MY Thoughts
First of all I jsut want to say my husband made a special tray that fits over the walker so I can put the keyboard on top of it and type standing up. Yhis means that I should be able to reply to the postings more frequently. Since I haven't posted in a while I want to say a few things. First of all I am dissappointed in the tone of many of the postings since Christmas. I think of this support group as a group of friends that can discuss and share what is happening in their lives. This might not always be directly related to the actual bypass but often is a result of how the bypass has affected our lives. A great way to combat depression is to be arround people who understand you. Since that is not always possible physically I think groups like this are so important. Also if someone wishes to share a poem, a thoughtful picture or a story then it becomes our choice to look at it, we don't have to believe in the value of it but our world becomes a little more broader by what others share with us. Personally I have gone through a lot in the past 17 months since I went to the hospital with unstable angina. 4 hours later I was in ICU and didn't fully wake up until after the bypass 12 days later. I had complications from the bypass, had the wires removed as they caused a massive inflammation of the tissues around the sternum, suffered a stroke, then sciatic nerve damage which is the reason for the walker and now Cancer. Being diagnosed with cancer makes you look at life differently than having a bypass I think. Cancer is a lot scarier and the outcome a lot less positive and yet I pray and believe that I will survive this too because I will fight as long as I can breathe. I am lucky because all I wanted in life was to have a loving home with a kind loving husband and children and I have all 3 so therefore I have every reason in the world to fight. It doesn't matter to me if the quality of my life is not what it was, I am so grateful to be alive and be able to love my family, communicate with them and send them off to their day knowing they left me with a smile on my face. This is not meant as a lecture or to discourage the rest of you from expressing your concerns or feelings.That is what this group is for. Each of us is different and we all cope differently. The postings I enjoy the most are the ones written that encourage another person. That is what the group is meant for in my opinion and why I choose to belong to it.I think when we post frequently to each other we become more than acquaintances and therefore if there is a question off topic I see no harm in posting it. I look forward to the group of us continuing our daily postings for 2005 and personally am very grateful to each and everyone of you that post positive messages in response to the messsages seeking help or answers. May we continue to communicate in this way through out the coming year may God Bless each and everyone one of you and help you as you continue the journey you are on Take care Gail
My neighbor lady who is 65 has had cancer for over 10 years now. She is out working in her yard every day. She has the cancer in her brest , under her arm and in her brain. If she can beat it so can YOU. Gail <whiskers7@... First of all I jsut want to say my husband made a special tray that fits over the walker so I can put the keyboard on top of it and type standing up. Yhis means that I should be able to reply to the postings more frequently. Since I haven't posted in a while I want to say a few things. First of all I am dissappointed in the tone of many of the postings since Christmas. I think of this support group as a group of friends that can discuss and share what is happening in their lives. This might not always be directly related to the actual bypass but often is a result of how the bypass has affected our lives. A great way to combat depression is to be arround people who understand you. Since that is not always possible physically I think groups like this are so important. Also if someone wishes to share a poem, a thoughtful picture or a story then it becomes our choice to look at it, we don't have to believe in the value of it but our world becomes a little more broader by what others share with us. Personally I have gone through a lot in the past 17 months since I went to the hospital with unstable angina. 4 hours later I was in ICU and didn't fully wake up until after the bypass 12 days later. I had complications from the bypass, had the wires removed as they caused a massive inflammation of the tissues around the sternum, suffered a stroke, then sciatic nerve damage which is the reason for the walker and now Cancer. Being diagnosed with cancer makes you look at life differently than having a bypass I think. Cancer is a lot scarier and the outcome a lot less positive and yet I pray and believe that I will survive this too because I will fight as long as I can breathe. I am lucky because all I wanted in life was to have a loving home with a kind loving husband and children and I have all 3 so therefore I have every reason in the world to fight. It doesn't matter to me if the quality of my life is not what it was, I am so grateful to be alive and be able to love my family, communicate with them and send them off to their day knowing they left me with a smile on my face. This is not meant as a lecture or to discourage the rest of you from expressing your concerns or feelings.That is what this group is for. Each of us is different and we all cope differently. The postings I enjoy the most are the ones written that encourage another person. That is what the group is meant for in my opinion and why I choose to belong to it.I think when we post frequently to each other we become more than acquaintances and therefore if there is a question off topic I see no harm in posting it. I look forward to the group of us continuing our daily postings for 2005 and personally am very grateful to each and everyone of you that post positive messages in response to the messsages seeking help or answers. May we continue to communicate in this way through out the coming year may God Bless each and everyone one of you and help you as you continue the journey you are on Take care Gail
Nice post Gail. I agree with you. This is like a safe place to land and if some of us get a little grumpy now and again it is to be expected. It is sure better to let it out here than heap it on those we love who have already been through a lot. Really hope we can all have a good 2005 and many more beyond that. My concerns as we start the new year are the pain in my left shoulder, left chest area just above the breast and some back and neck pain. It wakes me up every night around 2 a.m. and I take an NSAID (prescription strength) that does allow me to get back to sleep. It takes about an hour to work but then I usually sleep another 4 hours or more and I do feel I am getting enough sleep. I can't imagine fighting cancer at this point. What a challenge for you. I do believe with your attitude and zest for life you will win the fight. Some of us are just stronger than others and I am not one of the strong ones so I get some of my positive outlook from the others on her. I also find that humor helps me and light movies or tv shows. Best of luck to you. Ann
Tally Ho, Bogie!!! Ann
Gail my friend You said it all...notting l can add to this...you are one of the most corages strongest person l know....God Bless you.. wonderful to se a post from you.. Hugzz Rita Upgrade your email with 1000's of cool animations First of all I jsut want to say my husband made a special tray that fits over the walker so I can put the keyboard on top of it and type standing up. Yhis means that I should be able to reply to the postings more frequently. Since I haven't posted in a while I want to say a few things. First of all I am dissappointed in the tone of many of the postings since Christmas. I think of this support group as a group of friends that can discuss and share what is happening in their lives. This might not always be directly related to the actual bypass but often is a result of how the bypass has affected our lives. A great way to combat depression is to be arround people who understand you. Since that is not always possible physically I think groups like this are so important. Also if someone wishes to share a poem, a thoughtful picture or a story then it becomes our choice to look at it, we don't have to believe in the value of it but our world becomes a little more broader by what others share with us. Personally I have gone through a lot in the past 17 months since I went to the hospital with unstable angina. 4 hours later I was in ICU and didn't fully wake up until after the bypass 12 days later. I had complications from the bypass, had the wires removed as they caused a massive inflammation of the tissues around the sternum, suffered a stroke, then sciatic nerve damage which is the reason for the walker and now Cancer. Being diagnosed with cancer makes you look at life differently than having a bypass I think. Cancer is a lot scarier and the outcome a lot less positive and yet I pray and believe that I will survive this too because I will fight as long as I can breathe. I am lucky because all I wanted in life was to have a loving home with a kind loving husband and children and I have all 3 so therefore I have every reason in the world to fight. It doesn't matter to me if the quality of my life is not what it was, I am so grateful to be alive and be able to love my family, communicate with them and send them off to their day knowing they left me with a smile on my face. This is not meant as a lecture or to discourage the rest of you from expressing your concerns or feelings.That is what this group is for. Each of us is different and we all cope differently. The postings I enjoy the most are the ones written that encourage another person. That is what the group is meant for in my opinion and why I choose to belong to it.I think when we post frequently to each other we become more than acquaintances and therefore if there is a question off topic I see no harm in posting it. I look forward to the group of us continuing our daily postings for 2005 and personally am very grateful to each and everyone of you that post positive messages in response to the messsages seeking help or answers. May we continue to communicate in this way through out the coming year may God Bless each and everyone one of you and help you as you continue the journey you are on Take care Gail