Luanne

[Guest guest]

Lynn,

(I'm resending this because my computer inexplicably decided to send a post

while I was in the middle of writing it.)

I've felt the same way you describe, but no more. I'm not usually a very

negative or easily depressed person, but one thing that is guaranteed to

get to me is the feeling of being helpless. When I didn't have the

strength or energy to even take a shower, I wanted to curl up in bed and

sleep until life became normal again. Then, one day I decided that this

wasn't even living and I was going to have a normal life no matter what. I

think of that as the beginning of my return to " real " life. It's been

rough a few times and there have been days when I could barely drag myself

around. Other days, it's been too painful to get up and around, but right

now I do feel closest to " me " that I've felt in a long time. Slower, but I

still get through a day with a bit of pleasure. It reminds me of a coffee

cup I bought my son when he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. It

said, " Carpe Diem " or, " sieze the day. "

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Cheryl - re books -- Do you know much about 's life? Or the life of the man who wrote Confederacy of Dunces? That information would spark up your reading a good bit. My Secret Santa at my (ex) office gave me the latest Harry Potter book. Haven't dug into it yet.

Harper

[Guest guest]

Debbie, Shirley wrote The Lottery. A strange woman with interesting insights.

Harper

[Guest guest]

Debby, thanks, I'm doing fine. Great doctor's report Monday. Still get tired very, very quickly, but I have a wonderful time until I wipe out. I want to take advantage of my good fortune, not waste my "second chance."

Harper

[Guest guest]

Hi Cheryl,

No I didn't get your e-mail. Tommy turned 12 on Feb 3. He was diagnosed

just 5 days prior. Not a great birthday present. Tell your daughter happy

birthday.

I used to be able to read a novel a day. Now I find it hard concentrating.

For a really strange short story, did you ever read The Lottery? I forget

the author's name, but she also wrote a story about a little boy who came

home with all these stories about what a bad boy at school did, eventually

she found out that the bad boy was her son. It was a cute story with a

surprise ending. I just got Grisham's new book Painted House. I haven't

read it yet. This one isn't supposed to have any lawyers in it.

My daughter really likes Harry Potter, I can't get Tommy to start it. I

also got her hooked on and the Merlin stories. She also really

likes the books by Tamora Pierce and J. R. R. Tolkien. My daughter

is 13. She will be 14 in June.

Thanks for thinking of us. Resend me that e-mail. I would love to read it.

Debbie (Tommy's Mom)

>

> Hi Debbie,

> Do you get my e-mail? I was thinking about you and Tommy today since

> it's my

> daughter's b-day and she turned 13. I was feeling so sad for your

> Tommy and your

> family. Isn't he 12? or did he just turn 13? It isn't fair that he

> has to have

> so much and that you all are having so much trouble too. I wish I

> could do

> something besides pray and tell you I'm sorry. But you're in my

> prayers.

> It is Sparks. I hardly ever get to read things just for

> me any

> more. I read things for school. But I do choose books that I don't

> mind reading

> over and over again. Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors. I'm

> getting a

> bit tired of 's style in enstein, though the story

> is

> wonderful. I've read a few contemporary authors the last few years,

> but since

> I've been sick and my daughter got pregnant and her addiction got so

> bad, I have

> slowed way down. I do love to read. It's not just the escape. I love

> the way the

> words sound (read). I can't read trashy stuff anymore. I have no

> patience for

> it. I don't consider all best-sellers trash. I think Stephan King is

> gifted; but

> he's not my style. I've read quite a few Grisham. Pat Conroy is

> excellent

> (Prince of Tides). I liked Snow Falling on Cedars too. I liked A

> Thousand Acres.

> If you like humor--off beat--Try Cold Comfort Farm (there's also a

> movie) and

> Confederacy of Dunces (really off-beat); I have never met a more

> disgusting

> protagonist in my life. By the end of the novel, I was rooting for

> him.

> My daughter fell in love with the Harry Potter books. Has Tommy

> read them? I

> quite enjoyed them as well. It started my daughter reading a lot

> more than she

> used to. Give Tommy my love. Cheryl ID

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Harper,

I have the book somewhere. It is still packed from moving.

How are you doing?

Debbie (Tommy's Mom)

> [Original Message]

> From: <flatcat9@...>

> < >

> Date: 2/10/01 9:42:01 PM

> Subject: Re: [ ] Luanne

>

> Debbie, Shirley wrote The Lottery. A strange woman with

interesting

> insights.

> Harper

>

--- Have a fun day!

--- debbiehenry@...

---

[Guest guest]

Have a great trip! I am sure you probably need it.

My daughter used to live down that way near Robbinsville, not too far.

Hope we can get together!

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Luanne: Glad to hear Tyler was just having a bad day. It's about time

they let him go to school without sending him home. Poor guy, he has really

had a hard time of it. Hope you have a great trip and hope Tyler doesn't

have to see any doctors while you are gone, you all need a break. Take care

and be safe.

Love, Genny

[Guest guest]

Thanks Luanne: You and Ty are in my thoughts and prayers often. I am way

behind on my mail as always but please put my name on a post and let me know

how Ty is and if he is on the list yet.

Yes, it threw me for a loop that they wanted to do the transplant so soon

but it's for the best. I am so STRESSED and I know Jodi is too. We are

going to Miami Saturday to get the details ironed out and I think I can relax

a little after that.

Please give Ty my love and you two take care and I hope to talk to you

sometime in June.

Love, Genny & Jodi

[Guest guest]

Hi Luanne: No, I think the headaches that Jodi is having are caused by the

Prograf. The reason I say that is because Patty , post transplant said

it happened to her until they decreased the dosage and also Cheryl said Randy

experienced the headaches also. Jodi takes 4 Prograf in the AM and four PM

each 1 mg. The transplant Hepatologist does hope to have Jodi off Medrol by

the end of the year. That would make her so happy to be able to lose some

weight again.

and I were just talking about the difference between Prednisone and

Medrol today. She says Medrol is most times given IV but the two are a lot a

like. Jodi always took Prednisone pre-transplant so I still don't understand

the difference between the two.

I'm glad Ty hasn't had headaches, at least he has that going for him. Luanne

is he on the transplant list yet? I haven't been able to keep up with the

posts in the group very well since I'm back at work full time. Seems like

all I want to do when I get home is rest. Please update me on Ty's

condition. I did hear he is enjoying his jeep and has started college.

That's great, I hope he has a good year. He deserves it after the year he

just had.

No, I'm not over doing the house work. I did get one of the bathrooms

scrubbed this afternoon and some washing done. It has been raining here a

lot this week so not much use in doing much cleaning with these two guys

running in and out. MEN

Better go for now but take care and give my love to Tyler.

Love, Genny

[Guest guest]

You have every right to feel overwhelmed right now. You bearly got a chance to catch your breath from last year. I hope you all will be doing well. Please keep in touch. Can Ty get a prescription inhaler for coughing (no alcohol as in cough syrup for liver )?