Barbara

January 19, 2003

-- Barbara

I put you on the map. We have 40 people on it.

Let me know if thats works you copying

and pasting it.

Joyce M.

Joyce,

It's Barbara , New York City. But I'd like to access the map. I saw someone else couldn't do so either. I copied and pasted your address for it.

Barbara B.

January 28, 2003

-- Re: websites info - Joyce

Barbara you know i had no idea what a digest

Was . You don't get any pictures.

Everything comes in a big long line.

The things you get are different then the things we send.

I Didn't have a clue.

The map link i sent didn't look anything like the one

you got. I looked and clicked on it. No Map.

So i went back and clicked on my link and it worked.

What the heck is a digest a different kind of computer.

I still don't understand.

Do a lot of people on the crew have digest.

http://www.geocities.com/joyce5119/ Our_Map.html

See if this works on your regular mail.

You would laugh if i told you want i thought a digest

was. When everyone was complaining about digest

awhile back. I thought they were complaining that i

was writing to long of letters. You know like a Readers

Digest. LoL.

My only secret is that i keep websites in my Documents

For fast reference . i have a computer with lots of

memory so that's not a problem.

Joyce M.

____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here

January 4, 2005

-

Sometimes I just think "Oh to heck with it all, I'll just deal with the pain" but then I remember that I can't do that either. It didn't work ! Very frustrated. I just want to go back to work, see the kids, have a paycheck, and get my life back (and maybe be able to eat more than a quarter of a grilled cheese without getting sick). With the Levorphanol I could manage on 4mg four times daily but then the stomach (actually my vestibular system) blew apart with the increase to 6mg. That's why we went back to just the 2mg four times daily and the duragesic patch. I'll be trying this week to move from 75 patch to the 100 patch and hope that the side effects don't worsen otherwise we will make the swtich to injectable oxymorphone next week. We've planned, in any event, for an injection of it next week to see how this rapidly growing older body responds to it. (Oh, #$%, do I really hit 52 this month? How did

that happen?)

SInce I had a drug reaction last week after two days of one-half the normal starting dose of Lamictal, he also started me back on Neurontin (which did nothing at 3600mg a day). Apparently, he wants a "membranous barrier" (what the $%^ is that?!?!) in place because of the myositis so he's now re-starting it but for a different reason. I give up.

Last night, after the other appt., I went to the first night of a group that will meet 4 times for patients at the clinic who have diagnosed with this SAME/myositis thing. It was weird. It seemed like the focus was on ways to improve your pain levels and symptoms without meds....Well, duh. Everyone in the group, myself being the exception, was having to go off narcotics because of the myositis so the focus seemed to be on how much better you are when you don't take meds. Well, DUH again. That's what I had been doing for 13 years and woudl have liked to still be doing but it just wasn't working anymore. So there's all this pep talk stuff going on and they had this guy there who talked about how much better his life was on fewer meds. Well, DUH....Here I am with the same doc trying to get me to go on meds and I'm not exactly doing so well getting the doses to go up so

how is this guy's story helpful? I'll keep going because I made a commitment to myself to go but I will ask my doc about it next week. One big freaking DUH here. BarDUHra (venting....thanks for the moment)KM86@... wrote:

Oh Barbara. I sure hope they come up with some answers for you quickly. I couldn't tolerate the Levorphanol either. Right now, I'm on liquid morphine for breakthrough pain. Other than that it's Ultram. He also has me on Phenergan to help with the nausea. I'm still losing weight, but not as quickly as you. I'm now down 39 lbs---so much for neurontin causing weight gain.

In a message dated 1/3/2005 11:47:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

Subject: Re: Re: Another new drug, Lyrica? - GInnyGinny - I know that you were were really hoping for a chance of a trial on remicade. Sorry that it just desn't seem to be in the cards for you right now. Have they run any tests to see whay you might be running the continuous fever? I saw my doc today and, given that I have had so many side effects with the various narcotics that we've tried since Oct., he's talking about possibly going with my learning to give myself injections of oxymorhpone. I'm going to to try to increase the patch again this week and I see how I do with the nausea and constipation before we meet again next week. A very tough decision since I've avoided being on narcotics for the entire time that I've

had RSD and really would rather not be on them now. Something has to give though. Even take the low dosage of levorphanol and a low dose patch, I have trouble keeping food down and have lost over 30 pounds in 2 and a half months. Last week I had a drug reaction to one of the other meds to boot. I won't complain about the weight loss, but this sure isn't the way to do it. Hope you have a decent night. You're right...It's hardly ever simple.

January 4, 2005

Barbara,

I can hear how frustrated you are.. I know, because due to a lot of reasons, work being one of them, I had to get off all meds. Some I am allergic to and wish I could take, the others just did not work for me. I can't imagine having to try and go through that again..

BUT, I'm sure that your Drs. will finally find a way for you to get back to work. You'll find something that works for you. Thank God you have such a wonderful doc trying to get you there.

I know that patience is difficult (believe me, I am the queen of impatience!).. but please, try.

Hugs,

Jo

January 5, 2005

Tricia - Glad that you're legs are doing better. My Catholic guilt just wouldn't have been able to handle another slam. I really enjoyed the visit too. Bring your Mom more often ! BarbaraTricia Skiba wrote:

Barb - You'll be happy to know that my legs have shrunk to an only slightly abnormal size. Though I would never dream of blaming anything on your stairs (well, maybe those splinters in my butt might be related, but I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff). Edema is wonderful....but then, I can't really complain about it because I know how to make it stop....it's just that I'm not ready to do that yet, especially after yesterday's visit with the neurologist. If more of the same is really all I have in my future, then I can suffer through balloon legs for a few more weeks. Sad to say, but at this point it beats the alternative. Hope you're doing well with all of those cards you're making. Who knows, maybe you have a side business starting? I am gonna lay low today, though.....my favorite show FINALLY starts again tonight, so my TV will come in handy for once. Take care and thanks again for the coffee and chat yesterday.....mom's grateful, too. Poor woman is bored out of h! er

mind. Guess we know how she feels Hugs, TriciaBARBARA TORREY wrote:

Tricia - What are you doing there sitting in front of the computer when you should be keeping those legs up. I'm not gonna wanna see treetrunk innards when they pop, girl.....Plus I just know that you'll blame it on fighting your way up and down the stairs at my house. Booohooo It will all be my fault. Seriously, dear friend, take it easy and give yourself a quiet day tomorrow to hopefully let the leg dust settle. Isn't edema grand? For now, I will leave the goosing out in the yard with the llamas and geese (who miss you and your mom already). BarbaraTricia Skiba wrote:

Dawn - Thanks for the well wishes. Barb's right, I usually do try to read through the emails just to see how everyone is doing (though, lately I've not been quite so great at that.) but with the SAME kicking up something awful right now, by the time I'm done reading my legs resemble tree trunks and I need to put them up before they pop. As a matter of fact, I'm off now to put them up as I've been going all day.....what with a trip to the neurologist in Boston (which, while it would make for a lovely family comedy, was in no practical way beneficial) and errands afterwards, plus a short visit to see Barb I've actually begun to lose feeling in my legs they're so swollen.

Sorry that things haven't been going so well for you lately. Try to hang in there and hopefully things will start to even out for you a bit.....you sure could use the break. Thanks again for thinking of me. I think of you all often, as well, and will try to be better about popping in more often.....no goosing required, thank you very much Barb Okay, really uncomfortable now so I gotta go......I wish everyone a good evening and will hopefully talk to you all soon. Hugs, Tricia

Please let Tricia know that I think about her and hope that she is feeling better and comes back to the group soon! Take Care and LOL!

Dawn

P.S. Thanks for the advice with the water. I have been drinking cranberry juice with gingerale like crazy!

BARBARA TORREY wrote:

Dawn - Thanks for your support. Yesterday the doc talked about going to injectable meds next week if we can't get somewhere this week with all of the side effects. I'm glad to hear that you're tryig to keep the fluids going strong. You're right about being careful about dehydration. I was in a bad place with that two weeks ago and my labs were a mess. Try to keep water at your side at all times and just keep sipping. Ugh. It will get you through it. I've gotten to the point that I rarely eat much solid food....just too difficult. I can make a mean smoothie though. Barbara

January 5, 2005

Barb - Thanks. I'm sore, but my bounce back from yesterday's fiasco is actually going better than my previous two trips out to Boston (for much more pleasant reasons). Here ya about the Catholic guilt.....as a fellow member of the "club" will try and hold my contributions to a minimum. Will bring mom now that she's not otherwise occupied.....wait a sec, this hasn't been some elaborate plan of yours just to be her friend has it (**sniff, sniff**) Only kidding, just have conspiracy on the brain today.....been watching Alias reruns TriciaBARBARA TORREY wrote:

Tricia - Glad that you're legs are doing better. My Catholic guilt just wouldn't have been able to handle another slam. I really enjoyed the visit too. Bring your Mom more often ! BarbaraTricia Skiba wrote:

Barb - You'll be happy to know that my legs have shrunk to an only slightly abnormal size. Though I would never dream of blaming anything on your stairs (well, maybe those splinters in my butt might be related, but I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff). Edema is wonderful....but then, I can't really complain about it because I know how to make it stop....it's just that I'm not ready to do that yet, especially after yesterday's visit with the neurologist. If more of the same is really all I have in my future, then I can suffer through balloon legs for a few more weeks. Sad to say, but at this point it beats the alternative. Hope you're doing well with all of those cards you're making. Who knows, maybe you have a side business starting? I am gonna lay low today, though.....my favorite show FINALLY starts again tonight, so my TV will come in handy for once. Take care and thanks again for the coffee and chat yesterday.....mom's grateful, too. Poor woman is bored out of h! er

mind. Guess we know how she feels Hugs, TriciaBARBARA TORREY wrote:

Tricia - What are you doing there sitting in front of the computer when you should be keeping those legs up. I'm not gonna wanna see treetrunk innards when they pop, girl.....Plus I just know that you'll blame it on fighting your way up and down the stairs at my house. Booohooo It will all be my fault. Seriously, dear friend, take it easy and give yourself a quiet day tomorrow to hopefully let the leg dust settle. Isn't edema grand? For now, I will leave the goosing out in the yard with the llamas and geese (who miss you and your mom already). BarbaraTricia Skiba wrote:

Dawn - Thanks for the well wishes. Barb's right, I usually do try to read through the emails just to see how everyone is doing (though, lately I've not been quite so great at that.) but with the SAME kicking up something awful right now, by the time I'm done reading my legs resemble tree trunks and I need to put them up before they pop. As a matter of fact, I'm off now to put them up as I've been going all day.....what with a trip to the neurologist in Boston (which, while it would make for a lovely family comedy, was in no practical way beneficial) and errands afterwards, plus a short visit to see Barb I've actually begun to lose feeling in my legs they're so swollen.

Sorry that things haven't been going so well for you lately. Try to hang in there and hopefully things will start to even out for you a bit.....you sure could use the break. Thanks again for thinking of me. I think of you all often, as well, and will try to be better about popping in more often.....no goosing required, thank you very much Barb Okay, really uncomfortable now so I gotta go......I wish everyone a good evening and will hopefully talk to you all soon. Hugs, Tricia

Please let Tricia know that I think about her and hope that she is feeling better and comes back to the group soon! Take Care and LOL!

Dawn

P.S. Thanks for the advice with the water. I have been drinking cranberry juice with gingerale like crazy!

BARBARA TORREY wrote:

Dawn - Thanks for your support. Yesterday the doc talked about going to injectable meds next week if we can't get somewhere this week with all of the side effects. I'm glad to hear that you're tryig to keep the fluids going strong. You're right about being careful about dehydration. I was in a bad place with that two weeks ago and my labs were a mess. Try to keep water at your side at all times and just keep sipping. Ugh. It will get you through it. I've gotten to the point that I rarely eat much solid food....just too difficult. I can make a mean smoothie though. Barbara

January 5, 2005

Nah..... not a scheme at all, friend.

Tricia Skiba wrote:

Barb - Thanks. I'm sore, but my bounce back from yesterday's fiasco is actually going better than my previous two trips out to Boston (for much more pleasant reasons). Here ya about the Catholic guilt.....as a fellow member of the "club" will try and hold my contributions to a minimum. Will bring mom now that she's not otherwise occupied.....wait a sec, this hasn't been some elaborate plan of yours just to be her friend has it (**sniff, sniff**) Only kidding, just have conspiracy on the brain today.....been watching Alias reruns TriciaBARBARA TORREY wrote:

Tricia - Glad that you're legs are doing better. My Catholic guilt just wouldn't have been able to handle another slam. I really enjoyed the visit too. Bring your Mom more often ! BarbaraTricia Skiba wrote:

Barb - You'll be happy to know that my legs have shrunk to an only slightly abnormal size. Though I would never dream of blaming anything on your stairs (well, maybe those splinters in my butt might be related, but I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff). Edema is wonderful....but then, I can't really complain about it because I know how to make it stop....it's just that I'm not ready to do that yet, especially after yesterday's visit with the neurologist. If more of the same is really all I have in my future, then I can suffer through balloon legs for a few more weeks. Sad to say, but at this point it beats the alternative. Hope you're doing well with all of those cards you're making. Who knows, maybe you have a side business starting? I am gonna lay low today, though.....my favorite show FINALLY starts again tonight, so my TV will come in handy for once. Take care and thanks again for the coffee and chat yesterday.....mom's grateful, too. Poor woman is bored out of h! ! er

mind. Guess we know how she feels Hugs, TriciaBARBARA TORREY wrote:

Tricia - What are you doing there sitting in front of the computer when you should be keeping those legs up. I'm not gonna wanna see treetrunk innards when they pop, girl.....Plus I just know that you'll blame it on fighting your way up and down the stairs at my house. Booohooo It will all be my fault. Seriously, dear friend, take it easy and give yourself a quiet day tomorrow to hopefully let the leg dust settle. Isn't edema grand? For now, I will leave the goosing out in the yard with the llamas and geese (who miss you and your mom already). BarbaraTricia Skiba wrote:

Dawn - Thanks for the well wishes. Barb's right, I usually do try to read through the emails just to see how everyone is doing (though, lately I've not been quite so great at that.) but with the SAME kicking up something awful right now, by the time I'm done reading my legs resemble tree trunks and I need to put them up before they pop. As a matter of fact, I'm off now to put them up as I've been going all day.....what with a trip to the neurologist in Boston (which, while it would make for a lovely family comedy, was in no practical way beneficial) and errands afterwards, plus a short visit to see Barb I've actually begun to lose feeling in my legs they're so swollen.

Sorry that things haven't been going so well for you lately. Try to hang in there and hopefully things will start to even out for you a bit.....you sure could use the break. Thanks again for thinking of me. I think of you all often, as well, and will try to be better about popping in more often.....no goosing required, thank you very much Barb Okay, really uncomfortable now so I gotta go......I wish everyone a good evening and will hopefully talk to you all soon. Hugs, Tricia

Please let Tricia know that I think about her and hope that she is feeling better and comes back to the group soon! Take Care and LOL!

Dawn

P.S. Thanks for the advice with the water. I have been drinking cranberry juice with gingerale like crazy!

BARBARA TORREY wrote:

Dawn - Thanks for your support. Yesterday the doc talked about going to injectable meds next week if we can't get somewhere this week with all of the side effects. I'm glad to hear that you're tryig to keep the fluids going strong. You're right about being careful about dehydration. I was in a bad place with that two weeks ago and my labs were a mess. Try to keep water at your side at all times and just keep sipping. Ugh. It will get you through it. I've gotten to the point that I rarely eat much solid food....just too difficult. I can make a mean smoothie though. Barbara

January 8, 2005

- LOL Well, that explains why the nail polish remover that I bought yesterday didn't work. WIl get some new stuff tomorrow, weather permitting. Thanks. Barbara (How are you doing?)KM86@... wrote:

Barbara

oops. It has to have acetone in the nailpolish remover. Forgot to mention that.

In a message dated 1/8/2005 2:14:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2005 05:26:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: PatchesDeb - Thanks for all of the advice and for even looking it up. Since others here mentioned the nail polish remover before I had heard from you, I tried it. It didn't work, although the nail polish remover that I have doesn't have acetone in it.. Guess I'm just going to have to settle with the chessboard look.

January 22, 2005

Jai - I can understand you're being worried about the seizure especially given that you, like many of us here, can't have an MRI. What about an EEG? I've seen plenty of kids where they've been able to pick the seizure stuff on an EEG. Just worried about you, kiddo. Barbarajaismonkey@... wrote:

In a message dated 1/22/2005 6:43:51 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

Did he have to return to Iraq after his 10-day? Sorry to hear that you're having such pain in your feet. Perhaps when you see our doc he can juggle the SCS a bit to give you better relief. Also worried about that seizure....Do the know where that's coming form? Good grief, girl....Time for a overhaul. Thinking of you - Barbara

Hi Barbara,

Yes he had to go back to Iraq on Jan20th. He gets another R+R in about 4 months. I am very worried about the seizures. So far the CAT scans look OK. They wanted to do an MRI but cant because I have the SCS. They told me I could not drive for 3 months after the seizure, no biggie because I have not driven in 5 years because of the nature of the disability. One of my dreams is to drive again so I am praying that this seizure business is not going to be a problem. I DO need an overhaul LOL!!!!!!! How are you doing? I hope OK. Thank you for thinking of me!!! Take care, Love Jai

January 22, 2005

Jai...I am glad you could enjoy the visit with your friend. I am sorry that you haven't been feeling well and am worried about your seizure. My son had seizures when he was younger and his was dx with an EEG. He did also have an MRI but that was normal except for a gray area that always shows up in children with autism. I found my son seizing when he was 3 yrs old...he had fallen out of bed or I wouldn't have even known. He was on anti-seizure meds for 3 yrs and then after not having another seizure for 2 yrs he was taken off his meds and has been lucky enough to be seizure free since. I hope that everything will work out for you and that your flare up clears up fast...Hugs..GinnyBARBARA TORREY wrote:

Jai - I can understand you're being worried about the seizure especially given that you, like many of us here, can't have an MRI. What about an EEG? I've seen plenty of kids where they've been able to pick the seizure stuff on an EEG. Just worried about you, kiddo. Barbarajaismonkey@... wrote:

In a message dated 1/22/2005 6:43:51 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

Did he have to return to Iraq after his 10-day? Sorry to hear that you're having such pain in your feet. Perhaps when you see our doc he can juggle the SCS a bit to give you better relief. Also worried about that seizure....Do the know where that's coming form? Good grief, girl....Time for a overhaul. Thinking of you - Barbara

Hi Barbara,

Yes he had to go back to Iraq on Jan20th. He gets another R+R in about 4 months. I am very worried about the seizures. So far the CAT scans look OK. They wanted to do an MRI but cant because I have the SCS. They told me I could not drive for 3 months after the seizure, no biggie because I have not driven in 5 years because of the nature of the disability. One of my dreams is to drive again so I am praying that this seizure business is not going to be a problem. I DO need an overhaul LOL!!!!!!! How are you doing? I hope OK. Thank you for thinking of me!!! Take care, Love Jai

January 27, 2005

Faye - No. No plans for the weekend other than to visit my closest friend who was hospitalized again last night. I was supposed to spend the say and overnight with her today but she ended up going in late last night.

Still very cold here. Just bitter. Staying warm is a major feet.....I'm thinking of making a major sized mitten for my entire body. Brrrrr. When the heck is Spring going to land?

Barbara

January 27, 2005

Thanks, Faye. Sometimes when we are the ones being "taken care of," we forget the needs of the ones of those taking care of us. Such a delicate balancing act. While I'm still the only one taking care of me, I hope that I never forget what it can feel like to be on the other side. Maybe all of us should take a moment today to let the ones in our live know how much we appreciate all of their efforts......Maybe it's their day for a special dinner (ok...so you're hurting? Order take-out.), a lovingly drawn bubble bath with candles and music, a freshly laundered blanket, and a sweet tuck-in. BarbaraFAYE PAPPLE-MURRAY wrote:

Hi Barbara - How very right you are, and how nicely eloquated.

February 6, 2005

Thanks, Jo. My friend didn't mind my being there...I minded. She had just gotten out of the hospital for hemorrhaging (4 units of blood needed) and was also diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm this week. I'm better off at home and needed my space just to deal with all of the feelings that I'm having. I think the pain is a little better than it was and I imagine he will increase the ketamine again when I speak with him. Thanks, Jo. Hope you're doing ok. Barbarajomal1@... wrote:

I hope you're able to read your email. I am so sorry that you've got to go through THIS now. I'm sure your friend doesn't mind having you.. I wish I was closer.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, hoping and praying that the oral ketamine and lidocaine gets you off the pain meds..

Hugs,

Jo

February 7, 2005

Hi Barbara!

Congratulations so far on the use of the ketamine and the results you have had so far.

I hope it works the way it should and your pain levels go down or go away completely.

That would be a miracle in my book. I spoke briefly with my doctor in regard to the ketamine, and he was not real comfortable with the thought of using it at all. Will be thinking of you and praying for that miracle. Keep us posted. A friend always, ConnieBARBARA TORREY wrote:

Thanks, Jo. My friend didn't mind my being there...I minded. She had just gotten out of the hospital for hemorrhaging (4 units of blood needed) and was also diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm this week. I'm better off at home and needed my space just to deal with all of the feelings that I'm having. I think the pain is a little better than it was and I imagine he will increase the ketamine again when I speak with him. Thanks, Jo. Hope you're doing ok. Barbarajomal1@... wrote:

I hope you're able to read your email. I am so sorry that you've got to go through THIS now. I'm sure your friend doesn't mind having you.. I wish I was closer.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, hoping and praying that the oral ketamine and lidocaine gets you off the pain meds..

Hugs,

Jo

February 16, 2005

Faye - Okay, Faye. I will have a buffet here on Tuesday for anyone here that's interested. Gotta wash your own plates though since I might be sleeping.

Infusion nurse just left. I love it when they change the dressing ! It's the only opportunity I get to scratch. I can also try to get my nap in. I tried earlier but knew that they were coming but not the exact time so I was sort of suspended in that pre-sleep space. Nap time. Smell ya later. BarbaraFAYE PAPPLE-MURRAY wrote:

Hi Barbara - I'm coming to your house to eat whatever they don't eat! - geez that Atkins "crap" sounds really kind of yummy how you describe it - maybe you could get a job hawking their books or something....I have an idea - what ever you buy at the grocery store that you don't open, as soon as they leave - take it back for a refund - also - some grocery stores have a policy where if you buy the store brand and you don't like it for whatever reason, even if it's open you can take it back for a refund - it's dirty - but you get your money back.... Lie like a rug....... And I don't think your heart is any tarnished at all.

About family - don't get me started....it is incredible that your one sister comes to visit - she cares about you....the 2 mile "island" sister - well, maybe you are better off with her so far away from you. Maybe she was the kind that would have looked to you for support and "stuff" - and since she knows it should be the other way around - she can't figure out how to do that, so she simply does nothing. I had friends like that....when I had the bar and always had "all access" passes to concerts, I had lots of friends - when I was bedridden for 8 months, I didn't see any of them, not to shovel my driveway, pick up stuff from the grocery store, visit - nothing....now I have one girlfriend that I actually see in person. I truly believe I have gotten the better end of the deal.

About planning to eat at your house - just say because of the new medicene, etc - that you prefer to eat your meals at the house because you are still having bouts of nausea at times from eating? "insert excuse here"? Be a rug Barb! .

I have no heart - I left it at the bar one night, when I owned it,

some jerk thought it was a new jello shooter - long gone now...full of poop!

Any ways - what time is dinner? and is snacking allowed throughout the day? Love ya my friend - have a nice day! - FayeBARBARA TORREY wrote:

Well, Faye, I think I've got a few plans for the cooking. The difficulty is that althought my sister is on the Atkins diet, she cheats her butt off (lol or on) whenever she comes up from the Cape plus a good friend of ours (who is diabetic) is coming too. Lovely news and I am looking forward to it. They live on Cape Cod...about 3 hours or so from here and very dear of them to come. My sister has a very difficult situation (her daughter is at home and on full life support) yet she still has been trying to manage to get up her about every six weeks. Incredibly kind of her. I see her more often than the sister that lives 2 miles away. Honest.

What inevitably happens is that I spend the extra bucks on the protein and stuff that works for her and then she wants to go out to eat. Gonna complain here and I know it sounds awful of me (and I really shouldn't given how she extends herself) since I know you won't tell a soul. I really don't have the $$ to both buy all this food (which I won't end up eating because of the nausea and appetite issues) and also spend the money to hit restaurants. I don't want to hurt her feelings so I've been keeping my mouth shut. I guess I'm going to have to say something and plan that we will eat here. Now don't I sound like an ungrateful wench (you can skip the heart of gold part....it's more likely pretty rusty)?

I'm going to get the stuff for, among other things, pecan crusted chicken breasts with a light dijon sauce (she can leave that part off), chili and cornbread, stuffed pork chops (can leave the stuffing out of hers or fill hers with broccoli and cheese) plus the other various and sundry things that you need to have on hand for guests/family. Since she loads the protein during the day I'll make sure that I have plenty of hamburg and cheeses on hand for her snacks throughout the day. I'll pretty much stick to my smoothies and juice but will try bits of what I make.

Prayers going for all of us. I enjoy your letters and your kind thoughts. The heart of gold appears to be a more apt description of you. Barbara

February 16, 2005