Guest guest Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 I finally have a surgery date, November 19. The wait is incredibly frustrating as I am losing evesight steadily. Hopefully some or most of it will be restored after surgery relieves the pressure on the optic nerves, but the longer the pressure is there, the more likely the damage will be permanent. Some days I get quite depressed, but most of the time I am able to tell myself that I have done all I can and leave it up to a higher power. Board for the horse just went up by $100.00 per month, like so many other things that we are all experiencing, and these rises in cost make it necessary to keep working. Besides, I love my work. Nursing requires decent eyesight, and I am so worried that I will not have sufficient sight by the time I have the surgery. Thank you for asking Elaine, and, hopefully, a month (or a little more) from now, I will have good news to share. Please give us a status report, Gerard. I have been thinking about you and sending prayers for your speedy recovery. This is the third case of head or neck tumors in my family in the past year. I persist in thinking that all the contamination spread around by Katrina might have some part in the explosion of this sort of thing. W & Gerard How are you guys doing?Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2008 Report Share Posted October 19, 2008 We're praying for you guys . Subject: Re: & GerardTo: thefatmanwalking_group Date: Sunday, October 19, 2008, 8:36 PM I finally have a surgery date, November 19. The wait is incredibly frustrating as I am losing evesight steadily. Hopefully some or most of it will be restored after surgery relieves the pressure on the optic nerves, but the longer the pressure is there, the more likely the damage will be permanent. Some days I get quite depressed, but most of the time I am able to tell myself that I have done all I can and leave it up to a higher power. Board for the horse just went up by $100.00 per month, like so many other things that we are all experiencing, and these rises in cost make it necessary to keep working. Besides, I love my work. Nursing requires decent eyesight, and I am so worried that I will not have sufficient sight by the time I have the surgery. Thank you for asking Elaine, and, hopefully, a month (or a little more) from now, I will have good news to share. Please give us a status report, Gerard. I have been thinking about you and sending prayers for your speedy recovery. This is the third case of head or neck tumors in my family in the past year. I persist in thinking that all the contamination spread around by Katrina might have some part in the explosion of this sort of thing. W [thefatmanwalking_ group] & Gerard How are you guys doing?Elaine __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 , your frustration in having to wait for surgery is understandable. I hope something happens and they decide to bump it up for you. You are in my prayers. Everything is going up so rapidly while companies continue to go out of business or cut back at an alarming rate. I saw a video a few months ago that talked about the people who can do this are trying to make a world bank that would leave control of the world's money to only a few people. The case of the euro is an example of how this movement has begun, by making a European bank, a US bank, etc, them combining those super banks into one. Now with so many banks going under (including where I'm presently banking) It's believable. More can be found at http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/ Be advised that it starts out by talking about the zodiac then religion before it gets to the money topic that is incredibly interesting. The other topics may be found offensive. , I'm glad you at least have a date and I'll pray that your eyesight does not deteriorate further while you wait. Take care. Elaine I finally have a surgery date, November 19. The wait is incredibly frustrating as I am losing evesight steadily. Hopefully some or most of it will be restored after surgery relieves the pressure on the optic nerves, but the longer the pressure is there, the more likely the damage will be permanent. Some days I get quite depressed, but most of the time I am able to tell myself that I have done all I can and leave it up to a higher power. Board for the horse just went up by $100.00 per month, like so many other things that we are all experiencing, and these rises in cost make it necessary to keep working. Besides, I love my work. Nursing requires decent eyesight, and I am so worried that I will not have sufficient sight by the time I have the surgery. Thank you for asking Elaine, and, hopefully, a month (or a little more) from now, I will have good news to share. Please give us a status report, Gerard. I have been thinking about you and sending prayers for your speedy recovery. This is the third case of head or neck tumors in my family in the past year. I persist in thinking that all the contamination spread around by Katrina might have some part in the explosion of this sort of thing. W & Gerard How are you guys doing?Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 I'm glad to hear you finally got a date. It's so stressful to know that something needs to be done and timely and then you have to sit there and wait. I know you'll keep us updated, I hope to hear good news soon. Laurie > > I finally have a surgery date, November 19. The wait is incredibly frustrating as I am losing evesight steadily. Hopefully some or most of it will be restored after surgery relieves the pressure on the optic nerves, but the longer the pressure is there, the more likely the damage will be permanent. Some days I get quite depressed, but most of the time I am able to tell myself that I have done all I can and leave it up to a higher power. > Board for the horse just went up by $100.00 per month, like so many other things that we are all experiencing, and these rises in cost make it necessary to keep working. Besides, I love my work. Nursing requires decent eyesight, and I am so worried that I will not have sufficient sight by the time I have the surgery. Thank you for asking Elaine, and, hopefully, a month (or a little more) from now, I will have good news to share. > Please give us a status report, Gerard. I have been thinking about you and sending prayers for your speedy recovery. > This is the third case of head or neck tumors in my family in the past year. I persist in thinking that all the contamination spread around by Katrina might have some part in the explosion of this sort of thing. > W > & Gerard > > > > How are you guys doing? > > Elaine > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 W and Gerard: I hope you both will improve and feel 100% better with each passing day. W I sure understand how frustrating the waiting time must be for you especially when it concerns your vision. I have you on my prayer list. It sure seems like a long time to have to wait for such an important surgery. I hope you are having a beautiful fall and can enjoy it. Do you have fall colors there? I have never been further south than Tennessee - I don't know what kind of fall you have. You mentioned having a horse OR horses - how many do you have? Do you ride them much? You might not be allowed to ride on account of your eyes right now??? The leaves are starting to turn beautiful here. I LOVE fall!! I was sitting in my kitchen looking out through the patio door --- we have lots and lots of trees on the property spread out all the way to the highway (State Route 166) anyway it is a complete canopy of trees with the bright leaves shining in the sunlight. I was thinking what an awesome job God did when he created all the beautiful things for us to enjoy. Right now I can see the beautiful color of the leaves - in a few days the leaves will all be gone and the sun will be able to come through more so we can get the benefit of the sun when it is cold - then come spring we can see all the beautiful budding of new growth followed by full foliage to shade the sun - I LOVE the beautiful nature all around us. (THANK YOU GOD - ONLY YOU COULD HAVE CREATED SUCH BEAUTY) How many of you know of the poem----Come Little Leaves?? What are the next 5 words-- Lets see how many can tell me May God Bless you and be with you - YOU TOO GERARD. Shirley from Southern Illinois Subj: Re: & Gerard Date: 10/21/2008 8:56:44 AM Central Standard Time From: spamthekat@... Reply-to: thefatmanwalking_group To: thefatmanwalking_group Sent from the Internet I'm glad to hear you finally got a date. It's so stressful to know that something needs to be done and timely and then you have to sit there and wait. I know you'll keep us updated, I hope to hear good news soon. Laurie > >I finally have a surgery date, November 19. The wait is incredibly frustrating as I am losing evesight steadily. Hopefully some or most of it will be restored after surgery relieves the pressure on the optic nerves, but the longer the pressure is there, the more likely the damage will be permanent. Some days I get quite depressed, but most of the time I am able to tell myself that I have done all I can and leave it up to a higher power. >Board for the horse just went up by $100.00 per month, like so many other things that we are all experiencing, and these rises in cost make it necessary to keep working. Besides, I love my work. Nursing requires decent eyesight, and I am so worried that I will not have sufficient sight by the time I have the surgery. Thank you for asking Elaine, and, hopefully, a month (or a little more) from now, I will have good news to share. >Please give us a status report, Gerard. I have been thinking about you and sending prayers for your speedy recovery. >This is the third case of head or neck tumors in my family in the past year. I persist in thinking that all the contamination spread around by Katrina might have some part in the explosion of this sort of thing. > W > & Gerard > > > >How are you guys doing? > >Elaine > **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Thanks for the good wishes, Shirley. We are now down to four weeks, and I have to believe that all will be well after surgery. We have sort of a modified autumn here, and very late. We have so many pine trees and liveoaks here, both of which are evergreen. Actually the liveoaks shed all their leaves in the spring immediately before getting new leaves, and so we have a massive raking job in spring instead of fall (or spring and fall if we have several deciduous trees and several liveoaks, as we do) Anyway, the trees that give us the best color turn later, late November and early December. My favorite fall color tree for this area is the Chinese Tallow tree, locally known as the "popcorn" tree. It has seeds that look a lot like popcorn, and many call it a "trash tree" as it seeds easily and profusely. We had two volunteer after Katrina (2005) and they are already about 12 feet high. They turn beautiful red and orange at the same time on the same tree. We planted a Ginko tree last winter. They are a glorious yellow in the fall in more northerly climates, but only time will tell if they will get good color here where they will seldom get frost before the leaves fall. Dogwoods and many crepe myrtles give good color here, and some hickory trees, but you have to watch for the color, never blazes of glory like you have up there. Somehow, that makes it all more precious when you find it. Also, when you get a chance to go where there is real autumn color it absolutely stuns you. We are getting a little string of nights, right now, where the temp gets to the high 40's, unusual for this early, but so welcome. We have two horses, both thoroughbreds, one an ex-racehorse. When my daughter was in highschool she rode at a local stable. Her father died when she was a junior in highschool and the cardiologist who cared for him provided her with a horse to ride and show. She wanted to be on the riding team at college, so we got her a horse, Schmendrick. He was sort of an accident looking for a place to happen, and on the day we bought him, he slipped and fell running in the pasture and fractured his pelvis. He was laid up for a year with that, and we bought the second horse, Beau. Over the years, Beau has been a trooper, and Becca, my daughter, and Meg, my granddaughter have had years of riding pleasure and many many show ribbons with him. Schmendrick, for years, went from injury to injury, all self inflicted. He is very tall and beautiful and quite a personality, but his own worst enemy. Now, finally, at age sixteen, he has come into his own. The daughter of Becca's boss has him with her at Louisiana State University and uses him on the intercollegiate riding team, the purpose for which he was originally intended for Becca so many years ago. I have always been more caretaker than rider with these horses, but horses have been a passion of mine all my life. The child of two battling, unstable alcoholics, horses were my anchor and comfort growing up. I give my horses the credit for keeping me focused and out of trouble during my teen years, and I probably pushed Becca into riding, ditto my granddaughter. Becca rides Beau now and then, but Meg never rides anymore, although she does go out several times a year and take him carrots and groom him. I hope all works out so that we can keep him in happy retirement for years. After the girl who is using Schmendrick finishes college, the plan is for him to retire to her aunt's farm. The aunt is a veterinarian, so exactly the right place for our accident prone boy. Even is he stays free of accidents, he is so big and has had so many accidents over the years, it is a given that he will have old age joint issues that she will be in a better position to attend. We feel so lucky that things have worked out for him. We still have ownership of him, but thankfully, not the day to day responsibility and expense. My "best buddy" is a huge yellow Labrador Retriever, Jeb, a rescue from the Humane Society. He is my shadow. Sorry, I cannot seem to stop when I talk about horses or dogs. W & Gerard>>>>How are you guys doing?>>Elaine>**************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Thanks, Laurie. W & Gerard> > > > How are you guys doing?> > Elaine> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2008 Report Share Posted October 22, 2008 Good Morning : I loved reading about the horses. Where did the name Schmendrick come from? I have never rode horses very much but I love to watch them and it is so pretty to see them out in a pasture. I ALSO love dogs and I had a black lab (mixed) she was such a great dog. We had her for about 16 or 17 years. I was heartbroken when we had to have her euthanized. Her kidneys shut down. A long time afterward I read that raisins AND grapes are very bad for dogs. Moon loved to catch grapes when we threw them to her (she LOVED to play ball) and of course when she caught it she ate it. I don't know if that is what caused her problem or not but I sure wish I had known before that grapes could kill a dog. Labs are wonderful dogs. Jeb was a very lucky dog. I know what you mean about weed trees but we have a huge Mimosa tree in our back yard just past our windows over the kitchen sink. During the time the tree is in bloom it is so beautiful to look out there and see all the hummingbirds. They love the blooms. Well I need to go get busy. I hope you and everyone else will have a beautiful day. Shirley Thanks for the good wishes, Shirley. We are now down to four weeks, and I have to believe that all will be well after surgery. We have sort of a modified autumn here, and very late. We have so many pine trees and liveoaks here, both of which are evergreen. Actually the liveoaks shed all their leaves in the spring immediately before getting new leaves, and so we have a massive raking job in spring instead of fall (or spring and fall if we have several deciduous trees and several liveoaks, as we do) Anyway, the trees that give us the best color turn later, late November and early December. My favorite fall color tree for this area is the Chinese Tallow tree, locally known as the "popcorn" tree. It has seeds that look a lot like popcorn, and many call it a "trash tree" as it seeds easily and profusely. We had two volunteer after Katrina (2005) and they are already about 12 feet high. They turn beautiful red and orange at the same time on the same tree. We planted a Ginko tree last winter. They are a glorious yellow in the fall in more northerly climates, but only time will tell if they will get good color here where they will seldom get frost before the leaves fall. Dogwoods and many crepe myrtles give good color here, and some hickory trees, but you have to watch for the color, never blazes of glory like you have up there. Somehow, that makes it all more precious when you find it. Also, when you get a chance to go where there is real autumn color it absolutely stuns you. We are getting a little string of nights, right now, where the temp gets to the high 40's, unusual for this early, but so welcome. We have two horses, both thoroughbreds, one an ex-racehorse. When my daughter was in highschool she rode at a local stable. Her father died when she was a junior in highschool and the cardiologist who cared for him provided her with a horse to ride and show. She wanted to be on the riding team at college, so we got her a horse, Schmendrick. He was sort of an accident looking for a place to happen, and on the day we bought him, he slipped and fell running in the pasture and fractured his pelvis. He was laid up for a year with that, and we bought the second horse, Beau. Over the years, Beau has been a trooper, and Becca, my daughter, and Meg, my granddaughter have had years of riding pleasure and many many show ribbons with him. Schmendrick, for years, went from injury to injury, all self inflicted. He is very tall and beautiful and quite a personality, but his own worst enemy. Now, finally, at age sixteen, he has come into his own. The daughter of Becca's boss has him with her at Louisiana State University and uses him on the intercollegiate riding team, the purpose for which he was originally intended for Becca so many years ago. I have always been more caretaker than rider with these horses, but horses have been a passion of mine all my life. The child of two battling, unstable alcoholics, horses were my anchor and comfort growing up. I give my horses the credit for keeping me focused and out of trouble during my teen years, and I probably pushed Becca into riding, ditto my granddaughter. Becca rides Beau now and then, but Meg never rides anymore, although she does go out several times a year and take him carrots and groom him. I hope all works out so that we can keep him in happy retirement for years. After the girl who is using Schmendrick finishes college, the plan is for him to retire to her aunt's farm. The aunt is a veterinarian, so exactly the right place for our accident prone boy. Even is he stays free of accidents, he is so big and has had so many accidents over the years, it is a given that he will have old age joint issues that she will be in a better position to attend. We feel so lucky that things have worked out for him. We still have ownership of him, but thankfully, not the day to day responsibility and expense. My "best buddy" is a huge yellow Labrador Retriever, Jeb, a rescue from the Humane Society. He is my shadow. Sorry, I cannot seem to stop when I talk about horses or dogs. W & Gerard > > > >How are you guys doing? > >Elaine > ************** New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) **************Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics – check it out! 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Guest guest Posted October 23, 2008 Report Share Posted October 23, 2008 & Gerard Shirley, The name Schmendrick comes from the book "The Last Unicorn" by Beagle. Schemndrick was a bumbling wizard who another wizard said was either the worst or the greatest wizard that ever was. My daughter named him because in spite of all his bumbling ways and propensity to get himself into trouble, he clearly had potential, with this huge ground eating stride and a love of jumping. His registered name is J.R.'s Gold Matinee, and I have no idea where they came up with that, exept that his maternal grandfather was named Midnight Matinee. His show name (what is on the program when he is at a show) is Journeyman Conjurer. Becca gave him that name as well. Our other horse, Beau, is registered Beth's Bad Boy, which sounds like there is a story there. We have tried to trace his breeder with no luck. It was a thoroughbred farm in Louisiana which seems to have gone out of business. His show name is Rainbow Connection which I gave him. The barn name, Beau, came with him from his former owner. I love the poem about leaves. I printed it out and am saving it. Thanks. W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2008 Report Share Posted October 26, 2008 I love the story about the horse. I hope it all works out so well for him. From age 5 to 7 I lived on a small cattle ranch with 2 horses in attendance. One was a big chestnut colored morgan who loved hats. The horse was a hoot. So I love to hear stories about horses. Laurie > > Thanks for the good wishes, Shirley. We are now down to four weeks, and I have to believe that all will be well after surgery. > We have sort of a modified autumn here, and very late. We have so many pine trees and liveoaks here, both of which are evergreen. Actually the liveoaks shed all their leaves in the spring immediately before getting new leaves, and so we have a massive raking job in spring instead of fall (or spring and fall if we have several deciduous trees and several liveoaks, as we do) Anyway, the trees that give us the best color turn later, late November and early December. My favorite fall color tree for this area is the Chinese Tallow tree, locally known as the " popcorn " tree. It has seeds that look a lot like popcorn, and many call it a " trash tree " as it seeds easily and profusely. We had two volunteer after Katrina (2005) and they are already about 12 feet high. They turn beautiful red and orange at the same time on the same tree. We planted a Ginko tree last winter. They are a glorious yellow in the fall in more northerly climates, but only time will tell if they will get good color here where they will seldom get frost before the leaves fall. Dogwoods and many crepe myrtles give good color here, and some hickory trees, but you have to watch for the color, never blazes of glory like you have up there. Somehow, that makes it all more precious when you find it. Also, when you get a chance to go where there is real autumn color it absolutely stuns you. > We are getting a little string of nights, right now, where the temp gets to the high 40's, unusual for this early, but so welcome. > We have two horses, both thoroughbreds, one an ex-racehorse. When my daughter was in highschool she rode at a local stable. Her father died when she was a junior in highschool and the cardiologist who cared for him provided her with a horse to ride and show. She wanted to be on the riding team at college, so we got her a horse, Schmendrick. He was sort of an accident looking for a place to happen, and on the day we bought him, he slipped and fell running in the pasture and fractured his pelvis. He was laid up for a year with that, and we bought the second horse, Beau. Over the years, Beau has been a trooper, and Becca, my daughter, and Meg, my granddaughter have had years of riding pleasure and many many show ribbons with him. Schmendrick, for years, went from injury to injury, all self inflicted. He is very tall and beautiful and quite a personality, but his own worst enemy. Now, finally, at age sixteen, he has come into his own. The daughter of Becca's boss has him with her at Louisiana State University and uses him on the intercollegiate riding team, the purpose for which he was originally intended for Becca so many years ago. I have always been more caretaker than rider with these horses, but horses have been a passion of mine all my life. The child of two battling, unstable alcoholics, horses were my anchor and comfort growing up. I give my horses the credit for keeping me focused and out of trouble during my teen years, and I probably pushed Becca into riding, ditto my granddaughter. Becca rides Beau now and then, but Meg never rides anymore, although she does go out several times a year and take him carrots and groom him. > I hope all works out so that we can keep him in happy retirement for years. > After the girl who is using Schmendrick finishes college, the plan is for him to retire to her aunt's farm. The aunt is a veterinarian, so exactly the right place for our accident prone boy. Even is he stays free of accidents, he is so big and has had so many accidents over the years, it is a given that he will have old age joint issues that she will be in a better position to attend. We feel so lucky that things have worked out for him. We still have ownership of him, but thankfully, not the day to day responsibility and expense. > My " best buddy " is a huge yellow Labrador Retriever, Jeb, a rescue from the Humane Society. He is my shadow. > Sorry, I cannot seem to stop when I talk about horses or dogs. > W > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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