Cathy (Privey)

Hi Cathy...

I wanted to write to you, but wasn't sure what thread to put it in...so I decided just to make a new one!!

Anyway, I read through your "signature" section, and all you've been through. Wow, woman! You've been through so much!! Unfortunately, I can relate in many ways. My things haven't been the same as yours (or, as serious, like a heart attack, bypasses, etc)...but I have heart problems, too... Plus, I've had meningitis twice; 6 c-sections; an almost 20 foot fall; etc etc etc (plus all the stuff that I have already listed in my sig line). This all in my 36 years!!

I enjoyed reading about your girls in the other post. Let's see...you have one daughter that is a teacher, and the other a nurse, right? Those were the two things I wanted to be when "I grew up!!". In some ways, through having six kids, I've sort of done both! You also seem like a wonderful grandma. I know you wish you could pick up your grandson...my boys were little "chunks", too. I love chunky babies :) All six of my boys were like that.

Well, just thought that I'd say hi... and thank you for sharing all of your experiences here. I enjoy reading your posts; and I hope to continue getting to know you better. Hope you are having a low-pain day. I went to the pain doc today. I might post about it later....

More soon, Tina

Hi Mom
I finally got home from my shopping trip with Kari, our youngest daughter 31 and our grandson Colin 2 mos, late this afternoon. He was such a good boy but it took longer because she is nursing him and he was a hungry little boy. She had him c-section and he weighed 9lbs 10 oz. I bet he is way over 12 lbs now, we'll find out Monday after his appt. Mommy has to go back to work on Tuesday and it is going to be hard for both. The little guy sure likes the boob and that skin to skin stuff. He even tried to get me today when we were in a store. I said Colin you can lay your head there but Grammies spickets are dry sweetie.

I havn't really had that much, we all hurt and have been through the mill. Keeping up with 6 kids can't be a walk in the park so I feel for you. My two girls were nearly 8 years apart so it was like having one child/baby. By the time Kari was born Sara didn't need much from me and was independent.

My heart attack was when I was 34 and attributed to family hx. My mother had her HA at 55 and they told me that my girls and my brother's boys could be as young or younger than me. So far his oldest will be 40 in 2010 and my oldest will be 39 and they haven't had the trouble that we've had. My brother had his HA and stints placed in his 50's. All the kids were made aware and have lived healthier than we did so maybe they will escape the heart stuff. Fortunately for me I lived normally with a Left Anterior Descending 100% occluded for over 20 years without trouble. My mom has never had surgery but does have angina from time to time but is nearly 89 years old. My collateral arteries were starting to show signs of wear and tear and they told me to have surgery before I had trouble and that is what I did and I have had excellent results.

I hope to get to know you better too. If you ever need anything let me know even though we are miles apart, I'm resourceful of nothing else and can research if you don't have time. Feel free to email me too. I believe my mail is listed in the profile.

Take care and I hope you had a decent day. I care.

xxoo

Cathy...

Thanks for the posts :) The last few days, I haven't felt well at all. Just a flare of my usual stuff...but I just haven't had the strength to get on the computer much. You are right...the kids take every last little bit of my energy. They keep me going, definitely, but it's exhausting... Like you said, it's a job that doesn't have a "quitting time!" -- it's all day, every day :) By the time I do those last minute things -- pick up around here, finish reading stories, get clothes out for tomorrow, etc - I literally collapse into bed.

I loved what you wrote about your grandson and nursing :) Brought back some VERY fond memories. I nursed all six of the boys; in fact, for 10 years - there was not a time that I wasn't nursing and/or pregnant. With having so many kids and such, nursing was such a special time for me and baby. I LOVED the "Grammies spickets are dry..." comment. Love it! I think we share a very similar sense of humor. I'm sure it's going to be tough for your daughter to go back to work tomorrow. I feel for her, definitely.

Wow, I can't believe you had a heart attack when you were 34...that's scary! I'm hoping and praying that your girls will escape all that stuff. And your brother's boys, too...

Well, my friend, I need to try to catch up on some stuff here...and then see what the day will bring.... I hope you are feeling ok today; and I'll talk to you more later! (I care, too!) --Tina

Mom.
I hope you are feeling better today. Kansas is having all yucky weather today, it is cold, rainy sometimes and snowy sometimes. It plays havoc on CP's with musculoskeletal problems. We've really escaped some nasty stuff in our area but .... we usually don't escape all of it.



I understand how busy you must be. I did that for two kiddo's for years and as much as we enjoy it it is time consuming to get everything ready for the next day. I worked and had to be there by 0645 for years and my hubby of 40 years had to get the kiddos up and rounded around in the a.m. so I got everything ready at night as you do. Clothes, lunches, breakfast planning, evening meal planning etc. and you with 6..... goodness you must be pooped when you fall into that bed at night.



I'm glad you are okay and keep in touch. I care.