Re: Val / Mark -- Hi

[Guest guest]

Val, I've seen you and my Mom mention Mark since I've been back onlist, but I don't know what's going on. Mark is your brother? He has a dx? Is this new or no? What's going on? Hugs, Challis Val Lee wrote: Cassy~ I have been thinking about you a lot. I know you are not feeling well. I am so sorry. I

wish there was something I could do for you. Do know that I have been remembering you in prayer. I know with the weather and all, it's been very miserable for everyone. I think I'm feeling it more this year because we didn't really have a winter. We had summer, fall, fall, short spring, summer. Where's the break? We've been getting rain the last two days, but still, that's really no relief. It's still hot and now....very humid. I was talking to my dad yesterday. He says he has talked to Mark. He's having a pretty hard time right now. He's hibernating and has pretty much closed himself off from the family. Not because he's mad at us or anything. It's more like a wounded animal type deal. He doesn't want any of us to know how much he is hurting. I think he is in the begining stages of another relapse. I wish he would allow at least myself to

stay in contact with him. If anyone knows what he's going through, It's me. It's not the same disease, but it's very simular, in that there are relapses and remissions, pain, and depression. I hate knowing that he's to proud to allow himself to be seen as being vulnerable. What an EGO! My dad did say that he's supposed to talk to Mark this weekend. I hope he does. As for you, young lady....Don't forget to let us know how you Dr. visit goes. It's tomorrow right? I sure hope that you will find the answers to your illness. I think you deserve some by now, don't you? Love and blessings....Val ******************************************************************* Val and Akiba. Im so sorry you both are in so muchpain. Akiba,its great you can go to the dentist now.And I wish there was some way you could get to oneVal. I dont have TN pain but have read enough and seenwhat everyone here goes through with the pain and Icouldnt imagine. You all have my sympathy. It soundsso painful. Its hard to be having problems alreadywith our symptoms then something going wrong with atooth, just more pain added. Val. You so dont imagineanything. Its unfortunetly all real. If anything youdont share it all. Im like that too.I know there areother people feeling just as crappy or crapier then meso I dont complain. I have been feeling so crappylately and I havnt even been out in the heat. Well, Ihope all your teefees feel better soon.hugz,cassy No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/894 - Release Date: 7/10/07 5:44 PM

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[Guest guest]

Challis~

Yes, Mark is my brother (11 mos. younger). He was dx'd with Polychondritis not long ago. When he first moved here from Idaho, it was the first time I had seen him in almost 20 yrs. He came here because he didn't know what was going on with him. He'd heard about Duke hospital, (which is really close to me) and wanted to go there to have tests done. The way he was getting around, and the symptoms he was describing (except for the breathing), sounded a lot like MS. They ran him through a bunch of tests; and after ruling out ALS, Lukemia and MS, they finally told him he had Polychondritis.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out of the loop. I just forgot.

God bless...Val

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3rd 1:4

Re: Val / Mark -- Hi

Val, I've seen you and my Mom mention Mark since I've been back onlist, but I don't know what's going on. Mark is your brother? He has a dx? Is this new or no? What's going on?

Hugs,

Challis

Val Lee <cop.girlearthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

Cassy~

I have been thinking about you a lot. I know you are not feeling well. I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do for you. Do know that I have been remembering you in prayer.

I know with the weather and all, it's been very miserable for everyone. I think I'm feeling it more this year because we didn't really have a winter. We had summer, fall, fall, short spring, summer. Where's the break? We've been getting rain the last two days, but still, that's really no relief. It's still hot and now....very humid.

I was talking to my dad yesterday. He says he has talked to Mark. He's having a pretty hard time right now. He's hibernating and has pretty much closed himself off from the family. Not because he's mad at us or anything. It's more like a wounded animal type deal. He doesn't want any of us to know how much he is hurting. I think he is in the begining stages of another relapse. I wish he would allow at least myself to stay in contact with him. If anyone knows what he's going through, It's me. It's not the same disease, but it's very simular, in that there are relapses and remissions, pain, and depression. I hate knowing that he's to proud to allow himself to be seen as being vulnerable. What an EGO!

My dad did say that he's supposed to talk to Mark this weekend. I hope he does.

As for you, young lady....Don't forget to let us know how you Dr. visit goes. It's tomorrow right? I sure hope that you will find the answers to your illness. I think you deserve some by now, don't you?

Love and blessings....Val

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

Val and Akiba. Im so sorry you both are in so muchpain. Akiba,its great you can go to the dentist now.And I wish there was some way you could get to oneVal. I dont have TN pain but have read enough and seenwhat everyone here goes through with the pain and Icouldnt imagine. You all have my sympathy. It soundsso painful. Its hard to be having problems alreadywith our symptoms then something going wrong with atooth, just more pain added. Val. You so dont imagineanything. Its unfortunetly all real. If anything youdont share it all. Im like that too.I know there areother people feeling just as crappy or crapier then meso I dont complain. I have been feeling so crappylately and I havnt even been out in the heat. Well, Ihope all your teefees feel better soon.hugz,cassy

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[Guest guest]

Oh, shoot, like you should check with everyone to make sure they're up on everything? Silly, sweet, Val. LOL Seriously, I deleted so much I missed a lot. I just did a search and am reading now on Polychondritis. Oh my goodness. Does he have any med options, etc? That I haven't gotten to yet, if it's on the site. Wow. It says 30% have another autoimmune disorder, too. This is Relapsing Polychondritis? Or is there a more definitive search I should try? Hugs, Challis Val Lee wrote: Challis~ Yes, Mark is my brother (11 mos. younger). He was dx'd with Polychondritis not long ago. When he first moved here from Idaho, it was the first time I had seen him in almost 20 yrs. He came here because he didn't know what was going on with him. He'd heard about Duke hospital, (which is really close to me) and wanted to go there to have tests done. The way he was getting around, and the symptoms he was describing (except for the breathing), sounded a lot like MS. They ran him through a bunch of tests; and after ruling out ALS, Lukemia and MS, they finally told him he had Polychondritis. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out of the

loop. I just forgot. God bless...Val I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3rd 1:4 Re: Val / Mark -- Hi Val, I've seen you and my Mom mention Mark since I've been back onlist, but I don't know what's going on. Mark is your brother? He has a dx? Is this new or no? What's going on? Hugs, Challis Val Lee <cop.girlearthlink (DOT) net> wrote: Cassy~ I have been thinking about you a lot. I know you are not feeling well. I am so sorry. I wish there was something I could do for you. Do know that I have been remembering you in prayer. I know with the weather and all, it's been very miserable for everyone. I

think I'm feeling it more this year because we didn't really have a winter. We had summer, fall, fall, short spring, summer. Where's the break? We've been getting rain the last two days, but still, that's really no relief. It's still hot and now....very humid. I was talking to my dad yesterday. He says he has talked to Mark. He's having a pretty hard time right now. He's hibernating and has pretty much closed himself off from the family. Not because he's mad at us or anything. It's more like a wounded animal type deal. He doesn't want any of us to know how much he is hurting. I think he is in the begining stages of another relapse. I wish he would allow at least myself to stay in contact with him. If anyone knows what he's going through, It's me. It's not the same disease, but it's very simular, in that there are relapses and remissions, pain, and depression. I hate knowing that he's to proud to allow

himself to be seen as being vulnerable. What an EGO! My dad did say that he's supposed to talk to Mark this weekend. I hope he does. As for you, young lady....Don't forget to let us know how you Dr. visit goes. It's tomorrow right? I sure hope that you will find the answers to your illness. I think you deserve some by now, don't you? Love and blessings....Val ******************************************************************* Val and Akiba. Im so sorry you both are in so muchpain. Akiba,its great you can go to the dentist now.And I wish there was some way you could get to oneVal. I dont have TN pain but have read enough and seenwhat

everyone here goes through with the pain and Icouldnt imagine. You all have my sympathy. It soundsso painful. Its hard to be having problems alreadywith our symptoms then something going wrong with atooth, just more pain added. Val. You so dont imagineanything. Its unfortunetly all real. If anything youdont share it all. Im like that too.I know there areother people feeling just as crappy or crapier then meso I dont complain. I have been feeling so crappylately and I havnt even been out in the heat. Well, Ihope all your teefees feel better soon.hugz,cassy No

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[Guest guest]

Challis~

As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. He appears to be having a slight relapse now. The last time I saw him he, was telling me he had lost his vision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Of course, he tried to play it off by saying that he thought he was doing too much heavy lifting. Well, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lot more pain than he was admitting to.

I really worry about him. He's a smoker, and that is really not something he should be doing. He has, at times, had a very hard time breathing. He gets "bronchitis" all the time.

As a child, he had Rheumatic Fever. He almost died. He was bedridden for almost a year. He was held back in school. My mother, going through some major health issues of her own, literally gave her life, so Mark could live. She also was dying, but instead of getting herself treated, she spent every penny she had getting Mark the treatments and tutoring he needed. I don't bring this up to him. I'm sure he's figured this out by now. I don't know why I'm mentioning it now. I'm on a "field trip" again.

Okay...back to the subject. Mark finally recovered from his bout with RF and even made up for the grade he lost in school, not to mention skipping an additional grade. He's very smart. I'm very proud of him. But, he lacks a little when it come to good old fashion common sense.

The RF left him with RA. So, he's been in and out of pain most of his life.

As far as his medical options are, I can only go by what I've been reading. I do remember him telling me that they had him on Prednisone for awhile. I doubt if he's taking it now. Getting him to take any meds is really hard. He has to be in dire pain before he'll even take an asprin. So...I'm assuming that he's not getting treated for this.

I'm going to try to get ahold of him this weekend. I thought he was going to the mountains last weekend to visit our dad and his wife. But, was informed yesterday that Mark didn't show up. My dad says he's going to call Mark and see if he's going next weekend.

Well, I'm sure you've figured out by now that I don't know how to keep explinations short and sweet. That's why sometimes you'll see me writing short novels, and then for awhile, you'll barely see me at all. Once I get on a roll.....

Love and blessings...Val

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Oh, shoot, like you should check with everyone to make sure they're up on everything? Silly, sweet, Val. LOL Seriously, I deleted so much I missed a lot.

I just did a search and am reading now on Polychondritis. Oh my goodness. Does he have any med options, etc? That I haven't gotten to yet, if it's on the site. Wow. It says 30% have another autoimmune disorder, too.

This is Relapsing Polychondritis? Or is there a more definitive search I should try?

Hugs,

Challis

..

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[Guest guest]

Val I am sorry to hear about Marik. I will continue to keep him in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

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Check out my other ornaments atwww.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

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Re: Val / Mark -- Hi

Challis~

As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. He appears to be having a slight relapse now. The last time I saw him he, was telling me he had lost his vision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Of course, he tried to play it off by saying that he thought he was doing too much heavy lifting. Well, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lot more pain than he was admitting to.

I really worry about him. He's a smoker, and that is really not something he should be doing. He has, at times, had a very hard time breathing. He gets "bronchitis" all the time.

As a child, he had Rheumatic Fever. He almost died. He was bedridden for almost a year. He was held back in school. My mother, going through some major health issues of her own, literally gave her life, so Mark could live. She also was dying, but instead of getting herself treated, she spent every penny she had getting Mark the treatments and tutoring he needed. I don't bring this up to him. I'm sure he's figured this out by now. I don't know why I'm mentioning it now. I'm on a "field trip" again.

Okay...back to the subject. Mark finally recovered from his bout with RF and even made up for the grade he lost in school, not to mention skipping an additional grade. He's very smart. I'm very proud of him. But, he lacks a little when it come to good old fashion common sense.

The RF left him with RA. So, he's been in and out of pain most of his life.

As far as his medical options are, I can only go by what I've been reading. I do remember him telling me that they had him on Prednisone for awhile. I doubt if he's taking it now. Getting him to take any meds is really hard. He has to be in dire pain before he'll even take an asprin. So...I'm assuming that he's not getting treated for this.

I'm going to try to get ahold of him this weekend. I thought he was going to the mountains last weekend to visit our dad and his wife. But, was informed yesterday that Mark didn't show up. My dad says he's going to call Mark and see if he's going next weekend.

Well, I'm sure you've figured out by now that I don't know how to keep explinations short and sweet. That's why sometimes you'll see me writing short novels, and then for awhile, you'll barely see me at all. Once I get on a roll.....

Love and blessings...Val

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Oh, shoot, like you should check with everyone to make sure they're up on everything? Silly, sweet, Val. LOL Seriously, I deleted so much I missed a lot.

I just did a search and am reading now on Polychondritis. Oh my goodness. Does he have any med options, etc? That I haven't gotten to yet, if it's on the site. Wow. It says 30% have another autoimmune disorder, too.

This is Relapsing Polychondritis? Or is there a more definitive search I should try?

Hugs,

Challis

..

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/894 - Release Date: 7/10/07 5:44 PM

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/894 - Release Date: 7/10/2007 5:44 PM

[Guest guest]

Oh Val, it's hell to worry so much about your brother, isn't it? You want for them not to have the trouble and you want for them to to anything necessary to be better and do better. They don't always understand the help is help and worry, do they? You're how much older than Mark? I'm assuming you're the oldest, just from knowing how I feel about . I don't remember if you have other siblings or not. Is it just the two of you? Your Mother passed away? It sounds like you would have been very young when that happened. I'm sorry, Val. For all of this. There are no short explanations in these things and sometimes you just really need to get it all out. I'm glad you do and I'm thankful you've shared so much. I need information to understand, anyway. <g> Love & Hugs, Challis Val Lee wrote: Challis~ As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. He appears to be having a slight relapse now. The last time I saw him he, was telling me he had lost his vision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Of course, he tried to play it off by saying that he thought he was doing too much heavy lifting.

Well, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lot more pain than he was admitting to. I really worry about him. He's a smoker, and that is really not something he should be doing. He has, at times, had a very hard time breathing. He gets "bronchitis" all the time. As a child, he had Rheumatic Fever. He almost died. He was bedridden for almost a year. He was held back in school. My mother, going through some major health issues of her own, literally gave her life, so Mark could live. She also was dying, but instead of getting herself treated, she spent every penny she had getting Mark the treatments and tutoring he needed. I don't bring this up to him. I'm sure he's figured this out by now. I don't know why I'm mentioning it now. I'm on a "field trip" again. Okay...back to the subject. Mark finally recovered from his bout with RF and even made up for the grade he lost in school, not to mention skipping an additional grade. He's very smart. I'm very proud of him. But, he lacks a little when it come to good old fashion common sense. The RF left him with RA. So, he's been in and out of pain most of his life. As far as his medical options are, I can only go by what I've been reading. I do remember him telling me that they had him on Prednisone for awhile. I doubt if he's taking it now. Getting him to take any meds is really hard. He has to be in dire pain before he'll even take an asprin. So...I'm assuming that he's not getting treated for this. I'm going to try to get ahold of him this weekend. I thought he was going

to the mountains last weekend to visit our dad and his wife. But, was informed yesterday that Mark didn't show up. My dad says he's going to call Mark and see if he's going next weekend. Well, I'm sure you've figured out by now that I don't know how to keep explinations short and sweet. That's why sometimes you'll see me writing short novels, and then for awhile, you'll barely see me at all. Once I get on a roll..... Love and blessings...Val @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Oh, shoot, like you should check with everyone to make sure they're up on everything? Silly, sweet, Val. LOL Seriously, I deleted so much I missed a lot. I just did a search and am reading now on Polychondritis. Oh

my goodness. Does he have any med options, etc? That I haven't gotten to yet, if it's on the site. Wow. It says 30% have another autoimmune disorder, too. This is Relapsing Polychondritis? Or is there a more definitive search I should try? Hugs, Challis . No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/894 - Release Date: 7/10/07 5:44 PM

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[Guest guest]

Challis~

I am the oldest of 3. I am also the only girl. Mark is 11 months younger than me, then there's my baby brother. He's 3 years younger than me. Yes, my mother died 3 months after my 11th b-day. She had ovarian cancer. She had a partial hysterectomy done when I was 5. I guess they didn't get it all or something. When I was 1o, she became real sick. That's, at the same time Mark became very ill. When I was 11, she was hospitalized to have the other ovary removed. She never came back home. They operated on her and found that all of her organs had been attacked with the cancer. They couldn't do anything. They closed her up. She died a couple days later. On her death certificate it says cause of death- Pancriatic Cancer. Age: 29.

I know I said, she gave up her life so Mark could live, but I know deep in my heart, she would have died anyway. She was so young, and such a good mother. I had 3 children also at the age of 29. I don't think I could have held a candle to my mother. She seemed so wise for being so young.

I don't know why I'm sharing all this right now. I don't usually talk about it. None of us kids do. I guess the reason I'm so concerned about Mark, is due largely to the fact that after our mother died, the rest of the family split us up. Nobody wanted the responsibility of an added child, let alone three. My mother had four other sisters, so we each went to one. We were raised seperately. Because Mark and Cordell were boys, they got to see eachother quite often. They even enjoyed an occasional sleep over every now and then. I was a girl, so that was not permitted. You know, taboo and all that. <rolling eyes> Needless to say, we lost touch. They were now, more like cousins than siblings. It wasn't untill we became adults that we became close once again. Now, I'm just afraid I might lose him again. And I think he keeps himself distant, because he probably feels the same way.

Okay, that's enough. I'm crying. Now, you know my story. I'm sorry to bore you with all the details. But, I have to admit...it does feel better getting it all out there. But, do people really need to know so much about others?

Love and blessings...Val

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3rd 1:4

Re: Val / Mark -- Hi

Oh Val, it's hell to worry so much about your brother, isn't it? You want for them not to have the trouble and you want for them to to anything necessary to be better and do better. They don't always understand the help is help and worry, do they? You're how much older than Mark? I'm assuming you're the oldest, just from knowing how I feel about . I don't remember if you have other siblings or not. Is it just the two of you?

Your Mother passed away? It sounds like you would have been very young when that happened. I'm sorry, Val. For all of this.

There are no short explanations in these things and sometimes you just really need to get it all out. I'm glad you do and I'm thankful you've shared so much. I need information to understand, anyway. <g>

Love & Hugs,

Challis

Val Lee <cop.girlearthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

Challis~

As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. He appears to be having a slight relapse now. The last time I saw him he, was telling me he had lost his vision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Of course, he tried to play it off by saying that he thought he was doing too much heavy lifting. Well, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lot more pain than he was admitting to.

I really worry about him. He's a smoker, and that is really not something he should be doing. He has, at times, had a very hard time breathing. He gets "bronchitis" all the time.

As a child, he had Rheumatic Fever. He almost died. He was bedridden for almost a year. He was held back in school. My mother, going through some major health issues of her own, literally gave her life, so Mark could live. She also was dying, but instead of getting herself treated, she spent every penny she had getting Mark the treatments and tutoring he needed. I don't bring this up to him. I'm sure he's figured this out by now. I don't know why I'm mentioning it now. I'm on a "field trip" again.

Okay...back to the sbject. Mark finally recovered from his bout with RF and even made up for the grade he lost in school, not to mention skipping an additional grade. He's very smart. I'm very proud of him. But, he lacks a little when it come to good old fashion common sense.

The RF left him with RA. So, he's been in and out of pain most of his life.

As far as his medical options are, I can only go by what I've been reading. I do remember him telling me that they had him on Prednisone for awhile. I doubt if he's taking it now. Getting him to take any meds is really hard. He has to be in dire pain before he'll even take an asprin. So...I'm assuming that he's not getting treated for this.

I'm going to try to get ahold of him this weekend. I thought he was going to the mountains last weekend to visit our dad and his wife. But, was informed yesterday that Mark didn't show up. My dad says he's going to call Mark and see if he's going next weekend.

Well, I'm sure you've figured out by now that I don't know how to keep explinations short and sweet. That's why sometimes you'll see me writing short novels, and then for awhile, you'll barely see me at all. Once I get on a roll.....

Love and blessings...Val

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Oh, shoot, like you should check with everyone to make sure they're up on everything? Silly, sweet, Val. LOL Seriously, I deleted so much I missed a lot.

I just did a search and am reading now on Polychondritis. Oh my goodness. Does he have any med options, etc? That I haven't gotten to yet, if it's on the site. Wow. It says 30% have another autoimmune disorder, too.

This is Relapsing Polychondritis? Or is there a more definitive search I should try?

Hugs,

Challis

..

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[Guest guest]

Val, I'm so sorry you went through all this. Sometimes we need to share things like this with others. It helps with healing, and sometimes healing takes a life time. (((hug)))

~Trista~********************************When the world says, "give up,"Hope whispers, "try it one more time."

Re: Val / Mark -- Hi

Oh Val, it's hell to worry so much about your brother, isn't it? You want for them not to have the trouble and you want for them to to anything necessary to be better and do better. They don't always understand the help is help and worry, do they? You're how much older than Mark? I'm assuming you're the oldest, just from knowing how I feel about . I don't remember if you have other siblings or not. Is it just the two of you?

Your Mother passed away? It sounds like you would have been very young when that happened. I'm sorry, Val. For all of this.

There are no short explanations in these things and sometimes you just really need to get it all out. I'm glad you do and I'm thankful you've shared so much. I need information to understand, anyway. <g>

Love & Hugs,

Challis

Val Lee <cop.girlearthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

Challis~

As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. He appears to be having a slight relapse now. The last time I saw him he, was telling me he had lost his vision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Of course, he tried to play it off by saying that he thought he was doing too much heavy lifting. Well, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lot more pain than he was admitting to.

I really worry about him. He's a smoker, and that is really not something he should be doing. He has, at times, had a very hard time breathing. He gets "bronchitis" all the time.

As a child, he had Rheumatic Fever. He almost died. He was bedridden for almost a year. He was held back in school. My mother, going through some major health issues of her own, literally gave her life, so Mark could live. She also was dying, but instead of getting herself treated, she spent every penny she had getting Mark the treatments and tutoring he needed. I don't bring this up to him. I'm sure he's figured this out by now. I don't know why I'm mentioning it now. I'm on a "field trip" again.

Okay...back to the sbject. Mark finally recovered from his bout with RF and even made up for the grade he lost in school, not to mention skipping an additional grade. He's very smart. I'm very proud of him. But, he lacks a little when it come to good old fashion common sense.

The RF left him with RA. So, he's been in and out of pain most of his life.

As far as his medical options are, I can only go by what I've been reading. I do remember him telling me that they had him on Prednisone for awhile. I doubt if he's taking it now. Getting him to take any meds is really hard. He has to be in dire pain before he'll even take an asprin. So...I'm assuming that he's not getting treated for this.

I'm going to try to get ahold of him this weekend. I thought he was going to the mountains last weekend to visit our dad and his wife. But, was informed yesterday that Mark didn't show up. My dad says he's going to call Mark and see if he's going next weekend.

Well, I'm sure you've figured out by now that I don't know how to keep explinations short and sweet. That's why sometimes you'll see me writing short novels, and then for awhile, you'll barely see me at all. Once I get on a roll.....

Love and blessings...Val

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Oh, shoot, like you should check with everyone to make sure they're up on everything? Silly, sweet, Val. LOL Seriously, I deleted so much I missed a lot.

I just did a search and am reading now on Polychondritis. Oh my goodness. Does he have any med options, etc? That I haven't gotten to yet, if it's on the site. Wow. It says 30% have another autoimmune disorder, too.

This is Relapsing Polychondritis? Or is there a more definitive search I should try?

Hugs,

Challis

..

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[Guest guest]

Thanks Trista~

I think you're right.

God bless...Val

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3rd 1:4

Re: Val / Mark -- Hi

Oh Val, it's hell to worry so much about your brother, isn't it? You want for them not to have the trouble and you want for them to to anything necessary to be better and do better. They don't always understand the help is help and worry, do they? You're how much older than Mark? I'm assuming you're the oldest, just from knowing how I feel about . I don't remember if you have other siblings or not. Is it just the two of you?

Your Mother passed away? It sounds like you would have been very young when that happened. I'm sorry, Val. For all of this.

There are no short explanations in these things and sometimes you just really need to get it all out. I'm glad you do and I'm thankful you've shared so much. I need information to understand, anyway. <g>

Love & Hugs,

Challis

Val Lee <cop.girlearthlink (DOT) net> wrote:

Challis~

As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. He appears to be having a slight relapse now. The last time I saw him he, was telling me he had lost his vision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Of course, he tried to play it off by saying that he thought he was doing too much heavy lifting. Well, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lot more pain than he was admitting to.

I really worry about him. He's a smoker, and that is really not something he should be doing. He has, at times, had a very hard time breathing. He gets "bronchitis" all the time.

As a child, he had Rheumatic Fever. He almost died. He was bedridden for almost a year. He was held back in school. My mother, going through some major health issues of her own, literally gave her life, so Mark could live. She also was dying, but instead of getting herself treated, she spent every penny she had getting Mark the treatments and tutoring he needed. I don't bring this up to him. I'm sure he's figured this out by now. I don't know why I'm mentioning it now. I'm on a "field trip" again.

Okay...back to the sbject. Mark finally recovered from his bout with RF and even made up for the grade he lost in school, not to mention skipping an additional grade. He's very smart. I'm very proud of him. But, he lacks a little when it come to good old fashion common sense.

The RF left him with RA. So, he's been in and out of pain most of his life.

As far as his medical options are, I can only go by what I've been reading. I do remember him telling me that they had him on Prednisone for awhile. I doubt if he's taking it now. Getting him to take any meds is really hard. He has to be in dire pain before he'll even take an asprin. So...I'm assuming that he's not getting treated for this.

I'm going to try to get ahold of him this weekend. I thought he was going to the mountains last weekend to visit our dad and his wife. But, was informed yesterday that Mark didn't show up. My dad says he's going to call Mark and see if he's going next weekend.

Well, I'm sure you've figured out by now that I don't know how to keep explinations short and sweet. That's why sometimes you'll see me writing short novels, and then for awhile, you'll barely see me at all. Once I get on a roll.....

Love and blessings...Val

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Oh, shoot, like you should check with everyone to make sure they're up on everything? Silly, sweet, Val. LOL Seriously, I deleted so much I missed a lot.

I just did a search and am reading now on Polychondritis. Oh my goodness. Does he have any med options, etc? That I haven't gotten to yet, if it's on the site. Wow. It says 30% have another autoimmune disorder, too.

This is Relapsing Polychondritis? Or is there a more definitive search I should try?

Hugs,

Challis

..

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[Guest guest]

{{{{Val}}}} It always helps to talk about things even

if they are personal or hard to talk about. It made me

cry hearing about your mom and you and your siblings

being split up.It must have been so hard and you all

must be so very strong. Your mom sounds like she was

an amazing person and mother,im sure she is very proud

of all you. Im so sorry you are worried about losing

Mark. I hope and pray he can be treated and will be

ok. Please hang in there.I hope you both can open up

to each other about your fears and feelings. Take care

k.

hugz,cassy

--- MSersLife

wrote:

> Challis~

> I am the oldest of 3. I am also the only girl. Mark

is 11 months younger t

> han me, then there's my baby brother. He's 3 years

younger than me. Yes, my

> mother died 3 months after my 11th b-day. She had

ovarian cancer. She had

> a partial hysterectomy done when I was 5. I guess

they didn't get it all or

> something. When I was 1o, she became real sick.

That's, at the same time M

> ark became very ill. When I was 11, she was

hospitalized to have the other

> ovary removed. She never came back home. They

operated on her and found tha

> t all of her organs had been attacked with the

cancer. They couldn't do any

> thing. They closed her up. She died a couple days

later. On her death certi

> ficate it says cause of death- Pancriatic Cancer.

Age: 29.

> I know I said, she gave up her life so Mark could

live, but I know deep in

> my heart, she would have died anyway. She was so

young, and such a good mo

> ther. I had 3 children also at the age of 29. I

don't think I could have he

> ld a candle to my mother. She seemed so wise for

being so young.

> I don't know why I'm sharing all this right now. I

don't usually talk abou

> t it. None of us kids do. I guess the reason I'm so

concerned about Mark, i

> s due largely to the fact that after our mother

died, the rest of the famil

> y split us up. Nobody wanted the responsibility of

an added child, let alon

> e three. My mother had four other sisters, so we

each went to one. We were

> raised seperately. Because Mark and Cordell were

boys, they got to see each

> other quite often. They even enjoyed an occasional

sleep over every now and

> then. I was a girl, so that was not permitted. You

know, taboo and all tha

> t. <rolling eyes> Needless to say, we lost touch.

They were now, more like

> cousins than siblings. It wasn't untill we became

adults that we became clo

> se once again. Now, I'm just afraid I might lose him

again. And I think he

> keeps himself distant, because he probably feels the

same way.

> Okay, that's enough. I'm crying. Now, you know my

story. I'm sorry to bore

> you with all the details. But, I have to admit...it

does feel better getti

> ng it all out there. But, do people really need to

know so much about other

> s?

> Love and blessings...Val

>

> I have no greater joy than to hear that my children

walk in truth.

> 3rd 1:4

>

>

> Re: Val / Mark -- Hi

>

>

>

> Oh Val, it's hell to worry so much about your

brother, isn't it? You wan

> t for them not to have the trouble and you want for

them to to anything nec

> essary to be better and do better. They don't

always understand the help i

> s help and worry, do they? You're how much older

than Mark? I'm assuming

> you're the oldest, just from knowing how I feel

about . I don't remem

> ber if you have other siblings or not. Is it just

the two of you?

>

> Your Mother passed away? It sounds like you would

have been very young w

> hen that happened. I'm sorry, Val. For all of

this.

>

> There are no short explanations in these things

and sometimes you just re

> ally need to get it all out. I'm glad you do and

I'm thankful you've share

> d so much. I need information to understand,

anyway. <g>

>

> Love & Hugs,

> Challis

>

>

> Val Lee wrote:

>

> Challis~

> As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. He

appears to be having a sligh

> t relapse now. The last time I saw him he, was

telling me he had lost his v

> ision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Of

course, he tried to pla

> y it off by saying that he thought he was doing too

much heavy lifting. Wel

> l, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lot

more pain than he was a

> dmitting to.

> I really worry about him. He's a smoker, and

that is really not someth

> ing he should be doing. He has, at times, had a very

hard time breathing. H

> e gets " bronchitis " all the time.

>

=== Message Truncated ===

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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Yahoo! Auto Green Center.

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[Guest guest]

Cassy~

Yes, it made us strong. Too strong. If I were a psychiatrist, I'd be calling it something else. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry.

Thank you for the encouraging words. I'm okay. And someday, I do hope to be able to sit down with my brothers and have a good long talk. As you might remember, Cordell just left an alcohol treatment center about 6 weeks ago. He seems to be doing allright. Today, he has to be locked up in jail for no less than 30 days. I don't know all the details to that. I know it's due to his past drinking and driving charges, and a couple of failure to appears. He's not a happy camper about it. But, the upside to that is....he's still sober!!

Did you go to your appt. today? How did things turn out. I hope he was able to tell you something. All good news...

Man, I just blew it. My mouth was doing so well today. I'm thinking, I haven't eaten in awhile, so a grabbed a chicken strip and ate it. Bad, boo boo. Now I've got to go take some more Ibuprofen before it gets to hurting like it was the last couple of days. I feel positive, so I'm going to stay positive. I'll be okay.

Lotz o' luv to ya....Val

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3rd 1:4

Re: Val / Mark -- Hi> > > > Oh Val, it's hell to worry so much about yourbrother, isn't it? You wan> t for them not to have the trouble and you want forthem to to anything nec> essary to be better and do better. They don'talways understand the help i> s help and worry, do they? You're how much olderthan Mark? I'm assuming > you're the oldest, just from knowing how I feelabout . I don't remem> ber if you have other siblings or not. Is it justthe two of you?> > Your Mother passed away? It sounds like you wouldhave been very young w> hen that happened. I'm sorry, Val. For all ofthis.> > There are no short explanations in these thingsand sometimes you just re> ally need to get it all out. I'm glad you do andI'm thankful you've share> d so much. I need information to understand,anyway. <g>> > Love & Hugs,> Challis> > > Val Lee <cop.girlearthlink (DOT) net> wrote:> > Challis~> As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. Heappears to be having a sligh> t relapse now. The last time I saw him he, wastelling me he had lost his v> ision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Ofcourse, he tried to pla> y it off by saying that he thought he was doing toomuch heavy lifting. Wel> l, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lotmore pain than he was a> dmitting to.> I really worry about him. He's a smoker, andthat is really not someth> ing he should be doing. He has, at times, had a veryhard time breathing. H> e gets "bronchitis" all the time.> === Message Truncated === __________________________________________________________Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/

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[Guest guest]

Oh Val. If you needed any company crying, you have it. I can't even say anything. You wrote this so beautifully, Val. Honestly. Sincerely. Thank you for sharing ALL of this! My goodness. Love & Huge Hugs, Challis Val Lee wrote: Challis~ I am the oldest of 3. I am also the only girl. Mark is 11 months younger than me, then there's my baby brother. He's 3 years younger than me. Yes, my mother died 3 months after my 11th b-day. She had ovarian cancer. She had a partial hysterectomy done when I was 5. I guess they didn't get it all or something. When I was 1o, she became real sick. That's, at the same time Mark became very ill. When I was 11, she was hospitalized to have the other ovary removed. She never came back home. They operated on her and found that all of her organs had been attacked

with the cancer. They couldn't do anything. They closed her up. She died a couple days later. On her death certificate it says cause of death- Pancriatic Cancer. Age: 29. I know I said, she gave up her life so Mark could live, but I know deep in my heart, she would have died anyway. She was so young, and such a good mother. I had 3 children also at the age of 29. I don't think I could have held a candle to my mother. She seemed so wise for being so young. I don't know why I'm sharing all this right now. I don't usually talk about it. None of us kids do. I guess the reason I'm so concerned about Mark, is due largely to the fact that after our mother died, the rest of the family split us up. Nobody wanted the responsibility of an added child, let alone three. My mother had four other sisters, so we each went to one. We were raised seperately.

Because Mark and Cordell were boys, they got to see eachother quite often. They even enjoyed an occasional sleep over every now and then. I was a girl, so that was not permitted. You know, taboo and all that. <rolling eyes> Needless to say, we lost touch. They were now, more like cousins than siblings. It wasn't untill we became adults that we became close once again. Now, I'm just afraid I might lose him again. And I think he keeps himself distant, because he probably feels the same way. Okay, that's enough. I'm crying. Now, you know my story. I'm sorry to bore you with all the details. But, I have to admit...it does feel better getting it all out there. But, do people really need to know so much about others? Love and blessings...Val I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3rd 1:4 Re: Val / Mark -- Hi Oh Val, it's hell to worry so much about your brother, isn't it? You want for them not to

have the trouble and you want for them to to anything necessary to be better and do better. They don't always understand the help is help and worry, do they? You're how much older than Mark? I'm assuming you're the oldest, just from knowing how I feel about . I don't remember if you have other siblings or not. Is it just the two of you? Your Mother passed away? It sounds like you would have been very young when that happened. I'm sorry, Val. For all of this. There are no short explanations in these things and sometimes you just really need to get it all out. I'm glad you do and I'm thankful you've shared so much. I need information to understand, anyway. <g> Love & Hugs, Challis Val Lee <cop.girlearthlink (DOT) net> wrote: Challis~ As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. He appears to be having a slight relapse now. The last time I saw him he, was telling me he had lost his vision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Of course, he tried to play it off by saying that he thought he was doing too much heavy lifting. Well, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lot more pain than he was admitting to. I really worry about him. He's a smoker, and that is really not something he should be doing. He has, at times, had a very hard time breathing. He gets "bronchitis" all the time. As a child, he had Rheumatic Fever. He almost died. He was bedridden for almost a year. He was held back in school. My mother, going through some major health issues of her own, literally gave her life, so Mark could live. She also was dying, but instead of getting herself treated, she spent every penny she had getting Mark the treatments and tutoring he needed. I don't bring this up to him. I'm sure he's figured this out by now. I don't know why I'm mentioning it now. I'm on a "field trip" again. Okay...back to the sbject. Mark finally recovered from his bout with RF and even made up for the grade he lost in school, not to mention skipping an additional grade. He's very smart. I'm very proud of him. But, he lacks a little when it come to good old fashion common sense. The RF left him with RA. So, he's been in and out of

pain most of his life. As far as his medical options are, I can only go by what I've been reading. I do remember him telling me that they had him on Prednisone for awhile. I doubt if he's taking it now. Getting him to take any meds is really hard. He has to be in dire pain before he'll even take an asprin. So...I'm assuming that he's not getting treated for this. I'm going to try to get ahold of him this weekend. I thought he was going to the mountains last weekend to visit our dad and his wife. But, was informed yesterday that Mark didn't show up. My dad says he's going to call Mark and see if he's going next weekend. Well, I'm sure you've figured out by now that I don't know how to keep explinations short and sweet. That's why sometimes you'll see me writing short novels,

and then for awhile, you'll barely see me at all. Once I get on a roll..... Love and blessings...Val @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Oh, shoot, like you should check with everyone to make sure they're up on everything? Silly, sweet, Val. LOL Seriously, I deleted so much I missed a lot. I just did a search and am reading now on Polychondritis. Oh my goodness. Does he have any med options, etc? That I haven't gotten to yet, if it's on the site. Wow. It says 30% have another autoimmune disorder, too. This is Relapsing Polychondritis? Or is there a more definitive search I should try? Hugs, Challis . No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/894 - Release Date: 7/10/07 5:44 PM Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us. No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.

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[Guest guest]

It's always been amazing to me the enter strength and resilence some people are born with and some people are not. I went through some horendous things as a child but when I think back I don't know if those things would be changed because it made me who I am today. And who's to say it wasn't preparing me for my neurological unknown ' in TexasVal Lee wrote: Cassy~ Yes, it made us strong. Too strong. If I were a psychiatrist, I'd be calling it something else. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. Thank you for the encouraging words. I'm okay. And someday, I do hope to be able to sit down with my brothers and have a good long talk. As you might remember, Cordell just left an alcohol treatment center about 6 weeks ago. He seems to be doing allright. Today, he has to be locked up in jail for no less than 30 days. I don't know all the details to that. I know it's due to his past drinking and driving charges, and a couple of failure to appears. He's not a happy camper about it. But, the upside to that is....he's still sober!! Did you go to your appt. today? How did things turn out. I hope he was able to tell you something. All good news... Man, I just blew it. My mouth was doing so well today. I'm thinking, I haven't eaten in awhile, so a grabbed a chicken strip and ate it. Bad, boo boo. Now I've got to go take some more Ibuprofen before it gets to hurting like it was the last couple of days. I feel positive, so I'm going to stay positive. I'll be okay. Lotz o' luv to ya....Val I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3rd 1:4 Re: Val / Mark -- Hi> > > > Oh Val, it's hell to worry so much about yourbrother, isn't it? You wan> t for them not to have the trouble and you want forthem to to anything nec> essary to be better and do better. They don'talways understand the help i> s help and worry, do they? You're how much olderthan Mark? I'm assuming > you're the oldest, just from knowing how I feelabout . I don't remem> ber if you have other siblings or not. Is it justthe two of you?> > Your Mother passed away? It sounds like you wouldhave been very young w> hen that happened. I'm sorry, Val. For all ofthis.> > There are no short explanations in these thingsand sometimes you just re> ally need

to get it all out. I'm glad you do andI'm thankful you've share> d so much. I need information to understand,anyway. <g>> > Love & Hugs,> Challis> > > Val Lee <cop.girlearthlink (DOT) net> wrote:> > Challis~> As far as I know, it 's the relapsing. Heappears to be having a sligh> t relapse now. The last time I saw him he, wastelling me he had lost his v> ision in one eye, and his back has been hurting. Ofcourse, he tried to pla> y it off by saying that he thought he was doing toomuch heavy lifting. Wel> l, I don't doubt that, but he seemed to be in a lotmore pain than he was a> dmitting to.> I really worry about him. He's a smoker, andthat is really not someth> ing he should be doing. He has, at times, had a veryhard time breathing. H> e gets

"bronchitis" all the time.> === Message Truncated === __________________________________________________________Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/ No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.4/897 - Release Date: 7/11/07 9:57 PM ' in Texas Courage is not being fearless, courage is facing your fears and not running for cover!