THURSDAY MORNING ROLL CALL

Good Morning,

I know it is not yet Thursday morning but I decided to start Thursday instead of adding to Wed.  I hope that is ok.

Boy, Life has been really crazy around here.  I dont even remember when the last time I updated everyone on all the things going on here so if some of this is a rerun I'm sorry.

First, I went to see Dr. Krane last week , he is the psychologist from the Kane center.  I really needed a push in the right direction and he is really good at that.  He helped me come up with some ideas to help me get back on track.  I just hope I can make it all happen.  I am really trying to make the changes. 

I am under an incredible amount of stress with family issues. 

My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July, and has finished his first round of chemo, and now is gearing up for his radiation/chemo treatments.  He has to do 33 treatments, starting on Sept 8th.  He will go 5 days a week, M-F, until finished.  He will be ok I guess for the first week or two and then they said it will catch up with him and the side effects will kick in.  I am worried about him living alone and going thru all this.  I will be spending alot of time making sure he is OK.  I plan of cooking meals for him and putting them in single serving sizes.  Alot of meals that are good if your stomach is upset like different types of soup I think.  Oh my, I am not ready for all of this, and I am praying everyday that he is in the small percentile that gets years not months to live. 

Then there is Noah.  My Noah is such a mess.  He has had a horrible summer with his behavior.  Now that school has started, he is having alot of trouble in school too.  Usually he does well in school, but this year, he is not doing so well.  This is the first yr that he has to change classes and he does not react well to transitions.  He has been acting out in class, and having some issues with his peers.  The principal called Wed and asked me to come in today for a noon meeting with all the teachers to discuss his first two weeks.  I have been hearing from the teachers daily in a special notebook about all the issues so it was not a surprise. We were already having so many issues at home that I made an apt for him at Alexian Brothers in Hoffman Estates for an assessment for an outpatient partial program.  We did that today and they agreed that he definitely qualifies for the program.  He will go there from 8:30am to 2:45pm.  He will attend school there for 2 hours and then the rest of the day will be intense therapy.  He really needs to work on his oppositional behavior, it has really gotten so bad.  He is NEVER happy, he is always argumentative and he has gotten so much more physically aggressive.  Oh my!  So I will be driving him to Hoffman Estates every morning for treatment and picking him up everyday at 2:45.  The program will last from 2-4 weeks on average, and they cant guarantee that he will even be able to go back to his school.  He may have to go to a public school that specializes in kids like him.  We will have to see how it goes.

I was supposed to go back to work this month, and now I cant becasue of all that is going on.  That is causing alot of financial problems for us too.  It is never ending.  I know everyone is having financial hardships these days, I just wish I could contribute to the household income to help out.  It makes me feel guilty that I cant do it. I cant hold down a job and take care of everyone.  It just isnt possible.  We are trying to work things out, so say a prayer for us.

Sorry to vent so much when i havent been posting, although I do read everyday. 

I hope that those who are waiting for approvals get theirs soon.

Randy, I hope you get your situation figured out and get a new surgeon and date soon.  Have you called the Kane center and see if they reccommend any primary care physicians?  They reccommended some for me.  That might help you out.

I wish all of you luck who are having surgery soon.  Welcome to the loser's bench.

How about a fall get together?  Anyone interested?  We havent all been together in awhile and it would be nice to see all of you in person.

I hope everyone has a great day, and a great upcoming long holiday weekend. I will try to post more often even if it is just HI!

Take Care,

Eileen

Good morning Eileen.

I am so sorry to hear that your plate is so full. Your dad is going through intensive chemotherapy. That's a lot for a body to take. I'm sure it's going to affect him. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

I agree about Dr. Crane. He is good at what he does. My problem is that my insurance doesn't cover him at all. I have to pay 100% out of my pocket. I sure could use him right now.

Your financial situation - I sure can understand. I got myself into such a bind that I thought I would never get out of, so I got myself into a bigger hole. That added to my stress and inability to handle things - another reason for my regain.

I am sorry to hear about your son. I pray that he is getting the help he needs and will come around eventually.

It seems like so many of us are having family issues, financial issues, difficulty keeping on track or getting back on track, waiting for approval for surgery, and our own health issues. Maybe a get together is just what we need. I've been avoiding everyone because of my shame with my regain.

My knee is still painful and walking is getting harder day by day. I do have DJD severe in my right knee and a benign tumor. They won't do anything with the tumor at this time. It's only 2 cm. My doc still thinks I had a contusion on my quadriceps from my injury. It didn't show on the MRI as it is already about 5-6 weeks later.

He ordered physical therapy for me - 6 visits and this is a laugh, Norco twice a day. That's only one more pill since his last prescription. I didn't tell him that I was getting more from another doc. He was worried about giving me more because of the driving issues. I don't have a problem with that as I don't take a pill just before going out and it doesn't affect me that way. He told me that if the PT doesn't help out in two weeks, then he will give me a shot in the knee that is a synthetic synovial fluid. I'd have to get it 3 times a week apart. It is quite expensive, but my mom offered to pay whatever the insurance company doesn't. Isn't that sweet? If that doesn't work, then I am looking at a total knee replacement.

Boy, it's going to be harder to lose all the regain now.

Depending on my PT schedule, I might take tomorrow or Tuesday off. We'll see.

I haven't read the other threads yet. So, if Randy or Omar are still having issues with surgery approval, I am so sorry. Don't give up and be persistent in calling the office or insurance company!

Dawn, I pray that you got your answers.

Well, it is a long message for me.

Have a wonderful Thursday. The long weekend is almost here.

Hugs and Love,
Lucy

 Good Morning Eileen and Illinois Family!

It is good to hear from you Eye.  I haven't caught up with you lately but you have definitely been in my thoughts and prayers.  I am so sorry that you are having so many issues with Noah.  I had hoped that a routine of school would help settle him down.  Then with your dad on top of all of this -- oh my!  If your dad's side effects get too much, do you think he would consider coming and staying with you?  I know you were planning on taking him to his chemo appointments and with having to take Noah to another school ..... AARRGG!

Lucy, I hope you get some relief.  However, I will say, the total knee replacement was the best thing I ever did!  I wish I wasn't so stubborn and waited so long to do it.  I can't wait to get my other knee done.  It is well worth it!

I still don't know anything about my issues.  I am having a CT scan tomorrow.  We will see.  The pain has gone down some so it will probably show nothing.  Who knows.  I don't do anything normally.  

Dawn,  I hope you can get your problem resolved soon.  Randy, hang in there.  It WILL happen.  Omar,, keep the faith.  Your surgery is right around the corner.  

I hope everyone has a great day! 

Good morning Eileen, Lucy and the rest of Illinois!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Eileen & Lucy}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}    I wish there was some way I could fix things for both of you.  You are both going through a lot right now and I understand how hard it makes life, making good choices, etc......  Just take one hour at a time and go from there.

My last test on Tuesday show that there is damage that can be repaired.  I am now waiting for the report to get back to the coordinating specialist so that I can go in for a consult to decide when to fix things.  I want it all done before Nov. 1st as that is my insurance renewal date.

After work today, I need to pick up David's dog, then David from school to take her in to the vet.  She seems to be having pain issues and we need to find out what the problem is.  It started last Friday, and she has gotten steadily worse each day to where yesterday, we could not find her.  When animals go into hiding, you know that they are hurting or sick.  When I talked to the vet last evening, she suggested a bit of baby aspirin.  I only had children's Motrin, but I gave her a small amount and it helped tremendously so I know she was in pain.  Wish them luck!

Randy, please call the Kane Center to see how they can help you.  It sounds like they have a good program.

I think a get-together is a great idea.  I wonder if we could get the bowling alley's room again?  Maybe Theresa will pop in.......  I can also TRY to contact her via Facebook.  OR any other ideas?????

Everyone enjoy this beautiful weather while it lasts........

Hi Everybody!

Eileen, my prayers are with you.  You have a beautiful family full of love and caring.  Noah is a great kid, and I'm sure he will respond well to the programs that you are going to use.  I will also keep positive thoughts for your dad and pray that he will be the percentage that gets years.

Yesterday, Liz called me and told me that her position is being eliminated.  The company has offered her another position with the sister company, but the base pay is almost 30% less.  She will be able to get a ton of overtime which will make up the difference, but that will mean I will need to start paying for daycare once I'm licensed or stay home with Meredith.  In either case, it will be hard on our already awful finances.  And Liz doesn't respond to change well.  So there were tears and upset around the house last night.  She seems to be feeling better today.

I have my first follow up appointment since my surgery at 9:40.  I'm guessing that my staples will come out today so I'm a bit scared.  Everything is healing well, but I have become blocked up and the stool softeners aren't working.  I hate that feeling!  The swelling seems to be down, and other than having the staples catch on my shirts, all seems to be going as expected.  I've cheated with some solid foods here and there, but they are going down easy.  My weight is back down to 166 which is surprising since I haven't been able to pass much.  Nicely, I haven't been very hungry. 

I was thinking about a fall get together as well.  I will talk to Liz and see about doing another back yard type of party in October.  I know the weather can be iffy, but it's worth a shot.

Have a great day everybody, and say some prayers!

Paul

Hi Paul. I am so sorry to hear about Liz losing her position. Hopefully, the one she is being offered could be a stepping stone to a better opportunity.

Hope your doc appointment went well.

Thanks for offering to host another get together at your house.

Hugs and Prayers,
Lucy

The doctor's appointment went well.  He removed the staples (no pain at all!).  He wants to see me in 4 weeks before he releases me and said I should call for a fill if I start gaining weight.  The magic number is 172 and I'm currently at 166, so I have some room to wiggle.  It is my hope that I will continue to lose and/or maintain on my own, but it's good to know that the band is there if I need it.

Thanks for all the prayers!

Paul 

Mimi mentioned Dr. O'Malley who I did my med weight loss with but it turns out he took my insurance through another provider who is also in the same IPA as my PCP.  I will try again.

A Big Hi to Everyone. I can't say ood morning, since its 5 p.m.

Paul, A party at your place sounds great. Just send out the addy and phone number again, since there is no way I can remember your address.

Eileen, you are a great Mom and daughter. I am sure that you will get Noah under control and into the swing of things, Your Dad will be ok. After all, look at the winner he raised.

Work this week was busy, but not frantic. I am glad for a 4 day weekend.

I have some stuff to do this evening. I hope to be able to walk a bit too. If not, I will get on the Gazell.

Have a great night,

Hugs, Lisa