To Helen

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen,

I'm glad that I could hear from you before I go!

I wished so that you could make contact, before I leave!

And yes, I will be living in Venezuela for about three weeks to one

month.

I know that it's dangerous, but I have faith in God and that he won't let

me/ us alone!

My hubby will go with me too, so I have a compagnion in this long journey.

I will be thinking on you. you know how I care and love you so, please don't

worry. I know that I will be in good hands.

As soon as I'm back I will send an update. The doc that I will be seeing

there, had

studied in the States, so I trust him. He is a microsurgeon and has operated

many patients

with Endometriosis. I will be seeing an internal specialist too for about

Fibromyalgia.

I have also thyroids problems, so I have a lot of health issues to take care

about, before I come back.

I hope that I will have good news for you all when I'm back.

Hugs and lots of love,

Xiomi

[Guest guest]

I'm so Glad I heard from you too before you left...Was trying to find your island on the maps but I can't find it...What main Island is Curaçao close too!!! How far do you have to travel??? Are you in the path of the Hurricane down there???

I am glad you found a Doctor to help you...Yes I will worry about you !!! Know that my Prayers will be with you during this time you are seeking medical help and that the Dr. has the wisdom to fix the problems that you are having...Pray that you and your Husband have a Safe journey there, while you are there and return safely home!!! Much Love sent your Way !!!

{{{{{{{{ Blessed Hugs }}}}}}}}

Helen

The doc that I will be seeingthere, hadstudied in the States, so I trust him. He is a microsurgeon and has operatedmany patientswith Endometriosis. I will be seeing an internal specialist too for aboutFibromyalgia.I have also thyroids problems, so I have a lot of health issues to take careabout, before I come back.I hope that I will have good news for you all when I'm back.Hugs and lots of love,Xiomi

HAPPY AUTUMN

ENJOY THE COLORS

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen,

The island Curacao is near Venezuela, near the coast, but it's not part of

Venezuela. The islands " belong " to the Netherlands, but it has it's own

statutes.

When there's a financial need, they have to turn to the Netherlands. The

government can't

ask for example the States or any other country for financial help.

There are also some other " rules " they have to follow comform the " rules " of

the Netherlands.

I think this may be the last post for a long time, but know that you and

your little

lovely girls will be in my thoughts.

Hugs and lots of love to you all,

Xiomi

[Guest guest]

Xiomi,

Please know that you can e-mail me privately any time with the

news of how you are doing when you are up to it. I wish you all

of the best sweetie and know that we are thinking about you

always.

=====

Kristy

http://www.geocities.com/sokokl/kristyspersonalpage.html

Hoping to be a nurse soon but for now just a Medical Secretary who does a lot of

learning from reading on the Net, books, my dr(s), as well as sharing my own

personal experiences.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hello

I remember back in 1996, I was in Caracas, Venezuela in April and

couldn't get a flight back to Houston because all the flights were

booked for the Easter holiday so I managed to get a flight to Aruba

which is an island off the coast that's part of the Netherlands from

where I could catch a flight to Miami the next day. There was a lot of

hassle and bribes involved in getting onto that flight and once in

Aruba, the hotel reservations made from our Houston office wasn't in the

computer system so I was pretty tired after the trip even though it was

a very short trip. I went to the bar to collect my complimentary

drink, they had Heineken, and I ordered a steak, they didn't give me a

choice of how to cook it, it was only available rare, very rare. Best

steak and Heineken I ever had.

I guess Curacao must be in the same group of islands as Aruba.

Hopefully the beer and steaks are just as good.

Regards,

Xiomara Overman wrote:

>Hi Helen,

>

>The island Curacao is near Venezuela, near the coast, but it's not part of

>Venezuela. The islands " belong " to the Netherlands, but it has it's own

>statutes.

>When there's a financial need, they have to turn to the Netherlands. The

>government can't

>ask for example the States or any other country for financial help.

>There are also some other " rules " they have to follow comform the " rules " of

>the Netherlands.

>

>I think this may be the last post for a long time, but know that you and

>your little

>lovely girls will be in my thoughts.

>

>Hugs and lots of love to you all,

>Xiomi

>

>...

>

[Guest guest]

Xiomi, Thank-You for telling me, I was looking for it for quit a while last night...My Prayers are with you and your Husband as you go through this medical adventure...I Pray the Dr. has the Answers and knowledge to help you and give you the relief you so much need!!! Healing Hugs Your Way and stay Strong!!! Know that I am thinking and Praying for you...Please contact us as soon as you can or myself-- angelbear1129@... --

Don't forget to go No Mail for your lists or your box will overfill...

{{{{ Safe and Healing Hugs }}}}

Helen

Hi Helen,The island Curacao is near Venezuela, near the coast, but it's not part ofVenezuela. The islands "belong" to the Netherlands, but it has it's ownstatutes.When there's a financial need, they have to turn to the Netherlands. Thegovernment can'task for example the States or any other country for financial help.There are also some other "rules" they have to follow comform the "rules" ofthe Netherlands.I think this may be the last post for a long time, but know that you andyour littlelovely girls will be in my thoughts.Hugs and lots of love to you all,Xiomi

HAPPY AUTUMN

ENJOY THE COLORS

[Guest guest]

WoW !!! You must enjoy traveling a lot !!! Now Aruba I have heard of... When we bought a car in the 80's it came with plane tickets to go to Barbados free of charge !!! With me being afraid to fly we gave them to my husbands sister and she and her husband went and they had a lovely time !!! She said it was so beautiful !!!

I don't think, I know, I would not have been able to eat a rare steak, now my husband would have, that is the way he likes his... Myself I want it fully done or just a little pink inside )

It was good that you were able to make a connection ) Did you ever get a room??? I like hearing of your travels !!! A steak right now does sound good !!!

Love Ya

Helen

HelloI remember back in 1996, I was in Caracas, Venezuela in April and couldn't get a flight back to Houston because all the flights were booked for the Easter holiday so I managed to get a flight to Aruba which is an island off the coast that's part of the Netherlands from where I could catch a flight to Miami the next day. There was a lot of hassle and bribes involved in getting onto that flight and once in Aruba, the hotel reservations made from our Houston office wasn't in the computer system so I was pretty tired after the trip even though it was a very short trip. I went to the bar to collect my complimentary drink, they had Heineken, and I ordered a steak, they didn't give me a choice of how to cook it, it was only available rare, very rare. Best steak and Heineken I ever had.I guess Curacao must be in the same group of islands as Aruba. Hopefully the beer and steaks are just as good.Regards,

HAPPY AUTUMN

ENJOY THE COLORS

[Guest guest]

Hello Helen

I was young, in my twenties and travelled a lot on business, that's

actually how I got my heart condition cause one of the trips was out to

the rain forests of Venezuela. I wasn't supposed to fly that often but

when the departments responsible for the remote sites couldn't figure

things out, I was the one to go out and fix it all. If I was to do it

again, I'd be asking for big bonuses and insurance against things like

the bug that bit me in the rain forest but then that's why companies

send the young ones out cause the older ones know better.

Before I did my Venezuela and Aruba trips, I would order steaks medium

or medium well but in both of those countries, you basically get them

rare or very rare. Since trying them so rare, I always order them rare

even though the rare steaks in Houston are only sometimes done rare

enough. There's definitely more taste in a rare steak. I would say

that if you haven't tried steak rare, find yourself a really good

restaurant and try it, at a good restaurant you can always send it back

for more heat if you want. The same goes for sushi, I think it's

genetic, we've evolved on raw foods and there's something about certain

raw or near raw foods that just cannot be matched so long as they're fresh.

There was plenty of room at the hotel so getting a room wasn't a problem

even though the reservations didn't make it to the hotel. The room was

on the main floor by the pool, actually the door opened out onto the

pool and obviously people who dived a lot used that hotel cause the

closet had green mold from diving gear being stashed in it. The next

hotel down the strip had casinos and everything, I found out later that

that would be where the managers got to stay,... grumble...

Even though I'm afraid of heights, I've never been afraid of flying.

Basically, in a plane, you're all strapped in a debatably comfortable

chair and there's no good in worrying.

Business travel is pretty predictable and you get used to how to get

what you need out of the hotels and restaurants but it gets old fast.

I'd like to do more travel for leisure where you're actually sharing the

experience with people instead of just going somewheres for the sake of

being there.

I'm a bit undecided whether it was the rain forests of Venezuela that

screwed up my heart or the deserts of Saudi Arabia. There are insects

known to carry viruses that weaken the heart in the rain forest and I

did get a lot of insect bites but other than being very tired, I wasn't

really very sick during or after that trip. However when I was in the

desert, I came down with a flu and was pretty much out for the count for

a week. They say that a serious enough influenza case might weaken the

heart too. The Doctors all figure it's gotta be the rain forest that

did me in.

Regards,

angelbear1129@... wrote:

> WoW !!! You must enjoy traveling a lot !!! Now Aruba I have heard

> of... When we bought a car in the 80's it came with plane tickets to

> go to Barbados free of charge !!! With me being afraid to fly we gave

> them to my husbands sister and she and her husband went and they had a

> lovely time !!! She said it was so beautiful !!!

> I don't think, I know, I would not have been able to eat a rare

> steak, now my husband would have, that is the way he likes his...

> Myself I want it fully done or just a little pink inside )

> It was good that you were able to make a connection ) Did you ever

> get a room??? I like hearing of your travels !!! A steak right now

> does sound good !!!

> Love Ya

> Helen

>

>

> HelloI remember back in 1996, I was in Caracas, Venezuela in April

> and couldn't get a flight back to Houston because all the flights were

> booked for the Easter holiday so I managed to get a flight to Aruba

> which is an island off the coast that's part of the Netherlands from

> where I could catch a flight to Miami the next day. There was a lot

> of hassle and bribes involved in getting onto that flight and once in

> Aruba, the hotel reservations made from our Houston office wasn't in

> the computer system so I was pretty tired after the trip even though

> it was a very short trip. I went to the bar to collect my

> complimentary drink, they had Heineken, and I ordered a steak, they

> didn't give me a choice of how to cook it, it was only available rare,

> very rare. Best steak and Heineken I ever had.I guess Curacao must

> be in the same group of islands as Aruba. Hopefully the beer and

> steaks are just as good.Regards,

>

> ...

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

Is it alright if we include your name in the birthday list as well? Your

name was probably not included as you did not mention your birthday when you

first subscribed to the list.

Ling

to Helen

Hi Helen !

I just went to the birthday file section - and I don`t believe

it.....my birthday is on November 29th as well - I was born in 1960.

Best wishes

Sue

[Guest guest]

I would like to know more about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome... Have never heard of

that one I don't think... You are one Brave and Courages Women !!! You have

so much to deal with... Are there any programs by where you live that can

Help you out with all that you have to deal with???

I know what you mean about staying out of the wheelchair as long as

possible... do they have a date set up as to when your son will get a

pacemaker???

Plus you Work??? Unbelievable!!! God is sure watching over you...

How is everyone today???

((( Healthy Hugs )))

Helen >

> Dear Helen,

>

> Let me try to answer your questions. I can't sit up long today--pretty

> weak still. No, I'm not presently in a wheelchair, though I have spent

> extended periods (months on end) in one for recuperation after illnesses

> and surgeries. I have a wheelchair, but try to just get by without it. I

> have handicapped tags on my car, and I don't hesitate to avail myself of

> the closer parking to save my strength I need in order to shop for food

> items, etc. Sometimes in Walmart, I get one of my sons to push me in the

> wheelchair if I am just too tired or weak and the lines look long. My

> Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is responsible for 95% of my serious health

> problems, and Asthma the other part. I do have a custom brace for my right

> hand and one being made presently for my left shoulder. My joints are

> hypermobile, and will sublex and dislocate on their own, and even in my

> sleep if I roll over the wrong way. I still manage to hold a fulltime job.

> I have taught Special Education for 14 years (with a 7 year " maternity

> break " after the 5th year), but I honestly don't know how much longer I can

> continue to do so. I am so relieved that school is finally out this year

> due to my health problems and both my sons' problems. We have had a tough

> time of it healthwise since before last Christmas. I am a single parent.

> My husband of nearly 15 years left us in June 1998, and our divorce was

> final in March 1999. I am engaged, though, to a wonderful man, Lennie.

> Lennie and I live 100 miles apart, and have been seeing each other for

> about a year and 1/2 now. Neither of our homes is large enough to

> accomodate our combined 5 children and the two of us, so marrying will

> necessitate a move for everyone. We have been working towards that goal,

> and getting everyone well enough is a key thing. My boys and I have had it

> hard since their father left us abruptly. There have been times when it

> was all we 3 could do to take care of each other, to literally stand

> between each other and death at times. Things are looking up, though,

> truly. will hopefully soon have a pacer/defib implanted, and I

> believe that will greatly improve his quality of life. He has felt so left

> behind and isolated from his peers since not being able to go to school at

> all this semester and part of last. It is hard for a 16 year old boy to

> find himself disabled, just at the time when they are wanting to get a

> drivers license, have a girlfriend, etc. Also, I found a wonderful,

> competent Pulmonologist/Allergist/Immunologist for all 3 of us. He has

> started with my Isaac (15), as his asthma is the worst. He has given him a

> wonderful treatment plan, and it has been working fairly well. We go back

> this week to see if the pneumonia vaccine " took " or not, and to schedule

> more allergy testing. Isaac took injections as a toddler for 2 years, but

> that was more than 10 yrs. ago. He has likely developed new and different

> allergies since then. Also, we'll get the results of the immunology test

> this week. The dr. took nearly a pint of Isaac's blood in April to run

> various tests. Isaac stayed sick with asthma and chronic bronchitis for 4

> months this winter, with one hospitalization and many, many ER trips (3 by

> ambulance). This dr. is trying to establish which, if any, childhood

> illnesses and viruses Isaac has produced antibodies to. You see, as a

> preschooler, Isaac had the chickenpox with pneumonia/bronchitis 3 times!

> He also had scarlet fever once, and is highly allergic to many antibiotics

> and other Rx drugs. I'll ask this dr. to start my testing next, and then

> finally . must wait until his heart condition is more

> stabilized. For that reason, must use Xopenex in the nebulizer

> instead of Albuterol. If anyone would like more information on

> Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I'll be happy to send some good links. It is

> listed with the National Organization for Rare Diseases, and is a rare

> genetic disorder of the collagen and connective tissue. and I both

> have that, but mine is worse because my body is older. The boys and I try

> to take good care of each other as best we can, and our wonderful Lennie

> does all that he can, too, to help. It will be easier when we are all

> under the same roof eventually. Oh, yes....I live in northeast Texas,

> about 70 miles east of Dallas on I-30, in the corner beside Arkansas and

> Louisiana and Oklahoma. My town is Sulphur Springs. I was born and raised

> about 50 miles north of here in Fannin County, Texas, but I've been in

> Sulphur Springs since 1983. My sons have never lived in any home but this

> one I (and the bank own. I moved into it in May 1985. We have 3

> wonderful dogs, one of which I recently bought from a homeless man for $20

> (and he's my favorite!): 2 elderly pugs and 1 " Toto " dog--Barry, Fancy

> Pants, and Roscoe. Despite the asthma, none of us have ever tested

> positive for allergy to dog dander, thank goodness. I love life, and

> relish each hour I am given. I have many pretty pink flowers of different

> kinds in my yard. As my g-grandmother used to say, " they help soften the

> rough edges of the world " .....and even if I am too sick or weak to go

> outside, it makes me smile when I look out the window and see them

> blooming.

>

> Love,

>

>

{\o/} {\o/} {\o/} {\o/} {\o/} {\o/} {\o/}

*/*\* */*\* */*\* */*\* */*\* */*\* */*\*

RAINBOW ANGELS TO

PROTECT YOU ALL WEEK !!

<center>

Signature Creations by

<A HREF= " http://www.wtv-zone.com/pandy/ " > PANDORASBOX8 </A>

</center>

[Guest guest]

Dear Helen, I noticed your post about Nick's IEP meeting and how it went. I'm so happy for you that the system is actually falling into place exactly the way it should for Nick. I've been going to IEP meetings now for ten years and they do change from year to year so just when you think you have a clue about what's going on , then they change the rules again LOL I can't do anything but laugh about it and also I take a parent advocate with me to the yearly meetings to help me through the mumbo jumbo and ask the pertinent questions at that time. This way I'm not a ball of nerves and stress going in , cause we all know what stress does for JRA LOL. What the teachers were saying about Nick using both left and right hands for many odd task is exactly what I have done all my life. It has served me well but I do have reading problems , so I don't doubt that what they've said isn't true about lagging behind. I still to this day am right dominate but i also can write , draw , paint and prefer to eat with my left hand. It's true that left hand dominant builds the right side of the brain, right hand dominant builds the left side of the brain. I know that using both has huge advantages especially for a person with JRA. I hope that the school system doesn't try to force him to use one or the other, that was done to my son, who has great difficulty writing , spelling and reading due to learning disabilities. Sounds like you have a great team for Nick who are looking out for his total best interest. AMEN to that ! I wanted to thank you also for submitting your design to the FACES T-Shirt contest. It was really hard to judge them, They were all so great! I loved how the people in your design had the different joints marked to denote the arthritis. Great Idea! Hugs to you all, Tree:):):) Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Tree,

Its good to hear that someone else has also dealt with the using both hands issue. As a small child I always thought Nick was going to be left handed ( I am a leftie), but then he started using his right hand more and more. Ive never forced the issue. Now that Nick has developed JRA, I think hes resorting to using both again, depending on how each one is feeling.

Thank you for your nice words on my design, you are too kind. )

Hugs Helen, mom to (6,systemic)

Hugs..Helen DH Dan DS's (20)(14)(12)Zachary(9)(6)

DD (4)>From: "Tree Sap" >Reply- >"*JRA List" >Subject: To Helen >Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2004 20:53:21 -0500 > >Dear Helen, I noticed your post about Nick's IEP meeting and how it went. I'm so happy for you that the system is actually falling into place exactly the way it should for Nick. I've been going to IEP meetings now for ten years and they do change from year to year so just when you think you have a clue about what's going on , then they change the rules again LOL I can't do anything but laugh about it and also I take a parent advocate with me to the yearly meetings to help me through the mumbo jumbo and ask the pertinent questions at that time. This way I'm not a ball of nerves and stress going in , cause we all know what stress does for JRA LOL. > What the teachers were saying about Nick using both left and right hands for many odd task is exactly what I have done all my life. It has served me well but I do have reading problems , so I don't doubt that what they've said isn't true about lagging behind. I still to this day am right dominate but i also can write , draw , paint and prefer to eat with my left hand. It's true that left hand dominant builds the right side of the brain, right hand dominant builds the left side of the brain. I know that using both has huge advantages especially for a person with JRA. I hope that the school system doesn't try to force him to use one or the other, that was done to my son, who has great difficulty writing , spelling and reading due to learning disabilities. Sounds like you have a great team for Nick who are looking out for his total best interest. AMEN to that ! > I wanted to thank you also for submitting your design to the FACES T-Shirt contest. It was really hard to judge them, They were all so great! I loved how the people in your design had the different joints marked to denote the arthritis. Great Idea! Hugs to you all, Tree:):):) Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com Find things fast with the new MSN Toolbar – includes FREE pop-up blocking!

[Guest guest]

About the dominate hand thing. Yeah we heard that thing too... For me the arthritis attacked my hands.. so basically whichever hand hurts less.. I use. I don't have a dominant hand.. because I have arthritis..not a left brain right brain thing.. I learned how to read at 3.. And had A's all through school up until my sophomore year in high school because the work just got to hard to keep up on and everytime I was caught up I would get sick and then fall behind.. but hey I graduated on time.. something I was told that was impossible... Anyway I wouldn't be to worried I know plenty of people who aren't dominant handed and haven't had to much problems with that.. Anyway I just thought I'd put that in.. I might be off... but I think the fact Nick's hands hurt might be the reason he doesn't have a dominant hand..

Lots of Love and Hugs

Ps. The sharpes container is in the mail..

[Guest guest]

HI HELEN

THANKS FOR THINKING OF ME!!!! I MOVED TO A DUPLEX LAST WEEKEND THAT IS CUTE AND IN A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND GETS ME OUT OF THAT BAD NEIGHBORHOOD APT I WAS IN TO SAVE A LITTLE MONEY.

I HOPE EVERYONE ON THE LIST IS DOING AS WELL AS POSSIBLE IT IS SUPER HOT HERE IS KS AND HAS BEEN PRETTY HARD ON ME AND GIVEN ME A LOT MORE SJOGREN SYMPTOMS AND HEADACHES ETC. SLEPT THE WHOLE WEEKEND AND FEEL A LITTLE BETTER RIGHT NOW!

AM LOOKING PRETTY FRANTICALLY NOW FOR PART TIME WORK AND CANT LIVE ON SSDI ALONE, SO ANYONE OUT THERE PLEASE SAY A PRAYER FOR THIS ONE, I AM BOUNCING CHECKS AND UNABLE TO PAY BASIC BILLS WITH THE EXPENSE OF MOVING AGAIN SO SOON, BUT I HAD TO WITH THE EXTREME CRIME AT THE OTHER APT THAT I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT LOL.

HOW ARE YOU HELEN AND HOW IS YOUR HEALTH?????

HUGS COLLEEN C IN KS

[Guest guest]

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE, I WAS WORKING WHEN THE DEALDLINES FOR UTILITY ASSISTANCE HAPPENED SO I MISSED OUT THIS YEAR---I COULD NOT HAVE QUALFIED AS SINGLE AND WORKING. NOW IVE CALLED THOSE OTHER PLACES AND LIEP IS THE MAIN AND ONLY ASSISTANCE IN THIS COUNTY IN KS. LOL

COLLEEN

[Guest guest]

Try getting in touch with local utility companies to see if they have any assistance programs that you qualify for. Check out local religious organizations (Like THE SALVATION ARMY) for assistance. Tell them what you need help with, and they should beable to either help out or point you in the right direction. Sueccomm777@... wrote: HI HELENTHANKS FOR THINKING OF ME!!!! I MOVED TO A DUPLEX

LAST WEEKEND THAT IS CUTE AND IN A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND GETS ME OUT OF THAT BAD NEIGHBORHOOD APT I WAS IN TO SAVE A LITTLE MONEY. I HOPE EVERYONE ON THE LIST IS DOING AS WELL AS POSSIBLE IT IS SUPER HOT HERE IS KS AND HAS BEEN PRETTY HARD ON ME AND GIVEN ME A LOT MORE SJOGREN SYMPTOMS AND HEADACHES ETC. SLEPT THE WHOLE WEEKEND AND FEEL A LITTLE BETTER RIGHT NOW!AM LOOKING PRETTY FRANTICALLY NOW FOR PART TIME WORK AND CANT LIVE ON SSDI ALONE, SO ANYONE OUT THERE PLEASE SAY A PRAYER FOR THIS ONE, I AM BOUNCING CHECKS AND UNABLE TO PAY BASIC BILLS WITH THE EXPENSE OF MOVING AGAIN SO SOON, BUT I HAD TO WITH THE EXTREME CRIME AT THE OTHER APT THAT I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT LOL.HOW ARE YOU HELEN AND HOW IS YOUR HEALTH?????HUGS COLLEEN C IN KS For a REALLY HOT time check out http://www.peternoone.com and http://www.mikesmith1964.com