As Bettie West was saying to Wendy Apgar:
 
 BW> Gee Wendy, it sounds like your not having the time of your life. I
 BW> don't get  on here to often but I can assure you I will put you on our 
 BW> prayer list and hope you'll soon be feeling better, what is 
 BW> it you have ? besides the staph. I am a nurse, not that 
 BW> it's going to help, but it may help to have someone who 
 BW> understands medical proceedures..if I can be of any help I 
 BW> hope you won't hesitate to ask. 
 
 Thank you for the offer.  :-)  Thankfully the staph infection
 is gone, although the sore is still healing and oozing (yuck!) 
 but the doctor says it is healing and is not as deep. Thankfully
 he had samples of the antibiotic because I was on 750mg of
 Cipro 2x daily for 12 days. My dr. said that it would take
 longer for the sore to heal because it is on my hip. It doesn't
 help that I'm allergic to bandaids and tape (except for the
 flexible fabric bandaids) so I have an itchy rash to deal with
 as well. (sigh)
 Anyway, in brief, I have chronic pain, degenerative disk 
 disease, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivities,
 numerous allergies, asthma triggered by fragrances, among
 other things, and two blood abnormalities that mean I have
 to be on Coumadin for the rest of my life. But better
 that than a stroke!  I'm thankful that when my dad had his
 mild stroke he had all this genetic testing done. Without
 it we never would have known that I had the blood
 abnormality. Both my mom and dad and brother do as well (the
 state won't pay for my sister's testing which is stupid 
 since she is a single parent of 7 kids!), but my blood, for
 some reason, has to be kept thinner because I have two
 abnormalities rather than just the one.
 I use my crafting to help a lot...especially lately. I've
 been able to make cards, and gift bags (some from 
 envelopes) to sell at a consignment shop, give to friends,
 and at a bazaar in November.  Without something to do I
 think I really would want to die when the pain gets bad.
 I've had a terrible time of late keeping the pain
 managable. Thankfully I am fortunate to have an MD who is
 willing to work with me. I think I have an easier time
 with the pain meds because I cannot take the NSAID's 
 because of being on Coumadin.
 Anyway, I think I went on too long.
 I don't know where you 
 BW> live. I live in upstate NY, near Syracuse if that's any 
 BW> help. wish we were close and I could actually help...do 
 BW> keep in touch and if prayer helps in any way I'll be most 
 BW> happy to continue//do be good to yourself and write when 
 BW> you feel up to it
 
 I live in Portland Oregon. It's funny, though, because my
 dad went to colledge in Syracuse and both my mom and dad
 were raised in the area. Most of my relatives live in
 New York and Connecticut!  :-)
 I think things would be a lot harder for me if I didn't
 have so many things I can do while staying at home...even
 with the pain. I'd go crazy if I couldn't do anything!
 
 .. can you get an aise to come in and help 
 BW> with your bathing and such, it might ease the pain if you 
 BW> didn't have to stress yourself so much. 
 
 Most of the time I can manage myself. I don't qualify at
 this point for outside help. I'm thankful that a teenage
 daughter of one of my friends comes in once a week and
 helps with the cleaning. She accepts the $3 a week and
 doesn't mind helping. She has a younger sister (2 in fact)
 so when she gets to the point that she is on to other
 things the next one in line has indicated a desire to come
 and help.  She also gets bonus' now and then and little
 things that I make. I know it isn't much, but it helps.
 Also, the older kids have helped with errands when I have
 to use my manusal wheelchair. Once I can get past the emotional
 block I can use my electric wheelchair and take local
 mass transit to do errands myself. But I can't deal with
 it yet. I have used the wheelchair to get around here
 though. I've been able to go to the consignment shop that
 is nearby with my craft items, using the wheelchair.  
 I'm hoping to be able to purchase a van in 3 years when
 my other loans are paid off.
 good luck and I'll 
 BW> be watching for more word on your recovery..                
 BW> smile, God loves you....Bettie
 Thank you for the encouragement and the prayers!
 Wendy
 @>-->---
... Catch some warm fuzzly rainbow snuggly huggles as they go by please!
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
--- Maximus 3.01
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