Re: growin up an growing old; n just typing out loud again; feel free to delete

[Guest guest]

Dearest n, How could we; why would we--delete a post that is sage, profoundand as usual, poignant. There are SO many points to comment on, I don'tknow WHERE to begin. Suffice it to say,if I could live a life parallel toyours, I would savor the moments you share.You make growing up sogrand to us seeming 'babes in the woods'.I love the image of under the piano.I am enthralled with your meditative practices.Your tutoring of this boy is admirable and generous.I love you n for who you are, for how you share of yourself,and how, in a sense, in a way you don't verbalize, a challenge tome, to live grander, to be bolder, to experience more richly thislife we are given. Thank you. Love always, Kate growin up an growing old; n just typing out loud again; feel free to deleteTo: MSersLife > I think that perhaps I was born this way, but this is my day:> after the treatments, capsules, tablets, respiratory therapy,> nose-blowing, coughing up, visiting the "throne room," testing> my blood glucose,, having a shower, I do get to begin to> think about more rewarding things, such as the following:.> > 1) Coffee or tea, with milk; it was milk when I was younger;> > 2) Food; I do have type I diabetes;> > 3) Checking in on line while drinking the coffee or tea;> > 4) Turning the ringer back on at the telephone, and checking> for any messages; I have the luxury of sleeping later than> I did when working full time;> > 5) Cooking breakfast; I have severe back problems which I> have had since age 12, when I survived polio but did acquire> some lasting damage in my very low back, in the lumbar vertebrae,> so I try to cook or prepare really nutritious food without > standing up for too long; I love breakfast, and sometimes > just blend up> a whopper shake, smoothie or concoction;> > 6) Returning calls to those who have left messages, usually several;> This often leads to "what to do today" and with whom;> > 7) Each morning I endeavor to post or phone some of my grand> children, both those who live nearby and those who live far away;> > 8) I meditate, in Vietnamese Buddhist practice, after, rather > than > before breakfast, less I collapse with low blood glucose levels;> > 9) Each morning and at bedtime I meditate on my children, my > grand-> children, my nieces and nephews, and my relatives out of > town, and > some of my special friends, whether online or in real-live > 3D existence;> > 10) Sometimes I volunteer at the local Senior Center, at the > Gray Panthers> which is a senior citizen non-profit organization; I often > help them with> applying for SSDI/Medicare and/or SSI/Medicaid (Medi-Cal here);> > 11) Sometimes I just choose a day just for my own spirit; soon I will> be going to the shore; now sometimes I feed the squirrels > in the> local state park; other times, I wait until nightfall, and > feed the > raccoons in the same state park; both are on the shore of > the S.F.> Bay, despite our uncontrolled pollution problems. (I swim > over at> the Pacific Ocean, not at the S.F.Bay;> > 12) Then there are days when I go to my brother 's house up> the hill and make wild use of his superb Steinway concert> grand piano. is deaf, but lies under the piano to feel> the vibrations. As he is extremely tall, this is rather > entertaining. And, of course, he never tells me that I am > being too noisy;.> > 13) The first three days of each month I pay bills, and the last week> of the months I tally everything up to see where I stand > (or fall);> > 14) I have a dear friend who moved into our apartment complex,> and who lives on the floor below me. She has had two major> cardiac surgeries, chronic bronchitis (no CF; she has been> tested for all known mutations. Her name is Doris ala Dorie> and she gave me permission to mention her in my posts;> She is my personal, social, conversational, medical hero;> > 15) I have a new "toy" an electric cart. I use this to go to the> local produce mart and a very good grocery store nearby,> and I close my fists to keep from over-spending, so I can> come back;> > 15) I often visit my friend, E., whose family cares for my four> wolf dogs who dominate the scene--these are the dogs> who want their own Prime Time TV show to be called:> "Desperate House Dogs!"> > 16) I have been tutoring an astonishingly gifted boy from> a house and family nearby; his parents are planning> on sending him to Peperdine, one of the Clairmont> Colleges in Southern California; he is currently 12 years> old and tutoring consists of keeping him from just plain> succumbing to terminal boredom;> > 17) I have a lively online life, as you all know, but that is very> important to me, as are each of you with children here;> > 18) When I can afford to do so, my friend, E., and I, some> times with Doris along, too, take "jaunts" with my > car, Marco Polo to the vast scenic and nature areas> nearby, and sometimes, not so nearby;> > 19) Then, as we can find time in our busy lives, I get to> get together with my "signicant other" and we have> great times together, as he and I have known one> another for over 20 years; yes, he is younger than am I.> > 20) Soon, E. and Dorie and I are going to see the wonderful> new film EARTH. Even the previews have been breathtaking;> Dori, if she holds up and I do, too, is taking us to > dinner afterwords.> > So, there is a real point to having CF diagnosed and treated early> in life. Or, as my husband said to me after his doctors had > told him> that he had about 11 months to live, "Gee, n, I always thought> that you would go first!" I kissed him and did not slap him. > He duti> fully left this plane on April 15, 1983, at age 57. He would > have been> 58 in June of that year; his dream, this playwright, was to go > to Mars.> I find myself hoping that he found away to fulfill that dream;> > Love to each of you, who sustain me and so many others, daily.> n, the verbose,> > P.S. There is a "Bay Area" joke that all Buddhists here > are Jews -- could be. . . Meditation is a lot quieter than> is the Synagogue, though. . . . M.~>

[Guest guest]

n you are my hero

[Guest guest]

Kate, I just wrote it as I received a private post asking mehow "you cope with it all." Decided, that if was going to be that verbose, I might as well scatter it all around.Love and thank you, Kate,nTo: MSersLife Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 3:52:19

AMSubject: Re: growin up an growing old; n just typing out loud again; feel free to delete

Dearest n, How could we; why would we--delete a post that is sage, profoundand as usual, poignant. There are SO many points to comment on, I don'tknow WHERE to begin. Suffice it to say,if I could live a life parallel toyours, I would savor the moments you share.You make growing up sogrand to us seeming 'babes in the woods'.I love the image of under the piano.I am enthralled with your meditative practices.Your tutoring of this boy is admirable and generous.I love you n for who you are, for how you share of yourself,and how, in a sense, in a way you don't verbalize, a challenge tome, to live grander, to be bolder, to experience more richly thislife we are given. Thank you. Love always, Kate growin up an growing old; n just

typing out loud again; feel free to deleteTo: MSersLife@yahoogrou ps.com> I think that perhaps I was born this way, but this is my day:> after the treatments, capsules, tablets, respiratory therapy,> nose-blowing, coughing up, visiting the "throne room," testing> my blood glucose,, having a shower, I do get to begin to> think about more rewarding things, such as the following:.> > 1) Coffee or tea, with milk; it was milk when I was younger;> > 2) Food; I do have type I diabetes;> > 3) Checking in on line while drinking the coffee or tea;> > 4) Turning the ringer back on at the telephone, and checking> for any messages; I have the luxury of sleeping later than> I did when working full time;> > 5) Cooking breakfast; I have severe back problems which I> have had

since age 12, when I survived polio but did acquire> some lasting damage in my very low back, in the lumbar vertebrae,> so I try to cook or prepare really nutritious food without > standing up for too long; I love breakfast, and sometimes > just blend up> a whopper shake, smoothie or concoction;> > 6) Returning calls to those who have left messages, usually several;> This often leads to "what to do today" and with whom;> > 7) Each morning I endeavor to post or phone some of my grand> children, both those who live nearby and those who live far away;> > 8) I meditate, in Vietnamese Buddhist practice, after, rather > than > before breakfast, less I collapse with low blood glucose levels;> > 9) Each morning and at bedtime I meditate on my children, my > grand-> children, my nieces

and nephews, and my relatives out of > town, and > some of my special friends, whether online or in real-live > 3D existence;> > 10) Sometimes I volunteer at the local Senior Center, at the > Gray Panthers> which is a senior citizen non-profit organization; I often > help them with> applying for SSDI/Medicare and/or SSI/Medicaid (Medi-Cal here);> > 11) Sometimes I just choose a day just for my own spirit; soon I will> be going to the shore; now sometimes I feed the squirrels > in the> local state park; other times, I wait until nightfall, and > feed the > raccoons in the same state park; both are on the shore of > the S.F.> Bay, despite our uncontrolled pollution problems. (I swim > over at> the Pacific Ocean, not at the S.F.Bay;> > 12) Then there are days when

I go to my brother 's house up> the hill and make wild use of his superb Steinway concert> grand piano. is deaf, but lies under the piano to feel> the vibrations. As he is extremely tall, this is rather > entertaining. And, of course, he never tells me that I am > being too noisy;.> > 13) The first three days of each month I pay bills, and the last week> of the months I tally everything up to see where I stand > (or fall);> > 14) I have a dear friend who moved into our apartment complex,> and who lives on the floor below me. She has had two major> cardiac surgeries, chronic bronchitis (no CF; she has been> tested for all known mutations. Her name is Doris ala Dorie> and she gave me permission to mention her in my posts;> She is my personal, social, conversational, medical

hero;> > 15) I have a new "toy" an electric cart. I use this to go to the> local produce mart and a very good grocery store nearby,> and I close my fists to keep from over-spending, so I can> come back;> > 15) I often visit my friend, E., whose family cares for my four> wolf dogs who dominate the scene--these are the dogs> who want their own Prime Time TV show to be called:> "Desperate House Dogs!"> > 16) I have been tutoring an astonishingly gifted boy from> a house and family nearby; his parents are planning> on sending him to Peperdine, one of the Clairmont> Colleges in Southern California; he is currently 12 years> old and tutoring consists of keeping him from just plain> succumbing to terminal boredom;> > 17) I have a lively online life, as you all know,

but that is very> important to me, as are each of you with children here;> > 18) When I can afford to do so, my friend, E., and I, some> times with Doris along, too, take "jaunts" with my > car, Marco Polo to the vast scenic and nature areas> nearby, and sometimes, not so nearby;> > 19) Then, as we can find time in our busy lives, I get to> get together with my "signicant other" and we have> great times together, as he and I have known one> another for over 20 years; yes, he is younger than am I.> > 20) Soon, E. and Dorie and I are going to see the wonderful> new film EARTH. Even the previews have been breathtaking;> Dori, if she holds up and I do, too, is taking us to > dinner afterwords.> > So, there is a real point to having CF diagnosed and treated early> in life. Or,

as my husband said to me after his doctors had > told him> that he had about 11 months to live, "Gee, n, I always thought> that you would go first!" I kissed him and did not slap him. > He duti> fully left this plane on April 15, 1983, at age 57. He would > have been> 58 in June of that year; his dream, this playwright, was to go > to Mars.> I find myself hoping that he found away to fulfill that dream;> > Love to each of you, who sustain me and so many others, daily.> n, the verbose,> > P.S. There is a "Bay Area" joke that all Buddhists here > are Jews -- could be. . . Meditation is a lot quieter than> is the Synagogue, though. . . . M.~>

[Guest guest]

How about your source for really weird MS humour!Love,nTo: MSersLife Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 4:51:27 AMSubject: Re: growin up an growing old; n just typing out loud again; feel free to delete

n you are my hero

[Guest guest]

I have been told that my mouth engages before my head and it falls out

[Guest guest]

If either you mouth or your head were to fall out. . . . No, I do understand what you are saying.Love,nTo: MSersLife Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 5:10:59 AMSubject: Re: growin up an growing old; n just typing out loud

again; feel free to delete

I have been told that my mouth engages before my head and it falls out

[Guest guest]

that's me - what can I say

I good friend that I have known since ninth grade - she had a major

knee problem - she had bone on bone in her knee - good days she wore

the brace and her personality shone -

I knew here pain - she hit it very well

Cold rainy days - she couldn't get out of bed

This from a lady who was 5'5 " and over 150 pounds - she had long read

hair that she could sit on - with beautiful green eyes

I asked her how she did it - being perky when I could see the pain in her eyes

She said something very profound - if I don't laugh at myself - I will cry

Then others will feel sorry for me - I don't want that

a special lady - I am glad she was in my life - she taught me dignity

in adversity

[Guest guest]

I don't always think before I open my mouth

someone asks me something and if my ADD is strong - the first thing

out of my mouth isn't always politically correct

On Friday staff meeting I was asked what was on my schedule -

(Friday's were the rough day for all of us)

I said - " Beats the h* & ^ out of me. " That brought the house down with

the other department heads. The idjut administrator - well it went

over her head.

While I was trying to dig myself out of a hole - I said Melitta has a

list for me to run errands for the residents and Willow

Engage mouth before you think

my weird humor comes out of divorce and working at hospitals, hospice,

and nursing homes - gallows humor to function

[Guest guest]

n, Your life makes for some good reading. Wish I could say the same about mine. I find it so fascinating that you are so active! You are so much younger than I. How do you find the energy? I force myself to do the things that are necessary, then pay dearly for it the next day. Love to you and all...ValeneThe MS mind at work! "I'd go crazy if I lost my mind!" MS and BPD Awareness Subject: growin up an growing old; n just typing out loud again; feel free to deleteTo: MSersLife Date: Friday, April 24, 2009, 4:34 AM

I think that perhaps I was born this way, but this is my day:after the treatments, capsules, tablets, respiratory therapy,nose-blowing, coughing up, visiting the "throne room," testingmy blood glucose,, having a shower, I do get to begin tothink about more rewarding things, such as the following:.1) Coffee or tea, with milk; it was milk when I was younger;2) Food; I do have type I diabetes;3) Checking in on line while drinking the coffee or tea;4) Turning the ringer back on at the telephone, and checking for any messages; I have the luxury of sleeping later than I did when working full time;5) Cooking breakfast; I have severe back problems which

I have had since age 12, when I survived polio but did acquire some lasting damage in my very low back, in the lumbar vertebrae, so I try to cook or prepare really nutritious food without standing up for too long; I love breakfast, and sometimes just blend up a whopper shake, smoothie or concoction;6) Returning calls to those who have left messages, usually several; This often leads to "what to do today" and with whom;7) Each morning I endeavor to post or phone some of my grand children, both those who live nearby and those who live far away;8) I meditate, in Vietnamese Buddhist practice, after, rather than before breakfast, less I collapse with low blood glucose levels;9) Each

morning and at bedtime I meditate on my children, my grand- children, my nieces and nephews, and my relatives out of town, and some of my special friends, whether online or in real-live 3D existence;10) Sometimes I volunteer at the local Senior Center, at the Gray Panthers which is a senior citizen non-profit organization; I often help them with applying for SSDI/Medicare and/or SSI/Medicaid (Medi-Cal here); 11) Sometimes I just choose a day just for my own spirit; soon I will be going to the shore; now sometimes I feed the squirrels in the local state park; other times, I wait until nightfall, and feed the raccoons in the same state park; both are on the shore of the S.F. Bay, despite our

uncontrolled pollution problems.. (I swim over at the Pacific Ocean, not at the S.F.Bay;12) Then there are days when I go to my brother 's house up the hill and make wild use of his superb Steinway concert grand piano. is deaf, but lies under the piano to feel the vibrations. As he is extremely tall, this is rather entertaining. And, of course, he never tells me that I am being too noisy;.13) The first three days of each month I pay bills, and the last week of the months I tally everything up to see where I stand (or fall);14) I have a dear friend who moved into our apartment complex, and who lives on the floor below me. She has had

two

major cardiac surgeries, chronic bronchitis (no CF; she has been tested for all known mutations. Her name is Doris ala Dorie and she gave me permission to mention her in my posts; She is my personal, social, conversational, medical hero;15) I have a new "toy" an electric cart. I use this to go to the local produce mart and a very good grocery store nearby, and I close my fists to keep from over-spending, so I can come back;15) I often visit my friend, E., whose family cares for my four wolf dogs who dominate the scene--these are the dogs who want their own Prime Time TV show to be called:

"Desperate House Dogs!"16) I have been tutoring an astonishingly gifted boy from a house and family nearby; his parents are planning on sending him to Peperdine, one of the Clairmont Colleges in Southern California; he is currently 12 years old and tutoring consists of keeping him from just plain succumbing to terminal boredom;17) I have a lively online life, as you all know, but that is very important to me, as are each of you with children here;18) When I can afford to do so, my friend, E., and I, some times with Doris along, too, take "jaunts" with my car, Marco Polo to the vast scenic and nature

areas nearby, and sometimes, not so nearby;19) Then, as we can find time in our busy lives, I get to get together with my "signicant other" and we have great times together, as he and I have known one another for over 20 years; yes, he is younger than am I.20) Soon, E. and Dorie and I are going to see the wonderful new film EARTH. Even the previews have been breathtaking; Dori, if she holds up and I do, too, is taking us to dinner afterwords.So, there is a real point to having CF diagnosed and treated earlyin life. Or, as my husband said to me after his doctors had told himthat he had about 11 months to live, "Gee, n, I always thoughtthat you would go first!" I kissed him and did not

slap him. He dutifully left this plane on April 15, 1983, at age 57. He would have been58 in June of that year; his dream, this playwright, was to go to Mars.I find myself hoping that he found away to fulfill that dream;Love to each of you, who sustain me and so many others, daily.n, the verbose,

P.S. There is a "Bay Area" joke that all Buddhists here

are Jews -- could be. . . Meditation is a lot quieter than

is the Synagogue, though. . . . M.~