Re: HELP WANTED: Friend who understands...

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

I am so glad your here, and let me tell you this is a wonderful

group. Were here through good and bad times. This is one big family,

that cares, so hope you give us a chance. Tawny

> Dear RA Group;

> I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all

will

> have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

> Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia, and

> of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

> down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

> together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

> Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be.

Difficult

> because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

> independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

> and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due

via

> SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

> to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do

the " healthy "

> thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

> I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

> a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big

guns:

> Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

> once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

> Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

> called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had to

> finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

> Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and

VA

> comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when I

> got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm.

Finally

> after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

> appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

> little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than usual-

> because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the right

> thing, and I just can't deal with that.

> Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting

to

> know you all.

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

I am so glad your here, and let me tell you this is a wonderful

group. Were here through good and bad times. This is one big family,

that cares, so hope you give us a chance. Tawny

> Dear RA Group;

> I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all

will

> have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

> Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia, and

> of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

> down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

> together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

> Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be.

Difficult

> because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

> independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

> and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due

via

> SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

> to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do

the " healthy "

> thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

> I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

> a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big

guns:

> Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

> once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

> Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

> called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had to

> finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

> Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and

VA

> comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when I

> got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm.

Finally

> after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

> appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

> little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than usual-

> because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the right

> thing, and I just can't deal with that.

> Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting

to

> know you all.

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

It sounds like you have even more that the price of admission to this group. We

are all trying to get through our days in the best fashion possible.

Fortunately when some of us are struggling, there are others to lean on and then

we switch and the leaners become the leanees. Folks here understand how someone

who looks perfectly healthy can be as disabled as some of us are.

Kathy in Ct

----- Original Message

[Guest guest]

Welcome ,

It sounds like you have even more that the price of admission to this group. We

are all trying to get through our days in the best fashion possible.

Fortunately when some of us are struggling, there are others to lean on and then

we switch and the leaners become the leanees. Folks here understand how someone

who looks perfectly healthy can be as disabled as some of us are.

Kathy in Ct

----- Original Message

[Guest guest]

Welcome . We sure will have you. Do you have an attorney to help

you with your claim?

I know with SS disability, many times people are initially denied, but

when they get an attorney they get approved. I'm not sure if it's the

same for the VA. With so many service men and woman having various

illnesses after Desert Storm, you'd think that they'd do what was

right.

I hope they do what is right for you.

a

On Jun 12, 2005, at 11:26 PM, wrote:

> Dear RA Group;

>    I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all will

> have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

> Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia, and

> of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

> down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

> together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

> Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be. Difficult

> because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

> independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

> and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due via

> SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

> to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do the " healthy "

> thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

>    I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

> a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big guns:

> Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

> once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

> Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

> called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had to

> finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

> Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and VA

> comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when I

> got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm. Finally

> after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

> appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

> little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than usual-

> because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the right

> thing, and I just can't deal with that.

>     Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting to

> know you all.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome . We sure will have you. Do you have an attorney to help

you with your claim?

I know with SS disability, many times people are initially denied, but

when they get an attorney they get approved. I'm not sure if it's the

same for the VA. With so many service men and woman having various

illnesses after Desert Storm, you'd think that they'd do what was

right.

I hope they do what is right for you.

a

On Jun 12, 2005, at 11:26 PM, wrote:

> Dear RA Group;

>    I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all will

> have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

> Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia, and

> of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

> down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

> together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

> Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be. Difficult

> because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

> independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

> and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due via

> SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

> to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do the " healthy "

> thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

>    I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

> a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big guns:

> Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

> once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

> Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

> called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had to

> finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

> Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and VA

> comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when I

> got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm. Finally

> after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

> appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

> little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than usual-

> because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the right

> thing, and I just can't deal with that.

>     Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting to

> know you all.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am Tracie from Maine and I have RA and Sjogren's syndrome (so

far)! LOL You just never know what else you are going to get do

you? I wanted to write to you to tell you not to give up on your VA

benefits. It sounds like things are starting to move a little

quicker for you with all those appointments. My brother-in-law

(BIL) fought in Desert Storm and he finally got his benefits about 1

1/2 years ago, but what a fight it was. I just wanted to let you

know that eventually people do win these things sometimes and

perserverence is probably the key, that and keeping your

appointments that they set up. He got his social security right

afterwards as well. It took forever to him and it was several years

of struggle for him with no money, but now he is finally doing okay,

still sick though, but hanging in there and at least has money to

live on now. I just thought you might need to hear a little bit

about his story to keep your spirits up about fighting for your VA

benefits. Good luck. You can email me if you need a friend anytime.

Hugs,

Tracie in Maine

> Dear RA Group;

> I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all

will

> have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

> Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia,

and

> of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

> down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

> together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

> Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be.

Difficult

> because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

> independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

> and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due

via

> SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

> to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do

the " healthy "

> thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

> I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

> a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big

guns:

> Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

> once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

> Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

> called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had

to

> finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

> Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and

VA

> comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when

I

> got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm.

Finally

> after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

> appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

> little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than

usual-

> because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the

right

> thing, and I just can't deal with that.

> Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting

to

> know you all.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am Tracie from Maine and I have RA and Sjogren's syndrome (so

far)! LOL You just never know what else you are going to get do

you? I wanted to write to you to tell you not to give up on your VA

benefits. It sounds like things are starting to move a little

quicker for you with all those appointments. My brother-in-law

(BIL) fought in Desert Storm and he finally got his benefits about 1

1/2 years ago, but what a fight it was. I just wanted to let you

know that eventually people do win these things sometimes and

perserverence is probably the key, that and keeping your

appointments that they set up. He got his social security right

afterwards as well. It took forever to him and it was several years

of struggle for him with no money, but now he is finally doing okay,

still sick though, but hanging in there and at least has money to

live on now. I just thought you might need to hear a little bit

about his story to keep your spirits up about fighting for your VA

benefits. Good luck. You can email me if you need a friend anytime.

Hugs,

Tracie in Maine

> Dear RA Group;

> I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all

will

> have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

> Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia,

and

> of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

> down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

> together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

> Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be.

Difficult

> because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

> independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

> and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due

via

> SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

> to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do

the " healthy "

> thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

> I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

> a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big

guns:

> Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

> once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

> Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

> called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had

to

> finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

> Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and

VA

> comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when

I

> got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm.

Finally

> after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

> appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

> little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than

usual-

> because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the

right

> thing, and I just can't deal with that.

> Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting

to

> know you all.

[Guest guest]

Welcome It sure sounds as if you have been through alot. I will keep you in

my prayers

Trudy

<its_all_in_my_details@...> wrote:

Dear RA Group;

I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all will

have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia, and

of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be. Difficult

because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due via

SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do the " healthy "

thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big guns:

Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had to

finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and VA

comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when I

got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm. Finally

after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than usual-

because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the right

thing, and I just can't deal with that.

Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting to

know you all.

[Guest guest]

Welcome It sure sounds as if you have been through alot. I will keep you in

my prayers

Trudy

<its_all_in_my_details@...> wrote:

Dear RA Group;

I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all will

have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia, and

of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be. Difficult

because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due via

SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do the " healthy "

thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big guns:

Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had to

finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and VA

comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when I

got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm. Finally

after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than usual-

because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the right

thing, and I just can't deal with that.

Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting to

know you all.

[Guest guest]

WELCOME TO THE GROUP MARY. it is a great group. mike

<its_all_in_my_details@...> wrote:Dear RA Group;

I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all will

have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia, and

of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be. Difficult

because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due via

SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do the " healthy "

thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big guns:

Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had to

finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and VA

comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when I

got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm. Finally

after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than usual-

because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the right

thing, and I just can't deal with that.

Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting to

know you all.

[Guest guest]

WELCOME TO THE GROUP MARY. it is a great group. mike

<its_all_in_my_details@...> wrote:Dear RA Group;

I probably belong here as well as anywhere else...if you all will

have me that is! I have Lupus, OA, Osteopenia, Post Thyroid CA,

Fibromyalgia, severe sleep apnea, ideopathic sinus tachycardia, and

of course- Depression! It sounds like a lot when you write it all

down, but as you all probably know, a lot of this stuff goes

together, and just makes for one different and difficult life!

Different from who we used to be, and who we wanted to be. Difficult

because it's hard...to give up your career, and vitality, and

independence in some cases. It's hard to live with chronic pain,

and " living " the " claim " years: You know- trying to get your due via

SS, employer-based insurance, VA comp, etc and constantly having

to " prove " your disability instead of being able to do the " healthy "

thing, and get on with this different and difficult life.

I was DX was LUPUS in 1994, after years of severe arthralgias,

a " fetal " demise @ 20 weeks, petechial rashes, and then the big guns:

Brain MRI showing multiple lacunar infarcts, and positive lab work-

once they finally started looking in the right direction. Have had

Fibromyalgia since 1989- before it was even called " fibro " (it was

called various forms of 'myositis'). Thyroid Cancer in 1995. Had to

finally cease and desist my beloved (and much grieved loss of my)

Nurse/Manager position in 1999, and have been trying to get SS and VA

comp since. Actually, been trying to get VA comp since 1991, when I

got out of the AF Nurse Corps during Operation Desert Storm. Finally

after 14 years- I am getting evaluated by the VA MD's (5 different

appointments, no less!)during the next 3 weeks. So I guess I'm a

little more depressed and anxious, and possibly cynnical,than usual-

because I just dont have ANY faith in the VA system doing the right

thing, and I just can't deal with that.

Anyway- thats a little bit about me. I look forward to getting to

know you all.