Re: SUSIE--GINA

[Guest guest]

,

You sure have a full plate but a great attitude - I can only feel

that this will be a new beginning for you, and a good one at that.

Divorce is tough - I've held friends' hands through several now - but

each one has come through a new person, and a much happier person in

the end.

Remarkable how quickly time flies. I remember the first 6 months I

had RA seemed like years. I also remember talking to my RD when I

first went on MTX - he said he had patients on it for 7 years with no

ill effects, and I thought I'd never take it that long!! Here I sit

10 years after that conversation, still taking MTX! But " only " three

years - that still seems an eternity when we're talking about our

diseases.

I really must be living in a cave, because I've never heard of Iyanla

Vanzant. She seems a remarkable woman! I will have to read her

books - the passage you shared was very touching and hits too close to

home. Thanks for sharing!

Susie

--- In egroups, " Matsumura " <Matsumura_Clan@m...>

wrote:

> Thanks, Susie. I'm really OK right now. I'm in a bit of a dental

crisis, but

> it's calming down. I'm

> busy trying to finalize the divorce. Lawyers, financial planners,

insurance

> problems, paperwork - YUCK!! Things are stressful at times, but,

overall,

> I'm optimistic and looking at this as a new beginning for me and the

> children and even Alan. I wish I knew what's next. I'm trying to

find a

> doctor who seems worth taking a chance on.

>

> Hang in there, Susie. I know you have been through hell for many,

many

> years. There is no question that it must take quite a toll on you.

I've only

> been ill for three and a half years. When the docs say, " Well, it's

only

> been three years ... " I think, " ONLY!? " It has seemed like an

eternity. When

> I think of you and so many others here and how you all have

suffered

for so

> long and, in your case and others, lost part of your childhood, I

marvel at

> your strength. It must be difficult to see a positive future

sometimes, but

> don't despair. Don't let the challenges your illness presents to

you

beat

> you into the ground.

>

> Have you ever seen Iyanla Vanzant on Oprah or have you read any of

her

> books? I saw her on TV a couple of times. She had a very difficult

life, but

> really turned things around. Something about her is magical. I'm

drawn to

> her enthusiasm and positive outlook.

>

> A few days ago, I bought her book, " Yesterday I Cried. " The title

seemed

> appropriate for me at this time in my life. I haven't read the

whole

thing,

> but check this out:

>

> " Yesterday, I cried.

> ...

> I cried because there really does come a time when the only thing

left

> for you to do is cry.

> ...

> Yesterday, I cried.

> I cried because I hurt, I cried because I was hurt.

> I cried because hurt has no place to go

> except deeper into the pain that caused it in the first place,

> and when it gets there, the hurt wakes you up.

> I cried because it was too late. I cried because it was time.

> I cried because my soul knew that I didn't know

> that my soul knew everything I needed to know.

> I cried a soulful cry yesterday, and it felt so good.

> It felt so very, very bad.

> In the midst of my crying, I felt my freedom coming,

> Because

> Yesterday, I cried

> with an agenda. "

>

> At the end of the book she writes, " ...I remind you to celebrate

yourself

> and your life each and every day. There is always a good reason to

have a

> party. The reason is you! In closing, I share with you something

that I pray

> will make it easier for you to move through your life experiences.

It is

> something that Grandma taught me when I was six years old:

>

> But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

they

> shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be

> weary; and they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31:

>

> I am not sure why Grandma, of all people, made me memorize this

particular

> verse, but I do know that in everything there is a seed of good. Be

Blessed!

> I am! "

>

> I like this attitude! Hope you feel better about things very soon,

Susie.

> I'll be pulling for you.

>

>

>

>

> > ,

> >

> > Thanks for your nice note. As I said in my note to a, I

really

> > should know better than to cut myself off from my support system.

> > I'm

> > thankful you are all so supportive.

> >

> > I thought I saw something about Remicade infusions but couldn't

find

> > the message again - but either way, my answer's the same - call

> > Centicor and ask who in the area will do the infusions. I'm

puzzled

> > that a doctor would prescribe Remicade but then have no way to do

> > infusion??? Maybe I'm missing some pieces in this puzzle, but it

> > seems any nurse who can start an IV can give it, so it may be a

> > matter of unfamiliarity and, as much as I hate to say it,

liability.

> > Fear of a lawsuit will cause all kinds of problems.

> >

> > I hope you get a diagnosis soon. I have also walked that path,

but

> > when I was 15 and in a blur of pain and confusion so I don't

remember

> > much, just endless doctors and tests. I just did as I was told

and

> > let my mom do the worrying and questioning. So, what's next for

> > ? Back to Mayo to try again? Meanwhile, I hope you are

feeling

> > well, aside from the frustration!

> >

> > Susie