Thank you all for your support

April 18, 2000

Oh I am so sorry,

Last night I laid in bed, thinking about poor Sasha, and hoping Monday's

news would be better. I doubt very much that the doxy will help her but if

it makes you feel better, it can't hurt. The best thing you can do now is

make her last days as comfortable and memorable as possible. I know the

hurt in your chest, and how horrible you will feel when she is finally gone,

it takes a long time for it to go away. Getting a new pet really does help,

although I know it is the furthest thing from your mind now. I lost my Lady

in

early January 1993, and by March 25, 1993 I got my Sam. I swore I would

never have another dog after she was gone, but I could not bear how lonely

the house was without a pet. I had Lady cremated, her ashes are on my

mantle, and I have pictures of her through out the house, she will always be

remembered, as will Sasha.

It will be hard for you not to stir up your Lyme symptoms with all this

stress, but do the best you can.

Hugs,

Marta

From: shasus@... <shasus@...>

>hi,

>

>I got the report from the pathologist.. It is definitely cancer and spread

>through the abdomen. I will see if I can get doxyl to see if it helps..

>Though I know I am grasping at straws now.. she had a tick January of 1999

at

>Everglades.. Why didn't I think of that???? .. I did notice that Sasha was

>slowing down last fall but I thought it was age. It may not be related to

>the tick at all and may be too late, but I feel I should do something.. The

>vet said that Sasha has a very short time left. So I am making her

>comfortable as much as possible.. Sasha is getting a lot of food treats.

She

>is already wearing makeshift diapers (towels with safety pins) and the pain

>meds help.. I am pretty upset, but try not to let this pull me down to a

>relapse.

>

>I want to thank you all for your warm support. Your letters really help so

>much. I told Sasha the lymies friends love you.

>

>hugs,

>

>elizabeth

April 18, 2000

Dear ,

When my dear canine friend became paralyzed and couldn't control

her bladder or bowels anymore, I cut a hole in a disposable diaper for

her tail. This worked very well...and she was a 100 lb.'er.

Give Sasha a kiss for me.

Hugs,

Joan LI NY

May 8, 2003

Dear Friends,

The doctor said exactly the same as some of you did, that I need to stay

on the steroids for the time being. His counsel was that I could take

them every day until I feel better and then every other day, and we'll

reconsider once I get back home. I also changed from Mobic (which I

haven't been taking too frequently) to Vioxx. I already feel a little

difference this morning. He put me back on the Plaquenil, too. He said

he didn't feel comfortable injecting my hips, and that the results just

aren't that good. I'm really bummed because I've been dieting and I've

lost 8 lbs., and now I'll be back on the prednisone. I'll just have to

be careful of what I eat. The truth is that I went off the diet the

naturopath put me on when I was out of town this past weekend, then I

flared. I do think avoiding the beef, dairy and refined sugar was doing

me some good. I'm back on the diet, and hopefully it will help me to

avoid the weight gain with the prednisone. I think the group consensus

is right, that stress is playing a major role in this flare, too. I

can't believe it's almost time for her surgery. And the stress of

having to move her into a new house is unbelievable. I have to be

honest that it is pretty selfish of my mom to choose to move when she's

unable to do a thing to help. She mentioned moving when she first found

out she was having surgery and I asked her to please not do it, that my

body couldn't handle moving and taking care of her at the same time.

She did it anyway and then said " Well, you and Jeff are going to have to

move for me. " She has no idea what I go through, or just doesn't care.

Then, the icing on the cake is that my brother is leaving town for 10

days on the 28th of May, so he'll have very little time to devote to

moving her. She never even checked the date. As you can see, I'm

pretty upset about the whole thing. And she said to me last night

" You're just a helper. It's not your responsibility so don't get

upset. " Well, my brother isn't going to take responsibility. And my

mom can't help. And it has to be done. I just don't see her logic. I

just had to vent about this. The stress really is bothering me, isn't

it?

The wonderful supportive emails I received yesterday meant so much to

me. I was feeling incredibly overwhelmed, and the love from the group

made things easier to bear. I appreciate the prayers for me and for my

mom with her impending surgery. Although her surgery is next Tuesday

morning, I'm leaving early tomorrow morning. I will let everyone know

how things go and post when I'm able. Since I can use my laptop at the

hospital, I should have plenty of time to post once she's back in her

room. I'm staying with her overnight for the first three nights (that

should be fun, LOL). Again, thanks for being the wonderful people you

are.

Love,

Carol

[ ] Re: Flaring at the most INOPPORTUNE time!

(((((((((((((((((((((((CAROL)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

I am so sorry. I can really emphathize. This disease SUCKS!!!! As

much as I hate to say it, I would continue on the steroids and see if

it gets you over the hump. Hopefully it will bring the inflammation

down. I would also go see your doctor because you will be traveling.

Hang in there and know I am praying for you.

All my love,

Alan

> Hi Friends,

>

> I can't believe how badly I'm flaring right now, and right before

I'm

> supposed to leave for my mom's surgery. I think this is the worst

I've

> ever felt, particularly in my hips. And I have SO much to do, and

so

> little time. I am supposed to leave on Friday morning. I took 15

mg of

> prednisone yesterday (even though I swore it off), does anyone have

any

> other ideas to help me get over this? I might have to go see my Dr.

> this afternoon. I think mainly I just needed to whine. I hate

this

> disease. Like Tess said about managing it, I don't think I'm at

that

> point yet. I think it's still managing me. Darn it.

>

> Love you guys,

>

> Carol

>

May 8, 2003

Hi Carol,

You're wonderful, you know that?

Feel free to vent away. For me it's a great stress reliever. I am

glad you are feeling a bit better. Having a major flare is obviously

the last thing you need right now. I am praying for your mom and you

during this time. Please try and get some rest and know that we love

you and are here for you throughout this. Have a safe trip.

All my love,

Alan

> > Hi Friends,

> >

> > I can't believe how badly I'm flaring right now, and right before

> I'm

> > supposed to leave for my mom's surgery. I think this is the worst

> I've

> > ever felt, particularly in my hips. And I have SO much to do, and

> so

> > little time. I am supposed to leave on Friday morning. I took 15

> mg of

> > prednisone yesterday (even though I swore it off), does anyone

have

> any

> > other ideas to help me get over this? I might have to go see my

Dr.

> > this afternoon. I think mainly I just needed to whine. I hate

> this

> > disease. Like Tess said about managing it, I don't think I'm at

> that

> > point yet. I think it's still managing me. Darn it.

> >

> > Love you guys,

> >

> > Carol

> >

May 8, 2003

carol i am so sorry you are having a rought time. hopefully the prednisoe

will help you make it through. kathy in il

May 9, 2003

Carol,

I hope that you have a blessed, restorative sleep tonight. I'm glad that you

went to see the doc.

Just remember while you are caring for everyone else, take care of yourself! I

will call you

tommorrow and keep you company for part of your trip. I wish I could be there to

help you move

your Mom. Laughing and talking always make a chore go faster. Hugs to you. Iris

--- Carol <carol@...> wrote:

> Dear Friends,

>

> The doctor said exactly the same as some of you did, that I need to stay

> on the steroids for the time being. His counsel was that I could take

> them every day until I feel better and then every other day, and we'll

> reconsider once I get back home. I also changed from Mobic (which I

> haven't been taking too frequently) to Vioxx. I already feel a little

> difference this morning. He put me back on the Plaquenil, too. He said

> he didn't feel comfortable injecting my hips, and that the results just

> aren't that good. I'm really bummed because I've been dieting and I've

> lost 8 lbs., and now I'll be back on the prednisone. I'll just have to

> be careful of what I eat. The truth is that I went off the diet the

> naturopath put me on when I was out of town this past weekend, then I

> flared. I do think avoiding the beef, dairy and refined sugar was doing

> me some good. I'm back on the diet, and hopefully it will help me to

> avoid the weight gain with the prednisone. I think the group consensus

> is right, that stress is playing a major role in this flare, too. I

> can't believe it's almost time for her surgery. And the stress of

> having to move her into a new house is unbelievable. I have to be

> honest that it is pretty selfish of my mom to choose to move when she's

> unable to do a thing to help. She mentioned moving when she first found

> out she was having surgery and I asked her to please not do it, that my

> body couldn't handle moving and taking care of her at the same time.

> She did it anyway and then said " Well, you and Jeff are going to have to

> move for me. " She has no idea what I go through, or just doesn't care.

> Then, the icing on the cake is that my brother is leaving town for 10

> days on the 28th of May, so he'll have very little time to devote to

> moving her. She never even checked the date. As you can see, I'm

> pretty upset about the whole thing. And she said to me last night

> " You're just a helper. It's not your responsibility so don't get

> upset. " Well, my brother isn't going to take responsibility. And my

> mom can't help. And it has to be done. I just don't see her logic. I

> just had to vent about this. The stress really is bothering me, isn't

> it?

>

> The wonderful supportive emails I received yesterday meant so much to

> me. I was feeling incredibly overwhelmed, and the love from the group

> made things easier to bear. I appreciate the prayers for me and for my

> mom with her impending surgery. Although her surgery is next Tuesday

> morning, I'm leaving early tomorrow morning. I will let everyone know

> how things go and post when I'm able. Since I can use my laptop at the

> hospital, I should have plenty of time to post once she's back in her

> room. I'm staying with her overnight for the first three nights (that

> should be fun, LOL). Again, thanks for being the wonderful people you

> are.

>

> Love,

> Carol

>

> [ ] Re: Flaring at the most INOPPORTUNE time!

>

> (((((((((((((((((((((((CAROL)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

>

> I am so sorry. I can really emphathize. This disease SUCKS!!!! As

> much as I hate to say it, I would continue on the steroids and see if

> it gets you over the hump. Hopefully it will bring the inflammation

> down. I would also go see your doctor because you will be traveling.

>

> Hang in there and know I am praying for you.

>

> All my love,

>

> Alan

>

> > Hi Friends,

> >

> > I can't believe how badly I'm flaring right now, and right before

> I'm

> > supposed to leave for my mom's surgery. I think this is the worst

> I've

> > ever felt, particularly in my hips. And I have SO much to do, and

> so

> > little time. I am supposed to leave on Friday morning. I took 15

> mg of

> > prednisone yesterday (even though I swore it off), does anyone have

> any

> > other ideas to help me get over this? I might have to go see my Dr.

> > this afternoon. I think mainly I just needed to whine. I hate

> this

> > disease. Like Tess said about managing it, I don't think I'm at

> that

> > point yet. I think it's still managing me. Darn it.

> >

> > Love you guys,

> >

> > Carol

> >

May 9, 2003

Oh, that would make it so much more fun! But I wouldn't want us both to

hurt. ;-) I'll be looking forward to your call today. It will be a

bright spot in a long and boring drive. I've made the drive to Atlanta

so many times that I know what's at most every exit.

Love,

Carol

[ ] Re: Flaring at the most INOPPORTUNE time!

>

> (((((((((((((((((((((((CAROL)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

>

> I am so sorry. I can really emphathize. This disease SUCKS!!!! As

> much as I hate to say it, I would continue on the steroids and see if

> it gets you over the hump. Hopefully it will bring the inflammation

> down. I would also go see your doctor because you will be traveling.

>

> Hang in there and know I am praying for you.

>

> All my love,

>

> Alan

>

> > Hi Friends,

> >

> > I can't believe how badly I'm flaring right now, and right before

> I'm

> > supposed to leave for my mom's surgery. I think this is the worst

> I've

> > ever felt, particularly in my hips. And I have SO much to do, and

> so

> > little time. I am supposed to leave on Friday morning. I took 15

> mg of

> > prednisone yesterday (even though I swore it off), does anyone have

> any

> > other ideas to help me get over this? I might have to go see my Dr.

> > this afternoon. I think mainly I just needed to whine. I hate

> this

> > disease. Like Tess said about managing it, I don't think I'm at

> that

> > point yet. I think it's still managing me. Darn it.

> >

> > Love you guys,

> >

> > Carol

> >

May 9, 2003

Dear Carol:

Hi, I read your email. I am very concerned for you and your problems. I

know this disease is a pain in the neck at times. If you can at all use some

Epsom salt in a bath that would help a lot. However, is you are traveling I

don't think you can do it. Maybe you could use it when you get to your

mother's house. It really helps a lot. Otherwise rub yourself all over with

vicks vapor rub. They did have a kind that had no odor but I don't know if

they still make it. However, the smell doesn't last too long.

Good luck with the move. I hope you have moving men.

Sincerely, Colletti

August 10, 2004

Althea-

You, your dad and family are in my prayers. We went through a similar waiting

for my Dad - and it was rough. I guess our best goal in life is to love and

support those we love in spite of - maybe because of- what gets thrown in the

way of all of the other plans and goals. Know you and Lynn are both thought of

in a special way.

Bog hugs,

> I am praying hard today. My Dad gets news as to what he can expect

> to happen with his tumor today. I am hoping that although it isn't

> operable that radiation treatments are going to be available and

> that they won't do too much damage to the surrounding areas.

>

> I am somewhat upset with my stepmother...every time I call my Dad is

> sleeping and I can't talk with him. I don't call just to find out

> news of his illness I do call to talk to him. I am used to talking

> to him at least once a week and am finding this hard to cope with.

> I realise that this is tough on her too but he is after all my Dad.

> I am trying to be understanding but if I don't get to talk to him

> today I will be climbing some walls and screaming...

>

> So if you hear a loud noise from Oklahoma this evening, you will

> know that I am releasing some of my frustrations. I know I will do

> better after I know what to expect over the coming months. I truly

> believe that he will beat this - he is very healthy in all other

> aspects so why shouldn't he beat this.

>

> Again thank you all for your prayers and support and thank you for

> being here. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this site

> to go to and vent my frustrations and get assistance and support.

>

> God bless,

> Althea

>

June 27, 2006

This was a nice surprise when I came home from work. I just want to

thank you all for your nice comments, they are very much appreciated.

As the saying goes, what goes around, comes around. It is nice that so

many of you have found this group to be very enlightening and do not

hesitate to correspond with one another on or off the board.

It is very gratifing that I/we have been able to touch so many lives,

some at their lowest moments, to offer hope and support just so that

they can get through to the next day. This is so important for

everyone of us to do and to never forget where we once were in the

very beginning. Those were the days I try to forget because there were

many sleepless nights not knowing what the next day would bring.

Thanks again,

KC

July 11, 2006

They are so right I'm very greatful myself win or loose you help keep hope alive

and for that I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooo greatful more than you know.

Peace

Elvira

[] Thank you all for your support