The Road to Success is Always Under Construction Part 1 of 2 CLOSED

Thanks, MMM for your kind wishes..we did have a wonderful day!♥

 

Hi everyone!

Denise, I'm so sorry I missed your birthday. It sounds like a fantastic day, nothing less than what you deserve!

Joy, I did NOT win in Vegas. In fact, I lost because I didn't even try to gamble, so I never had a chance of getting the money back. Dang. Sorry to hear about the UV lights, what a kick in the butt. I'm hoping you're feeling better!

Kitt, I haven't stopped thinking about you since I read about your sister's child. What an amazing gift you've been given!

Bill, I'm so sorry to hear about your son's girlfriend. What terrible news to get. I'm also hoping your daughter's boyfriend comes home safe. And what a great Father's day gift you had.

MMM, I hope you're feeling better. I found a list of iron-rich foods: http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/health-and-wellness/iron-rich-foods

Sandi, thanks for thinking of me. I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better! Onward!

Yesterday was Father's day and the first time in 5 years that my dad has been around all 4 of his children and all 7 of his grandchildren. I looked at the pictures later and realized his face showed pure, unadulterated joy. I will never forget it :) I'm still with my family at the coast but we'll be leaving today to head to my husband's family in central California. I'm sad to leave my family but we'll be back towards the end of our trip. Gonna be harder to leave now than when we originally left.

As for GERD... I still have very, very minor aches and pains (about a 1/10) and I feel discomfort when I lay down too soon after eating, but it's been pretty much gone besides that. Mind you all, I have been eating like total crap - Dad's home cooked meals, donuts for breakfast, burgers - none of them give me a problem. I am wondering if it happens to all expats?? I'm so confused, and I must confess that it makes me feel like I'm crazy or that it's all in my head even though in my heart I know it's not. Sigh. I'll see a GI in August (once we're back in Finland) and we'll see what he thinks.

Warm wishes to all, I think of you all often and keep you in good thoughts :)
Ashley

Can I just say a VERY BIG THANK YOU for all of you for your selfless sharing despite facing difficulties of your own... You share with us on your experiences, your recovery, you give encouragement.. always helping one another even thou we dont know each other irl.. This is a warm and cosy place to hang around :) 

I pray that everyone on this board can heal well & recover soon. Thank you everyone for being so kind. :)

 

(((((((((((((gentle hugs, kitt)))))))))))))))))))))

We're here for you. Get well soon.

Kitt,

Take however long it takes, but don't forget we're here to support and sustain you in any way we can.  Try not to forget that we're here for you.♥♥

Bill,

It sounds like your has done great again this year, and I'm sure you're looking forward to continued play throughout the summer!  Have fun!

Ashley,

Thanks for your good wishes.  I'm glad you had a fun trip and a wonderful reunion with your family and friends!  Good luck sorting out what's going on with your upper GI tract!  Intermittent problems whether they're in our cars or our bodies, are the hardest to figure out.  Glad to hear you've been feeling better, though!

Joy,

I hope you're back on track and feeling better today.

MMM,

Good luck with your tests!  I know they're no fun, but it's a good cause.  Here's hoping that those doctors can earn their money and get all your levels back to where they should be.

Fireworks,

Thanks for your kind words!  Glad you've joined us!

Hi Sandi!  Hope you're finding lots of sunshine and rainbows these days...

(((Hugs to all)))

Denise

Hey ashley, I saw your video on youtube and would like to add that you look amazing! :) Thanks for the contribution! I'm sure it will help many people!

Everytime I went thru a post, I cant help but feel sad that everyone of us here is suffering (so much) because of this reflux... It's like you feel so helpless at times. Because of this, we can't enjoy wholesomely. There's just a part of us still wondering what the f is wrong somewhere.

Thank you everyone & keep sharing!

Hi Fireworks, sorry I didn't see your reply sooner... thanks for watching and for your sweet comment. There just weren't very many videos out there that were positive to I wanted to post one. I had no idea my webcam was so bad! LOL.

MMM, don't worry at all about your gastroscopy, request IN ADVANCE to be sedated if it's a problem for you. Have you had manometry before? Cause it was uncomfortable but totally managable for me. I went into it with the attitude of "It's going to suck, but I'm going to get through it." You will too! You are such a strong woman as you've already proven. Fireworks is referring to a YouTube video I posted (which is on my member profile) describing my experience with pH testing and manometry.

Take care all,
Ashley

PS: not had manometry before no. They basically got the sedation wrong on my first gastroscopy so now all the tests scare the hell out of me.

Hi Kitt

What I meant is that they didn't give me enough Medazolam. They give 3 mg for a gastroscopy or colonoscopy here in the UK as they don't want any sleepy patients hanging around taking up space! I was conscious but unable to open my eyes and couldn't speak because they were trying to push the scope down. I think they don't try hard enough to establish beforehand whether you would like to be "relaxed" (3 mg) or "totally absent" (10 mg)!

Glad you're liking your new therapist - great to have support twice a week too!

MMM

Hi Joy,

I'm glad to hear that you're getting support and encouragement for filing for disability.  You've struggled long enough with your Lupus, and it wasn't easy for you to cope with going to work every day.  With disability you can still look for things to do that fulfill you, but can do them at your own pace.

Because you're not going to be in the classroom doesn't mean you won't be able to find teaching outlets if you want them.  Don't be too quick to sell your teaching supplies.  You may want them later.  Tutoring is a great way to get your teaching juices flowing without the all-out physical and emotional demands of a classroom full of busy, needy students. 

The trick is finding your first tutoring student.  Once you've got one, you can get others through referral and recommendation.  I had one student for 2 years, and at this point I have three students--all through connections with the first student.

You may not want even that much responsibility, but keep it in the back of your mind.  You also have the option of volunteering in a classroom (certainly not at your old school if that triggers bad feelings), but somewhere else.  There's also Literacy Volunteers where you work with adults who want to learn to read.

You may not be ready to even think about these options.  Still, if it helps at all, and you think that someday you might find pleasure in some form of teaching, just keep the idea in your back pocket.  This doesn't have to be the end of your enjoyment and contact with children in the role of a teacher.  There is a world of possibilities out there.

When people ask me if I miss teaching (I loved teaching and retired at a time when I was still enthusiastically involved in my profession) I can say honestly, "no".  That's because I have lots of outlets for my passion for teaching.  I don't miss the responsibilities of being in charge of a classroom.  Still, I am involved with the creative process of creating teaching materials for my tutoring students, and it fulfills me. 

It's just a thought.  I'm glad you're going on Paxil.  It can really help you get through this transition. 

Thinking of you, and sending my best wishes!

(((Hugs)))

Denise

Hi MMM,

I know it can be frightening to anticipate gag-inducing procedures.  The problem with not being medicated enough for an endoscopy is that the doc thinks you're under, and doesn't take into account the fact that you're feeling everything.

I've had three endoscopies.  The first on was lightly sedated, the second wasn't sedated at all (my choice) and the third, I was put out (not my choice, but I guess, the doc's choice).  The thing is...and endoscopy without sedation or with only light sedation, requires a great nurse-coach to help you through.  They can talk you through the entire experience and make it very "do-able". 

Ask Kitt said, you won't know anything that's going on with GA.  It'll over with before you know it, and you won't remember a thing.

The manometry nurse will definitely be very skilled at helping you through the procedure.  They're like "manometry whisperers", and talk you through the whole thing. 

Good luck with it all. 

I'll be thinking of you!

Denise

Thanks Denise,

Yes my fear is of them assuming I'm not there when I actually am, if you know what I mean! I'm stressed about them finding a reason to do this every year! I don't know if people if the UK get nice manometry nurses but if I get sent for that I'll be letting them know beforehand that I'm somewhat phobic about it!

Thanks again - stand by for posts in panic when I get dates for these things!!

MMM x

Ouch, Bill! I hope they can get you fixed up right.
I hope the hospital works with you on the bills. My insurance runs out at the end of August. I'm hoping my private disability insurance kicks in soon after that.