Re: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION

[Guest guest]

Hey,Randi !!! You have certainly come to the right place, hon ! We

consider ourselves a family, here ! We share the good & the bad ! And

when we tell the same story for the 10th time, no one minds, cause we

all do it, or we dont even remember it is the 10th time !!! LOL !!

Sounds like ya got a nice family, hon ! Are they supportive ? Hope so

! Its a shame after doin your dream, ya got sick ! Same thing with me !

All my life, all I ever wanted to be was a Mom !!! Took me 22 years to

get pregnant ! Had my son at age 39, by an emergency C-section, brought

him home from the hospital and couldnt remember if I fed the little guy

!! Had to write down every bottle I gave him ! Wanted to be a perfect

mom, and ended up a mom with FMS who also had a stroke during the c-sec.

!!!! We cope ! Well, I got to get back to bed in a minute ! Just havent

gotten to my mail all day exceot your welcome & my safety alerts !!

Gonna try and do a few now ! Take care, hon ! And wait till you meet

everyone ! They are the BEST !!!! 8^)

Hello!

I am an.....ahem......35+ female (actually I am <cringe> 49!), married for 27

years, with 3 grown (well, THEY think they are anyway!) children. Two boys

and my daughter is the " baby " of the family. They are 23, 22, and 20

respectively. My God I cannot believe they are that old! It seems like just

yesterday they were little tykes, hanging onto my skirts. Anyway, 14 years

ago, I achieved one of my lifelong goals - I went back to college, and

graduated nursing school with my RN degree! Then 5 years ago, I was

" officially " diagnosed with Degenerative Joint Disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome, and Peripheral Neuropathy. I am totally disabled and on

disability now.

I am looking for a group that I can get to know well. That I can be close to

- be online best friends with. A group that will support me when I need to

vent - that will listen and dry my tears when I cry - but mostly, that will

laugh with me when I find the absurdities of life just too funny. I am

hoping that I have come to the right place. I can't wait to get to know you

all better!

Very truly yours,

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

> I'm also a recovery for alcoholism and have drank for 25 years.

****************************************************************************

Dear Joy ~

Thank you for your warm welcome and e-mail. As you probably noticed in my

letter of introduction - I am an RN. But I am also ACOA (My father, mother,

and youngest sister are/were alcoholics.) I am a gratefully recovering

codependent. I have been to numerous Twelve Step meetings for a variety of

problems. AA (open meetings), AlAnon, OA, ACOA, - and I'm sure there are

some I have forgotten! LOL I made a deliberate choice, as a teenager, NOT

to learn to like alcohol. With my family history - I wanted to take NO

chances! LOL And I also hear you about our DD!

I have a question that I would like to ask not only you, Joy, but anyone in

the group that might have an answer. Does anyone else suffer from insomnia?

Is insomnia a symptom of CFIDS/FMS? I used to work " graveyard " shift at the

hospital. (Either 11-7 or 7P-7A) And other nurses would marvel at how I

could make it through the shift, without getting sleepy - until right before

we got off duty. Little did I know it would come back to bite me on the a**,

at this time of my life!

I get up in the " morning " (usually somewhere around noon), feeling like I'm

hungover. I do pretty well until about 3:00PM - when I have to lie down for

my first nap of the day. I make it through dinner - then I have to lie down

about 8:00PM for another nap! (Both of these naps are about an hour long

each). After this nap - I begin to physically feel better. (From

" God-awful " to " barely functioning " ! LOL) And I must add here, that I am

sporadically on the 'puter throughout the afternoon and evening. Then at

10:00 or so, I feed the menagerie (I have two elderly cats and three birds!),

and after I get everyone tucked in bed - then I go in and get on the

computer. (usually around 12:00-1:00 AM), and I can stay on til 4:00 or

5:00AM! I have been getting to bed around 6:00-6:30AM! Then I get up at

noon - and do the cycle all over again!

I know by now - you all are probably thinking " Who let this lunatic into our

nice, safe group? " Well, before you drag out the butterfly net - can anyone

relate to my insomnia? Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can

cope/handle this problem? Thank you, again, for your warm welcome, and

e-mail, Joy! Take good care of YOU, hon!

Blessings on you, Joy, and hugs (((((((((((((((Joy)))))))))))))))),

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Randi,

Welcome, I haven't been a true member very long,but I have been around. I'm 43, and so far I've been able to keep working. I work at a Drug and Alcohol Treamtment Center as a manager on the weekends, I get to work four ten hour day and get three days off. I'm also a recovery for alcoholism and have drank for 25 years. I was diagonosed with this DD over 10 years ago. I find that the people on this list are very lovable and loving. Some are wizards finding info on the web, and they really know how to brighten your day.

Joy

From: Ap2452@... Reply-To: cfidsfms-friends To: cfidsfms-friends Subject: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION Date: Sun, 6 May 2001 23:29:43 EDT

Hello!

I am an.....ahem......35+ female (actually I am 49!), married for 27 years, with 3 grown (well, THEY think they are anyway!) children. Two boys and my daughter is the "baby" of the family. They are 23, 22, and 20 respectively. My God I cannot believe they are that old! It seems like just yesterday they were little tykes, hanging onto my skirts. Anyway, 14 years ago, I achieved one of my lifelong goals - I went back to college, and graduated nursing school with my RN degree! Then 5 years ago, I was "officially" diagnosed with Degenerative Joint Disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Peripheral Neuropathy. I am totally disabled and on disability now.

I am looking for a group that I can get to know well. That I can be close to - be online best friends with. A group that will support me when I need to vent - that will listen and dry my tears when I cry - but mostly, that will laugh with me when I find the absurdities of life just too funny. I am hoping that I have come to the right place. I can't wait to get to know you all better!

Very truly yours, Randi

"We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Welcome Randi,

I hope you find a good home here. We all are close and hope you feel relaxed.

I am Theresa, 35 soon to be 36 and I live in a Small town in Florida called Sneads..we do not even have a red light..LOL

Have A Wonderful Restful Day!Theresa

[Guest guest]

RANDI

YOU HAVE FOUND WHAT YOU

ARE LOOKING FOR RIGHT HERE!!

KEEP POSTING

I AM BETSY 50 FORMERLY OF NEW

YORK NOW IN FLORIDA FOR 3 YRS

AND LOVING IT

I AM ALSO MARRIED 27 YRS YUK

YNF BETSY

Hello!

I am an.....ahem......35+ female (actually I am <cringe> 49!), married for 27

years, with 3 grown (well, THEY think they are anyway!) children. Two boys

and my daughter is the " baby " of the family. They are 23, 22, and 20

respectively. My God I cannot believe they are that old! It seems like just

yesterday they were little tykes, hanging onto my skirts. Anyway, 14 years

ago, I achieved one of my lifelong goals - I went back to college, and

graduated nursing school with my RN degree! Then 5 years ago, I was

" officially " diagnosed with Degenerative Joint Disease, Fibromyalgia, Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome, and Peripheral Neuropathy. I am totally disabled and on

disability now.

I am looking for a group that I can get to know well. That I can be close to

- be online best friends with. A group that will support me when I need to

vent - that will listen and dry my tears when I cry - but mostly, that will

laugh with me when I find the absurdities of life just too funny. I am

hoping that I have come to the right place. I can't wait to get to know you

all better!

Very truly yours,

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Randi... insomnia ??!!! Boy ! Do we, hon !!! You will see, we keep some

of the strangest hours !! LOL ! Now lately, I have just been sleepin ALL

the time !! But usually I sleep from 2am to 5 or 6am. Get my son off to

school, (hes 11), then sleep for an hour, then I'm up, and take an hour

nap in the afternoon, and another early evening. Then TRY to go to bed

around 9 or 10, (but dont get to sleep till 2 !!) Now... the past few

weeks, I get up at 6am, go to sleep at 8, get up at 12, go to sleep at

1, get up at 3, go to sleep at 4, get up at 8, and go to bed at 9 !!!!!!

I HATE this !!!! Feel like I am sleepin my life away !! I can usually

fight thru the painnd do some stuff, but can Not fight the fatigue !!!

Many ppl with these DD take antidepressants to combat the fatigue. But

they make me tooo tired all the time ! I forget, hon, did you say where

you were from ? I think we have ppl from Every time zone so usually

someone is up !!! 8^)

> I'm also a recovery for alcoholism and have drank for 25 years.

****************************************************************************

Dear Joy ~

Thank you for your warm welcome and e-mail. As you probably noticed in my

letter of introduction - I am an RN. But I am also ACOA (My father, mother,

and youngest sister are/were alcoholics.) I am a gratefully recovering

codependent. I have been to numerous Twelve Step meetings for a variety of

problems. AA (open meetings), AlAnon, OA, ACOA, - and I'm sure there are

some I have forgotten! LOL I made a deliberate choice, as a teenager, NOT

to learn to like alcohol. With my family history - I wanted to take NO

chances! LOL And I also hear you about our DD!

I have a question that I would like to ask not only you, Joy, but anyone in

the group that might have an answer. Does anyone else suffer from insomnia?

Is insomnia a symptom of CFIDS/FMS? I used to work " graveyard " shift at the

hospital. (Either 11-7 or 7P-7A) And other nurses would marvel at how I

could make it through the shift, without getting sleepy - until right before

we got off duty. Little did I know it would come back to bite me on the a**,

at this time of my life!

I get up in the " morning " (usually somewhere around noon), feeling like I'm

hungover. I do pretty well until about 3:00PM - when I have to lie down for

my first nap of the day. I make it through dinner - then I have to lie down

about 8:00PM for another nap! (Both of these naps are about an hour long

each). After this nap - I begin to physically feel better. (From

" God-awful " to " barely functioning " ! LOL) And I must add here, that I am

sporadically on the 'puter throughout the afternoon and evening. Then at

10:00 or so, I feed the menagerie (I have two elderly cats and three birds!),

and after I get everyone tucked in bed - then I go in and get on the

computer. (usually around 12:00-1:00 AM), and I can stay on til 4:00 or

5:00AM! I have been getting to bed around 6:00-6:30AM! Then I get up at

noon - and do the cycle all over again!

I know by now - you all are probably thinking " Who let this lunatic into our

nice, safe group? " Well, before you drag out the butterfly net - can anyone

relate to my insomnia? Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can

cope/handle this problem? Thank you, again, for your warm welcome, and

e-mail, Joy! Take good care of YOU, hon!

Blessings on you, Joy, and hugs (((((((((((((((Joy)))))))))))))))),

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

>I AM BETSY 50 FORMERLY OF NEW

>YORK NOW IN FLORIDA FOR 3 YRS

>AND LOVING IT

>I AM ALSO MARRIED 27 YRS YUK

>YNF BETSY

****************************************************************************

Hi Betsy!

I AM SOOOOOOO JEALOUS OF YOU BEING IN FLORIDA! LOL I BET YOU *ARE* LOVING

IT!!!!! IS IT BETTER FOR YOU - IF I TYPE MY RESPONSES IN ALL CAPS? THAT IS

NO PROBLEM FOR ME! YOU MADE ME LAUGH WHEN YOU WROTE " YUK " ABOUT BEING

MARRIED FOR 27 YEARS! I SECOND THE MOTION! LOLOLOL THANK YOU FOR THE WARM

WELCOME. I KNOW THIS IS A DUMB QUESTION - BUT WHAT DOES " YNF " MEAN?

BLESSSINGS ON YOU, BETSY, AND HUGS (((((((((((((((BETSY))))))))))))))),

RANDI

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Randi, nice to meet you! from your letter of introduction, I would

say that this the right place for you! we get a lot of people, who

are looking for info, but are not ready for a support group. they

usually don't hang around too long! and this list is nothing if not a

support group!<G>!

I am Robin, I also go by " birdsong " , I am a 54 year old mom of 4

adult daughters, aged; 38, 36, and soon to be 33 and 28! whimper!

whimper! sigh!LOL!

I also have 5 grandchildren, the oldest is 20!!!!!!

I have had this DD for most of my life, but was only diagnosed about

10 years ago, however my mother died from the depridations of it and

we are reasonably sure that is what her mom died of when I was just a

little girl! Plus two of my daughters have been diagnosed with it,

and a third is developing definite symptoms.:-( I also have a sister

and a brother with it.

I also have a partner of 21 years, who has developed what we thought

was fibro, but is now in the process of being diagnosed with

rheumatoid arthritis or a similar auto-immune disease. Her name is

Joy and she is also a member of this list!

I have been a therapist for most of my working life, specializing in

alcohol & drug treatment, I loved my work and miss it terribly, but I

am disabled also and just got approved for SSD.

I have spent the last few years working on a causual basis as a

spititual counselor and have recently become an ordained minister,

which is something I have always wanted to do!

Well, didn't mean this to become a complete bio, hope you learn to

love this group as much as I do and looking forward to getting to

know you better!

birdsong

>

> Hello!

>

> I am an.....ahem......35+ female (actually I am <cringe> 49!),

married for 27

> years, with 3 grown (well, THEY think they are anyway!) children.

Two boys

> and my daughter is the " baby " of the family. They are 23, 22, and

20

> respectively. My God I cannot believe they are that old! It seems

like just

> yesterday they were little tykes, hanging onto my skirts. Anyway,

14 years

> ago, I achieved one of my lifelong goals - I went back to college,

and

> graduated nursing school with my RN degree! Then 5 years ago, I

was

> " officially " diagnosed with Degenerative Joint Disease,

Fibromyalgia, Chronic

> Fatigue Syndrome, and Peripheral Neuropathy. I am totally disabled

and on

> disability now.

>

> I am looking for a group that I can get to know well. That I can be

close to

> - be online best friends with. A group that will support me when I

need to

> vent - that will listen and dry my tears when I cry - but mostly,

that will

> laugh with me when I find the absurdities of life just too funny.

I am

> hoping that I have come to the right place. I can't wait to get to

know you

> all better!

>

>

> Very truly yours,

> Randi

>

> " We come to love not

> by finding a perfect person,

> but by learning to see

> an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Birdsong congrats on becoming ordained !!! That isa feat all by itsself

!!! Luv Jo

http://community.webtv.net/jowaca/JOSFAVORITEPICTURES

Randi, nice to meet you! from your letter of introduction, I would

say that this the right place for you! we get a lot of people, who

are looking for info, but are not ready for a support group. they

usually don't hang around too long! and this list is nothing if not a

support group!<G>!

I am Robin, I also go by " birdsong " , I am a 54 year old mom of 4

adult daughters, aged; 38, 36, and soon to be 33 and 28! whimper!

whimper! sigh!LOL!

I also have 5 grandchildren, the oldest is 20!!!!!!

I have had this DD for most of my life, but was only diagnosed about

10 years ago, however my mother died from the depridations of it and

we are reasonably sure that is what her mom died of when I was just a

little girl! Plus two of my daughters have been diagnosed with it,

and a third is developing definite symptoms.:-( I also have a sister

and a brother with it.

I also have a partner of 21 years, who has developed what we thought

was fibro, but is now in the process of being diagnosed with

rheumatoid arthritis or a similar auto-immune disease. Her name is

Joy and she is also a member of this list!

I have been a therapist for most of my working life, specializing in

alcohol & drug treatment, I loved my work and miss it terribly, but I

am disabled also and just got approved for SSD.

I have spent the last few years working on a causual basis as a

spititual counselor and have recently become an ordained minister,

which is something I have always wanted to do!

Well, didn't mean this to become a complete bio, hope you learn to

love this group as much as I do and looking forward to getting to

know you better!

birdsong

>

> Hello!

>

> I am an.....ahem......35+ female (actually I am <cringe> 49!),

married for 27

> years, with 3 grown (well, THEY think they are anyway!) children.

Two boys

> and my daughter is the " baby " of the family. They are 23, 22, and

20

> respectively. My God I cannot believe they are that old! It seems

like just

> yesterday they were little tykes, hanging onto my skirts. Anyway,

14 years

> ago, I achieved one of my lifelong goals - I went back to college,

and

> graduated nursing school with my RN degree! Then 5 years ago, I

was

> " officially " diagnosed with Degenerative Joint Disease,

Fibromyalgia, Chronic

> Fatigue Syndrome, and Peripheral Neuropathy. I am totally disabled

and on

> disability now.

>

> I am looking for a group that I can get to know well. That I can be

close to

> - be online best friends with. A group that will support me when I

need to

> vent - that will listen and dry my tears when I cry - but mostly,

that will

> laugh with me when I find the absurdities of life just too funny.

I am

> hoping that I have come to the right place. I can't wait to get to

know you

> all better!

>

>

> Very truly yours,

> Randi

>

> " We come to love not

> by finding a perfect person,

> but by learning to see

> an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Hi Randi!

I don't remember if i got to say hi and introduce myself to ya! But you have found the perfect group to join..we are more like a Family. My name is ...I am the baby of this family...and hold that title very proudly!! lol anywho..i am 22yrs old..married with a 3yr old son..and i have had CFIDS all my life..funfunfun!(not) lol

Can't wait to get to know you better!

Luvs xoxo

:-)

[Guest guest]

JO

ALL OUR ABBRIVATIONS ARE

HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED LOL

KAREN WAS THE ONE TO TELL

ME WHAT THE HECK THEY ALL

MEANT!!

THANKS HEAVEN FOR KAREN!!

BUT I GUESS WE STILL HAVE ALOT

MORE TO LEARN!! LOL

HOW ARE YOU FEELING??

ANY THING NEW??

LOVE AND PRAYERS

BETSY

Birdie good idea to explain DDs to Randi when I first heard it I thought

it meant (sorry guys) dead dick and Bets had to tell me what it

meant !! Lv Jo

http://community.webtv.net/jowaca/JOSFAVORITEPICTURES

[Guest guest]

BETS I'M DOING A LOT BETTER THESE DAYS. I JUST DECIDED THAT THESE DDS

WERE NOT GOING TO KEEP GETTING ME DOWN AND STARTED FIGHTING BACK !!! SO

FAR I'M WINNING THE FIGHT !!! I STILL HAVE A BAD DAY HERE AND THERE BUT

WHO OF US WITH THESE DDS DON'T?. WELL I HAVE TO HIT THE SHOWER AND GET

READY TO SPEND THE DAY AT TE VA FOR MY APPTS. BTW MOM HAS PT THIS

MORNING SO DON'T WORRY IF YOU DON'T HEAR FROM HER THIS MORNING. LUV U JO

http://community.webtv.net/jowaca/JOSFAVORITEPICTURES

JO

ALL OUR ABBRIVATIONS ARE

HAVE TO BE EXPLAINED LOL

KAREN WAS THE ONE TO TELL

ME WHAT THE HECK THEY ALL

MEANT!!

THANKS HEAVEN FOR KAREN!!

BUT I GUESS WE STILL HAVE ALOT

MORE TO LEARN!! LOL

HOW ARE YOU FEELING??

ANY THING NEW??

LOVE AND PRAYERS

BETSY

[Guest guest]

>I dont post near as much as i use to.. and then i go in spirts when i am

>feeling good or on a good day i may post more than usual.. I suffered from

>9 stroke last year in feb. and ever since then i am not here as much but

>they all understand and support me in anyway they can.. I hope you find

>yourself welcome and decide to stick around.. we would (and i speak for

>everyoe i am sure ) love to have you as a memeber of this great family..

>have a great day my new friend... Brightest blessings...

****************************************************************************

Dear ~

Thank you, my dear, for your warm and loving reply to my letter of

introduction! So you are a cancer survivor..... Before I became disabled -

I worked as an RN on a Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant unit for 6 yrs. So,

if you ever would like to tell me your cancer survivor story - I would love

to hear it! And you are a stroke survivor...........if, I am reading your

e-mail correctly - you suffered 9 strokes last Feb, right? My goodness, you

must be one tough lady! With an indominatble Spirit!

Which brings me to another topic.....My Mother suffered a massive stroke on

Jan.2, 2001. She is not doing NEARLY as well as you are, . I am the

oldest of 3 daughters (no brothers!) - and my sisters and I are all taking

turns taking care of Mother in her own home. We have a couple of caregivers

to relieve us, from time to time - and she is on Hospice. Her doc gave her

one month to live, when we took her home on Feb. 19th - and yet here we are

today.....closing in on 3 months later! The other support groups I belong to

- all want me to keep them updated on how Mother is doing. So once a week

(occasionally twice - but never more than that) - I write a short update on

Mother. Would it be alright for me to send the update to this group? My

other groups pray for Mother (if that is their belief), and/or light candles

(if that is their belief), and/or just send their loving supportive thoughts.

I would appreciate - and gratefully accept - any prayers, lighting of

candles, loving, supportive thoughts - or anything else someone may believe -

on Mother's behalf. This is such a hard thing to go through! I'm pretty

sure the stress is what keeps me in a flare, most of the time!

At any rate, , you are now on my permanant prayer and candle-lighting

list! And I certainly do plan to " stick around " <G>! For as longas this

loving family will let me! LOL Take good care of YOU, , my dear, new

friend!

Blessings on you, , and BIG hugs {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}},

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

>I also have a partner of 21 years, who has developed what we thought

>was fibro, but is now in the process of being diagnosed with

>rheumatoid arthritis or a similar auto-immune disease. Her name is

>Joy and she is also a member of this list!

>I have been a therapist for most of my working life, specializing in

>alcohol & drug treatment, I loved my work and miss it terribly, but I

>am disabled also and just got approved for SSD.

>I have spent the last few years working on a causual basis as a

>spititual counselor and have recently become an ordained minister,

>which is something I have always wanted to do!

****************************************************************************

My dear Robin (aka Birdsong) ~

Hello! Thank you for your reply to my letter of introduction. Is Joy being

checked for Lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, and the like? Sorry to be so nosy!

Just wooried about your loved one! How interesting that you have been a

therapist! I sure can empathize about missing your work! I miss my pts.

terribly, too! Is Birdsong a nickname, or is it your real last name?

Gracious, I am just full of questions today, aren't I? Again, sorry to be so

nosy!

OMG Robin! You are doing EXACTLY what I have wanted to do! I have thought

of going back to school and getting a Master's or maybe a PhD. in Theology.

Then returning to my Hospice work as a Chaplain- and doing grief counseling.

After I worked on the Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant unit - I worked in

Hospice for about 3 yrs. - and just LOVED it! Took to it like a duck to

water! It was my passion! It was the thing I was BORN TO DO, you know what

I mean? And then to have this DD rip it away from me.........Well, I have

always said, that if I were magically healed tomorrow - I would go back into

Hospice work. What denomination are you ordained as a minister in? I think

it is truly wonderful that you have realized such a goal for yourself!

Congratulations! You must be so proud!

Again, I know it sounds like I am being extraordinarily nosy - but I really

don't mean to be! Just wanting to get to know everyone in this wonderful

family better! Take good care of YOU, Robin!

Blessings on you, Robin, and hugs ((((((((((((((((Robin)))))))))))))))),

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Randi, my Mother died in '97 from ovarian cancer that had spread though out

the body and mind, and I wish with all my heart I had, had a " family " like

this to give me the support WE ALL need!!!!! I moved to her house 'cause

I'm the only kid!!!! Hospice also came to Momma's and they were there with

her for almost a year before she died, and yes I lived with her until 3

weeks before her death!! This Damn Disease(DD) got the best of me so I had

to put her in a nursing home, and thank God she was only there for the 3

wks.!! And as far as prayers You have them 24-7, so I'll just include

Mother also!!! The only thing I ask is you keep us posted!!!! OK??

Luv Ya'

Billie- Weebles- Mom- G/Ma

Re: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION

>

>

>

> >I dont post near as much as i use to.. and then i go in spirts when i am

> >feeling good or on a good day i may post more than usual.. I suffered

from

> >9 stroke last year in feb. and ever since then i am not here as much but

> >they all understand and support me in anyway they can.. I hope you find

> >yourself welcome and decide to stick around.. we would (and i speak for

> >everyoe i am sure ) love to have you as a memeber of this great family..

> >have a great day my new friend... Brightest blessings...

>

****************************************************************************

> Dear ~

>

> Thank you, my dear, for your warm and loving reply to my letter of

> introduction! So you are a cancer survivor..... Before I became

disabled -

> I worked as an RN on a Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant unit for 6 yrs.

So,

> if you ever would like to tell me your cancer survivor story - I would

love

> to hear it! And you are a stroke survivor...........if, I am reading your

> e-mail correctly - you suffered 9 strokes last Feb, right? My goodness,

you

> must be one tough lady! With an indominatble Spirit!

>

> Which brings me to another topic.....My Mother suffered a massive stroke

on

> Jan.2, 2001. She is not doing NEARLY as well as you are, . I am the

> oldest of 3 daughters (no brothers!) - and my sisters and I are all taking

> turns taking care of Mother in her own home. We have a couple of

caregivers

> to relieve us, from time to time - and she is on Hospice. Her doc gave

her

> one month to live, when we took her home on Feb. 19th - and yet here we

are

> today.....closing in on 3 months later! The other support groups I belong

to

> - all want me to keep them updated on how Mother is doing. So once a week

> (occasionally twice - but never more than that) - I write a short update

on

> Mother. Would it be alright for me to send the update to this group? My

> other groups pray for Mother (if that is their belief), and/or light

candles

> (if that is their belief), and/or just send their loving supportive

thoughts.

> I would appreciate - and gratefully accept - any prayers, lighting of

> candles, loving, supportive thoughts - or anything else someone may

believe -

> on Mother's behalf. This is such a hard thing to go through! I'm pretty

> sure the stress is what keeps me in a flare, most of the time!

>

> At any rate, , you are now on my permanant prayer and candle-lighting

> list! And I certainly do plan to " stick around " <G>! For as longas this

> loving family will let me! LOL Take good care of YOU, , my dear, new

> friend!

>

> Blessings on you, , and BIG hugs {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}},

> Randi

>

> " We come to love not

> by finding a perfect person,

> but by learning to see

> an imperfect person perfectly. "

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

RANDI SEND AWAY AND BE ASSURED THAT WE WILL ALL HAVE YOUR MOM IN OUR

PRAYERS. I LIVE WITH ONE OF MY UNCLES THAT DRS SAID WOULD NEVER LIVE TO

GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND WOULD BE A VEGATABLE IF HE DID THEY LIED !!!

NEVER GIVE UP HOPE THAT SHE WILL GET BETTER ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT IS IN

STORE FOR HER AND IT WILL BE UP TO HIM WHEN IT IS HER TIME. LUV JO

http://community.webtv.net/jowaca/JOSFAVORITEPICTURES

>I dont post near as much as i use to.. and then i go in spirts when i am

>feeling good or on a good day i may post more than usual.. I suffered from

>9 stroke last year in feb. and ever since then i am not here as much but

>they all understand and support me in anyway they can.. I hope you find

>yourself welcome and decide to stick around.. we would (and i speak for

>everyoe i am sure ) love to have you as a memeber of this great family..

>have a great day my new friend... Brightest blessings...

****************************************************************************

Dear ~

Thank you, my dear, for your warm and loving reply to my letter of

introduction! So you are a cancer survivor..... Before I became disabled -

I worked as an RN on a Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant unit for 6 yrs. So,

if you ever would like to tell me your cancer survivor story - I would love

to hear it! And you are a stroke survivor...........if, I am reading your

e-mail correctly - you suffered 9 strokes last Feb, right? My goodness, you

must be one tough lady! With an indominatble Spirit!

Which brings me to another topic.....My Mother suffered a massive stroke on

Jan.2, 2001. She is not doing NEARLY as well as you are, . I am the

oldest of 3 daughters (no brothers!) - and my sisters and I are all taking

turns taking care of Mother in her own home. We have a couple of caregivers

to relieve us, from time to time - and she is on Hospice. Her doc gave her

one month to live, when we took her home on Feb. 19th - and yet here we are

today.....closing in on 3 months later! The other support groups I belong to

- all want me to keep them updated on how Mother is doing. So once a week

(occasionally twice - but never more than that) - I write a short update on

Mother. Would it be alright for me to send the update to this group? My

other groups pray for Mother (if that is their belief), and/or light candles

(if that is their belief), and/or just send their loving supportive thoughts.

I would appreciate - and gratefully accept - any prayers, lighting of

candles, loving, supportive thoughts - or anything else someone may believe -

on Mother's behalf. This is such a hard thing to go through! I'm pretty

sure the stress is what keeps me in a flare, most of the time!

At any rate, , you are now on my permanant prayer and candle-lighting

list! And I certainly do plan to " stick around " <G>! For as longas this

loving family will let me! LOL Take good care of YOU, , my dear, new

friend!

Blessings on you, , and BIG hugs {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}},

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Welcome Randi,

This is a wonderful group. I'm Sharon from upstate NY with 2 teens. Son 17

to be 18 in June, daughter 15 going on 30!!Shes a dilly like her brother

said when she was little!! My hubby and I have been together for 27 years

too! I'm a nurse also LPN got my training in the army!

Hugs

Sharon

LETTER OF INTRODUCTION

Hello!

I am an.....ahem......35+ female (actually I am <cringe> 49!), married for

27

years, with 3 grown (well, THEY think they are anyway!) children. Two boys

and my daughter is the " baby " of the family. They are 23, 22, and 20

respectively. My God I cannot believe they are that old! It seems like

just

yesterday they were little tykes, hanging onto my skirts. Anyway, 14 years

ago, I achieved one of my lifelong goals - I went back to college, and

graduated nursing school with my RN degree! Then 5 years ago, I was

" officially " diagnosed with Degenerative Joint Disease, Fibromyalgia,

Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome, and Peripheral Neuropathy. I am totally disabled and on

disability now.

I am looking for a group that I can get to know well. That I can be close to

- be online best friends with. A group that will support me when I need to

vent - that will listen and dry my tears when I cry - but mostly, that will

laugh with me when I find the absurdities of life just too funny. I am

hoping that I have come to the right place. I can't wait to get to know you

all better!

Very truly yours,

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Randi, I somehow missed this post from you earlier!

You have my greatest sympathies and prayers!

My mom died after a long and painful illness a couple of years ago

and my dad died of cancer last fall! My sisters and I helped my dad

care for my mom and then one of my sisters, joy and I took care of my

dad at home with Hospice care. He died with us all there at home and

it was one of the most painful and wonderful things I ever

experienced!

If you need to talk as you continue to go thru your own special

experience with this, please let me know! Myself and the others on

this list are great listeners.

And of course you must keep us posted on you mother's condition!!

Love & Prayers,

birdsong

PS: is one of the strongest, courageous and Loving women I have

ever had the opportunity to get to know! And she doesn't even know

it!<G>

> > Dear ~

> >

> > Thank you, my dear, for your warm and loving reply to my letter of

> > introduction! So you are a cancer survivor..... Before I became

> disabled -

> > I worked as an RN on a Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant unit for

6 yrs.

> So,

> > if you ever would like to tell me your cancer survivor story - I

would

> love

> > to hear it! And you are a stroke survivor...........if, I am

reading your

> > e-mail correctly - you suffered 9 strokes last Feb, right? My

goodness,

> you

> > must be one tough lady! With an indominatble Spirit!

> >

> > Which brings me to another topic.....My Mother suffered a massive

stroke

> on

> > Jan.2, 2001. She is not doing NEARLY as well as you are, .

I am the

> > oldest of 3 daughters (no brothers!) - and my sisters and I are

all taking

> > turns taking care of Mother in her own home. We have a couple of

> caregivers

> > to relieve us, from time to time - and she is on Hospice. Her

doc gave

> her

> > one month to live, when we took her home on Feb. 19th - and yet

here we

> are

> > today.....closing in on 3 months later! The other support groups

I belong

> to

> > - all want me to keep them updated on how Mother is doing. So

once a week

> > (occasionally twice - but never more than that) - I write a short

update

> on

> > Mother. Would it be alright for me to send the update to this

group? My

> > other groups pray for Mother (if that is their belief), and/or

light

> candles

> > (if that is their belief), and/or just send their loving

supportive

> thoughts.

> > I would appreciate - and gratefully accept - any prayers,

lighting of

> > candles, loving, supportive thoughts - or anything else someone

may

> believe -

> > on Mother's behalf. This is such a hard thing to go through!

I'm pretty

> > sure the stress is what keeps me in a flare, most of the time!

> >

> > At any rate, , you are now on my permanant prayer and candle-

lighting

> > list! And I certainly do plan to " stick around " <G>! For as

longas this

> > loving family will let me! LOL Take good care of YOU, , my

dear, new

> > friend!

> >

> > Blessings on you, , and BIG hugs

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}}}}}}},

> > Randi

> >

> > " We come to love not

> > by finding a perfect person,

> > but by learning to see

> > an imperfect person perfectly. "

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Randi, You are not being nosy, how do you get to know someone if you

don't ask questions, expecially online.

Joy is going back to her PC next week, and he said if she was not

vastly improved he is going to refer her to a specialist for further

testing! Thanks for your loving concern, Joy is such a special

person and so loving and supportive. I can't imagine life without

her!

Birdsong is a name I have adopted becauese that is my spiritual goal,

to be like bird song; humble, sweet and expressing love of life. I

may never achieve it, but I keep trying!

As to the minister thing, I am a member of a New Age church, called

the " Universal Life Church " . It is similar in someways to the

Universalist/Unitarian churches.

My heart ached to hear you talk about your dreams. Grief, death and

dying are my specialties as a therapist and I did so want to be active

in a ministery involved with offering help to people dealing with

these issues and like you, my dreams have been severely curtailed by

this disease.

It is not easy, but I keep going with the hope that God has gifted me

with these disabilities for a reason and that there is a purpose for

me in this small world that I inhabit!

Know that I understand and that I continue to pray for all of us and

that you have been added to my prayer list also!:-)

birdsong

>

> In a message dated 5/7/01 2:29:08 PM, robinbirdsong@y... writes:

>

> >I also have a partner of 21 years, who has developed what we

thought

> >was fibro, but is now in the process of being diagnosed with

> >rheumatoid arthritis or a similar auto-immune disease. Her name

is

> >Joy and she is also a member of this list!

> >I have been a therapist for most of my working life, specializing

in

> >alcohol & drug treatment, I loved my work and miss it terribly,

but I

> >am disabled also and just got approved for SSD.

> >I have spent the last few years working on a causual basis as a

> >spititual counselor and have recently become an ordained minister,

> >which is something I have always wanted to do!

>

**********************************************************************

******

> My dear Robin (aka Birdsong) ~

>

> Hello! Thank you for your reply to my letter of introduction. Is

Joy being

> checked for Lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, and the like? Sorry to be

so nosy!

> Just wooried about your loved one! How interesting that you have

been a

> therapist! I sure can empathize about missing your work! I miss my

pts.

> terribly, too! Is Birdsong a nickname, or is it your real last

name?

> Gracious, I am just full of questions today, aren't I? Again,

sorry to be so

> nosy!

>

> OMG Robin! You are doing EXACTLY what I have wanted to do! I have

thought

> of going back to school and getting a Master's or maybe a PhD. in

Theology.

> Then returning to my Hospice work as a Chaplain- and doing grief

counseling.

> After I worked on the Cancer and Bone Marrow Transplant unit - I

worked in

> Hospice for about 3 yrs. - and just LOVED it! Took to it like a

duck to

> water! It was my passion! It was the thing I was BORN TO DO, you

know what

> I mean? And then to have this DD rip it away from me.........Well,

I have

> always said, that if I were magically healed tomorrow - I would go

back into

> Hospice work. What denomination are you ordained as a minister

in? I think

> it is truly wonderful that you have realized such a goal for

yourself!

> Congratulations! You must be so proud!

>

> Again, I know it sounds like I am being extraordinarily nosy - but

I really

> don't mean to be! Just wanting to get to know everyone in this

wonderful

> family better! Take good care of YOU, Robin!

>

> Blessings on you, Robin, and hugs

((((((((((((((((Robin)))))))))))))))),

> Randi

>

>

>

>

>

> " We come to love not

> by finding a perfect person,

> but by learning to see

> an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

>Birdie good idea to explain DDs to Randi when I first heard it I thought

>it meant (sorry guys) dead dick and Bets had to tell me what it

>meant !! Lv Jo

****************************************************************************

Dear Jo ~

OMG, JO! ROTFLMAO!!!!! Fortunately, I already knew what DD meant!

Unfortunately, I had just taken a big swig of water - right before I read

your letter and..........!

Blessings on you, Jo, and hugs (((((((((((((((Jo))))))))))))))),

Randi (who is still damp from the explosion! LOL)

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Robin,

So glad to see ya post. What's sinc???????? *G*

Hugs

Sharon

Re: LETTER OF INTRODUCTION

Oh Randi, I hate to tell you, but your insomnia symptoms are classic

for this DD! (damn disease). I am one of the few exceptions, knock

on wood!<g<

My partner and most of the others on this list do the majority of

their posting in the middle of the nite and I am always out of sinc!!

lol!

birdsong

>

> In a message dated 5/7/01 1:45:10 AM, joyawilliams@h... writes:

>

> > I'm also a recovery for alcoholism and have drank for 25 years.

>

**********************************************************************

******

> Dear Joy ~

>

> Thank you for your warm welcome and e-mail. As you probably

noticed in my

> letter of introduction - I am an RN. But I am also ACOA (My

father, mother,

> and youngest sister are/were alcoholics.) I am a gratefully

recovering

> codependent. I have been to numerous Twelve Step meetings for a

variety of

> problems. AA (open meetings), AlAnon, OA, ACOA, - and I'm sure

there are

> some I have forgotten! LOL I made a deliberate choice, as a

teenager, NOT

> to learn to like alcohol. With my family history - I wanted to

take NO

> chances! LOL And I also hear you about our DD!

>

> I have a question that I would like to ask not only you, Joy, but

anyone in

> the group that might have an answer. Does anyone else suffer from

insomnia?

> Is insomnia a symptom of CFIDS/FMS? I used to work " graveyard "

shift at the

> hospital. (Either 11-7 or 7P-7A) And other nurses would marvel at

how I

> could make it through the shift, without getting sleepy - until

right before

> we got off duty. Little did I know it would come back to bite me

on the a**,

> at this time of my life!

>

> I get up in the " morning " (usually somewhere around noon), feeling

like I'm

> hungover. I do pretty well until about 3:00PM - when I have to

lie down for

> my first nap of the day. I make it through dinner - then I have to

lie down

> about 8:00PM for another nap! (Both of these naps are about an hour

long

> each). After this nap - I begin to physically feel better. (From

> " God-awful " to " barely functioning " ! LOL) And I must add here,

that I am

> sporadically on the 'puter throughout the afternoon and evening.

Then at

> 10:00 or so, I feed the menagerie (I have two elderly cats and

three birds!),

> and after I get everyone tucked in bed - then I go in and get on

the

> computer. (usually around 12:00-1:00 AM), and I can stay on til

4:00 or

> 5:00AM! I have been getting to bed around 6:00-6:30AM! Then I

get up at

> noon - and do the cycle all over again!

>

> I know by now - you all are probably thinking " Who let this lunatic

into our

> nice, safe group? " Well, before you drag out the butterfly net -

can anyone

> relate to my insomnia? Does anyone have any suggestions for how I

can

> cope/handle this problem? Thank you, again, for your warm welcome,

and

> e-mail, Joy! Take good care of YOU, hon!

>

> Blessings on you, Joy, and hugs (((((((((((((((Joy)))))))))))))))),

> Randi

>

> " We come to love not

> by finding a perfect person,

> but by learning to see

> an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sharon! Beats me, if I ever knew what it meant to be in-sinc,

it certainly has gotten lost in brain fog!lol!

birdsong

> >

> > In a message dated 5/7/01 1:45:10 AM, joyawilliams@h... writes:

> >

> > > I'm also a recovery for alcoholism and have drank for 25 years.

> >

>

**********************************************************************

> ******

> > Dear Joy ~

> >

> > Thank you for your warm welcome and e-mail. As you probably

> noticed in my

> > letter of introduction - I am an RN. But I am also ACOA (My

> father, mother,

> > and youngest sister are/were alcoholics.) I am a gratefully

> recovering

> > codependent. I have been to numerous Twelve Step meetings for a

> variety of

> > problems. AA (open meetings), AlAnon, OA, ACOA, - and I'm sure

> there are

> > some I have forgotten! LOL I made a deliberate choice, as a

> teenager, NOT

> > to learn to like alcohol. With my family history - I wanted to

> take NO

> > chances! LOL And I also hear you about our DD!

> >

> > I have a question that I would like to ask not only you, Joy, but

> anyone in

> > the group that might have an answer. Does anyone else suffer from

> insomnia?

> > Is insomnia a symptom of CFIDS/FMS? I used to work " graveyard "

> shift at the

> > hospital. (Either 11-7 or 7P-7A) And other nurses would marvel at

> how I

> > could make it through the shift, without getting sleepy - until

> right before

> > we got off duty. Little did I know it would come back to bite me

> on the a**,

> > at this time of my life!

> >

> > I get up in the " morning " (usually somewhere around noon), feeling

> like I'm

> > hungover. I do pretty well until about 3:00PM - when I have to

> lie down for

> > my first nap of the day. I make it through dinner - then I have

to

> lie down

> > about 8:00PM for another nap! (Both of these naps are about an

hour

> long

> > each). After this nap - I begin to physically feel better. (From

> > " God-awful " to " barely functioning " ! LOL) And I must add here,

> that I am

> > sporadically on the 'puter throughout the afternoon and evening.

> Then at

> > 10:00 or so, I feed the menagerie (I have two elderly cats and

> three birds!),

> > and after I get everyone tucked in bed - then I go in and get on

> the

> > computer. (usually around 12:00-1:00 AM), and I can stay on til

> 4:00 or

> > 5:00AM! I have been getting to bed around 6:00-6:30AM! Then I

> get up at

> > noon - and do the cycle all over again!

> >

> > I know by now - you all are probably thinking " Who let this

lunatic

> into our

> > nice, safe group? " Well, before you drag out the butterfly net -

> can anyone

> > relate to my insomnia? Does anyone have any suggestions for how I

> can

> > cope/handle this problem? Thank you, again, for your warm

welcome,

> and

> > e-mail, Joy! Take good care of YOU, hon!

> >

> > Blessings on you, Joy, and hugs

(((((((((((((((Joy)))))))))))))))),

> > Randi

> >

> > " We come to love not

> > by finding a perfect person,

> > but by learning to see

> > an imperfect person perfectly. "

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

LMAO, Randi !!! Hope your keyboad has dried out, hon !!! 8^)

>Birdie good idea to explain DDs to Randi when I first heard it I thought

>it meant (sorry guys) dead dick and Bets had to tell me what it

>meant !! Lv Jo

****************************************************************************

Dear Jo ~

OMG, JO! ROTFLMAO!!!!! Fortunately, I already knew what DD meant!

Unfortunately, I had just taken a big swig of water - right before I read

your letter and..........!

Blessings on you, Jo, and hugs (((((((((((((((Jo))))))))))))))),

Randi (who is still damp from the explosion! LOL)

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

>YOUR NEW FRIEND

>Billie

****************************************************************************

Thank you for the info, Billie! Feeling sooooooo dumb now! DUH!

Blessings and hugs,

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "

[Guest guest]

>The only thing I ask is you keep us posted!!!! OK??

****************************************************************************De

ar Billie ~ You bet 'cha! BTW - can I call you MOM? Or is this too

presumptive?

Blessings and hugs,

Randi

" We come to love not

by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see

an imperfect person perfectly. "