Daniella -- hi! It is good to see you posting. I decided to hold off on the spinal stimulator for now. I am making a huge effort to do everything I can to get healthier: eat healthy food, lose weight, exercise as much as I can, stay active to keep ahead of the depression. I still use my 25 microgram fentanyl patch and take Lyrica and I wish I could get rid of them both, but gosh, I get a LOT of pain relief from them. I hope 2008 is good to you!

Reading everything you written,i'm very impressed,don't ever give up,
well I sure you won't. Please get to a good GI. Dr.,they have helped me
and do hope they do the same for you..

I use my wheelchair when I go through the stores why,I fall down and
I find myself dragging when I use my walker I must put my hands through.
This use to make me sad,but I love going on the trails,or flying down
the street on a snowy day..I can get in bed but no longer lift my legs.
but PT has come up with some wonderful devices to use. We all must
handle it the best we can..Everybody on this forum and so many of
the others are brave,or just doing the very best thy can..

D i'm so happy your back and your getting out, it's been hard for you
but 20 min. is wonderful. I do remember when you couldn't get out
of bed. That's a Wow!!!

To all and thanks to J,C,K for not letting my
brain shut down,that's a challenge and Mel you make us laugh and that heals. Jamie you have come to a wonderful place. now I will take my award
and leave,why I would be here thanking everybody..Fanfare thanks for the
trip to Mayo,like Billlye that was brave...Hugs Sue

Thanks guys. I agree that everyone here is so strong to face this day in and out and what wonderful supports too.

Hi Everyone,
I've been off the board for about a month, and I've just read over this thread with all its replies and comments. It's quite up lifting for me.

Like many of you, I do get "down in the mouth" and feel sorry for myself, but those moments are thankfully brief. I have so much to be grateful for. I look at people walking by and think ~ I used be to be able to do that. While I walk within my home, it to is limited. I use my power chair so I don't over do it and cause myself more trouble. In spite of the routine and extreme pain, I still go to PT Wellness twice weakly. My motivation is simply believing that if I stop my mobility issues would increase more rapidly. See...that's a blessing in it self.

I'm quite pleased I see a sleep doc next week and in the following week I see Gastrology and Neurology doctors. I just hope these doctors will actually listen to me and not be else where when talking with me.

My sweetie and service dog are so loving and supportive. Thank you to each of you for sharing a bit of your stories and bits of wisdom.

I understand and I hope you find a doc who will listen. I am glad you have good support. That is so nice you have a service dog. I'm sure that is a great bond. I know for me before my back and not saying you of course ask your doc but I have to push through my leg pain. If not they said I will really have issues with atrophy. Now I have a back problem so have not been able to do as much and it gets me super down. I also understand the mental side. You have an amazing out look I need to learn from you. Mine tends to suck.Many thoughts and healthy wishes.

Sevice dogs are fabulous....

My son has a service cat...seriously. Official service cat. It is just called a service animal.

Wounded Iraq war vet...

This is a good cat......I took care of him while son was deployed....the cat got so lonesome he lost a ton of fur....I thought he was sick, spent a fortune on lab testing and a do anything at all cost approach....You can't tell your kid his cat perished, while his boots are in Baghdad....you don't tell your deployed person much other than things are great and you miss them.....the cat was fine, physically. He lost his fur from stress. It grew back after my son came home. He was declared an official service animal.

I can't say what the stress did to me....but let's say it probably was not a good thing. Of course, my son had to go the whole year before he had his 'incident' with the IED. My hair, alas, has NOT grown back, nor turned back to its former color.

I have three labs...all they are good for is keeping me warm, keeping me company and keeping the EMS away if I ever need them.... They do obey commands, but they don't cook or do laundry...I love them anyway.

I suppose that is all I can ask.

Daniella I'm sorry that you struggle with your outlook on life. It's often said attitude is a state of mind and it's so true. I can be all POed about my pain, evergrowing disabilities and bodily fuctions that no longer work and my complaints about doctors, but I choose not to. It's my choice, and you can do it too. Find something in you day, your life and your world. Being able to think and type it into the computer is quite a blessing in itself. There are lots of people who can't do that. As it said be for that I watch people walking by and say to myself "I once was able to do that", but the good thing is I still have my mobility and the list goes on and on. Your list does too and I hope they are visible to you. We all deal with a great deal, still we can handle even more. Looking to hear from you.

Cyclelops I'm sorry your son was wounded in Iraq. I have so much admiration for our sons and daughters in uniform. It's great he made it home. Our returning Veterans have a great deal to handle. I'm a Vietnam Veteran and I war is hell. Whether you carry a weapon, drive a truck or cook in the messhall, the stress can be just miserable. Service cat, rat, horse, dog or whatever, if it helps him ~ Wonderful. I agree with you loving dogs and a little humor goes a long way in one happiness. Keep Smiling.

Jamie Marie (we it looks like I'm having an up day)