Re: OT - successful Dinner!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/10/2004 2:31:38 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jpearse@... writes:

I did not get to the congress. When I woke up on the morning I was too terrified of what might happen - it is not only the food, but would there be disabled parking, how far would I have to walk. The auditorium is huge - would I manage the stairs and so my mind defeated me before I had even got out of bed.

I am going to have to work on this - seriously because it is rubbish!!!

Thanks for listening!

Joan

Oh Joan,

It sounds like things went well! Gosh, you really have a wonderful attitude.

You are teaching me a lot about coping skills and attitude.

Bless You,

Jan in Northern KY

[Guest guest]

Joan - I am so proud of you with your award & how the evening went! That is FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Cindi

____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here

[Guest guest]

Joan,

That was a wonderful story, thanks for

sharing it. I really think it helps us all to hear how everyone copes with

eating out in public. I didn’t go out to eat for years because of the all

the anxiety and embarrassment involved, but I’m now getting over all

that. I just sit very quietly at the dinner table because I can’t talk

when I have food in my E. When anyone speaks to me, I just have to motion them

with my hands to wait a minute until I drink some water so I can clear my

esophagus and speak.

Your story reminded me a little of when

Deb and I went to the Cleveland Symposium. We dined for lunch in the ballroom.

The doctors all sat at the table next to ours, and Deb and I sat at the table with

the nurses and we discussed achalasia. I think it

made some of the people at our table feel uncomfortable though. It doesn’t

make for the best conversation while you’re eating, does it! Maybe if we had been sitting with the

doctors, discussing our esophageal problems would have been more accepted. LOL

From what I read, it sounds like you might

have another problem to deal with besides your achalasia.

Are you having difficulty walking too? It’s a shame you missed the

congress. Maybe next time you’ll be able to make it!

Sandi

OT -

successful Dinner!

OFF TOPIC ! Do not read if you are

in a hurry and want instant advice!!!!

Last Wednesday the dreaded day

arrived for the dinner-dance I had to attend. I was frazzled by the time we

left with sheer anxiety! When we got there I was fussed over and treated

like royalty - it was all a bit embarrassing. The folk at our table were almost

all doctors - just two nurses, but they were all great. I had had something to

eat before I left, and arrived armed with a bottle of water and a big packet of

dark chocolate. During the course of the meal one of the doc's noticed I was

not eating and quietly slipped off to the kitchen and organised a bowl of soup

for me - wasn't that kind! Then of course every one wanted to know what I had

done to deserve this. So I told them all about achalasia and there was much

discussion about it. Eventually an old Professor friend of mine said ' Joan, do

you realize it is your oesophagus they are all discussing ! Only a bunch of

medics could calmly discuss this over dinner!'

It turned out such a happy occasion.

Prof and I received lifetime awards for our work in Infection Control. I

survived / I coped / I have realised how close I am to becoming a hermit and

too scared to go out in public !

I did not get to the congress. When

I woke up on the morning I was too terrified of what might happen - it is not

only the food, but would there be disabled parking, how far would I have to

walk. The auditorium is huge - would I manage the stairs and so my mind

defeated me before I had even got out of bed.

I am going to have to work on this -

seriously because it is rubbish!!!

Thanks for listening!

Joan

Johannesburg

South Africa

jpearse@...

[Guest guest]

Great to hear, Joan!

We talked about achalasia a bit over lunch at the Summit at TCC, and I found it a bit funny -- non-medical professionals or non-achalasia "specialists" (LOL) like us probably really couldn't handle that over a meal! LOLDeb, hoping Joan finds the courage to venture out more -- you're much to fun to talk with to isolate yourself from the rest of the world like this!

OT - successful Dinner!

OFF TOPIC ! Do not read if you are in a hurry and want instant advice!!!!

Last Wednesday the dreaded day arrived for the dinner-dance I had to attend. I was frazzled by the time we left with sheer anxiety! When we got there I was fussed over and treated like royalty - it was all a bit embarrassing. The folk at our table were almost all doctors - just two nurses, but they were all great. I had had something to eat before I left, and arrived armed with a bottle of water and a big packet of dark chocolate. During the course of the meal one of the doc's noticed I was not eating and quietly slipped off to the kitchen and organised a bowl of soup for me - wasn't that kind! Then of course every one wanted to know what I had done to deserve this. So I told them all about achalasia and there was much discussion about it. Eventually an old Professor friend of mine said ' Joan, do you realize it is your oesophagus they are all discussing ! Only a bunch of medics could calmly discuss this over dinner!'

It turned out such a happy occasion. Prof and I received lifetime awards for our work in Infection Control. I survived / I coped / I have realised how close I am to becoming a hermit and too scared to go out in public !

I did not get to the congress. When I woke up on the morning I was too terrified of what might happen - it is not only the food, but would there be disabled parking, how far would I have to walk. The auditorium is huge - would I manage the stairs and so my mind defeated me before I had even got out of bed.

I am going to have to work on this - seriously because it is rubbish!!!

Thanks for listening!

Joan

Johannesburg South Africajpearse@...

[Guest guest]

Sandi, I have osteoarthritis of my spine, and ankles and two artificial knees (which are the best part of me!) I walk with the aid of crutches. Sometimes it's all just too much trouble !

Thanks for the encouragement from you and Debbi

Joan

Johannesburg South Africajpearse@...

----- Original Message -----

From: Holt-

[Guest guest]

Joan, you'll get encouragement from me any day of the week that you may

need it. I think you're an inspiration with a TON to offer mankind, and

while I'm not familiar w/ your country, I'd be willing to bet that people

in general are a lot more willing to make " allowances " for your

disabilities just for the privilege of sharing in your abilities! You

have a lot to offer, young lady, and don't you forget it!!!

Debbi

> Sandi, I have osteoarthritis of my spine, and ankles and two artificial

> knees (which are the best part of me!) I walk with the aid of crutches.

> Sometimes it's all just too much trouble !

> Thanks for the encouragement from you and Debbi

> Joan

[Guest guest]

Joan,

I’m sorry to hear of your

disabilities, but I admire you for your courage in making the decision to get

out and not let yourself become a hermit. I did that…for 13 years!

Like Debbi said, you have way too much to

offer the world!

Sandi

Re: OT -

successful Dinner!

Sandi, I have osteoarthritis of my

spine, and ankles and two artificial knees (which are the best part of me!) I

walk with the aid of crutches. Sometimes it's all just too much trouble !

Thanks for the encouragement from

you and Debbi

Joan

Johannesburg

South Africa

jpearse@...

----- Original Message -----

From:

Holt-

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sandi, Debbi, Cindi, and all you wonderful folk!

Joan

Johannesburg South Africajpearse@...

RE: OT - successful Dinner!

Joan,

I’m sorry to hear of your disabilities, but I admire you for your courage in making the decision to get out and not let yourself become a hermit. I did that…for 13 years!

Like Debbi said, you have way too much to offer the world!

Sandi

-----Original Message-----From: Joan Pearse [mailto:jpearse@...] Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 12:56 PMachalasia Subject: Re: OT - successful Dinner!

Sandi, I have osteoarthritis of my spine, and ankles and two artificial knees (which are the best part of me!) I walk with the aid of crutches. Sometimes it's all just too much trouble !

Thanks for the encouragement from you and Debbi

Joan

Johannesburg South Africajpearse@...

----- Original Message -----

From: Holt-

[Guest guest]

Joan Pearse wrote:

When I

woke up on the morning I was too terrified of what might happen - it is

not only the food, but would there be disabled parking, how far would I

have to walk. The auditorium is huge - would I manage the stairs and so

my mind defeated me before I had even got out of bed.

I am going to have to work on this - seriously because it is

rubbish!!!

You will get no condemnation here. I wonder how many of us would even

have considered facing such possibilities of pain and difficulties to

attend. I wish you success in overcoming it though.

notan

[Guest guest]

Thanks Notan!

I am still waiting for Debbi and Boston to give me their comments before I finalise the booklet. I am not looking forward to the next phase of getting sponsorship and getting it out. I don't know many people out there in the pharmaceutical industries anymore but I hope some inspiration will come when I need it.

Regards,

Joan

Johannesburg South Africajpearse@...

Re: OT - successful Dinner!

Joan Pearse wrote:

When I woke up on the morning I was too terrified of what might happen - it is not only the food, but would there be disabled parking, how far would I have to walk. The auditorium is huge - would I manage the stairs and so my mind defeated me before I had even got out of bed.I am going to have to work on this - seriously because it is rubbish!!!You will get no condemnation here. I wonder how many of us would even have considered facing such possibilities of pain and difficulties to attend. I wish you success in overcoming it though. notan