Cyclops I hope you remind yourself your kids I'm sure are thinking of you and miss you too. I know I'm in Ca and my mom in Mi and I feel homesick too but were just a phone call away. You too. As for sleep me too. I have sleep maybe a few hours the past nights. Does not make the body or mind feel better at all.
Melody that sounds yum! Do you like to cook? I made a similar recipe and it was for chicken tenders you dip in egg white,corn flakes so on.
You know what is good honey baked ham turkey. If people are not up to cooking and even if are able to they are great. I don't eat ham but people always rave.
Can someone explain to me why pain levels from one day to another can differ from not even doing anything different? I'm sure its different for everyone. I would do the same every day if I could figure out my flare up. I know you guys would too. Just so confusing.

Daniella:

It's all about endorphins in the brain. Anything that gets those endorphins to GET UP AND TAKE A BOW!!, well, your pain level will go down.

We all have and make endorphins, ...some more than others.

That's why (and I am not being distasteful when I mention this), a person who has an orgasm....well, talk about endorphins being released.

If they could bottle that feeling, no one would need a joint!!!

And yeah, I like to cook. Just ask Alan.

lol

Melody

I have had an absoutely horrible time lately as you all well know. I went thru a period of really weepy days. I couldn't even look at my husband without crying. No. nothing he did

I think it was just the cascade of breaks before I could get over the next one. And the limitations of my life. Can't do anything and it's hard to take care of myself. A shower was an episode. Just the manuvering to get in and out of the shower. Oh forgot to tell you, the hotwater heater quit after I had laborously managed to get feet and body soaped. Had to finish my shower this week in cold water. Not a happy camper.

During this weepy period because I couldn't fix any Thanksgiving meal or even shop or serve anyting and I have my son and wife coming home for the first time in 3 years, (Haven't seen my daughter-in-law in 5 years.) my husband went shopping for the few necessities I had put on our grocery list. I was standing on one crutch and trying to help him take the groceries out of the sack, when I pulled out a can of cranberry sauce that he had bought. It wasn't on the list. But he knows that I think I have to have cranberry sauce for a thanksgiving meal. Just the thought that he had thought of this without my putting it on the list made me lean my head against his shoulder and laugh and cry at the same time.

He teared up too and that little thing made my Thanksgiving all it needed to be.

Thanksgiving is about love, thankfulness, family and the little things. It doesn't have to be big. We are probably having pizza which son and wife will bring and........cranberry sauce!

If I forget or something happens, I want to take this opportunity to tell you all how grateful I am for you, how much I appreciate all of you, how much I appreciate all your kindness, support and giving. I wish you all cranberry sauce.

Billye

up on! Goodness,
Where to start?
First off, being alone on the holiday[s], During my first year of college, my folks moved OUT OF THE COUNTRY....So on their penny, I'd see them at Christmas break and no more until summer. I was a gypsy between my two sisters living near my hometown at the time, but two years of THAT 'camping out on the living room sofas', well....It wasn't as comfy or as 'home' as it I would have wanted. After I got out of school, we all picked up the idea of 'Orphan Parties', where host/hostess would cook the bird, provide dishes and forks etc to eat with, and each other person broght 'something'. Once married, we decided to alternate between the 'parents' for Christmas, and just 'DO' Turkey day on our own [that way WE'D get all the leftovers!] Get a small bird, make it just the way we like it, and not something we didn't care for at nearby 'cousins's houses..Cook, eat, then sleep! It's kind of a selfish pig-out thing? But We [my DH and I] never have a complaint.
Billye, about the sauce? That is truly the sign of one really good guy! Last year with my broken knee, I was wheelchairing into the kitchen and back to my 'chair' to try and slice, dice, snip clip and break up the various veggies for the prep. My guy just read the 'directions' on the plastic wrap and did the rest!
Cycleops? About that sleeping stuff... at my onset I was that way, once in the hospital the 'docs' kept wanting to wake me up and TALK to me about my 'condition' -of what they'd no clue at the time. ALWAYS once I'd started to fall asleep after four days of NO sleep other than a few 15 minute naps! I even in That state politely said [tho I wanted to really BITE many] excuse me, I'd just gotten to sleep after many days, you have woken me up. I am in no situation to discuss anything at all with anyone rite now, But, while you're here...could you help me to the bathroom?...Please? They left me alone after that, can't imagine why? Don't fight the need to sleep or the inability to not do so...chill out about it, it'll happen when it should. Once I'd started my post-cancer med [lemme tell you that one's a doozie!] I've wrestled with the sleep/non-sleep issues a lot. Check out all the herbals for such as valerian or chamomile tisanes [infusions-not teas]. You will probably have to be careful about any other issues you have, but these are the most tame.
Daniella, being alone is a well, beyond strange thing. At times I believe it's that part that separates us from the rest of the world, in many ways? We aren't 'fun' people to be around at times, But we CAN and DO try to have fun in the most obscure ways? Such as those bird [squirrell?] feeders, hummingbirds, smelling the earth, and feeling the sun [something we CAN do, tho why I've no clue] and just listening and appreciating the world's sounds. As in the two way eagle-eye thing, there are glorious moments out there if you look for them and wait. They can calm your heart and soul immensely. At least, it's worked for me.
Melody, you gotta spring for at least a turkey breast and just ROAST it! It's soo simple, use veggies for the 'rack' underneath and well, no bread crumbs? Plus lots of leftover for sandwiches [with cranberry sauce, I hope?-tell Alan the berries are chock full of anti-oxidants or something -they are, but..ya know?] I always make my sauce from the berries, it's so easy and it also freezes in baggies for later use [keeps in the frige for about 2 weeks, dunno about sugar sub's tho...] Ok you can use mayo or the like...Do you have Durkees' sauce..that's good too. Cooking a T-B takes all of about 1-1/2 hours with 15 minutes prep if it's fresh or thawed. No brainer in my book, stick it in and wait...then snarf!
Sue, I know that you will be with friends old and/or new as you get thru this all. I just hope that thru it all, you are--well, warm where needed and iced those places as well. By the way, on good days I can be a total Mushmallow!
Just get me on a good day? Heh? as you say...
OK Enuf blather to all? Heaps of those silly smiley face hug thingies!
and all that! - j

It was 78 degrees in Mo,not real sunny on the ride to Barrnes but beautiful,the wind just enough to blow the leaves..I was on a Oaks bus,
very much like assit aride..I wanted a driver who knew how to turn and get
you to the right entrance of the hospital...People around me some crying some sick,some sleeping..
I was glad I had My wheelchair,I didn't want to go in,so I sat outside for awhile...What if's,I had a bad case of what if's..I was late Bob was not well,
my son had to be so tired..No matter,my brother 's were there,and others.
My son would not leave Bob and didn't..Ryan is such a strong man,34 yrs. old
the 26th of this month. I was pointed in the right direction,there they were,
both sleeping,Ryan had his head on Bob's bed,Bob was gently moving his hand through Ryan's hair,and they held each others ,well they were holding hands. I went to where the family was,in a room where my son refused to
go but share. ..We hugged tear 's of not seeing each other more...I went back to get Ryan to get to that room...My son heard those wheels,he smiled,
He's mad at you Mom,he's better ,yes i'm beter he voice the Trach. gone
where have you been... Talk about smooch,they both laughed I got over,
the what if's,for awhile...
My son whispered food and off he went..Sue he's well,you know,we talked
about his tests tomorrow,he never shows fear,always delikes the Drs.
Reading your post C. well I miss my other 2,and they all pick the holidays
or not,but darn it's so hard,my Daughter-in-law will be here in a few hrs.
Bob just thinks she will make everyone feel better,she will...All these years
and this truma, empty nest I hate it..Bob saids Hi..

Mrs. D is one a odd looking crystal,or a box of cookies and a little egg,oh Bob
said I should look through my glasses...Got a big bowl of candy for the
nurses... Now we will whisper,about why I can't get him some food,ha Bob
whisper is a roar,I wish I had some of that rice pudding Mom use to make..
Hugs and I just looked at myself in a mirror. Sue

Dahlek:

We don't eat sandwiches in this house. So for me to make a turkey breast, well, Alan doesn't want it. He wants my chicken with the sauce and splenda on top. I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, but it makes him happy.

Oh, most of you will enjoy this link.

TURN DOWN THE SOUND. It can be loud.

Enjoy!!!!

http://moreoldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheSixties.htm

I read your records and read between the lines. Bob's still critical ...right? But putting up a fight all the way. Probably be pinching nurses before it's over. You have wonderful children. YOu are so lucky to have them. You have a good family there in showing their concern. You are blessed in many ways. Don't let yourself get too tired. It's important to stay strong so you can help Bob when he comes home.

thinking of you, but you are surrounded with love there.
Billye

When I was able to work, my jobs in radio and newspaper required me to put in a shift on every major holiday. It didn't really bother me much because I got paid overtime for it. At my newspaper job, my husband and I worked together (that's where we met ), so sometimes we'd put together a little something before work so we could have leftovers on lunch break.

In college, I couldn't afford to go home for holidays, but I'd have a dorm mostly to myself, which wasn't all bad. One Thanksgiving, one of the fraternities invited everyone still on campus to their house for a simple dinner and rented movies. We watched "Suddenly Seeking Susan" and "Amadeus".

Now I don't have to deal with working holidays, but other things have kept me from spending holidays with family, like surgery, severe fatigue, major exacerbation of gastroparesis. I hate being a "party pooper" when I've been invited somewhere, but there are times it can't be helped. And I hope this doesn't sound mean, but sometimes it's a relief to not unduly exhaust myself with major festivities, even when I really enjoy the company.

But I too wish you all virtual cranberry sauce! In the virtual world, I can have all I want and not worry about glucose levels! No, really, you guys are awesome.

About pain levels: there are days when mine go sky high for no reason at all. When I can, I engage in some distraction, like a funny movie, or my favorite music, or a really engrossing book if it doesn't hurt too much to hold one up. I guess this is my way of getting in touch with the endorphins.

Wildlife moment: this is really long, but I must share it. When I was in vacaction in Hawaii in 2004 (the last vacation I was able to take without a wheelchair), I went on a snorkeling tour. Turns out I was in way worse physical condition than I thought because I was too weak to swim against the waves. The tour guide took me by the hand, though, so I could get out far enough to see the gorgeous fish and coral. I was horribly exhausted and in pain and about to pack it in and go back to the beach when I saw something huge swimming toward me. It was an endangered Hawaiian green sea turtle, and he looked ancient, maybe 100 years old. He came right up to me and swam along side me, so close that I had to put my right arm at my side to avoid touching him! He looked me right in the eyes and watched me for awhile as if I were really interesting. The instructor later told me that he'd been conducting this tour for 20 years and that sort of thing is pretty rare.

May you all have unique moments that make you smile. And cranberry sauce!

fanfaire

contains agatized ammonite fossils. They are cut open, and polished.
It came in a little framed box because it originated in China, and they are
big on presentation details. An Ammonite is explained well with pictures here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonite

I tend to collect natural objects, that are artistic in some way. The ammonite is a natural example of the golden mean. (this is a ratio used by artists to attract our attention--we respond to that ratio instinctively because it is somehow wired into our brains). Also the right/left duality appeals to me.
I just bought two slabs of a septarian nodule, from a lapidarist from Utah.
He cut them and advertised them with the second slab turned over like a page from a book. The result was a very close resemblance to the human brain.
Many septarian nodules have beautiful calcite cystals in them, and these did also. So I am going to polish them up and put them on the top of one of my art drawer/cabinets.
This is an example of one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/POLISHED-CALCITE...QQcmdZViewItem

One of the items on my shelf is a septarian egg..the picture is not that great, and I took it down, BTW because I am uncomfortable putting really personal things on the internet.

This picture I'll leave up for a couple of days.
It this a close up of the right hand of the shelf. The septarian egg is next to the rose quartz egg in the foreground.
The wolf print in the back I made from real tracks up North.
One of the ammonites shows up to the left. Next to the ammonite is a pyrite egg with crystal faces showing inside.
Behind the septarian nodule is a selenite egg.

I covet your shelf. My studio upstairs has many art objects simliar in style to yours. I yearn to see them. Hubbie says after we get the kids straightened out (money) that he will look into one of those elevator things that attaches to the stairs. That's on my wish list. He could probably install it.

I've always loved collecting pieces of nature. My husband has stopped beside the road during many vacation trips to let me forage for something for my studio. And rolled his eyes as I tuck yet another rock, twig formation, etc. into my luggage.

fanfaire...how awesome about your turtle. Perhaps he reallized you were in trouble. They say the sea creatures do this. I read stories of turtles letting people in distress hold on to them until they get them into shallow water. And there was just an article in the paper about how a young man was attacked by a shark while paddling his surfboard. He was doing this while watching a school of (can't remember for sure) but I think it was a porpoise (cannot spell that word this morning, not sure if that is right?). They formed a circle around the young man and fought off the shark. Maybe the turtle was going to help you.


Who knows...nature is awesome.

Billye