JOAN'S GRANDSON AND MOTHER

April 23, 2000

Joan if anyone needs a hug right now its you. Wish we could give you a big

one. We will be thinking of you and keeping you and your family in our

prayers. Today is a good day for those.

April 23, 2000

Hi to All,

I know I'm late again, but I would like to take this opportunity to

wish you all a very Happy Easter. It is almost over now, but my thoughts

and wishes are the same. Also, to those of you who celebrate

Passover, the same wishes go out to you.

My grandson, , who just celebrated his 11th birthday in March,

was admitted to the hospital Thursday nite again for his asthma. He was

given a continuous treatment for four hours, and he is still on IV

steroids. As some of you know, ever since my daughter's divorce, his

asthma has gotten worse, especially since he does not want to see his

father, but the Court is mandating that he sees his father irrespective

of his wishes or his illness.

Three years ago Terry (my daughter) took Nicolas to the National Jewish

Medical and Research Center in Denver, CO. At that time he was on 13

different asthma medications. I didn't even realize they made that

many!! They taught to deal with his asthma through art, music

and dance, as well as other relaxation techniques, and he was able to

reduce his meds. They even had an article about them in " U.S. News and

World Reports " . Ooops -- sorry, I got carried away there.

I am so very worried about . On two previous ocassions, we have

almost lost him. I would appreciate any and all prayers.

My Mom just found out she has an 80% blockage of one of her carotid

arteries, so she has to go for an MRA of both arteries to confirm the

doppler diagnosis. Three years ago, at the age of 84, she had triple

bypass surgery and a leaky valve was also fixed at that time. They are

pretty sure she will need the surgery, but we'll cross that bridge when

we come to it. My sister is a basket case, and I have always been the

strong one, but right now I don't feel very strong. My Mom can run

circles around me, and I wish I had half her energy. She and two

friends of hers make a once a week visit to the local nursing home so

they can " visit the old people " !! Most of the people there are

younger than she. I'm glad she has such a good spirit about her. It will

make it a lot easier on her recovery.

Sorry for rambling on. Please forgive me, but I just needed to get this

off my big chest. Thanks for listening and for being there once again.

Hugs,

Joan

April 24, 2000

Joan,

First and foremost, happy holidays and thanks for those quotes. My dad

last Oct had his carotidectomy <when they clean out the artery> He was

97% occluded and had just had his 2nd bypass 9 months earlier. I

understand the fear but I just got home from dinner with them and seeing

a relatively healthy 76 yr old man who has had numerous surgeries, shot

3 times in WWII, and had to put up with me as a daughter <G>, makes me

happy they can do a test and see these things before something bad

happens. I wish your mom nothing but success like my dad had.

As for your grandson, I also wish him the best. Asthma is a

misunderstood disease, and can be quite scary. I had that too and the

only good from the pred for the RA is the asthma is under control now. I

sure hope he is doing better every minute!

Beverly

April 24, 2000

Joan,

Please don't apologize for sharing your burden with us. That is what we are

here for. Ramble on. You allow us the pleasure of trying to help you by

confiding in us. You are always there to lend an ear and to send along

inspirational thoughts - let us try to do the same for you.

I'm praying for , your mother, you, and your entire family.

sounds like a tough little guy. Is that article in USN & WR online

anywhere? I hope he can get out of the hospital very soon.

It's good that your mother is so strong. It will be easier to imagine her

dealing successfully with whatever may be coming her way. I'll hope that she

has the easiest time possible.

How about you? Are you feeling OK? When is your appointment with the

endocrinologist? I'm really worried about your health. Please don't delay.

See a specialist soon. Have you considered going to see a nephrologist, too?

Thinking about you,

> Hi to All,

>

> I know I'm late again, but I would like to take this opportunity to

> wish you all a very Happy Easter. It is almost over now, but my thoughts

> and wishes are the same. Also, to those of you who celebrate

> Passover, the same wishes go out to you.

>

> My grandson, , who just celebrated his 11th birthday in March,

> was admitted to the hospital Thursday nite again for his asthma. He was

> given a continuous treatment for four hours, and he is still on IV

> steroids. As some of you know, ever since my daughter's divorce, his

> asthma has gotten worse, especially since he does not want to see his

> father, but the Court is mandating that he sees his father irrespective

> of his wishes or his illness.

>

> Three years ago Terry (my daughter) took Nicolas to the National Jewish

> Medical and Research Center in Denver, CO. At that time he was on 13

> different asthma medications. I didn't even realize they made that

> many!! They taught to deal with his asthma through art, music

> and dance, as well as other relaxation techniques, and he was able to

> reduce his meds. They even had an article about them in " U.S. News and

> World Reports " . Ooops -- sorry, I got carried away there.

>

> I am so very worried about . On two previous ocassions, we have

> almost lost him. I would appreciate any and all prayers.

>

> My Mom just found out she has an 80% blockage of one of her carotid

> arteries, so she has to go for an MRA of both arteries to confirm the

> doppler diagnosis. Three years ago, at the age of 84, she had triple

> bypass surgery and a leaky valve was also fixed at that time. They are

> pretty sure she will need the surgery, but we'll cross that bridge when

> we come to it. My sister is a basket case, and I have always been the

> strong one, but right now I don't feel very strong. My Mom can run

> circles around me, and I wish I had half her energy. She and two

> friends of hers make a once a week visit to the local nursing home so

> they can " visit the old people " !! Most of the people there are

> younger than she. I'm glad she has such a good spirit about her. It will

> make it a lot easier on her recovery.

>

> Sorry for rambling on. Please forgive me, but I just needed to get this

> off my big chest. Thanks for listening and for being there once again.

>

> Hugs,

> Joan

April 24, 2000

Hi, ,

Once again, my deepest thanks. I know that all of you are here to help

me, but sometimes I do feel like a burden, like I am always whining

about something, and that's really not the way I am. Also beginning to

feel like a hypochondriac with all these new medical problems of my own.

Your prayers are very much appreciated by all. There is a URL for the

article:

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/13asth.htm

If you scroll down to the paragraph entitled " Newest Drugs " and read

from then on (about the second paragraph under that category), you will

see and Terry mentioned a couple of times. He was doing so much

better then (this was before the divorce).

My Mom's doctor is supposed to make her two appointments for her today,

so I'll keep you informed.

I'm hanging in there, . The pain and fatigue are taking a toll on

this old bod of mine. But it's going to get BETTER!!! I have to make

my endo appointment today -- they were out of the office on Good Friday.

We only have one in our area, so it will probably be awhile before I can

get in to see him. I have a wonderful nephrologist, and if necessary, I

will see him too.

Thanks for your concern, . How is GINA doing??????

Hugs,

Joan

Matsumura wrote:

>

> Joan,

>

> Please don't apologize for sharing your burden with us. That is what we are

> here for. Ramble on. You allow us the pleasure of trying to help you by

> confiding in us. You are always there to lend an ear and to send along

> inspirational thoughts - let us try to do the same for you.

>

> I'm praying for , your mother, you, and your entire family.

>

> sounds like a tough little guy. Is that article in USN & WR online

> anywhere? I hope he can get out of the hospital very soon.

>

> It's good that your mother is so strong. It will be easier to imagine her

> dealing successfully with whatever may be coming her way. I'll hope that she

> has the easiest time possible.

>

> How about you? Are you feeling OK? When is your appointment with the

> endocrinologist? I'm really worried about your health. Please don't delay.

> See a specialist soon. Have you considered going to see a nephrologist, too?

>

> Thinking about you,

>

April 24, 2000

Joan,

I really know what you mean about not wanting to complain or whine, but your

troubles are not insignificant. Whiners and complainers are thus labeled

because they grouse about things that really aren't that bad or never have a

positive thing to say. That's not you or anyone here. And it does help to

tell people who truly understand these important troubles of yours. It's

good therapy for everyone.

I read the section about and Terry. Wonderful! I think I might have

to pass the article along to a few neighbors of mine. There are several

children on the block with asthma. Two have severe cases.

As for me, sorry you had to ask. I was up all night with horrific tooth

pain. I even tried Vicodin, and it didn't do a thing. Throb, throb, throb,

stab, stab, stab. I have a 10:45 AM emergency dental appointment. I think I

cracked a crown on one of my whopper molars and it will probably turn into

yet another root canal. I just hope it's not some horrible infection

brewing. It often is when I get that throbbing. I think the dentist and his

staff believe that I eat rocks every day. And I don't. I can't tell you how

very careful I am NOT to eat hard things. The tooth problem and that fact

that my muffler tried to fall off of my car all weekend were the BEST parts

of the past three days. Just before I put on the bus this morning, he

told me he thought he was going to puke. Now he's home with me and will have

to go with me to the dentist with his barf cup in tow (he hasn't thrown up

yet and I'm hoping he won't because then I'll have to ask my neighbor to

watch him). I can't even go into the rest - it's too depressing!!!

Thanks for asking, Joan. I'll be better after the dentist works his magic

and gives me some drugs. Then I'll visit the Car-X man if feels up to

it.

You take care and please let me know what happens at your appointment.

Please, please, please tell all to him. Don't forget to mention your history

of lupus nephritis.

> Hi, ,

>

> Once again, my deepest thanks. I know that all of you are here to help

> me, but sometimes I do feel like a burden, like I am always whining

> about something, and that's really not the way I am. Also beginning to

> feel like a hypochondriac with all these new medical problems of my own.

>

> Your prayers are very much appreciated by all. There is a URL for the

> article:

>

> http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/13asth.htm

>

> If you scroll down to the paragraph entitled " Newest Drugs " and read

> from then on (about the second paragraph under that category), you will

> see and Terry mentioned a couple of times. He was doing so much

> better then (this was before the divorce).

>

> My Mom's doctor is supposed to make her two appointments for her today,

> so I'll keep you informed.

>

> I'm hanging in there, . The pain and fatigue are taking a toll on

> this old bod of mine. But it's going to get BETTER!!! I have to make

> my endo appointment today -- they were out of the office on Good Friday.

> We only have one in our area, so it will probably be awhile before I can

> get in to see him. I have a wonderful nephrologist, and if necessary, I

> will see him too.

>

> Thanks for your concern, . How is GINA doing??????

>

> Hugs,

> Joan

April 26, 2000

Joan,

I'm sorry to hear about your mom and your grandson!

I hope is feeling better. I admire Terry for

teaching him how to control his asthma. I hope he

has stabilized.

I am glad that your mom found out about here blockage

before something bad happened. All procedures are risky,

but they have advanced so much and changed the lives of

many people. Your mom will be still running circles around you after she

gets this taken care of!

You are not rambling. I would be very upset too if this was

happening in my family. I'll be saying extra prayers for both

and Mom, and for you to have the strength to deal with this.

(((((((hugs))))))

----- Original Message -----

From: " Joan " <cdx7159@...>

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Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2000 6:52 PM

Subject: [ ] JOAN'S GRANDSON AND MOTHER