Re: Creative Outlets

[Guest guest]

Dear Dawn, I've never done scrap booking. I did baby books when my girls

were young and kept tons of pictures and wrote things in their baby books,

but compared to the scrapbooks I've seen in the art stores, I'm a long way

off. Anyway, I'm glad you found something you love to do and it is going

well. I think with so many people being home bound for whatever reason, the

internet and the sales from it will continue to grow. I hope it will help

you and your family.

I can see how you've got a lot of stress to deal with right now. It's

really hard when your husband doesn't always understand why you hurt or why

you are tired. I know it seems selfish when they think about how our

illness is " going to affect " them, but if you think about it, it is really

pretty normal. When you have a sick partner, you can't help but think that

from time to time. I'm sure he is worried and many times people don't

always express that in the most compassionate ways. I know most of the time

my husband is wonderful, he does so much for me and really never complains.

But when I get really bad and lose control, (thankfully it hasn't happened

in a long time) he goes right over the edge. Instead of worrying and

reassuring me, he gets mad at me...lol. I've told him that is the last

thing I need at that time, but he just can't seem to help it. I guess it's

good I'm sick when it happens or I'd get up and shoot him..lol. Just

kidding, but everyone just reacts so differently to stress and a sick

spouse.

I would call ahead on your doctor appointment and tell them your

circumstances. Maybe they will work out a payment plan with the new

rheumatologist or she will give you a discounted price. I don't remember if

you mentioned which medication you take, but maybe she can give you some

samples to help out until you can get your health insurance back. Some

doctors don't care just about money. I mean they have to be paid and pay

their bills like all of us, but sometimes it doesn't hurt to ask. All they

can say is no.

Hopefully like Kathy said, you'll post more now and get some of this out and

feel some release. I know when I keep things inside they only get worse and

I only feel worse as well. I know what you mean about your creative side

keeping you sane. Mine does the same thing for me. If I didn't have my

glass work, I would be kicking and pinching people I think...lol. I hope

your magazine just takes off and you don't have to worry about your

financial problems for awhile. Good luck and write any time. It's good to

hear from everyone and I'm glad you decided to write instead of lurk. Take

care and write me anytime. Sincerely, Fran

----Original Message-----

From: Dawn Heath [mailto:dawnheath@...]

Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 9:34 PM

Subject: [ ] Creative Outlets

Hi everyone,

I don't post very often and I receive the emails in digest form, but I can

tell you that I read most of the posts!! I also have a creative outlet!!

I've been a scrapbooker and rubber stamper for YEARS!! I absolutely LOVE

watercolor crayons and love to teach. I now have my own site, it's

actually an online magazine for people who do these crafts

http://www.ssreflections.com. I used to be on another magazine as a

professional designer for years and just decided that I was tired of doing

it for other people and started SSR. It truly started out as a hobby for

me, but it's just exploded since it's launch last November!

Boy do I know all about brain fog. I actually call it " brain farts " . I

have such a hard time staying focused some days. This summer has been

awful. I think it's having my boys home for the summer and having the

house

the whole neighborhood wants to play at. Plus, my dh lost his job early

July and he's been home all the time. I've noticed my PA has really

gotten

worse from the stress. We now find ourselves without health insurance and

the end of the month is coming up...time for all my refills. I'm

terrified

of this. It's about $500 a month without insurance and with dh's

unemployment we are barely paying the bills. Our church has been really

helpful but, we belong to a small church, I don't like to ask for help.

The

State of Wisconsin in it's infinate wisdom still has not granted us with

any

assistance...after 7 weeks. I finally received a return to my phone call

yesterday from my case workers supervisor. This is the FIRST return phone

call I've had since applying for help.

I'm also in the process of waiting for my court date for disability. I

tried so hard to NOT do this, I even took a part time job hoping that I

could cope with it. The magazine isn't really earning a profit yet! But,

I

couldn't. I found myself in so much pain that I just couldn't ignore it

anymore. My body would just release the pain through tears...I wasn't

crying so I couldn't even stop the tears from streaming. I just couldn't

cope with the pain anymore. I realized then that I wasn't " faking " this

and

that I really did need disability. I waited until the last day to apply

for

my court date, but I did it. Now, I have to wait about a year to 14

months

for my court date, but I know that I need help now. I hate walking with a

limp all the time, but my ankle and my hips are just so bad. My husband

really isn't very supportive. He tries though. He just worries about how

this effects HIS life.

I have an apt with a new rhumatologist next week and if insurance doesn't

kick in, I will have to cancel the apt. I hate to do this as I'm on MTX

and

haven't seen a doctor since April. My rhumy had to take an emergency

medical leave of absence and ALL apts were cancelled. I've had to wait

for

the new rhumy to arrive and she arrived this week! Wow, I didn't mean to

be such a pain... truly. I could be much worse off!! If it wasn't for my

creative side, writing is my first love, scrapbooking and the stamping...

I'd probably lose my mind!! It's too bad that my design studio is in the

basement!!! (Stairs...ick!!).

I've been a member of this list since last summer and I just want to thank

you all for being here. I know I'm a quiet member, but I surely do

appreciate ALL of you so very much for being here. Thank you for bringing

up this thread too.... I love talking about things that bring joy into my

life! P.S. You can see a picture of me on the first page of the site,

I'm

Cap'n Dawn!

Dawn

http://www.ssreflections.com

[Editor's Note: Welcome our of lurk mode, Dawn. Thanks for the link - I

saw your picture and now I'd know you anywhere! LOL. We'll keep our

fingers crossed on the disability and I hope the doors of communication and

understanding will open wide between you and your husband. In the meantime,

it's good to know that you find support, information and camaraderie here.

Wishing you wellness, Kathy F.]

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/19/2004 9:40:52 PM Eastern Standard Time,

dawnheath@... writes:

.. I hate walking with a

limp all the time, but my ankle and my hips are just so bad. My husband

really isn't very supportive. He tries though. He just worries about how

this effects HIS life.

You sound just like me. I think my husband is smypathetic to some degree

but I think he also is upset that now since he just retired that we can't go

prancing through Europe. He wants to go to Italy but keeps say that with my

legs we can never do it.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawn,

Welcome to the group. I'm a couple of days behind. Iv'e not had a chance to

look at your site yet but I will. Its good to see its going well for you. Look

forward to hearing from you again.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

we can't go

> prancing through Europe. He wants to go to Italy but keeps say

that with my

> legs we can never do it.

> Janet

>

> NEVER say NEVER, Janet! I know what you mean, BUT I bet your

hubby would be more than happy to push you around in a wheelchair if

needed! I know... I know... we don't want to give in to that! But

I have swallowed my " pride " a few times and been pushed or ridden in

one of those little motor carts at a store. Also, when I had my

mother (who died at the age of 55) I took here to Florida several

times and pushed her all over Disney World, the Kennedy space center

and Cypriss Gardens and never regretted a minute of it. She had

RA. She protested, not wanting to be a " burdon " ... but she wasn't

that at all! I knew she would do it for me if needed! We had a

great time. I would have not enjoyed a minute of it had I gone

without her, as she suggested.

Bill

[Guest guest]

--Bill's story reminds me of the first time I can remember using a

wheelchair. It was over 20 years ago. My brother pushed me all over

Epcot and Cypress Gardens.

He wore a pedometer and turned out he walked over 9 miles. I have

used a chair or scooter off and on ever since and I still walk

whenever I can and probably still over do it but I have some

wonderful experiences I wouldn't have had if I had refused a chair.

For the people worried that they will just 'give up " to one....it

doesn't have to be that way at all. I haven't found that many people

willing to push LOL!

best,

Marti

- In , " Bill C. " <wgcnms@c...>

wrote:

> we can't go

> > prancing through Europe. He wants to go to Italy but keeps say

> that with my

> > legs we can never do it.

> > Janet

> >

> > NEVER say NEVER, Janet! I know what you mean, BUT I bet your

> hubby would be more than happy to push you around in a wheelchair

if

> needed! I know... I know... we don't want to give in to that! But

> I have swallowed my " pride " a few times and been pushed or ridden

in

> one of those little motor carts at a store. Also, when I had my

> mother (who died at the age of 55) I took here to Florida several

> times and pushed her all over Disney World, the Kennedy space

center

> and Cypriss Gardens and never regretted a minute of it. She had

> RA. She protested, not wanting to be a " burdon " ... but she wasn't

> that at all! I knew she would do it for me if needed! We had a

> great time. I would have not enjoyed a minute of it had I gone

> without her, as she suggested.

>

> Bill