Another newbie here

April 20, 2004

I read about 30-40 of the posts, and it makes me feel like I'm

complaining of a hangnail in the cancer ward. I'm a grandmother who

uses a cane because of arthritis. I have some, but not severe joint

damage in my hands, feet and back. I also have fibro.

Basically, I nursed my mother last year through cancer, and she died

in March 2003. After that, my husband and I lost 7 other people in

our lives, including the few remaining people in the family, 2

friends and even the family doctor. I am only, adopted child, and

2003 was the worst year of my life.

I hurt so badly that I took as many pills as I felt I needed to

control and lessen the pain. I went from doctor to doctor, and the

durned insurance changed 3 times at my husband's job. <lovely> I had

the closest relationship with my mother that you can have - she was

my everything. After about a year, I had a breakthrough and emerged

from the tunnel of severe pain and misery.

I talked myself into a better place and quit taking much of the

medicine (except for basic stuff like blood pressure and reflux). I

feel much better, but by simple deduction - you can imagine, that I

am lonely. I have friends and cats. They all stuck by me as I

cried out in pain for a year. But, it's not the same as family.

One daughter lives near me, and now I am my mother to her -

everything.

I am grateful for what I have left. I handled it pretty well, but I

am still a bit wobbly. My husband retired from a job he hated, and

he went directly into a fantasic job with a new truck to drive as he

pleases, people he likes, work he knows and a decent salary. How

many men 66 years old have 3 people knocking on the door offering

him a new job? I am blessed.

I probably won't say too much after this, because I feel out of

place. However, you might like to know that I have a Masters in

Psych, cognitive. So, if I can help, please let me know.

Judy

April 20, 2004

Judy (bossie7601) wrote:

> <snipped

> I probably won't say too much after this, because I feel out of

> place. However, you might like to know that I have a Masters in

> Psych, cognitive. So, if I can help, please let me know.

Hi Judy and welcome to the group.

Your pain, past and present, is part of who you are. I betcha that if you were

feeling 100% these days, you wouldn't have searched out a good pain group. As

you know, fibro and arthritis symptoms can be mild, then swing to severe, spend

a while being moderate, and then go all over the map. So if you're in a low

physical pain period, this would be a good time to share with us, so we can get

to know you better and you can get to know us better. Then when you have a

slamming week, you'll have a homey spot to come to, where everyone will

understand why you're feeling however you happen to be feeling:-)

I am sorry that your Mum died. No matter how old we get, it feels dreadful to

lose our parents. We know it is coming, we expect it and accept it, but it

doesn't make it any less painful. My Mum died from MS complications when I was

quite young. After all these years, I still miss her. My Dear Old Dad, died in

2000. He and myself were very close. When he became ill, I used to drive the

90 miles to his home after work, one or two evenings per week. Then I would go

up and spend most weekends with him. It was rough, but often humorous. He was

sick and stubborn and I was in pain and stubborn. Between the two of us, we did

manage to grow one last healthy garden the summer before he died. Just thinking

about it makes me grin.

This group has a wide variety of skills, knowledge bases, and experiences. You

should fit right it.

--

Lyndi

April 20, 2004