~The Road Of Life ~ Part 1 Locked

Hi all-
quick update......we have had a very tough tourney weather wise. The first 2 days we had very strong thunder storms and had to delay play for at least 4 hours each day. That meant some teams had to play at midnight and 2am. We have had 2 very tough loses, one in pool play and one in eliminations(today). But there is always tomorrow....We have a tough road now in the losers bracket, but I have a ton of fair in these young ladies and they have already made me extremely proud of them. They have had some very tough teams to play against. When a team from farm country Illinois can hang with or beat teams from OC California and Atlanta, that's an accomplishment!

My daughter got a bit of recruiting also. An elite team that does nothing except college exposure tourneys wants her


Take care,
Bill

Bill,
Glad to hear your daughter continues to excel. I'm sure all the time you've spent practicing with her and being involved with her traveling team has set her up for excellence. Of course mixed in there is an aptitude for softball. There are some things you can't teach, and she obviously has those as well.
Good luck with the games!

Kitt,
I'm glad that your tests came out normal. I know that taking another test is the last thing you want to do, but fortunately you have good insurance, and a doctor who definitely knows what he's doing.
Good luck with the next test! Hope you get an A+! Does the 81mg asprin bother your stomach?

I have a question for you. Do you have knowledge about adrenal insufficiency? My asthma doc had me take a blood test to see how much cortisol my adrenals were producing. The results weren't good. The lab's average is "6" and I got a .25, which is pretty darn low. My allergist said that my adrenal glands haven't "woken up" yet from all the steroids I've taken. He says that it usually takes 6-9 months for it to wake up again. I've been longer than that (since a couple months after my Nissen surgery). I emailed my family doc (the one who's been with me for over 25 years) and he responded this way:

"You have not been on oral steroids for well over a year. However, you were on enough nasal and inhaled steroids to suppress your adrenal. Unfortunately the evaluation for adrenal insufficiency cannot be answered by a simple cortisol level. The adrenal axis is much more complex than that and would require much more intensive testing, with a kind of adrenal “stress test.” To do this right, we would need the involvement of an endocrinologist. I am not suggesting that we do that, since it really would not change what we would try to do, which is to try to minimize any steroids."

Do you have any thoughts about this? Nobody is ready to rush into any treatment, and I think my asthma doc is still hoping that I can get better on my own. Unfortunately, though, my asthma doc tried to reduce my inhaled steroid from 220mcg 2 puffs twice a day, to just 1 puff twice a day. My asthma got worse, so I had to go back to the higher dose.

Joy,
I know how hard it is to have a large class. Back in the 70's I taught in a small private school, and I had 35 students in my class with no TA. It was a Catholic school, though, and the kids were very well behaved, because if they weren't, they'd be booted out! You can't give the proper amount of individualized attention with a big class.

I had classes from 21-25 consistently when I went back to teaching after my kids got in school, and it was tough. After some time my school began to focus on early intervention (a smart idea) and reduced class size. From that time until I retired, our class sized varied from 15-18, which was much, much better.

I hope you have a great class this year and things work out just right for you!
I'll be thinking of you!
I had a bunch of my teacher friends up to my new home for lunch yesterday. It was great seeing them! One of them retired when I did, another retired a year or two earlier, but the rest of them will be going back in September. It was great to see them.

Oh...I've got to tell you! My principal came to my new house to visit me and brought me a gift. After a nice chat, he had to leave, and I opened the gift. I don't know if you're familiar with wines and champagnes, but he gave me a bottle of Vintage 2000 Dom Perignon! I've never even seen a bottle, and have certainly never tasted it. Wow. I was floored. Now we'll have to figure out what special occasion we'll pick to drink it. Perhaps it'll be on the birth of our first grandchild...that's pretty special, don't you think?

Barb,
You've been through a lot with that job of yours. I hope you get things straightened out with your insurance, and get settled and relaxed again soon. Those types of changes are difficult, and the stunt they pulled about your insurance coverage was lowdown, dirty. I'm sure you'll make the most of whatever situation you settle into. You are a very resilient and strong woman, and are greatly admired by your friends here!
Enjoy the summer and try not to stress too much!
Take care,
Denise

Barb,

How well I know, Joy. Things have changed a lot, and the red tape and constant addition of curriculum make it difficult to do your job. Then, there are the very needy children who require our support and attention--it makes it a very exhausting (yet rewarding) job! The last four years I had a teaching assistant, and therefore got all the kids with IEP issues and special needs. I've had a wide variety...emotionally disturbed, autistic, MR--you name it, I've had it. I truly understand your frustration as you try to meet the needs of ALL your kids.
Good luck, Joy. I expect you will have a wonderful year. Isn't it amazing how you fall in love with each class and by the end of the year you don't want to see them go?
I'll miss that, but not all the amazing hard work and responsibility!
Best wishes for a wonderful school year!
Denise

Bummer, Joy. Thank goodness for urgent care, though. It never fails that we get sick or worse on the weekend! Hope you feel better soon.
Denise

Hmmmm that's interesting about the vitamin D. A lack of vitamin D can cause muscle pain too. I had that problem and taking vitamin D made a huge difference.

Joy, hope you are feeling better tonight. Do you drink cranberry juice?

Denise, that is awesome that the principal thought that much of you to come up and bring you a special gift. And yes the birth of your first grandchild is one of the most special days in your life. that would be a perfect time to break out the wine. When is the little one due? I can't believe Keegan will be 3 this month and Caleb will be 1 year old. He won't be a baby any more. Bella will be 6 soon. She started kindergarten and loves it. I hope she has teachers through out the years that are as good and dedicated as you and Joy are to the kids.

I got an email telling me that something was going to be worked out so I have insurance coverage from August first but that they don't know if it will be through my former employer or my current one. They said if it is the former it would be at the normal employee cost not the cobra. I'll have to see it to believe it because both parties have lied to me already. I just want to be able to do my job that I love and work with people I enjoy spending time with. Seniors don't like change and are afraid of it and they keep coming to me for support and I have tried my best to convince them that it is all for the better. It's kind of hard to do when I'm left twisting in the wind myself. Oh well hopefully this will all get straightened out on Monday. We went out to my daughters for dinner last night. My grand dog Kayu got really excited to see us. Sophie (the cat) had to get some attention from me too. Today I slept most of the day as I worked the overnight last night. I did get a trip to the gym in to do my exercises in the pool for my back and then did some stretches in the whirlpool. I am looking forward to getting my used dryer that my sisters friends are giving to us. I have been with out a working dryer since May. They are going to bring it tomorrow afternoon. Well think it is time to go for a walk with my hubby and the pups. Have a good night. Barb

The midwofe?? The midwife maybe

I rarely suffer from them. Maybe once a year.
I had my first one, very severe, four years ago. I was so sick and in pain. I couldn't even sit down- I had to lay down. :((
Ever since then I get one a year. :S
The doctor calls it teacher's bladder. We get so busy we forget or hold off going too long.

I can't stand the taste of cranberry juice. I wonder if the pills work as well?
My back is hurting right now. I can't tell if it's my kidneys or my OA.

Kitt,
Thanks for the information. You always have so much to share, and it is greatly appreciated. I will discuss this with my doctor the next time I see him. My family doc apparently thinks the additional information I would receive would not be all that helpful in my care, as long as I don't have any of the symptoms (which I don't). I've known I had adrenal insufficiency since before my Nissen. I had hoped, though, that it had improved.

I am not surprised I had to go back to the higher dose of inhaled steroid, since I tried to reduce it last summer, and had the same problem. My husband wonders why I didn't just tell him, but he's a new doc, and needs to find out for himself, I guess. As you say, I need to be my own advocate. I will thoroughly quiz him as to why he thinks I don't need further testing. Also, when my new allergist has some new idea, I'll fill him in on previous attempts and their outcomes. I like to think that his fresh outlook might discover an answer that others have missed. I do have a lot of confidence in his abilities.

He is so sure that my hoarseness (something I've experienced pretty much nonstop for a year) is caused solely from reflux. While I know I'm getting some reflux and am treating that with Carafate Suspension, I also know that my allergies are a culprit just as likely to be causing it. My allergic cough (and at the moment, the lung reaction to the reduced inhaled steroid) keep my vocal chords inflamed and don't give them a chance to get better.

He's made some changes in my nose/sinus treatment--I have a more precise measurement of salt and added baking soda to my nasal rinse. Also, I'm using distilled water instead of tap water. In addition he has rigged up an inhaler to make it into a nasal spray...He has put a baby bottle nipple on the end of the actuator, and cut a hole in the end of the nipple--thus changing an inhaler into a nasal spray. I do think the new dry powder steroid spray is much more effective, so I'm happy about that. I'm taking less steroids there...less than half of what I was getting with the old med I was on.

He has put me back on Protonix 40mg twice a day, and Zantac 300 at bedtime. He's so sure that acid is causing my vocal chord inflammation that he's even talked about increasing the PPI dose if this doesn't work. I really think before that, I'd rather get a 24HR PH monitor ON PPI's to see if I'm actually getting reflux. As I've written before, he doesn't respect GI docs due to their excessive dependence on tests and test results, and their inability to see how minute amounts of acid could cause great damage to lung tissue.

Oh well, I do think my new allergy/asthma doc is extremely thorough and is likely to be able to help my health improve if anyone can.
Thanks again for your response. I hope you're having a nice day. I'm having the first lazy day I've had since we moved to our new home. I actually read a book and took a nap!

Mitsie,
I guess Vitamin D is all the rage. I didn't know, but my family doc tested me in December and found my levels to be fine at 37. My new doc tested me in early July, and they had improved to 47. I'm in good shape because I take a lot of Calcium with D. My husband, on the other hand, is low, and is on a program to raise his level. He is taking a high dose (prescription strength) dose once a week for four weeks, then is supposed to buy over the counter D and take it daily. I guess it is very important to lung health as well as general immune health.
So I guess Vitamin D deficiency isn't my problem...too bad...it would have been great to take it and have a miraculous recovery!

Joy,
I used to get bladder infections constantly (I actually became allergic to the med they gave me for it (sulfa) and had to change to macrodantin. Now I don't get them much at all, knock on wood. Cranberry juice is considered a good way to keep your bladder healthy, as it has a high acid content. I never found I could get rid of an infection once I had it with the juice, and always needed the meds. Keep up your water intake, though.

It's a teacher related disease because so often teachers don't have any help in the classroom, and can't leave their class to get to the bathroom regularly. See that you get yourself there more often, so you can avoid the discomfort!
I hope you feel better very soon.

Barb,
Although working a second job on the weekends (which my daughter in law does as well--urgent care) isn't idea for getting your rest, it's nice that you have a boss that you like there. I hope you are having a nice weekend! I'm glad to hear you have a dryer. Have you been going to the laundromat to dry your clothes? You shouldn't be hanging them outside, because they pick up all the pollen. They smell wonderful, but you're bringing the stuff inside. Especially sheets and bedding, since you sleep on them all night. You're probably already aware of this, but I thought of it when I heard you didn't have a dryer!
Hope all is well with your sweet grandchildren and family!

Bill,
Hope your games are going well, and you're enjoying your summer!

Take care, All!
Denise

Good Morning All,

Joy, Hopefully by now the UTI is all better.  I really like the cranraspberry juice too and I have even seen cranblueberry.  I can hardly believe you are talking of school starting again when it seems like just yesterday you were just starting your summer break.

I know the children will love you and I have always admired school teachers for the kindness and the patience they have in dealing with children all day long. 

Denise,  I am glad your new allergy/asthma Doctor is working our for you.  I hope you can get the 24HR PH monitoring  on PPI. 

I am so excited for the  arrival of that grandbaby in your life.   We were looking at pictures of our 17 and 19 year old granddaughters yesterday from when they were infants and toddlers.  So funny to remember back to those day and  where do the years go ? The 19 year old was  a hoot  when she was little.  Her hair stood up straight like someone had frightened her so we called her "spook".  The pictures of her when she was 2 look like she got into your wine.  My hubby commented that  she has grown-up to be a beauty and I so agree. (Proud G-ma here)

The 17 year old has naturally curly hair which I love as mine is as straight as a string.

Bill,  Our weather is so hot and humid that I can imagine yours is even worse. Drink that water. Go Team !!!

Barb,  Isn't it crazy how we get excited over new appliances ?  I am so glad you have a new dryer again.  We ended up buying a new washer and dryer this year as one died and then the other. 

I am always here for you so please keep posting so we can all support you through your changes going on in your job.

Gentle Hugs to All,

Kitt

 

Bill so glad to have you back. Sorry about the lose. Do they know what is wrong with your shoulders? I had an injection in mine in July. He does it into the muscles that are knotted but I also need surgery for the rotator cuff tear and arthritis. My pain doc thinks that once the ortho does that it will alleviate the knots back there too. I have that done on the 26th of this month. I hope I have insurance. I was also told by a friend to have it done asap because he waited years and they couldn't fix all of it because the muscle had atrophied. I hope you get some relief from the shots. That is not a fun thing to deal with and then to have the acid reflux on top of it again. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Kitt thanks for all the support. You and every one else are always there when i need it. The insurance issue is still not solved as of yet. They wanted me to sign for cobra now before the decision is made to whether or not they will pay it. I told her I can't afford the 1000 if the proposal doesn't go through and after talking to the former HR person there is no way I will do that until I have in writing that they will do the payment minus the 94 that I would have to pay. This is very stressing. On that note I am off to get a much needed massage. catch you all later. Barb

Denise, I know all too well how much allergies can affect your asthma. My almost killed me last year in TN. So I take the allergies a lot more serious now when it comes to my asthma. I'm surprised and allergy doctor doesn't take that into account more. That's interesting. My lung doctor insists that the allergies and the stomach acid are major factors in asthma. He always asks about both right away when I go in. He's the one that sent me right to the allergy doc after my allergy/asthma hospital stay. I'll be interested to see what your docs come up with for you and who's right. I's a good thing we know what wer're talking about. lol. I am going to start pestering them about the insurance getting taken care of and done.I don't like living in limbo. It seems like there so much to do all the time. Well I am off to bed too. Barb

Kitt,
I know it's too late to wish you the best, but I can welcome you back home with good wishes!
I know the endoscopy is a dreaded test, but it isn't as bad as you might think. I really thought the manometry was tougher, because you actually have to do something (swallow water (or not) on command) while it's going on. That's the challenging part.

Let us know how everything goes!
We're here cheering...
Denise

Barb,
I think my allergy/asthma doc is so used to people assuming allergy is the only culprit that he's learned to focus on the GI piece. The only thing is that he doesn't know how much I've gone through or learned over the years. I am going to ask my GI doc to send him reports on what has been done already and the outcomes of testing.

Keep on them about the insurance!

Have a great week, everyone!
Denise

Kitt-
I am sure it will be just like another EGD. I had it once with a transducer to check my gallbladder from inside. Guessing it might be very similar. Anyway, it was just as easy as an EGD. Either way we are always with you my friend.

Barb- I have arthritis in my shoulders and the cortisone injections have worn off, well actually wore off a month ago or so. So far my ortho says no surgery as long as the injections work.

Take care,
Bill