-op CBC had me finally in the normal range at 15.5. Just .3 from being high -but I'll take it!
Hope you don't need too many more of the chemo treatments?
You and I have somethinh ekse besides Lightfoot music in common. My blood used to be so thick with hemo that they would test it before I'd give blood by taking a drop and putting it into some liquid. Most of the time, boom!, it would sink right to the bottom. My uncle died of some kind of rare blood disease in which he didn't have enough white cells, so for awhile I was concerned. It's okay for me now, though. "Glad" to see others have this anomaly...Sheryl:rolleyes:
podunklander
07-20-2009, 06:53 PM
You would think that where you live there'd be a Lyme literate doctor. Heck, you folks invented it!
Yeah. transfusion did its trick. Let's see how long we can hold it this time....
One would think :rolleyes:!!! Wish I could move to the town of "Hadlyme" ...yes there is a town in CT called that :p.
Today I picked up a copy of the test results from the old ortheo practice that student health services referred me to in 1999. The 2 infectious disease docs I have contacted want documentation before they agree to treat. I also did an online referral and got the names of 2 Lyme lit docs in Rhinebeck, NY.
A little surprise when I picked up the test results...I had TWO positive ELISA tests. The 1st one in 2000...I had no clue about at all :rolleyes:. The 2nd positive test was from 2003. Last test I had in 2006 was negative.
Glad you're feeling better for the time being...and I hope that's a long time being until you need another trans.
podunklander
07-21-2009, 02:56 PM
Found a Lyme Disease clinic at a hospital in Providence. All secondary roads to get there from here but a pleasant drive @an hour. Rather not have to go out of state though since I'll have to pay more out of pocket out of network -but can make a case of it if I still can't find a place closer to here.
I'm going to have to jump through many hoops (and diagnostic tests) before I can even get an appt., so I'm back to my PCP for help with that tomorrow.
I didn't want to have any more tests done, but I can't seem to get around that! Mainly, they want an MRI of my brain and it's like...I don't even want to know. But I guess I should because I had some anomolies show up in a CT scan a few months back (frontal sinus and the end of the ethmoid) so I could get more info about those. My ENT referred me to a surgeon for those and I decided not to follow up.
And the cortisol test (saliva) I had already indicated that there's some loss of negative feedback control of cortisol to the brain so I'm a little curious to find out how this would appear on the MRI. ok so I just talked myself into getting this done :rolleyes:
Nice work on talking yourself into it....
Yeah, when i was getting brain MRIs i was expecting to be like Yogi Berra - "They x-rayed my head and found nothing," but of course they found something...
Hemoglobin came in at 9.6 today. That's not at all where i want to be.
podunklander
07-21-2009, 06:43 PM
Nice work on talking yourself into it....
Yeah, when i was getting brain MRIs i was expecting to be like Yogi Berra - "They x-rayed my head and found nothing," but of course they found something...
Hemoglobin came in at 9.6 today. That's not at all where i want to be.
Just got off the phone with a friend who's in nursing school and she was all over this... had me read off all my test results to her and she totally thinks the MRI is key. And she thinks the negative feedback cortisol thing is brain involvement that will show up on the MRI. She also said that I'd have to go on IV antibiotics because the Doxy can't penetrate the brain sheath :(! So I guess I'll be a dipsy-doodle for awhile longer.
Leaving my keys in the ignition the other day...windows wide open, wasn't cool and it bothers me to not be able to recall those moments that I'm doing these things.
Like, turning on the wrong burners on the stove and the heat up, instead of down and things like that I don't notice/realize I've done right away to correct them and no recollection of having done them in the 1st place.
So why is your hemoglobin so low, so soon after your last transfusion?
It's low mostly because it was through the floor before the transfusion. I'm hoping the meds kick in and hold it and let it climb a bit but we will see.
sometimes they do a tarnsfusion when the hemoglobin is in teh mid 8s. This last time it was 7.1. Ugh.
IV antibiotics. Swell. IV anything is a pain.
podunklander
07-23-2009, 01:14 AM
It's low mostly because it was through the floor before the transfusion. I'm hoping the meds kick in and hold it and let it climb a bit but we will see.
sometimes they do a tarnsfusion when the hemoglobin is in teh mid 8s. This last time it was 7.1. Ugh.
IV antibiotics. Swell. IV anything is a pain.
Even though you had been the highest ever in a long time...it had gone down that low so fast? That's just so much for you to have to go through all the time and I hope there's a better way, cure in the near future!!!
yeah and saw my family doc today and gave him copies of the +ELSIA's and he TOTALLY geared into action to help me. I've only been going there for less than 2 years and he didn't have these records. And not that I feel badly that he must not have believed me when I had told him I had 2 positive tests -because it's only good medicine that he couldn't rely on just my word on this.
MRI is scheduled for Friday..so I have to wait our the weekend for the results. But the staff where I'm going for this has let me look at images on their PC when I've asked to before so I may be able to get some clues before they're read.
podunklander
07-24-2009, 05:38 PM
My brain is now available on CD :p. Opened it (the CD, that is) when I got back home and it looks perfectly normal -no 'white matter' issues as is found Lyme :biggrin: and otherwise everything looks healthy/normal!! Only thing I happened to notice is a little issue in my cervical spine lol...C3 the spinous process. And low and behold I just got a call this minute from my PCP's office to let me know the MRI is normal :):):) yipppppppeee!!!!!!
oh, so you are not looking for a dissenting opinion?....
Good to hear! Mine has a little line through the right side. That was the 2002 episode with the blood clots and all.
Oh, while I'm
here, how the heck do you get the little emoticons in here anyway?
Select "Go Advanced", located below the white text box. The emoticons will then appear to the right of the text box.
podunklander
07-24-2009, 10:00 PM
oh, so you are not looking for a dissenting opinion?....
Good to hear! Mine has a little line through the right side. That was the 2002 episode with the blood clots and all.
Oh, while I'm
here, how the heck do you get the little emoticons in here anyway?
noooooooooo LMAO!! Well I still have to have the Lyme specialist look at it but if there's anything at all...it's not severe (and nor are those kinds of symptoms I've been having) and I can't see having to go on an IV...phew!!! The worst damage has been to bone joints, cartilidge and spine.
WOW that 2002 was quite extreme...is that all resolved?
Janice
07-25-2009, 07:44 AM
Fezo, it's been a very long time since I visited Corfid, so I'm just now reading of your trials and tribulations. I'm so sorry you're going throught this, but I am very moved by your positive attitude. You will definitely be in my thoughts.
It was ironic to read of your CD, because I just listened to it last week! I got mine, years ago and I enjoy it as much now as I did then. Speaking of music, I still fondly remember meeting you and your wife at Tin Angel for a Rodney Crowell concert back in...was it spring, 2001-ish? That was a fun weekend for me. I came in Saturday for the Slaid Cleaves concert and was turned on to the music of Mary Gauthier as his opening act. Then Sunday brought meeting you and a few other Rodney fans, a great Rodney Crowell show and the introduction to the music of Mark Erelli (Rodney's opening act). (To you faithful readers, may I recommend all four of these singer/songwriters? They are great!).
You'll be pleased to know that another of your favorites, Fred Eaglesmith, started an annual pilgrimage to SoCal to haunt the stage of the concert series I work with, here in San Diego. He's been twice, now. It took me a little longer than it does most, but I've really started liking his music quite a bit.
As for some reading material to keep you distracted during those long transfusions, may I suggest the Pulizer Prize-winning Confederacy Of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. It is one of the best written books I have ever read, but you need to have a certain sense of humor to appreciate it - I believe you do :). The book was published and the award was won long after the author died (His mom found it under his bed after his death). As for the eyes not cooperating when your Hb is low...have you thought of audio books?
I can't believe it's been so long - I miss our music discussions. Now that I'm back in the loop, you'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully, the current medication will render positive results. Stay strong.
Janice
charlene
07-25-2009, 12:52 PM
omigosh it's Janice!!!!!!!!!!!!
miss you pretty lady..
Janice! Long time no hear. Great to have you back!
Yeah, that Rodney at the Tin Angel was fantastic. He was promoting the Houston Kid at the time so that year sounds about right. Actually my wife was pregnant with Carrie at the time which makes it 2001. Rodney's daughter Carrie was at that show but that's not where we got the name. She looked exactly like a 13 year old Roseanne Cash.
I went up a few months back to see Rodney with an acoustic trio - Will Kimbrough and Jenny Scheinman along with the bass player du jour. Stunningly good. Will and Jenny are each very good on their own. Rather than an opening act Rodney gave them spots to do a song here and there in his set. Great stuff.
I read Confederacy of Dunces back when it came out - about 1980. I liked it a lot but knew a lot of folks who hated it. May have to try that again.
I've seen Mary Gauthier several times. Funny thing - the first time was a weekend up in Vermont. Fred Eaglesmith and a bunch of other folks doing a 3 day thing. The night before it starts I'm at an open mic in town and get chatting with this woman in the place and at one point I introduce myself and she introduces herself saying she's the opening act on Sunday! As it turned out we'd both signed up for this tour of the area on a patio boat in the Connecticut River. We ended up talking politics and all sorts of things for a couple of hours. Two years ago I got to introduce her at a picnic show up in Ontario.
Tuesday night I've got front and center seats for Bruce Hornsby. He puts on a fabulous live show. Highly recommended.
Hey, Pam -the 2002 incident.
That January I started getting hideous headaches. A sane person would have gone to the doctor but we're talking me.... I went maybe two weeks like this. Played a big gig in the middle of it. (BTW, while doing said gig all the endorphins kick in and no headache). Finally, 6 days after the gig, I come home from work and throw a warm wash cloth on there and it feels better so I go get my heating pad which would keep the heat going. The next thing I remember was waking up as if from a dream in the ER. I'd had a seizure.
As it turned out what happened (not diagnosed until 7 months later) is I have a mutated gene that causes an excess of a clotting factor. Something set that off, causing clots which led to ministrokes (yeah - that was the headache. I'd been working and playing and DRIVING with little strokes going on!). That's what caused the seizure.
I'm now on coumadin which counteracts that tendency to clot. Swell....
But I'm feeling better..... Well, sort of...
podunklander
07-25-2009, 07:54 PM
OMG fezo! No wonder you were concerned when you got those headaches not too long ago :(. Scary stuff. But no strokes since?
I have to say, for myself I always feel incredibly grateful that I've had nothing life-threatening and have been able to recover or cured with treatment for some things anyway. Now 3 weeks on the new supplement/prescriptions and dietary regime and I'm noticing improvement with those symptoms :biggrin:. Wish my back would get better faster -now has been since the end of March and that was the most painful having it go 'out' ever, and go on for this long. In physical therapy we were trying to get the pain contained in the lower back and not having it shoot down into my legs. Most days I can also feel the pain in one or both legs and can hardly walk...but if just in my back..I can walk.
It was a major effort for me to get out to go to the open mic last week (not to perform) and I had not gone in 5 months!! Was in pain the entire time but being around everyone made me feel better! lol they even announced a "Pam" sighting. Lots of hugs and it was really good to see everyone and lots of invites to BBQ's and nights out so I hope I'll be up to doing all these things. Even considered making a go at performing again maybe next month :)
I think if my back was better I'd be able to say that I'm feeling great! So I hearya on the sorta feeling better thing is relatively speaking.
Nothing since then. The only down side is being on coumadin if there's ever another stroke it won't be mini.
Back spasms are the worst. Been there.
Would have liked to have gotten out to play but I've been mighty tired this week. Besides it's daughter #2's 17th birthday. I haven't seen her since 2 this afternoon - her friends kidnapped her for a surprise party that we knew about but she didn't - but I figured on the off chance I'd hang here and play a little, torture myself by watching the Mets and such...
Peter Bro10
07-25-2009, 10:48 PM
Being as discreet as possible.... I still have CDs. $15. Drop me a line - fezo@rocketmail.com
Thanks, folks.
Thinking of great gift ideas.... here's another one!!!
(I hope I'm being tactfully discreet...
I hope you don't mind the plug fezo, and I hope you're feeling better soon.)
Oh, I'll always take a plug.....
podunklander
07-26-2009, 02:16 PM
Nothing since then. The only down side is being on coumadin if there's ever another stroke it won't be mini.
Back spasms are the worst. Been there.
Would have liked to have gotten out to play but I've been mighty tired this week. Besides it's daughter #2's 17th birthday. I haven't seen her since 2 this afternoon - her friends kidnapped her for a surprise party that we knew about but she didn't - but I figured on the off chance I'd hang here and play a little, torture myself by watching the Mets and such...
Scary stuff and that's heavy duty medication. And stop torturing yourself there, watching the Mets :rolleyes: hehe
And congrats @your daughter's 17th birthday wooHOOOO :biggrin:!!! Nice of her friends to throw a surprise party :)!!!
I am into the longest stretch ever of not seeing my son :(. Last weekend I saw him and he leaves next week for month-long training out of state!
yeah I threw my back out 3 times last year and was burdened by pain and mobility issues for a month each time. This thing was different and seems more disc related and I should have had and Xray and not put off going to physical therapy. Anyway -it's been since the end of March and by this time of year I've already been hiking up the mountain a few times...but haven't been able to once!! Stopped going to p/t but have been really good at keeping up with the exercises at home. My p/t assured me that it will get better and just to keep up with the exercises :)
Hey! Those Mets have won two in a row. If they can keep this up they could get as good as, say, mediocre.
Coumadin is kind of heavy duty but if one keeps monitoring it does the job well. I've had to up the does because the medication I'm on to keep the toxoplasmosis from acting up in the eye inhibits the effectiveness of coumadin. I'm a darn walking pharmacy.
In for more blood Wednesday. Hemoglobin at 8.4 which isn't awful but I feel beat enough that the doctor is sending me in.
To add to the fun daughter #2 got her driver's license today. Roll up the sidewalks!
In order to maintain my legendary status as a thread derailer........
fezo, how do you feel about the health care reforms that are being hashed out in Congress ? I understand that nothing is finalized, but I was wondering if you think any of the proposals would benefit or hinder your treatment.
podunklander
07-28-2009, 01:07 AM
Hey! Those Mets have won two in a row. If they can keep this up they could get as good as, say, mediocre.
Coumadin is kind of heavy duty but if one keeps monitoring it does the job well. I've had to up the does because the medication I'm on to keep the toxoplasmosis from acting up in the eye inhibits the effectiveness of coumadin. I'm a darn walking pharmacy.
In for more blood Wednesday. Hemoglobin at 8.4 which isn't awful but I feel beat enough that the doctor is sending me in.
To add to the fun daughter #2 got her driver's license today. Roll up the sidewalks!
Best wishes for your transfusion on Wed and am sure you're looking forward to feeling better after that. Let's shoot for like 12.5 ;)!!!
yeah you must be on a lot of prescription medicine :(. I'm not on all that many (4 right now) but more OTC supplements (just added a new one today)-which I hope to not be on all these for too much longer. But just learned a helpful hint...turning the bottles upside down after so I know I've taken them.
WOW hehe well did you teach her how to drive? If so...do we need to move our mailboxes back too? :p
I'm on about a dozen medications. I'm the sort who on my own doesn't like to take anything. Sigh.
Michelle had driver ed and then my wife did all the practice driving with her. the only thing she gets from me is the constant reminder to "assume everyone else on the road is an idiot." mostly this means don't take for granted that the other driver will do the right thing.
On health care reforms the devil is in the details. I'm certainly in favor of getting everyone covered and believe that will be cheaper (or more realistically the rate of inflation on it might be lower) that way instead of flooding ERs with the uninsured.
The thing you have to watch out for is anything that dictates what existing insurance can cover or their protocols for how they cover. If they want to expand coverage fine. My concern is contracting existing coverage.
Patti
07-28-2009, 11:04 AM
Have a great time at the Bruce Hornsby concert tonight, Fezo.
I went to see Marshall Tucker last Saturday night. I actually went and got some autographs. That was the first time in my life I did that. Some brave girl dragged me over to them. Tomorrow night they will be at Joey Harrisons's Surf Club in Ortley Beach, New Jersey.
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