Update

After my dismal post yesterday, I want to thank each of you *****sponded. I am feeling better today. I think my Mom is responding to the antibiotics and feeling better. I realize my fatigue was more stress depression than real fatigue. I spent about 2 hours at the hospital yesterday, got in real meals and enough liquid, and spent 2 hours at Pinnacle Mt state park. Climbed 90% up a Mt trail before I chickened out thinking about the climb back down! The outdoors did me good. I wonder how long it will take to get back my coping mechanisms?? At least Pepe is behaving now. In addition to the stress with Mom, my company is laying off 6-7% of the workforce this week (400 people). This is the third time in 3 years. I'm not terribly afraid for myself, but I am seeing friends who have worked there for 15+ years kicked out. It is age discrimination at its worst. My boss is one of my best friends and I hurt for her and what she is forced to do this week. I need to hang on for 4 more years at least... Life never sends us one challenge at a time, does it? I know my issues are simple compared to those that others deal with every day. It still is a stressful week as I grieve over new losses I hear every few hours, and wait for the next ones. Thanks for being patient with me. I will pull out of this funk! Joy -22 lbs / 23 days

Joy mine, I'm sorry there are so many 'bumps' in the road for you right now. I will be wrapping you in all kinds of (((hugs))) and prayers until things level out for you. Know that there are a ton of people out here wishing you all the best of everything. Love ya mine Betty, stepping up prayers for mine

Joy, It really does seem like when it rains it pours. I know what you mean about challenges coming enmass. I had a period like that last fall and the challenges just would not end. What go me through was the knowledge that God's will does not take us where God's love cannot sustain us. Hang in there and take things one at a time. Connie

Joy, Here's a quote (or philsophy) by Ken Keys that I've found to be helpful over the years. "I have everything I need to enjoy my hear and now unless I am letting my consciousness be dominated by demands or expectations based on the dead past or the imagined futured." The past is DEAD and the future is only IMAGINED. By living in the hear and now, and not dwelling on the past or imagining the future, peace for the hear and now is attainable. After all, all we really have is this moment. Love, Rob

How embarrassing. I mispelled the word "here". I mistakenly spelled it "hear". Also, it's "future" not future(d). Anyway, all that is the dead past. luv ya joy

No, you aren't a perfectionist! Silly! That sounds like something I would say to someone else, because it is so true. I'll try to take it to heart! You hanging in there OK on your "week before"? You don't seem too psychotic like us women yet... Joy

Joy, outside of the troubles with my daughter I'm doing great. I'm not nervous at all...just looking forward to it. I've been gaining weight though because I'm an emotional eater. I will most certainly have to channel that in other ways as I know this surgery is kind of like behavior modification WITH A HAMMER! Friday will be my last day at work and I'm very busy here at work so that's good. By the time I get home at night, I'm too tired to really think about it, so that's probably good too. Please e-mail me your phone numbers. I know I gave you several of my contacts but I thought I'd have them call you as things progress. My girlfriend Kat will be there the day of the surgery so she'll be the contact on Wednesday 3/31. My mother Dorothy Ives, and my Daughter Katy will be at the hospital on Thursday so they can fill you in on that day. I'm not sure about my local angel, Robin. I may try to work it so she's there on Friday daytime is she can be. Kat will be there again on Friday evening. I'm planning on going home Saturday. So, please send me your phone number(s). And, if you wouldn't mind, e-mail me your home address too. Thanks my Angel Shalom, Caboose t-7 By the way. I love the way that you are seemingly so accepting of people of all religions, faiths, and belief systems out here on this board. You seem so open minded and you are not pushy at all. I could not have selected a better angel and role model.

Joy, You are a strong woman, and you are juggling so much at one time. Life sure does get a little rocky from time to time, and it looks like you know exactly how to handle the rough spots. Going for that walk in the State Park sounds like it was just the ticket. Glad Mom is feeling better. And as for you young lady...you have a fantastic weight loss. Take care, Karen L.

Boy Joy - I missed your post yesterday on this but it sounds like you have had more than your share. Sorry to hear of all these challenges, but I hope it starts looking up for you and your mom and friends soon. Dina -15