You are all invited to my pity party!

I have not been around much, not because I don't need you guys or miss you. I have just been having the worst year of my life. I have lost 5 family members in the last 4 months. I have had shoulder surgery to try to fix the shoulder that was torn up at work. It is only partially successful. I have had three hip replacements on my right hip in three years. The one that went out on Memorial Day was a constrained cup and supposed to last for 30-40 years it made it less than 3. The new one lasted from Memorial Day until Labor Day. I have been referred to the ortho team in Cleveland at The Clinic. They say I have a genetic disorder of the connective tissue(Ehlers-Danlos) that does not form scar tissue that you need to support a prosthesis. They don't know if I can be fixed. If so it will involve total pelvic reconstruction. I may be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. I am not allowed to stand or walk for longer than 5 minutes at a time. You shold see this brace! It is hard white plastic and metal with bright purple liners. It encircles my waist and my whole left leg to below the knee. I look like a stormtrooper from Star Wars! I am FINALLY getting my worker's comp. I work for the feds and they had not paid me since MARCH! At least I am going to be able to keep my house, I was told by my work that they cannot accomodate a nurse in a wheelchair and so I am having to retire at the ripe old age of 43. At least I am a civil servant and the money will be good and insurance paid for. I have seen a plastic surgeon and he says tht he thinks that he can get most of my plastic work paid for. Still waiting to hear from him. Now that I have vented my crap. I hope to never bore you guys with it again. I have faith and know that things are going to improve. If I end up in a wheelchair so be it. Better than bedbound. Now! Aren't you glad I stopped by to say Hi!

actually, yes....i am very troubled to hear of all of the year that you have had and the things that face you-however; i am glad that you can maintain some sense of humor -albeit sarcasm! many of us marchers have had a yucky 2006--it HAS to get better! stay near, crystal...you are in my prayers....

Yes, Crystal, I am glad you stopped by. I'm sorry to hear about all of your troubles. I don't know what to say except that I hope for the best for you. As you say, at least you have good insurance......It's something I never thought very much about until I got older.....now, I'm very grateful that my employer provides good insurance. Please don't feel that you can't vent at us. That's why we are here.....to share the good and the bad. My prayers are with you. Mike

god bless, what a year!

Oh, sweetie, your troubles take my breath away. I am reminded of the message I try to carry around in my feeble brain everyday: "Courage doesn't always have to roar. Sometimes it's just a quiet voice that says, "I'll try again tomorrow." I am humbled that you took the time out to bring us up to date on your life. No matter the difficulties we face, we must always remember that we are not alone in any of it - you have family here, Crystal. Please stay close to us. Be well. Courage is also contageous so every time you stop in to post, you will ENcourage us to keep getting up and moving forward, one foot in front of the other...no matter what. God bless. Maureen