Online Blog

Philippians 13- "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Phillippians 19- But my God shall supply all of your need according to his
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Praise the Lord his promises never cease.
Jan

Hi MCN,
Thank You for posting and letting us know a little bit about yourself.
You are so very young to have this disease. I can only imagine all the
difficulties you encounter with it. I'm sure your family must be very
supportive of you and hopefully you have some close friends who are
there for you as well. Can you tell us what sort of pain meds you are
on? Have you or your family talked with the school about finding a way
to help you attend school without having to climb those stairs? I know
I'm asking a lot of questions, but once we know where you're at, we
will be better able to help you as well. For now, though, just know
that we are here for you and we truly do care about you. I hope that
you have a low-pain day sweetie.
Soft Hugs,
Betty

hi everyone....
I have a prayer request for myself....it is not urgent, that is to say that no
one is seriously ill or injured...Praise the Lord!!!!
I have had several 'bad' nights in a row..painwise.
And haven't been sleeping, and when I don't sleep for several nights in a row,
then I have more trouble handling the pain and other symptoms of FMS. Today, I
find myself, besides in pain, and stiff,and extremely tired, I am very cranky,
very short, and kinda down. Dh & I came to the realization that we won't be
getting my therapy tub anytime real soon, unless the insurance company changes
their mind and helps with the cost of it.
So I ask for your prayers for my pain level, and my sleep to improve, and for
the insurance company to change their minds!
thank you
==
agape,
Christy
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
My favorite bible verse:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us are saved it is the power of God.
AIM user name: christybritain
(yes, I know....almost diabolically clever.....)
URL coming soon!

Sheree,

So glad you joined us here. I know you will love it here. I did get your last phone message just have been on the go since and have not had the time to return the call to you. You know I am from Texas and we use yall here LOL. Of course Texans have their own language LOL. As you can see from the time this is being sent I am up very late yet again. Thursday was a toothache day for me again so I was in mistery all day. I finally got that under control and then I woke up unable to sleep as my right foot is spasing so bad I keep having to stand up on my feet. I have yet to learn how to sleep standing up LOL, however, if that could be done I do need to learn how and soon. It is hot here and we managed to get the A/C running for now by keeping the water hose misting on it. We are on a well but still I am fearing the next electric bill. My husband now thinks it is not the actual motor but that it is low on Freon. He will look tomorrow to see if we still have a can of
the R-22 used in this type of A/C unit. We borrowed the special guages from my cousins husband the other day when we stopped by there before we came home from the Dr appts. Take care and hope to talk again soon.

Debbie

First welcome here John! I have heard of people who didnt like the SCS
results thats why its very Imporant I repeat very very Imporant that
you allow aleast 1-2 weeks using the Trial unit. Thats hard though
becuse the trial you have a wire hanging out of you. If I had to do it
over I would say yes I would getthe SCS why? Becuse when I am
suffering Any bit of pain relief is helpful and That stabbing pain is
gone. If you get no Nerve pain if your pain mostly muscle I would say
the Stimulator not for you. It seems to set off muscle type pain.
Aleast it did me. I am VERY Happy with my SCS why? Becuse I am
better off now then I was without it. But I still take strong
Narcotics and I still walk with a cane and I still cannot do any
physical activity. the Duragesic patches and oxy ir 5 alongside the
SCS I am 60% better now then I was 4 years ago. John dont be pushed
into the SCS by any Doctor, I woud say it cannot hurt to get the Trial
then you will know. The Cannot do any more Damage. As I see it. Group
I am glad we are growing Mike-owner

The Lord has pressed upon my heart a need for prayer for someone..I dunno
who........
but somebody needs our prayers.it may have something to do with test
results....I'm not sure.....but it doesn't matter if we know, because God knows!
So, please agree with me in my prayer......
Dear Father, I thank you for bringing this prayer need to my attention, even if
I don't know the details..you
do...someone needs our prayers right now Father, and we are praying for that
need. Someone is worried, perhaps about test results, perhaps someone is
feeling low today or in a great deal of physical or emotional pain, Father I ask
that you touch them...and if not to heal them, then to grant them grace and
comfort. Father, please recall scriptures to their memory that will comfort
them, and give them hope for the future. Lord, I offer this scripture as a
comfort to whoever is hurting....Psalm 34:17 "The righteous cry, and the Lord
heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles" and I thank you for
your Word, your living, breathing always ready Word to guide us and comfort us
Father. You are so gracious,we love you Lord, we give you all the glory....
in the name of Jesus I pray.Amen
==
agape,
Christy
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
My favorite bible verse:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us are saved it is the power of God.
AIM user name: christybritain
(yes, I know....almost diabolically clever.....)
URL coming soon!

never lie in bed at night asking yourself questions you cant answer.

I am new to this group and I haven't had a neuro stimulator
installed as of yet. We were going to do the temp last month but a
lot of things have popped up and now we're waiting on the Dr to
return from vacation and my W.C. insurance to approve the install.
I know you are all are looking for pain relief when you had the
stimulator installed, would you do it again and have you heard from
anyone who wasn't satisfied with its results? My ortho surgeon, the
one who will implant the permanent device, isn't thrilled with
them. It is my pain management dr who wants me to try this thing.
Anyway, just want to say hi! I am open to any comments or
suggestions. John

I think the SCS is really helping; but of course it's only been a little over a
week, so I still have alot of the incisional/muscle pain d/t the tunneling of
the leads. It has given me at least 40-50% relief of the burning, cramping &
stabbing pain in my legs. You're right about it not doing anything for the
lumbar back pain itself; but that I think I can cope w/a little better w/out all
the leg sx. Lisa in NE KS
mikes2boys@... wrote:Before I got my SCS I seach the web for days trying
to get a Idea of
How much better off the Stimulator Improved others. In other words In
what way Did it help and in what way it did not? I would like to ask
everyone here a Very Hard Question? Think about it First. What can
you do that you coud not having the SCS? What percentage has it
Improved your life? I
get about 40% Relief overall I get most pain Relief when I am suffering
the worse. When I am in the most pain I get better Relief If that makes
sense. SCS Reduced the Stabbing pain I use to get now I get a Dull
aching pain in legs. I cannot feel Stimulator in my back I had it
lowered to cover legs. So My back does hurt bad. But What can I do?
But becuse the SCS has Help with my Nerve pain. I rate the SCS a 8 in
reducing nerve intensity.
Spinal Cord Stimulator! What is it? What does it do? Does it help? Who
Qualify's. Medtronics Spinal Cord Stimulator has Reduced my Nerve pain

I am pretty sure I said pacific time....if not, sorry!!!! chalk it up to
fibrofog! :-)
Mug'n'muffin is at 10:00AM pacific time
(so, that would be, 12noon central time, and 1PM eastern time........right?)
Teatimes is 4:30pm pacific time
(so, that would be 6:30 central time and 7:30 eastern time....right?)
If those times are not good for you, post what times
are..please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
==
agape,
Christy
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
My favorite bible verse:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us are saved it is the power of God.
AIM user name: christybritain
(yes, I know....almost diabolically clever.....)
URL coming soon!

yins is a pittsburgese.pa slang name for you all.
hello,
and welcome to the group new members, hi to the rest of ya,
i also am new and wanted to intoduce myself and tell you the long story about my rsd/and the misdagnosis .
i have literally had rsd my whole life.very traumaic abusive an d surgery filled life.
i do not type well and my hands are normally freezing cold whem i am typing.i had eye surugery whe i was 2 and again at35..
i have had8 hip surgeries on the same hip,broken ankle ,right leg fracture from a car wreck.inow after my hip surgery in 2002 i am wheelchair bound.i can stand a bit ,but half to be careful cause i have dislocated it 6 times.i have always been sensitive to all temperatures. mostly heat and cold.i try to live in 69 yr round cause of hypersensitivity. my vbody changes temperatures constatly .
i was diagnosed with ms when i was 30 found ou t 10 yrs later its been rsd my whole life .i am loosong my eye sight from the surgeries because the rsd is in my eyes.they sting and burn alot.
i have learned a great deal about adversity,and fought a good fight and i am just exhuased from the pain of rsd and the medical world.
i have so much to say to all of you.
my life is a fantastic life in alot of ways /i am a veteran from the USN,
disabled of course.traveled alot before this catastrophe and love to travel when possible it keeps me happy .
i need this family alot.
thank you to all ot u for being here and listening and helping me how ever you can. i too will give you all the knowledge i have ,when i can type.phone numbers are requested i could go blind tommorow.
betty ,i eat bananas ,dried fruit,cereal bars from wild oats for quick snacks . i have alot of trouble cooking. i ahave other ideas too.
blessings to you an d hubby. i have survied 3 car wrecks.no motorcycle accidents due to my fathers great wonderful driving.
i enjoy ponds ,horses,and classic cars and bikes.really i am a motorhead.
gosh i could go on and on.
i am gonna try to go to alaska ,with my gem of a husband ,wo is my lifesaving angel. we make a good team after all this tangled ball of string and its still unraveling.
tell you all about it soon. in the meantime , hang in there like a hair in a buscuit! LOL
many fond blessings,
sheree
never lie in bed at night asking yourself questions you cant answer.

Hi, MCN and welcome to our group. So sorry to meet u this way. You must be in high school. Boy, that must be so very hard for you. High school is hard enough without having to deal with the pain and all the other stuff you have to deal with having RSD. Do you have supportive family and friends? Do they understand about the disease? How did you get it? My name is Lynda. I was a RN for close to 20 yrs. working in the operating room. I had surgery for tennis elbow and had a long arm cast put on after that was too tight. That is what caused mine. That was 15 yrs. ago. I am married to a most wonderful hubby who takes very good care of me. I have 2 boys, 1 in heaven about 18 mos. ago. I live in Santa Fe, NM. I look forward to getting to know you better, and we hope u like our little group. We help each other to get through the day sometimes, tell jokes, vent, learn a lot from each other. Hope u feel comfy here. Love & huggs, Lynda

amen! i agree, i'd rather have 100 false warnings than not get the one i
need. this "love bug" hit the place i work which is a large newspaper! thank
God it was halted before it got too deeply intoour computers!

What Does memorizing thngs have o do with getting a Pump implant? Never
heard of that? You take pain meds now right? Are they affecting your
memory? Weired?
Spinal Cord Stimulator! What is it? What does it do? Does it help? Who
Qualify's. Medtronics Spinal Cord Stimulator has Reduced my Nerve pain

hi all. i am new to the group and i will like to said hi and
till alitter about me. i have rsd in my left foot and left
arm. the rsd in my foot is in remission now. i have rsd now
for 1 and 1/2 years now. it will be 2 years on 9/22/06.
but i was not diagnosed to 12/6/2004 in that 2 and 1/2 months
i was in the dr like evey week. get test and all that good stuff
and then i was diagnosed with rsd. at that time i was going to
school was in the 8th graes and that was like hell going to
school with all that pain and the school do not have a
eleavator at all soo i have to do the staries. and that
was wand i get the rsd in get my foot.(i just get the rsd
in my arm 1 month ago.) and i miss soo mors school becaues
i could not do the staries at school. ( i have 3 fills of
staries at home. to do.) so afor i want to st.christoher
hospital for children in paill,pa. and dr gold samth
diagnosed it as rsd. and that is how i fand out i have rsd.
will that is logn a enough for now. i will post again to till
how i get rsd. to then. hope eceyone will have a pain free night.

ÿþ

Lynda,

Here are a few simple suggestions I got from my Dr. when I was wearing the Fentanyl patches as they tore my skin up but good. He prescribed to me a nasal or asthma steroid inhaler that mists. I would lightly mist on the skin area where I was going to apply the patch. I let it dry completely then I would put the patch on. I did have a problem even before the skin prep getting the patches to stick. If you are getting the name brand Duragesic patches, you can go to their website at DURAGESIC® CII (fentanyl transdermal system) - Welcome and email them. They will most likely call you. Tell them you skin is oily and the patches do not stick well you need to adhesive overlay's. They will mail you for free a box of 50 either Bioclusive transparent dressings or Tegaderm. In the box will be a card to mail back before you need more to get more mailed to you. Now there is a new generic Fentanyl patch and I do not know if the Mfg. offers the same but it would be a worth while
email to ask them. The next problem I had was sweating at nights when I sleep and the patches would release too fast. So then another trick was to before I prepped my skin I got an aerosol antiperspirant spray. I misted it 1st on my skin and allowed it to dry. Then I misted the steroid inhaler over are same area and allowed it to dry. I used a cotton pad with alcohol to wipe the excess over spray area so the transparent dressing would stick better. Then I applied the patch and the transparent dressing. These both worked well for the skin irritation and the sweating. Now for one more weird trick I learned thanks to my past Pain Mgmt Dr. who I loved but dumped me off on the stupid one I now have. Many pain medications will eventually cause Constipation as I am sure you all know if you are taking pain meds on a regular basis. One good way to help prevent that is to take 1 to 6 Colace or the generic of daily. The box says yup to 3 I was taking them 2 at a time 3 times
a day to get them to work for me and then I would go back down to 3 per day. I also use either Benefiber, Metamuscil or Citricel as well daily. Now here is the fun part. Over the counter laxatives can cause horrible gut wrenching cramps not to mention you never know how log it will be fore they work if they in fact do work. My Dr. wrote me a RX for Narcan injectable ampules. This drug is what is injected in people who are in drug overdose. The Pharmacy had to order it for me and it cost about $53 for 10 ampules and I use 2 at a time. Here is what I do with them. I thump on the top of the ampules to get all the med into the bottom of the ampule. I then break off the top using a folded paper towel as they are glass. I then use a needle and syringe to draw out the medication. I squirt the medication into about 2 to 4 oz. of Orange Juice mixed and drink it. The Narcan drank this way will not interfere at all with your pain medications as it will not cross over the GI
tract membrane. The GI tract outer membrane is like your spinal cord it possess an oily like outer surface of the membrane and the Narcan is more like water so it will not cross over the membrane. Same thing happens with your spinal canal as to how the spinal fluid is kept in place and does not leak out and this is also why Epidurals or Pain Pumps are able to work as they the medications used are like water for the most part and therefore none of this will cross outside of the spinal fluid area due to the outer membrane. hat the Narcan does it reverses the drug induced constipation and works like a charm. I must say this is my preferred method of medication to use for Constipation as it is a lot less intense on the already ailing GI tract I have with IBS and Diverticuloses both as well. Hope these ideas help be sure to ask your Dr., about these tricks if you are having any of the problems. Print this out and take it to your Dr when you ask him so he can see what I am
saying here. If he thinks about it he will see how true this all is. Have a safe and Happy July 4th.

Debbie

Hopefully today finds all of you at pain tolerable levels. I see that
we have a new member today. Unfortunately there is no name just
initials. Maybe when this person is more comfortable we will get a name
to go by. For now, however, it's got to be MCN. Anyway, welcome to the
group and I hope that you will feel comfortable enough to write in and
tell us a bit about yourself. Feel free to ask questions, give advice,
or just plain vent if you need to. We all understand what you feel.
Welcome to the group,
Betty

Before I got my SCS I seach the web for days trying to get a Idea of
How much better off the Stimulator Improved others. In other words In
what way Did it help and in what way it did not? I would like to ask
everyone here a Very Hard Question? Think about it First. What can
you do that you coud not having the SCS? What percentage has it
Improved your life? I
get about 40% Relief overall I get most pain Relief when I am suffering
the worse. When I am in the most pain I get better Relief If that makes
sense. SCS Reduced the Stabbing pain I use to get now I get a Dull
aching pain in legs. I cannot feel Stimulator in my back I had it
lowered to cover legs. So My back does hurt bad. But What can I do?
But becuse the SCS has Help with my Nerve pain. I rate the SCS a 8 in
reducing nerve intensity.
Spinal Cord Stimulator! What is it? What does it do? Does it help? Who
Qualify's. Medtronics Spinal Cord Stimulator has Reduced my Nerve pain

Hello everyone!
I finally have 2 days off,altho I am annoyed being I was supposed to
have 4 days strait and he gave me 2 off,1 on,1 off...so my plans to
head to Alabama were nipped quickly needless to say....
Anyhow,been trying to keep up w/ posts,have to say Betty so glad ya

Hi all. i finally got into the chat room. Of course no one is here. i
will monitor it and maybe someone will be here later. God Bless. Jan

I am so glad to see everybody getting here, bit by bit. It took me
awhile, but I finally did make it. Yea!!! I hope everyone is doing
well, and I am so thrilled to hear Jim is improving even so slightly.
Betty, we all have been so worried about you too my dear friend. You
just have no idea, when something like this happens, it just shakes
you up to the core, but I think it has also brought all of us
together again. All of us really care about one another and we
realize how important life really is, and how much we need each
other. Now, a little about what's happening with me. The doc doubled
the fentenyl patches. I figured he would. He started me on the lowest
dose, just to see how I would be reacting to them. My skin really
doesn't like them too well, by the 3rd day, I am starting to blister.
But I do clear up very quickly as soon as they are off, so I hate to
tell the doc or come off of them. I like the way they are starting to
work for me, and do want to give them a try. We had to put down my
sweet companion doggie, Foxy, my Corgie last Wed. due to cancer,
lymphoma. Very sad for all of us. My son, David, 25, came over for
support. I didn't ask him to, he just did. We buried her in out pet
cemetary here at the house, we have a little over an acre, so we have
the room. I found a little headstone that looked exactly like her,
curled up, sleeping, with her wings.I miss her already, so does Mike.
I was thinking it would be fun to have a chat night during the week.
I have been checking in & out of the chat room but nobody is ever
there. Might be fun.??? Love & huggs to all, Lyn AKA Scarlette

Mike: Hi, I got a ANS Genesis SCS on 9/9/03 in an a ttempt for better
pain control for my arachnoiditis. I cannot sit still longer; will
post more later. Lisa in NE KS

Leonard Good luck! My SCS implant took 4 hours I had it done at 9am left
same day I was home around 8pm. I was sore achy but wasnt bad, Stiches
area hurt worse. Good luck keep us posted! I have a Double lead
system a medtronics Synergy EZ system. I recommed you and anyone else
with a Stimulator to go buy a Lithuim longlasting 9 volt Battery. For
your external handheld remote. Mine was dying ever 2 months till I
bought a heavy duty Industral Battery.
Spinal Cord Stimulator! What is it? What does it do? Does it help? Who
Qualify's. Medtronics Spinal Cord Stimulator has Reduced my Nerve pain

Hello to one and All,
I hope you all find your way to the poll I opened up here within the
group. It is completely anonymous. The only thing that will show is
your answers but not who said or answered what. I have the sudden
urge to do something creative LOL. I am thinking about giving a shot
at writing a book. I have been keeping journals and notes now for a
few years and after looking back over this information I find some of
my notes containb some valuable info. that I feel others may be able
to get some relief or help from or just maybe formulate questions to
their Dr's. Who knows but it seems like something I can do easy and
heck I really should write a book about my unreal life. No one would
ever believe it so it most likely would be a good seller LOL. I
really cannot complain I guess as my life has been always full of
either family or now friends since my family all took a hike on me.
Just the same to me though friends are like family to me as I always
hold my friend close and dear to my heart. Since joining up with
Betty and Lynda in another group then over here now souly I have made
some of the most incredible friends ever in my journey in my life.
Thanks Betty and Lynda for the opportunity and you both know you and
my other unknown special friend and a few others I will always
treasure dearly. Anyway It is hot again in the house we woke up to
check on the A/C outside fan motor and got it going temp. again but
now we had to leave the hose with a sprayer on it misting on the
actual outside until to keep the thing going to cool it off some
inside the house. So while I am waiting on the A/C to chill down the
inside some I thought I would adventure here and look you all up
LOL. Today is major Dr. day for us both same Dr. Ortho. that is. I
am not looking forward to my part, hubby is though hoping he can get
some much needed relief with his flaring back. I already know what
is on the cooker for me and nothing I like but he keeps having me
come back weekly now to keep an eye on things. Strange I went from
once every 2 to 3 mos. with him and every 30 to 45 days with my Pain
Dr depending on my pump and now I see these Dr's it seems like all
the time. I was never ill as a kid in fact I never was ill other
than the normal measels and mumps but not the chicken pox or german
measles so I do not do Dr's well. Even still have my tonsils and
appendix and now a host of medical problems. After I broke my neck
in 1988 and finally had the neck surgery May 1989, I guess it was
about December 1989 I got fed up with being poked and proded on and I
flat told my Drs then I was not coming back again. As they looked at
me in disbelief. I waited 4 mos. before I went back again and they
had been calling and calling telling me you have to come back in and
I kept on refusing. Now I look back on it and here I am full circle
again, wanting to refuse to go back this time I am on meds that force
me to go back. I am sure you can all relate to this. My life changed
drastically after breaking my neck it has never been the same but I
have seen the otherside now 3 times and God has a plan for me to stay
here for some reason maybe to meet you all. I do not know but thanks
a million for listening to me. Ok I guess I have rattled long enough
but hey I got you to read me LOL. By the way I have a song in my
head "Heaven". You know "I've been lost in my own place, God help me
get away, How far is it to Heaven?"
Debbie

Howdy, again,
Just wanted to alert folks that while travelling by air in 1999, my
purse was stolen from the conveyor belt in the Denver airport while I
was being "hand-patted". The advice I was given by my physician and
Medtronics was to NOT go through the metal detector. You showed your
Medtronics card, and you would be searched by a security person of
the same sex. My purse would not have been stolen had I had a
travelling companion. SO..................should you need to travel
by air, have your companion go ahead of you to watch your items.
Since my experience was prior to Sept. 11, 2001, this may not be a
problem now. However, I have flown since 9/11/01 and not all
airports are as vigilant as they should be while the passenger is
being 'hand searched.'
By the way - my purse was found several hours later in a trash can -
minus $, credit cards, but my driver's license and other id's were
intact. The private security firm took no responsiblity and a police
report had to be filed with the Denver Police. I later wrote the
Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News - and that company was soon
relieved of its security business at DIA! Don't let folks push you
around.
It is helpful to have your automobile handicap placard in hand as
well as you move through security. This always seems to facilitate
special care by those with the airline as well as those in a security
position.
Anne in TX

Just a quick check in to be sure all are ok and cool. We have run into some A/C troubles, so we spent most of the day outside in the 98 degree heat. There seems to be a problem with the outside A/C unit fan motor. It was stopped and did not want to start back up again. So after my husband with me helping him took it apart and cleaned it out and oiled all up and put it back in we got it to work somewhat. I put a call into the A/C repairman to find out how much a new fan motor will run us and to recharge the A/C unit with freon. So far he has yet to call us back. I am praying this will not cost an arm and a leg if so well we will be a whole lot hotter here than normal. We have 3 ceiling fans and 2 floor fans and this is it. I pray this will be a workable solution. We have used this same A/C repair man for 15 yrs. so maybe if too much we can pay it out to him over the next month. Please pray the A/C fan motor keeps working for now until we can find a solution to this
situation. Tomorrow we will be gone most of the day it is Dr. day for hubby. This will be very interesting to say the least since his back is all flared up right now. Oh I got a copy of the reply my Ins. Co. Atty. sent in reference to my Appeal. He tore me a new back side in this reply. So I now have fired back off a new letter to the State on his response as even his response is full of errors. I wonder how society works with so many errors made at the expense of us little people. This idiot called me names even in his response and that I wanted pointed out as slander. He has one of my Dr's names completely wrong and he went so far as to say I was grasping at straws when I sued their own Nurse Case Manager to make a point of which he has no idea of what she has written in any of her reports to the Ins. Co. at all. Ok time for me to go I heard the A/C just pop off with a loud snap. Take care stay cool it is hot outside.

Debbie

DO NOT OPEN "ILOVEYOU" att

'tis a virus

dh just called from work

and I called my ISP to verify

DO NOT OPEN "ILOVEYOU"

~Karen

Wow Wisconsin Great! The Packers LOL! I have never been there! I never
left the east coast.
I started a new Group called Stimulator! If you have a Spinal Cord
Stimlator or thinking about one. Your welcomed to Join! All are

Wisconsin all my life. Some cold winters here! Thanks Mike!
D.Ann

Hi, Where is the Rose room?
Robin

Betty, does Jim like peanut butter? You can cut an apple in half, scoop out the seeds, and put about about 2 tbsp. peanut butter in the middle. Easy to eat with one hand, good source of protein, puts some meat on those bones, LOL, Jim. Also, you can take slices of lunchmeat, cheese, roll them up ahead of time, then he can dip them in the dips instead of chips for a little protein. You could also have easy things like hot dogs, if he likes them, on hand, to just zap in the microwave. You can also get some natcho cheese to dip the dogs in. Wait, is that healthy?? Not sure, sounds good to me though. LOL, hope this helps some, love to you guys. Jim, hope your feeling better, your in our thoughts and prayers. Love & Huggs, Lynda [INLINE]

Hi Dori, I am glad to be back also. I have missed all of you. I like a smaller group where we can get to know each other better. I am sure we will like our time away,but hope the weather makes a big changes in upper Michigan. Right now it is as hot there as it is here. This awful heat wave needs to break. To day it felt like a steam bath here if you walk out side. We had all morning drizzle, then the sun came out. Boy! with the high humdidity and 94 degrees you can see why it is misable here.

Thanks for welcoming me back and will send another E-mail as soon as I can Jan

Hello Linda! I am sorry you had a bad Doctor Appt, Linda the only
person who knows the pain you feel is you! If you are suffering Then
you cannot take no for a Answer!!! Now Couple Questions? Where do
you live Linda? What where you DX with? Are you seeing a Pain
Management group? I do have a List of Doctors who do implant the
Stimulator. It is not a complete list. Mike SCS-Owner!!

Jan,

Welcome back to the group!!!

I have missed chatting with you and hope you enjoy your vacation.

RSD friends

Dori

it's about 6:45 eastern time and I'm in the Rose room :)

~Karen

Betty,

What is the name of this documentary? I would be curious but not if you say it is not worth it. I trust and value your opinion so....don't go to any great lengths to make any copies, especially with Jim trying to heal.

RSD friends

Dori

Hi all-
I'm still kind of reeling from my CRAPPY appointment yesterday at the
neurologist I was referred to through the pain clinic I've been going to. That
neurologist ordered an MRI to rule out MS, but basically told me I should get a
Tens unit, learn how to do pilates yoga and meditation, and come to terms with
the fact that I'm going to have to live with this grinding, horrible pain. I was
up all night thinking about that. There is just NO WAY I can live at the current
pain level I'm at now. It's totally unacceptable, so it's on to the next doctor.
My question is this: how did you find a doctor to provide your stimulator? I
live in Dallas. I have been to the Texas Back and Neck Institute and wasn't too
impressed (I just felt I got lost in the shuffle), but will give them another
try if need be. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance for your advice, and a
big hug to the person that started this list! One patient that has "been
there/done that" is worth a dozen doctors imho.
Linda

I read that there was a documentary made about a young woman who
suffers with RSD. Of course, I sent for the thing which is about 1/2
hour long and sort of expensive. Anyway, I watched the thing the other
night and I don't know what I expected but this wasn't it. A lot of it
was truthful but I don't think the ending tells the right story.
Anyway, if any of you has a DVD+R player and you want a copy I can have
Jim make you one so you won't spend good money on it and then be
disappointed like I was. Like I said, a lot of it was truthful and
maybe I just need to watch the thing again and see if I like it better
the second time.
Hugs,
Betty

So how is everyone doing today? Hopefully everybody's pain is at a
tolerable level. Jan it's so good to see you back with us again. I hope
that you have a wonderful vacation and that you are able to check in
with us once in a while to let us know what's going on.
I need just a little help. Jim has to eat almost constantly right now
and I need some ideas for snacks to keep around that he can just grab
and eat. Preferably something at least sort of healthy. I've been
keeping a lot of fruit around for him but he's also been chowing on
chips and dip like crazy. If any of you have any suggestions I would
appreciate it.
Love,
Betty

Christy did you figure out what study to do? I did send you an email
suggesting a few studies that I have and thought would be good to do. Maybe
you didn't get me email. I have four from Max Lucado that I haven't had a
chance to do, and would love to do. Let me know and I can send you the
titles again, if you are interested it trying them.
Dorothy in Colorado
I tried to get you in the chat room this morning. You were still logged on
in there, but I guess you must have stepped away from the computer. Maybe
will met up with you next time.

Ann, Glad you joined us! My Stimulator just helps me with left leg pain
some right leg but mostly left leg. I also had bad luck getting pain
relief in my back, I am more then likely going to gt the morphine pump
implant also. I will find out next week I will have my Neurolgist
read my Myelogram ct scan. If I can get my low back tailbone area pain
reduced I be i good shape. I am on the Duragesic patches 75 and oxy ir
5 3 x daily. Which helps. Anyway I want to welcome all our new
Members! If you know anyone who can benifit from this group Bring them
here! When I Created this group I didnt want Focus just on Stimulators
but on all Chronic pain in General! So anythng Chronic pain wise is
open for Discussion ok!
I started a new Group called Stimulator! If you have a Spinal Cord
Stimlator or thinking about one. Your welcomed to Join! All are

I also have a spinal cord stimulator... Mine gives me relief,in
both legs. Tried to get it to give relief in lower back also,but NO
luck. I also have a Intrathecal Pain pump. Hope I am welcome too.
Looks like mostly men here. Am I right there? Regardleass,I have
been dealing with horrible left leg pain lately,which NOTHING helps.
I feel like it is probably sciatica. Goes from top of thigh all the
way down to left foot. Pain is really horrible! Waiting to get a date
for an injection for that,which Pain dr. says may ease it some.
Otherwise I don't know what will help it. Also waiting to get the
catheter, for my pain pump,re-implanted. That slipped out a few
months back,and ended up with a spinal leak,that needed surgery. Also
was infected too. Was inpatient & on IV ABX for a week. Am looking
forward to get back on the pump. Nice to meet you all. Hope to get to
know you all better!
I am also 45,married with 2 children... A boy 13,and girl who
will be 10 in Dec. Been married 14 years.
Have a great day! D.Ann

Group, I wanted to share with you all that have a Stimulator If you go to your
local Walmart electronics Department They sell Radio Pouches its a belt clip
radio Holder It will fit your Stimulator Remote. I use one all the time Its a
Sanyo Radio pouch. I will go look online find it post it. It comes in handy to
wear your handheld remote on belt. Mike

Hi Betty, I thought I would let you know I am on your group. I think Sherry, may have helped that. It is good to be on your group again. I like a smaller group, so we get to know each other better. I may not get to post much for the next month. I do plan to take my laptop computer with us, so I can get on from time to time.

We are leaving here on July 5th and heading for cooler weather I hope. We have a travel trailer and want to go to upper Michigan for a while. We keep watching the weather in Michigan and it has been as hot there as here in Kansas City. It is going to be 96 here tomorrow. Along with the high temps we also have high humidity, so it seems more like 105.

We plan to stop off on our way and see Sherry and Dennis. They are a super nice couple so look forward to seeing them again. I will try and post when we stay at a campground that has internet hook ups. Thanks for letting me join the group again. I never could get on MSN to be on your group. Talk later Jan

okay, God clarified my instructions for me this morning.
the BIBLE STUDY will be posted to the list.....
I'll still be in chat for Mug'n'Muffin at 10AM and TeaTime at 4:30pm both
pacific times..and if anyone wants to chat..I'm usually near my computer
throughout the day.my AIM user name is christybritain.if you need someone to
talk to or whatever....pray with and so on
beep me!
and lease let the list know what times are good for fellowshipping for you.....
I was in chat today for about 20 minutes or so....but when I was still alone I
decided to go ahead and start the bible study......
so, look for the next post from me to be our first bible study! (I'm gonna go
spend a few minutes with Jesus.so He tells me what to say and write!)
==
agape,
Christy
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
My favorite bible verse:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us are saved it is the power of God.
AIM user name: christybritain
(yes, I know....almost diabolically clever.....)
URL coming soon!

Dear Father in Heavan, I pray that as I read and study your Word, that you would
show me the truths, and grant me discernment. Father, if there is anyone on
this list, who needs to hear special words from you, that you would guide me and
direct me, use me as a vessel for your will, and allow me to be a servent to you
and to them. I pray Father that this bible study
will bring us all closer to you, be an uplifting expereince and help us to
understand that YOU ARE STILL IN CONTROL, not the pain.......I pray this and all
things through your Son Christ Jesus. Amen.
I found a what appears to be a wonderful little book for bible study entitled
Suffering-Receiving God's Comfort.
It occurred to me that we are raised in a culture where suffering and pain is
perceived as a bad thing. Although I would never refer to it as fun, or choose
pain...either physical or emotional.....we have God's promises that He will use
it all for good, and He will never gives us more than we can handle. He also
instructs us to be thankful for everything and count it all joy! We know this
from His Word...James 1:2 says 'count it all joy' and Ephesians 5:20 says
'giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our
Lord Christ Jesus'.
so, before we get started with the bible study..let's check our mindset about
our pain and suffering. (just a note from me here: although I had women living
with chronic pain and illness in mind when I started the list, it is important I
think to remember that everyone
struggles with different kinds of pain....it may be emotional, it may be
physical, it may be chronic, it may be acute..... so, in no way am I trying to
set aside anybody as 'worse off' than anyone else)
Let's ask ourselves...are we thankful? Really thankful? The verse mentioned
above doesn't say ' give thanks sometimes for only the good things'...it says
ALWAYS and ALL things......I'd like to share a little story from the life of our
departed sister in the Lord, Corrie Ten Boom......(for those of you who may not
be familiar with her, she and her sister, and father were arrested by the Nazis
for hiding Jews in their home in Holland. Her father died in prison and her and
her sister Betsie were sent to concentration camp.....Her sister also died while
imprisoned....Corrie Ten Boom was in her 50's when she was arrested). While at
Ravensbruck, Corrie struggled mightily with this scripture. Here they were,
prisoners, beaten, enslaved, hungry, never enough warmth, dirty, infested with
fleas and lice, and not even enough room in the barracks to sleep without having
to be tangled up.God had provided them with a bible. She told her sister she
just couldn't, wasn't going to be thankful for fleas and lice!!!! What purpose
could God possibly have for fleas and lice? They soon discovered that the ONE
reason they were able to have their bible studies and keep their bible safe, was
because the prison matrons would not enter the barracks. Why? Because of the
fleas and lice!!
so, why don't we take a few moments and instead of trying to understand the
whys..just be thankful for ALL our circumstances...KNOWING that there is a
purpose, even if we can't see it in our finite vision, and KNOWING that God will
use it for good......I struggle with the chronic pain and fatigue of
fibromyalgia.....
and it would be very easy for me to slip into a 'why me?' attitude.....'woe is
me' 'WHY hasn't God healed me yet? I KNOW he can, but WHY hasn't he?' "Do I
have unrevealed sin my life?" "Perhaps, if I just had little more faith....?"
well, it never hurts to double check the unrevealed sin department...I almost
always find something..... I have faith the size of a mustard seed, and
that's what Jesus tells us we need. And, if it was God's will to heal
me......His will doesn't need my faith to help Him (does that make sense? I'm
not sure I'm putting well...... thinking that if I could have more faith that He
would heal me leaves it in my hands.....to have more faith...but Jesus said all
we need is faith the size of a mustard seed...right?
God has worked many miracles in my life that I hadn't even ever thought of, His
will overcomes my faith, or lack of faith.....I hope I said that better)
So, Lord I thank you for my illness...I thank you for the opportunities that it
gives me, for making me reprioritize my life! I thank you that sometimes
because of the pain and fatigue, it is ALL that I can do to sit quietly before
you......at your feet. I am grateful that you have already used it to show me
that you want me to to rely on you.....that I have seen the pain take me to the
edge of panic, just to be reminded of Your promise that You will never give me
more than I can handle.....and to have overwhelming peace. I am truly thankful
for the sisters in the Lord I have met online....that BECAUSE of (not in spite
of) my limited mobility I have this unique opportunity to fellowship with them
in this new and exciting way.....Father, I see now that you have already used
this in sooo many ways! And it's only been 5 months! You have used it to bring
me to the end of myself, made me rely on my family, and have given me two
special friends that I can call upon in times of need....Lord, I can see that
it has made me trust in my husband and marriage in a way I never thought I
could...and Father, I thank you for the many many more ways you are using it
that I can't see....but I know are there because Your Word says so! My pain can
be so much bigger than me....
I thank you Lord Jesus that your grace is bigger than it. I ask that when I am
overwhelmed with pain that it will only be a reminder of the physical suffering
you endured out of love for me.....I think most of all Jesus, I am thankful to
have a personal relationship with you, and to know that this achey, stiff, sore
and
battered body is nothing but a vehicle to get me through this short life, and
that my real life....in a glorious perfect form, is yet to come. Father, I ask
that you show me more opportunities to reach out to others who are coping and
suffering with pain and illness....that if they do not know you, that I might
introduce them to you. That they may have the hope and peace that I have from
walking with you daily. Father, I have faith that you can heal me,You are the
Great Physician, and I ask for a miracle for all who are ill, and hurt, but wait
patiently knowing that you are still in control.and that this is not pointless,
an infact is part of Your plan and I ask that your will be done. Amen.
==
agape,
Christy
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
My favorite bible verse:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us are saved it is the power of God.
AIM user name: christybritain
(yes, I know....almost diabolically clever.....)
URL coming soon!

Hi, everybody, I finally made it, yea!!!! Took some time but I am
finally here. So glad to see everybody slowly making their way here.
This is fantastic. It's been a very rough week for me. Had to put down
my baby dog, Foxy, that my hubby and I loved so dearly on Wed. We
couldn't let her start to suffer from the cancer. So we did what we had
to do, and buried her in the pet cemetary. We are very sad and miss her
so much. She was so sweet. So, I am very tired and depressed for a
while.I hope everybody is doing well. Love to all. Lyn

Hello My name is Leonard Little I have just finished my trial period of the
Spinal Cord Stimulator here are some details about my stimulator and what it has
done for my chronic pain condition so far
I have an ANS rf modulation Stimulator with external batteries I have
Arachnoiditis and spinal stenosis so there is a lot of scar tissue around my
spinal cord The internal power module with the generator did not have enough
power to stimulate my nerves through the scar tissue. it also has 8 electrodes
on each lead and with two leads it allows me greater range of pain releif right
now I have 4 programs in my unit but the ANs model will allow up to 21 programs
program #1 is set up to stimulate the nerves running down the front of my legs
to the top of my feet
#2 works for my butt all the way down the back of my legs to the bottoms of my
feet
#3 works more on my lower back but it does go to my lightly stimulate my legs
and feet
#4 works only on my right hip and leg for the arthritis in that hip
between these programs I can control most of my pain so far I go in tomorrow to
have the rf reciever impl;anted and then I'll have to wear the tranciever and
antenna on the outside I asked my technitian about the other models of SCSs and
he said for me this was the best choice because of the power I require with the
test unit I can only get one day out of 3 aaa batteries and he said based on
that i would have to have internal batteries replaced every 6 to 7 months and I
didn't want to have that many operations for this thing. He told me that the
guy who started the ANS company has a sister that had a medtronics scs implanted
and he took it apart in his garage and added a lot of features to it I don't
know much about the medtronics scs but he said that it takes a lot to reprogram
it this guy just hits a few buttons on the test unit and it changes the program
i'm going to try to get more info on the different programs available through
the ANS model I 'm Curious if I can make my own programs for perhaps even a
better use of the unit lol I'd probably shock the $#!&~ out of myself but I
still want to know lol
If anyone wants to ask me any questions about my unit I will be happy to answer
any time I really like my unit now but remember I've only had it two weeks so
I'll try to write an update in a couple of months.
Hugs and Prayers Leo

Reaching out to Others, In the Midst of Pain and Suffering
I recently received the following article written by Chritina Abt, a
freelance writer who wrote this article for Heartwarmers. It totally
displayed to me the compassion and grace of Jesus Christ--as Jesus
displayed in all His healings and teaching in the four Gospels. In the
midst of our pain and our despair, when we reach out to God He is
merciful to us and will grant us our every need. As in the following
article about the kindness of Gino, reaching out to others, despite his
own personal schedule.
Such compassion in today's society is a gift. It reminds me of the
compassion of Jesus Christ, and how we should heed to these words as
spoken in the Gosepl of Luke:"He (Jesus) went up to Nazaerth where he
had been brought up and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue,
as was His custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet
Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is
written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed me
to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for
the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the
opressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.'Then He rolled up
the scroll, gave it back to the attendenat and sat down. The eyes of
eveyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and He began by saying
to them. "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."Luke
4:16-21 NIV
As an 11 year survivor of Hodgkins Disease and losing a lot of my hair
when I had my chemo treatments, as my family and fiance now husband
stood by my side, this article hit home to me. I pray that we may all
have the compassion of Gino and reach out to others in others time of
need.
With much love,
Kay
Devotional Coordinator for Rest Ministries
***********************************************************************
********
GINO'S KINDNESS
I listen to Dr. Laura Schlessinger's radio show, and every once in a
while she throws out a pearl of wisdom.
Her latest gem? "You never know how something you do may affect someone
else's life." For me, it began with a haircut.
Recently I went to Gino, my hairdresser and spoke the words he'd waited
twenty years to hear. "Cut my hair short." It had been over thirty
years since I'd cut my hair much shorter than shoulder length. I
momentarily regretted the decision as the first four inches dropped to
the salon floor with a silent thud. But as the hair mounded deeper, my
head felt freer, my shoulders lighter. I decided that even if I ended
up looking like an Irish pixie this lock loosing was liberating. I
loved it.
The first stop after my shorning was to visit my friend Bonnie who was
in the process of living with and dying from cancer. She had just
withdrawn from active treatment of her disease and signed on with
Hospice. That day we talked at length about death. Hers, mine the
world's. She
said she wasn't afraid to die. That death was a wonderful thing. She
continued that we humans didn't know this because if we did, we'd all
be committing suicide! I'm still not sure if she was joking or truly
revealing one of life's great secrets!
Bonnie loved my haircut. She also wore her hair in a short style. Her
problem was she needed a trim and didn't have the strength to get out
of bed, no less to a hair salon. In a flash, I volunteered Gino. Now,
as I said Gino has cut my hair for over twenty years. However I
wouldn't say that we're good friends or that I have the right to commit
him
to a haircut without his permission. None the less, I had. Now I was
praying he would agree. I left a message on Gino's answering machine. I
explained Bonnie's illness and the circumstances of the haircut. I used
my most persuasive
Irish pleading, prodding tone and hoped for the best. For three days,
nothing. Disaster! I'd made a promise to a good friend and now I
couldn't deliver. I tried to imagine how to call Bonnie and tell her?
That night however, I received a message of salvation. Gino called and
said he would be pleased to cut Bonnie's hair at her home. Relief and
gratitude swept over me, as well as a feeling of bittersweet. This
haircut would be Bonnie's last. I was pleased to help my friend and
proud of Gino
for his contribution. The next day Bonnie called to thank me for her
new "do." She loved it. What really touched me however was the phone
call that followed. It was Gino thanking me for introducing him to
Bonnie. He considered it an honor to meet her as well as cut her hair.
It was one of those treasured moments of human interaction and
compassion that happen so infrequently in our jam-packed lives.
Four days later Bonnie died. It was a gentle passing, surrounded by
those who loved her most. There are many aspects of Bonnie's life and
death that have influenced me.
One of the most lasting however is that an
individual's actions, as Dr. Laura stated, can affect other people's
lives. The simple act of my getting a haircut triggered a series of
occurrences that affected the lives of Bonnie, and Gino, as well as
myself and taught me that we are not alone in life's struggles or
celebrations.
Perhaps this is a life lesson that will help all of us to be more
careful in our actions everyday throughout the year, every year. And
who knows? Maybe if we all try hard enough we can put Dr. Laura right
out of business!
-- Christina Abt
***********************************************************************
********
Christina was the author of a previous heartwarmer, Just Wanted to
Talk, and lives in the beautiful hills of Western New York. She is a
freelance writer, newspaper columnist, Morgan horse breeder and works
on renovating her old farmhouse. She just got back from a vacation in
Ireland.
***********************************************************************
********
Sometimes it seems like we don't have time to pick up and read the
bible. Wouldn't it be great if we could get the bible delivered to us
each day via email? That's why we created BIBLE by EMAIL, a FREE
service. Each weekday, you will receive one chapter from the bible
delivered to you via email! Choose from Old Testament, New Testament,
or Psalms and Proverbs, or choose all three! To subscribe, just send a
blank email to one or all of the addresses below. mailto:OldTestament-s
ubscribe@egroups.com mailto:NewTestament-subscribe@egroups.com
mailto:Psalms-Proverbs-subscribe@egroups.com
***********************************************************************
********
This devotional is compliments of Rest Ministries, Inc. at
http://www.restministries.org We are a non-profit Christian
organization serving people who live with chronic illness or pain.
Please forward it to a friend! If you have received this from a friend,
sign up for your own daily devotional at http://www.restministries.org
Rest Ministries, Inc. PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150 toll-free
1-888-751-REST (7378)

hi
I'd like to have a Mug'n'Muffin at 10AM and a 'Teatime at 4:30pm both pacific
time. so, 12 & 6:30 central time and 1 & 7:30 eastern time...right? best to
double check! That's M-Sat. for right now.....
I would like to know what times are best for you......
and I would encourage a few of you on the east coast to
set something up too...perhaps we could have a volunteer to lead a bible
study....but it's not necessary.
would everyone post a few times during the week when they would like to get
together for study and chat?
we can have as many as we want.......
I think the 10pm pacific time is kinda late....true, I'm quite the night
owl..but that time should really belong to my hubby..... gotta keep things in
priority I guess
I hope everyone got my post about todays Teatime....
my hubby invited our pastor over and we had a nice 2 hour visit.......he likes
to talk!
apparantly, so do I....this is longer than I intended!!
hope to hear from everyone soon.and in the meantime, there should be little ol'
me in the chatroom at 10AM and 4:30 PM PACIFIC Time
==
agape,
Christy
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
My favorite bible verse:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us are saved it is the power of God.
AIM user name: christybritain
(yes, I know....almost diabolically clever.....)
URL coming soon!

HI guys,
Welcome Sheree!!! Well I finally made it here. The new/old pain
medicine my Dr. had tried me on was just too expensive for me to use
and even after he upped it 2 times it still wasn't working as well,
so it is back to the old one which is 3 times cheaper too.
We went to a dog show on Sat. about 3 hours away and the ride was
painful but the show was fun as I hadn't been in about 1 year it
seems. I was able to see 4, 6 month old pups out of my stud dog and
2 others out of my bloodlines at the show. So out of 4 days of
showing 3 of them took the points towards there Championships which
was great!!! Then we had a Pyr-A-Nic with everyone bring food. It
was very HOT and the temp was 96 and hotter with the humidity. We
were in a big barn at the Expo Center and we had about 10 fans going
plus there was a good breeze so it was ok and the dogs were sleeping
just fine on there Cool Mats which are mats that you can put 22 lbs
of Ice in them and even 8 hours later they are still cold. What
will they think of next! We use chamois's that we put in our ice
coolers for about 5 minutes and then wring them out and lay them on
the backs of or necks and boy that was just great and kept us extra
cool. We use them too when it is like that here in the summer
months when cutting the grass and they work wonders in helping keep
you cool. There was also a horse show going on too! I love horses
too! I of course am paying for it with extra pain but it was worth
it to have some fun in our lives.
I hope everyone has a good week!
Soft Hugs
Sherry

Welcome here Linda, I am sorry to hear about all your pain. I am also
taking Duragesic 75 every 3 days oxy ir5 3xdaily xanax neurontin
ambein. I also was Born with a Handicap I was born missing 3 fingers
nd 2 toes. Anyway. I am glad to see the group Growing I am loking
forward to gettng aleat 1000 members. We all are here to support each
other help each other!
I started a new Group called Stimulator! If you have a Spinal Cord
Stimlator or thinking about one. Your welcomed to Join! All are

Hi, we must be hitting this study at the wrong time, please help. Lois

The following piece of prose reminded me of the following Gospel
parable spoken by Jesus:
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into
practice is like a wise man who built his tower on the rock. The rain
came down, the streams rose, and hte winds blew and beat against that
house, but it did not fall, because it had the foundation of a rock.
But eveyone who hears theses words of Mine and does not put them into
practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain
came down, the sreams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that
house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 6:24-27 NIV
The Legend of the Raindrop-Author Unknown
The legend of the raindrop
Has a lesson for us all,
As it trembled in the the Heavens
Questioning if it should fall.
For the glistening raindrop argued
By the genie of the sky,
I am beautiful and lovely
As a sparkle here on high.
And hanging here I will become
Part of the rainbow's hue;
And I'll shimmer like a diamond
For all the world to view.
But the genie told the raindrop,
"Why do you hesitate to go?"
For you will be more beautiful
If you fall to earth below.
For you will sink in the soil
And be at lost awhile from sight.
But when you reappear on earth
You will be looked upon with delight,
For you will be the raindrop
That quenched the thirsty ground,
And helped the lovely flowers
To blossom all around;
And in your resurrection
You'll appear in queenly clothes
With the beauty of the sky
And the fragrance of the rose.
For there is nothing lost
Or eternally neglected
For eveything God ever made
Is always resurrected
So trust God's all wise wisdom
And doubt the Father never;
For in His Heavenly Kingdom
There is nothing lost forever.
Love,
Kay
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****************
Kay, Devotional Coordinator for Rest Ministries, is 37 and is disabled
due to pelvic muscle dysfunction and a gynecological illness called
vulvodynia, which has been trauma induced. She is the proud aunt of 4
nieces and nephews and lives with her soul mate of 10 years and doggie
daughter named Annie. "When you don't understand, when you can't see
God's plan, when you can't trace His hand, TRUST HIS HEART."
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Are you enjoying the devotional but would like more contact with
others? Sign up for our wonderful email support family, "Share &
Prayer." You will find many who care and who are eager to get to know
you. Learn more at:
http://www.restministries.org/yoursupport.htm
or read the bios ofsome of our participants at:
http://www.restministries.org/sharepray3.htm
***********************************************************************
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****************
This devotional is compliments of Rest Ministries, Inc. at
http://www.restministries.org We are a non-profit Christian
organization serving people who live with chronic illness or pain.
Please forward it to a friend! If you have received this from a
friend, sign up for yourown daily devotional at http://www.restministri
es.org
Rest Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
toll-free 1-888-751-REST (7378)

my pastor just came by for a visit.so I won't be in chat on time....I'll still
pop in when he leaves.but I warn you, he's a talker!
==
agape,
Christy
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
My favorite bible verse:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us are saved it is the power of God.
AIM user name: christybritain
(yes, I know....almost diabolically clever.....)
URL coming soon!

Howdy, Y'all (doing my part to perpetuate the Texan stereotype...LOL)
My name is Linda, and I am sooooo tired of being in constant pain. I
am 44 and live in Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, with my
wonderful husband of 13 years and four amazingly beautiful children,
ages 9, 7, 6, and 5. Three of the kids are adopted, and out of the
three, two of them have major handicaps.
Just after I came back from China with our 4th child, I found out I
had degenerative disc disease. There was a badly herniated disc in my
neck. I had been having migranes for years. As soon as the bad disc
was removed and fused, the headaches went away. That was in April of
2000 and I thought that was the end of that. I was one happy camper.
In January of 2001, all of a sudden my lower back started hurting. A
lot. It got progressively worse, so I went to the Texas Back and Neck
Institute. MRIs and such were done, and it showed I had spinal
stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal) as well as herniated discs in my
lower spine. Did the medication thing, did the non-steroidal injection
thing. Nothing was working, and I felt like I was nothing more than a
number at the very large Institute. So, I went to a one-doctor
orthopedic surgeon practice. He did an outpatient laproscopic
proceedure on me. That didn't work. In September of 2002, I had a 360
degree, double lumbar fusion. The discs did fuse, but the pain did not
stop.
It's been a year now, and I am still in a lot of pain, and now I'm
more frustrated than I've ever been in my life. I have zero energy. I
go to a pain management clinic that gives me 50 mg. of Duragesic patch
every 72 hours (if it weren't for the Duragesic I could NOT go on: I
tried to go without them last week and almost went out of my mind and
almost drove my poor husband crazy) and three 7.5 mg. Lortabs daily
plus 37.5 Effexor daily, but that is just enough so that I won't crawl
the walls. The pain is always there. The pain clinic sent me to a
neurologist today who did nothing more than yet another EMG, and told
me to go do some meditation and yoga. I would have loved to tell her
what she could do with her meditation tapes. GRRRRRRR. I have done a
lot of research and seem to have quite a few symptoms that may point
to MS, but all she did was order a routine MRI with contrast. I'm
going to try to get her to order some more specific tests to make sure
it's not MS. When I asked this doctor about the "pain pacemaker", she
changed the subject since she didn't offer them. Instead, she
suggested I try a Tens unit and some meditation and Pilates yoga
"instead of so many narcotics" (GRRRRRRR again).
I want my life back. You can't imagine (well, I guess you fellow
sufferers could imagine) how difficult it is to keep up with four kids
when you can barely move. I feel like all of the joy has been sucked
out of life, and that's not good. I am really tired of this ride, and
I want to get off now.
Looking forward to being on this list and reading your experiences.
Linda

. THE HEALER .
He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities,
Surely he bore our sorrows,
And by HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.
**********************************************
On the cross crucified, in great SORROW he died; the Giver of life was He. Yet
my Lord was despised and rejected of men; this Jesus of Calvary.
***********************************************
Price for healing was paid, as those cruel stripes were made, within Pilate's
judgement hall. Now His suffering affords perfect healing for all. This
Wonderful Healer's mine..
***********************************************
He has healed my SICK SOUL, made me every wit whole, and he'll do the same for
you. He's the same yesterday, and today and for aye. This Healer of men today.
Hi ( y'all ) = Y'all I have had a rough day painwise and as I was sitting here
reading the post from everyone again the Lord has brought a song to my heart and
tears to my eyes and as I sit here trying to type, tears are rolling down my
cheeks for all of you. I love you all very much and it's because Our Heavenly
Father has brought us together in His Spirit-- not by might,not by power, but by
my spirit say's the Lord.
************************************************************
Let's pray: Father God we thank you lord that you have given to us what we do
not deserve instead of what we really deserve.Father we know that it had to be
hard for you to have sent your Son to die in our place.
Lord God, we do deserve hell and all it's pain and suffering, but because
youlove mankind with a love that we as mortal beings can not even comprehend
your love for us. You have chosen to give us a way to redeem ourselves to You.
that way being the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, Your Son, who came to this earth
as a poor baby, grew up knowing His destiny was the cross of Calvary, and Father
we know that He coUld have called 10,000 legions ofangels to remove that cup and
if he had we would not have this chance today.
Lord we ask for forgiveness in the times we trust the pain and uncertainty
instead of trusting you.Father God the reason we do fuss and complain is because
of our being human beings, and Lord you knew that we would do all this since the
beginning of time,father right now I ask that you would touch each of us that
are in pain and Lord I ask that you would let us feel your arms around us in
comfort. Father for those of us in depression and anxiety, Lord I ask that the
peace that passeth all understanding will just surround us.Lord for those that
are praying give us this day our daily bread. Father send someone to fill their
front porch with groceries. Lord we are weak in ourselves, but we know that You
are strong.Father we know that you are the father to the fatherless, you are the
child to the childless, lord you are the wife or husband to the
spouseless,Father God you are everything to all of us.
lord help us to get that deep, deep down into our spirit.
lord we love you and we do thank you for everything you have given
us,everything. Lord it is by the name of Jesus Christ that we pray. Amen.
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Bryan Worden, an active partipant of Share and Prayer lives in Lakeland, Florida
with his best friend and wife Peggy of 23 years. He lives with 3 bulging disc
vertabrae at l3-l4,l4-l5,l5-s1, and a cracked facet joint. He and his wife have
3 adult age children. Melissa-22, Jessica - 21 who is newly married,and thier
son Jamie Bryan - 19 Bryan is currently not working, but has worked as a parts
purchaser. Bryan's interests include sharing emails with others, gospel singing
and spending time with his family. I would love to be able to afford a motorhome
and have the finances to travel the United states and Canada.
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Pen pals are available. Many people are looking for a
friend to correspond with either mail, email or even the phone. Check out our
pen pal list at: http://www.restministries.org/penpal2.htm
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************************************************************
This devotional is compliments of Rest Ministries, Inc. at
http://www.restministries.org We are a non-profit Christian organization
serving people who live with chronic illness or pain. Please forward it to a
friend! If you have received this from a friend, sign up for your own
daily devotional at http://www.restministries.org
Rest Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
toll-free 1-888-751-REST (7378)

i'm cross-posting, don't "reply to all"

sorry to lists if off topic = not for my personal family but

friends of ours are having medical challenges

first the husband was dx'd with liver problems a week or so ago

after going 'round with him i finally made a deal with him to get him to a dr and they found serious problems

now the wife is passing out with headaches

she's had spinal menengitis twice before, has same symptoms now

they have two daughters (7 &9?) who are also very upset right now with everything going on

mother passed out saturday, scared everyone

please pray for this family

they are not saved and are also financially very poor and physically ill

this family has had many MANY challenges all their lives

can't/wont get into it but please pray they will come know God thru all this

and all these challenges of their lives will be used for Him/His glory

Howdy!
The allusion to the country song in the subject line is because I
have had 3 trials, 3 implants, and 3 explants of a dorsal spinal
colunm stimulator...and I live in Dallas.
In Oct 1997 I had some kidney/bladder surgery to correct a
congenital defect and in the healing process, 2 nerves in my left
hip/groin were entrapped in scar tissue. By the time I had my first
trial and implant of a stim in Dec 1998(at Texas Tech in Lubbock), I
had had 1 nerve resection surgery, 4 nerve blocks with sedation,
multiple nerve blocks, PT, as well as a myriad of meds (I am allergic
to almost every pain med...or it sends my diabetes insipidus whirling
out or control). The first SCS reduced my pain initially by about 30-
40% but decreased with time. In May 1999, the SCS was removed and
reimplanted (another surgery), but with no change in pain coverage.
I was averaging 2-3 days a month as an inpatient during this time -
as pain, meds, etc. would send my diabetes insipidus out of control.
DI is a pituitary deficiency that affects kidney function.
The second nerve resection (March 2000)was performed at Oschner in
New Orleans...and the stim was removed a few months later. However,
the area scarred again...leading to yet another trial, and implant in
Jan 2001 (flat-paddle type requiring a laminectomy).
Again...coverage was at best 30%. I had a PNS trial in Nov 2001, not
effective. The pump was suggested, but with my med allergies it was
ruled out. In Feb 2002 I had a third nerve resection and
reconstruction of my hip/groin with good results...for awhile. My
SCS was explanted in July 2002 (again, another laminectomy), and
since last fall I have had increasing pain...again...due to
scarring. I continue to have inpatient stays averaging about 2-3
days every other month as pain, meds, and DI are not stable.
The SCS is not for everyone, and in my case, it did not cover
adequately the area of pain. That is not the case for all types of
pain. I hope this has not been discouraging for those contemplating
an SCS, as it is a course of treatment that could be the answer to
your pain situation. Indeed, without the 3 that I have had, I could
not have been able to continue to work.
Don't hesitate to contact me for additional info.
Anne in TX

I went to the polls and saw none listed so I opened up one. I am
wanting to try to get as much info. as I can as I am thinking about
writing a book on how RSD/CPRS affects us daily. Your identity is
protected the poll will not show you voted only the poll results. I
hope you will participate in this. Have a great week.
Debbie

Sorry everyone today's devotional should have been for August 22nd, not
the 23rd.....I have brain fog today (lots of laughs) I am sure you can
understand.
Love you all,
Kay

Hello Everyone, My Name is Mike Maxey I am 31 yrs old Married going on
10 years next month. We have two Boys Michael is 9 Anthony is 6, I
Taught Adults who had Autism, My Job was a Vocational Instructor. On
Sept 9 1999 I had a Man with Autism Run after me he ran his head into my
back. After getting a MRI days later I was told I had a Herinated Disc
at L-5 S-1 I was sent to a Orthopedic Surgeon he gave me 2 choices
Aggressive way or conservative way, Surgery or Rest Steroid injections
etc. I choice Conservative After 1 year of Steroid injections Which
didn't work Doctor did Discogram then Suggest IDET Surgery. I had IDET
which worked I had good pain relief, Then 6 months after Stimulator
Picked up a box and Disc gave out. In 2000 I had a Anterior Lumbar
Fusion, It id not work, I had Relief but Left leg Nerve pain got worse.
On Feb 6 2002 I had a Spinal cord Stimulator Which was put in low back
on right side well After it was done it was not right It was Causing
back Spasm and back to hurt. Doctor Removed it put it on left side
Because I am left Handed, and lowered it to T-10 that Worked now I
had Stimulation down left leg, Now My nerve pain reduced by 50% Wow,
Well Yesterday Sept 15 I Had a Myelogram and Cat Scan, I will let ou
all know Results as soon as Doctor tells me. Wow that is my
Complete Medical History, Oh I have been off work for 4 years now.
Since Injury I been on Workers compensation, I am taking Duragesic 50
Oxy ir 5 3xdaily Xanax Neurontin and Ambein, Well enough about me
I want to hear from all of you!
I started a new Group called Stimulator! If you have a Spinal Cord
Stimlator or thinking about one. Your welcomed to Join! All are

Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the
rsdlifeline group:
I am interested in knowing aboput your RSD/CPRS, the type
of Dr. you see, where your RSD/CRPS is located at, if you
have Insurance to pay. how you are able to get your
medications and how it affects you. Your identity is
protected the poll will not show you answered what it will
only show the actual answers no names. I am wanting to
hopefully start a book on Patients living and Struggling
with RSD/CRPS or something similar to show how we suffer
and let the world know and see.
o Your Dr. is knowledgable in treating RSD/CRPS.
o You see a Pain Management Dr.
o You have had RSD/CPRS less than 5 years
o You take oral medicines to treat your RSD/CRPS
o You have an implanted Spinal Cord Stimulator
o You have an implanted Pain Pump
o Your RSD is in your lower extremities
o Your RSD is in your upper extremities
o Weather affects your pain and RSD/CRPS
o Your have either a spouse or family member to help you that understands
o You see your Dr. every 30 days
o You have had to go to the ER for pain control in past
o Your RSD/CRPS is covered by some sort of Insurance?
o You get your medicines for free to treat your RSD/CRPS
o Your RSD/CPRS is well under control
To vote, please visit the following web page:

Today's Daily Devotional is from one of our recipients, Angie, who has lived
with chronic back pain for over 11 years. I hope you find this message as
encouraging as I have. Thank you Angie for sharing this with us.
Love,
Kay
Devotional Coordinator for Rest Ministries,Inc.
"And my God will be meet all you needs according to the riches in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 NIV
MEMO FROM GOD
Good morning. I am God. Today I will be handling all
of your problems. Please remember that I do not need
your help. If the devil happens to deliver a
situation to you that you cannot handle, do not
attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFJTD
(SOMETHING FOR JESUS TO DO) box. It will be addressed
in My time, not yours. Once the matter is placed into
the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. Holding
on or removal will delay the resolution of your
problem. If it is a situation that you think you are
capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be
sure that it is the proper resolution. Because I do
not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you
to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to
contact me, I am only a prayer away. As with all good
things, pass it on.
Love,
Angie :-) {{{{{{HUGGGSSS}}}}}}}
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Angie has been living with chronic pain for the last 11
years. I have had back problems since I was a younger with my 5th and 6th lumber
ruptured back in 1987 and had to finally have back surgery when all other
therapies failed, including chiropractic, of which I had been getting treated in
that way for several years before my disc ruptured. After the surgery, of which
was successful as far as my right side of my body being able to function again,
but my pain continued to get worse so my surgeon referred me to a Rhumatalogist,
and after some test I was diagnosed with fibromylgia. That was 11 years ago
which seems like a lifetime somtimes. As you know some days are just like it
will never end and I fortunately also have my good days. It really shows how
much we need to just let God take control, of which is so hard to do sometimes.
Keep the Faith........
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We are currently searching for a medically-related company
that would be willing to sponsor our fall newsletter
of "Rest Ministries News" in exchange for advertising. Do
you know of anyone who may be interested? Contact Lisa, our
director, for details at rest@...
********************************************************************************\
****************************************
This devotional is compliments of Rest Ministries, Inc. at
http://www.restministries.org We are a non-profit Christian organization
serving people who live with chronic illness or pain. Please forward it to a
friend! If you have received this from a friend, sign up for your own
daily devotional at http://www.restministries.org
Rest Ministries, Inc.
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150
toll-free 1-888-751-REST (7378)

Hello and Welcome toall our new Members! I just started this group1 I will be
adding new Files soon on the Spinal cord Stimulator. I also will be posting
all new Updated News From Medtronic and ANS. If you have some very good Useful
Info on the Spinal cord Stim please pass them along. If anyone also has any
Ideas to better this group please let me know. Thank you all, I really would
love to hear from every new member! Can you tell me allitle about yourself.
Where do you live? What caused your injury or medical problems? I will write my
Bio up today! Mike-SCS Owner

Hope you all will join us for our first scheduled CHAT on
TUESDAY!
To make sure that you are registered, take a moment today to go
to http://www.restministries.org/yoursupport.htm and sign up and
then on TUESDAY go to the URL below at the scheduled time and
you can jump right in...
Event: Rest Ministries Chat discussing the fears we suffer with
chronic illness
URL:
http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=restministries&md=d&day
=10827
Date: Tue Aug 24, 1999
Time: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
DESCRIPTION: An open forum for us to discuss our fears, such as
financial worries, medical procedures, problems with our jobs,
changes in our appearance, etc
WE ARE EXCITED to introduce you to our chat faciliator Debbie
Mumma. Debbie, a native Californian, grew up in a small Kansas
town. She achieved professional success as a registered nurse,
working in a kidney transplant unit. After eight years she
found she was ill and had become unable to perform her job, even
before she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid
arthritis.
She turned to God when she became ill, and He turned her around.
She began to write her testimony as God took her through an
emotional and spiritual healing from childhood abuse and drug
addiction. She self-published it as her first book, "Soul
Survivor," at the end of 1998, just months after she became
disabled from her job.
She believes the Holy Spirit gave her the strength to write when
her pain and fatigue were at their worst. She believes that
Jesus continues to sustain her as she has found her true
ministry, to help others in pain. She speaks at churches and
drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, and heads an internet
support group, "Christians-in-Pain".
By writing a newsletter and a syndicated column she brings God's
Word to people whom she feels need to hear it most, those who
need deliverance and healing. Christians-in-Pain can be found
at http://www.egroups.com. Her column, "The Gift Within" can be
found at http://www.isyndicate.com. Her own website has a
Christian books and music store, and devotionals and links pages
at http://members.tripod.com/~MummaD/Bookreview.html.
We hope you will enjoy getting to know Debbie as well as having
the opportunity to talk with each other and get "real-time"
feedback. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact
Debbie at survivor@...

I am still listed as alive and as it appears I am still alive LOL. I do hope all of you are doing well. I have had a rough week yet again. My goal in life is to ditch the Dr's. I hate seeing Dr's they poke and prod and hurt you while doing so then they tell you news you really do not want to hear. My pump ran dry yet again and was finally refilled this past Monday. This time it was my fault due to the huge power outage and I over slept and missed my Appointment and then the Dr. was not in the next 2 days. So my bad this time around. My lower back has decided to rear it's ugly head once again and when it does it puts me in such misery and no position I get into helps. It is awful. So my Ortho. Dr. is getting the approval to have a Lumbar Myelogram with a post CT and an EMG plus get this I am going to get an MRI. I thought I could not have an MRI with a Pump and Spinal Cord Stimulator in but evidentially I can if I see the Dr before and after to make sure the
settings are correct after. I even called Medtronics the maker of my pump and asked them and they agreed I could. What I have to do is wear an elastic abdominal binder to keep the magnet from pulling or tugging too much on the units. It will wipe out all of the programming but seeing the Dr immediately afterwards will take care of that as he can reprogram it immediately after. This will be rather interesting to say the least. I am getting an MRI of both knee's and my lumbar spine. We have not gotten the approval yet for the bone biopsies. So the Dr. said ok then lets try it from this angle and see if we can get this approved. He said if they do not reply back in 72 hrs. of when the request is faxed to them he will fire off a medical necessity appeal to Texas Workers Compensation Commission (TWCC) on the matter. If he has to do that and then TWCC approves it then the Ins. Co will be heavily fined. We shall see. I got a letter yesterday from the Chief Clerk of
Hearings about my Clerical Correction request. She stated that do to the deep involvement of my request it is not readily considered a Clerical Correction is is rather substantive, so she was forwarding it to the Appeals Panel where my Appeal is at for it to be considered over there along with my Appeal. It is plain as daylight there are huge errors made by not just the Hearing Office but the Dr. who I was forced to see. It will be another 3 weeks or so most likely before I know the outcome. If I get a reply back sooner I will be surprised. In the meantime we get a phone call from the American Arbitration Assoc. on the pending Arbitration we have on the house. We are bound by Arbitration per our contract. I originally asked for a ProBono Arbitrator. I was then told they could not ask for one. Well, this woman who is now the case manager called to tell us they have appointed a ProBono Arbitrator. Then she faxed to me his resume, quite impressive I must say. Now we
are waiting to see if the other party will reject this or not. I pray they do not. They have an Attorney we do not. Their Atty. sent us a letter wanting us to allow the Manufacture to come inspect the house, no way will I allow that bunch back in my house ever again. Every time they came in before when they left there was always something new wrong or we got into yelling matches, so no I will not work with them. I am not required to do so either, as I have a stack of pictures and that will suffice. They refused way back in May 2000 to ever come back and finish making all the repairs then they never gave us a title of a mobile home we traded in and bought back yet I have all the paperwork on all of this. Then we paid for an extended warranty and they refused to come out citing the damages were the responsibility of the Manufacturer. We did not enter into a purchase agreement to purchase a 32 x 80 custom built Manufactured home that was wrecked and refurbished and that
has sustained major structural damages. We tried to send it back and they kept on throwing offers at us to keep it. Once we agreed to their offers they only did part of what they said they would and most of the damages are in fact still there they only covered them up so we could not see them. Once things started breaking and the roof started leaking we found all of this out how they deceived us. In Texas when you decive a person it falls under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. This is triple damages if found guily of violating this act. They have violated this act on several occasions and we have proof. What some of them do not realize is I was smart enough to tape record meetings with all present permission can be heard on tape. Then I made the General Manager of the Sales lot put in writing on company letterhead what we agreed to. They had a shake up and a new General Manager came in who is still there to this day. He said he did not have to honor
anything. I beg to differ with him as none of the promises made in writing were able to be confirmed until the prior General Manager got permission from Corporate Headquarters. Thne I had to send a copy of my damand for Arbitration to all parties. The sales lot refused their certified return receipt mail, so it came back to us undelivered. Strange how it has been opened and taped closed across the top. Wonder if that drags the US Postal Service into the mess too? Well, this is all I have for now I must go let the dogs back in as it is hot hot hot here. Hoping all have a good week.
Debbie

P. S. I originally sent this to the other group on msn last Friday and it only showed up today, Sunday LOL

Hello Mike,
This is my Arachnoiditis story.
I was born in 1947 in a small city called Attleboro, MA.. Most of my
working life I have been a tractor trailer driver since about 1967.
In 1976 I was working for North American Van Lines, up in the Smoky
Mountains of Tennessee, moving a large playola piano with the air
bags and all, very heavy, well I didn't have enough men there to
help me and so the piano ended up falling off the truck on top of me.
That was the beginning of my trip down the road with arch.
I was hurt but didn't realize how badly at the time. Soon after I
started a new job with a Teamsters Union outfit, local 25 out of
Boston, MA., doing a dedicated run twice a month from Woburn, MA,
with five drops along the coast of California. I continued to work
for another three years until I finally lost all the feeling in both
legs and collapsed on the floor in 1978. I had a friend there with
me