Re: Hi gang....it's been a while

[Guest guest]

Pam, Even though this family of diseases makes sometimes drastic changes in our lives, there can

be compensations if we look for them. Being an RN means you have the skill, and now the closeness

will be there also, to help your parents when they will need YOU. My parents are both dead, now, but

I am grateful I was able to help them both before they left us. I am not an RN, but I was able to be

their advocate in dealing with hospitals, doctors, insurance companies, etc., and it gave me invaluable experience for my own dealings with the same things.

Even though I am still hanging on to independence...for me and my two youngest sons, I know there

will come a time when I will need a smaller place with less resonsibility and work involved in keeping

things together. When that time comes, I will gripe and moan, but I will adjust, as I have adjusted to

the rest of it as time passed by. Lupus isn't a fast death sentence like it used to be, but it is a long

and sometimes painful and bumpy road. Lots of repairs to the old "vehicle" are necessary in order

to keep it moving along. Having family and friends for support through this experience is the single

most important factor in remaining as well as possible in our minds and bodies. Acceptance without

admitting defeat is also a key factor. We can be realistic without giving in to self pity or letting the

occasional "pity party" overwhelm and consume us. That's why we have the group, and why it

continues to grow.

Members may have differences of opinion, may come and go in anger or disappointment over some

small things, but in the main, this group has saved many lives, helped people find the care they so

desperately needed, and provided a safe venue for expressing our fears, frustrations, and hopes to

others who understand. Keep in touch, honey. You know it helps, and in turn, your experiences may

be of help to other members. I'm so glad you have family support...both from your parents, and

from this group. We are also your family, you know. Loving hugs, MM

[Guest guest]

Pam..

I realize your frustration .. being ill robs us of our sense of self ..

but only if you let it!!

You said you wanted to move out on your own ..

you did it ..

you said you wanted to go to school ..

you did it .. you may not have finished, but you gave it the good ole

college try!

You should be patting yourself on the back for being able to

accomplish your goals. You dont have to give up your goals yet .. just

put them on the back burner for awhile.

Now it is time to step back ..

regroup and find another set of goals..

something you can handle right now ..

never give up hon ..

once you give up .. you are lost!

Remember .. just because you have to say NO to some things today ..

doesnt mean that tomorrow or next week or next month, you cant say YES.

hugs..

(who still has hope of regaining my ability to be physically able to

train dogs again)

[Guest guest]

Pam, first of all I do hope you find a way to continue being a RN.

Secondly, I do hope you get the disability approved.

Sorry you've been feeling crummy and down. Hopefully you'll have something

real nice to cheer about soon. Good Luck

Mojo

Hi gang....it's been a while

> Hope this finds everyone happy and well. I have been in a recent funk

> and have been back and forth to Dr's twice this week and 4 times last

> week. I have 4 more appts next week. My " girly " exam yesterday

> revealed that I now have 3 index finger sized polyps in my uterus. I

> now have to have surgery to remove them, thanfully it will be one of

> those day thangs and I will not have to stay the night. Sadly, I will

> have to give up the apartment that I love here in Gloucester, Ma. I

> just cannot afford it anymore. Is it not enough that we have to deal

> with this crummy illness, but it also has the potential to take away

> our earning capacity? Why must illness breed poverty? I will search

> for another way to be an RN. I miss it, there has to be a " mellow "

> nursing job out there somewhere!

> Thankfully, I have made my last visit to a disability MD...with any

> luck they will make their decision soon. It just plain sucks that I

> have to move back in with my parents in June. Oh well, I will enjoy

> the time I have left here living on my own. After my divorce my goals

> were to become an RN and live on my own so , I guess on a happy note,

> I did manage to achieve both. Hugs to all and spring is here!!! Bring

> on the pretty weather, hasn't quite reached Mass yet. Love, Pam

>

>

>

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