don`t have much work - and so it is easy for me to come here and say hello to you all.
Yesterday we had a "formation" day about communication and perception.
This gaves me so much - in a nice atmospheres with working mates from other offices in the region we were working in small groups and we laughed a lot. Human communication has so many faces and sometimes this is funny - sometimes it is very difficult.

I hope that we all here can find happy moments and for a short time the problems are in the background. And this is a good feeling.

I wish you all a problemfree day - no matter if they are family/children/working/health, or whatever problems...

All the best and take care!
Barbara

Barbara You sound very happy and upbeat. I hope this continues. When we are happy with work and home, it takes the stress off which helps with pain.

I found out today that on Tuesday my son's pins come out. HORRAY! They believe that within a month he can do some light jogging. He has been doing well with his home instruction. We have very interesting instructors. One man is probably in his 80's. He is really nice and relates real life events with what he is teaching. I like to eavesdrop to hear his stories. It makes it interesting for David.

We are going to Disney the end of February. We have had it planned for awhile now but were unsure if we could go. Now that we are, the kids are planning all they want to do. It really is a magical place.

I hope all are well.

Mark What's the deal with the Giants and Packers? I hear it is going to be very cold on Sunday. My husband and son were bummed when Dallas lost. Needless to say we received many phone calls heckling them.

Oh Well! Linda

Today I (well, Thursday,)... finished up the required class for insurance sales. I take my test today (Friday) at 8 am for my Life and Accident, Health, and AD&D Insurance sales licenses. I studied alot tonight, so I hope I pass. I'm glad the note taking is over- I could hardly write anything out today.

Mark- I hope that the pump increase helps
Barb- Its great to hear from you- you sound so upbeat! "People watching" is lots of fun I think.

I haven't been on this board for long, but have quickly come to admire you for all the help you give your fellow TOSers. I am so sorry for what you have to go through and I want you to know that your words have touched my life.

Sue

Wow, seeing this post makes me wonder if I should laugh, or cry, or cut it out and dip it in gold (or in my mom's case chocolate) to send to my mother who's favorite thing to do is call me and criticize me up one way and down the other!!! Hahaha.

Truth is, that I DO care.

The problem was I was getting so sick I couldn't even post or talk to you guys on the phone. But the new pain mgt. doc raised the new Methadone, and get this, I was able to get into the pool today, and talk to neighbors, and although yes I had pain at about a 6, it wasn't my usual 9 which was scaring me to death.

And with adequte pain help, my arms moved, my legs moved, etc.

Now (at 3 AM I am having pain, maybe from having moved those legs muscles in ways I hadn't for many months!)

Pianoplayer Sue, I get the feeling that you are younger than me, and I used to LOVE to play big grand pianos to get out my feelings, and just to hear the beauty of the instrument. I don't think I could play - ever - now. So my hope for you is that you are able to find a way around TOS, or with TOS, and good pain management care, to always be able to play your instrument. Maybe not use your hands for other, unimportant things, but save them and use them for the piano.

I will go now and real all of your posts so I can get to know YOU better.

God bless you and thank you for my most favorite compliment!!!

I just LOVE the people here!

Dear sweet people:

Mark - I would imagine that with a pump increase that at first sleep a lot. But then you get your bearings, so to speak, and actually may have some good days cuz you are getting adequate pain coverage??? This day of extra Methadone literally changed my skies from gray to blue, from isolation, to all of my neighbors saying "hi." I felt like I was in a Disney movie today!

Barb - I have to admit a little jealousy, my friend. I do miss my career, my identity, amongst other like minded, like - intelligence (ha) people. At the time, it felt like competition...but now, I see that much of it was affection. Your corporate exercises sounded like great fun to me. I wish you GREAT successes this year 2008.

Dabbo - the insurance whirl is starting. New campaigns - and I do mean campaigns in the war-like sense...and then the looming deadlines where you just want to get in one or two more signed deals to make the big commish...Yes, you've got some good fun coming. Get a team going, even if it's just you and your wife, (which I've seen take down entire regions! A husband and wife team can be mighty.) Or, take it easy at first, watch, absorb, and wait until you feel you are ready to jump and start in on the race. Either way, we're here to hear what's up. When you have time, that is. GREAT JOB opening new doors, my friend.

MTn Mom - every time you post I swear I smell those vanilla pines like they have in Mammoth...and a little fogged breath comes out...I picture you in pristine God's country...beautiful in any way you turn...I wish you continued good health, along with your TOS, if there were a way to separate them, and steal, take, demand those moments when you are in charge, sliding down those mountains. Gosh, I love where you live. And you're right next to Denver, if you need those TOS docs, don't forget...

Pianoplayer - I posted a big concern for you on your other thread. Just some brainstorming for disability issues. God bless you today, and hope you can play well today.

God bless all of the other TOSers, here and abroad, and put angels around us, and protect us from any further harm. We've really had all we can take, I think, if I may speak for us all. We need other people's compassion, wisdom and our own courage. Thanks.

.I forgot Linjane - GOOOO our son! Nails out. Kid off and running again! OOOhwheee!

And so many others!

Pianoplayer- I couldn't have put that any better. Thank you for posting that!

Tam- You're great

Lin- I hope that your son 's recovery continues to go well. I'm sure he's ready to get active again!

Shelley - will you PLEASE give me my back

so...I passed my Life test and Accident and Health tests yesterday. I was totally wiped out afterwards. Look out, here I come! Is this ironic that I (who probably can't get an individual health policy) will be selling insurance?

Anywho.... take care!

Dabbo Congratulations on your test!!! That is very exciting. I am so happy for you. Starting a new career is challenging but will be alot of fun. I wish you great success!!

Tam You sound like you are doing so much better. It wasn't that long ago that you were so sick and not getting out of bed. I hope this continues and gets better each day!

I found out yesterday that my sons pins can't come out until the 28th. Only one more week but it was a big let down for him. Insurance would not pay for the procedure being done in the surgical center it was scheduled for. It has to be done in the hospital and the doctor can't do it until then. Only another week but very disappointing. It has been 2 months with this thing on his leg. Difficult for him to sleep, shower, etc.

Mark Hope the pump is working for you. I'm sure it is difficult to adjust to . Feel better.

Hope everyone has a good day! Linda

can tell you that the week started with chaos and troubles.
In fact, I am alone at the office and there is so much to do.
In the meantime, I take it with humour, but in the morning, I missed the working-mate who was planned to open the office - she was sick but didn`t call or write a sms - others are on holidays or are having their day off,.... so doing the work for several people is not funny.
But now in the afternoon, it is quiet here and I can enjoy the silence and don`t have to talk to someone. Great.

@Lin
I am surprised to read that your son has already his pins for 2 month. For someone outside it seems time passes by quickly, but I think for you all it was loooooooooooooooooooooooong!!
I keep my fingers crossed for the 28th!!!

To dabbo, tamara, piano, Mark,....... I wish a good beginning of a new week with power and energy!

ALL THE BEST!!!
Barbara

Barbara I was just wondering what your profession. As we all know, working can be very difficult with TOS. I am lucky that we own our own business and I can pretty much make my own hours. Some weeks I'll be in 3 days or none at all. But, being the owner gives you EXTREME STRESS!!!!

Mark Sorry to watch your Packer's lose but I say GO GIANTS!

Hope everyone has a great day.

Linda