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RE: A life to cherish - 9/13/2008 1:58:56 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I did have a post all ready, but I got logged out, yet again. 
Things haven't really changed much here. I'm sick again. It started off with a viral infection, but I don't know whether it's turned bacterial as well. In any case, I'm on antibiotics to try and clear everything up.
I've been trying to get things organised for Christmas. I know it's still a long way away, but I have friends and family who live overseas, and I need to get things in the mail early. I've got a lot of people's gifts organised already. Some I still need to work on, but on the whole, it's under control. I have the cards already, so it's just a matter of writing on them when the time comes. I find it really time consuming, so if I can get some of the gifts wrapped early, then I can use that time for writing cards. I have penpals all over the world, so it's handy having things done the way it is.
The car goes back to its owners on the 29th of this month. Just have to pray that we get another car to drive.
I see the rheumatologist again on the 23rd. Nothing new to report to her other than that the pain meds she gave me are a lot better than the over the counter meds I'd been using. Hopefully though I can get a stronger dose. Whilst it helps, sometimes it's still not strong enough. We'll see.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 9/17/2008 11:54:56 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Have you ever just wondered "Why?" I know I have. Sometimes it's been "Why me?" Sometimes, as I have a very curious nature, the question is just, "Why?" I have so many questions about so many things, as John can attest. I'm forever saying to him, "I have a question". Joan too, at times, but mainly John.
Tonight, John was playing, Chris Rice's song, "Big Enough".
Here are some of the lyrics.
BIG ENOUGH
None of us knows and that makes it a mystery
If life is a comedy, then why all the tragedy
Three-and-a-half pounds of brain try to figure out
What this world is all about
And is there an eternity, is there an eternity?
God if You’re there I wish You’d show me
And God if You care then I need You to know me
I hope You don’t mind me askin’ the questions
But I figure You’re big enough
I figure You’re big enough
I know that God is big enough to answer all my questions. Sometimes I don't hear the answers. Sometimes I think that God believes that I'm not ready for the answers. Some of the answers I won't know this side of eternity. Some answers, I don't think I'll ever know the answer to at all. Like the song says though, "Three-and-a-half pounds of brain try to figure out what this world is all about".
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 9/22/2008 11:30:26 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Hi everybody.
I'm a little bit nervous about tomorrow. I've got another appointment with my rheumatologist. She's really nice, and it's not that I fear her. I don't. I guess I'm just a little disappointed that I didn't get as much achieved as I wanted to before I went back to see her.
Going to bed time is better than it was. I used to go to bed when I was tired, which used to be all sorts of crazy times. Now, I try to go to bed at midnight. There are times lately when I've been to bed a bit late. It's certainly better than it used to be, but I still need to work on that.
I've been sleeping during the day too, which is one thing she said not to do as it messes with night sleep. Part of the time since I've seen her, I know that my day sleeps have been due to having a virus. I think the new antidepressant that I'm on now is making me sleep more too, so I'm going to have to talk about that, either to her or my usual doctor.
I'm going to talk to her about a stronger dosage of pain med. Anybody who knows me well, knows that I don't like to take meds, but when it comes to having pain this bad, I don't think I could handle life without the meds. Sometimes it's pretty unbearable now, even with the meds, but I just have to keep on going.
As far as exercise goes, I've hardly been to the gym. Partly due to the virus. Some due to pain. She said, even if I just walk to the letterbox and back every day. If I can do that every day without pain, then that's a start. With me, I do do other things when I can. Instead of going to the letterbox necessarily though, my job is to clean up after Bailey every day. There are times when that can make me scream in pain. That's something else I need to talk to her about. Just fundamental things, I can have the most difficulty with. I seriously don't know how people can manage when they have work, families, etc AND have fibromyalgia. My hat's off to them...if I ever wore a hat.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 9/30/2008 8:42:12 PM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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The trip to the rheumatologist went well. Just have to find the right dosage of pain meds for me.
Yesterday we went out for a belated Father's Day. Here it is the first Sunday of September.
Then we went to our favourite Christian bookstore, after dropping a birthday gift off to a friend.
This morning we have to go grocery shopping. The car goes back to its owners this afternoon, so after that, I have absolutely no idea what we're going to do for a car. All 3 of us have medical appointments of different kinds, not to mention, getting to church. We'll just have to wait and see what God does.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 10/7/2008 11:33:46 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Not much happening here. I've been sleeping a lot more than usual of late. Sleeping through the day. My rheumatologist would be having a fit about now. Sunday, I just about slept all the way through until 4pm. Monday I just about slept all the way through to 3pm. Today was until about 1pm. This is so unlike me. I'm not sure if I have a new virus, or my meds are having bad side effects. I'll talk to my doctor about it when I next see him.
No car. A friend is picking us up tomorrow to take us shopping. Hopefully we won't take too much of her time.
Perth had it's annual Telethon this weekend. We raised just over 7.5 million dollars. Not bad for one state. I think we did well.
Well, that's enough for now.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 10/13/2008 9:10:42 PM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I just want to say I'm sorry. It seems these days when I say something, I seem to be annoying somebody. I get too impatient, or I say something that I'm struggling with. People struggle with things harder than I do. I feel like I should just keep my mouth shut, or at least keep my fingers from typing. I don't know what to do. Part of me thinks it would be better for you all if you took a break from me. I know I'm getting upset and teary. I can feel the dis-ease in some of the replies, so I'll just have to pray about what I do from here. Stay or go. I guess you'll figure that out by whether you see me around or not.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 10/21/2008 11:50:31 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I'm finding things emotionally and physically tough right now. If I don't post where I normally post, please don't be offended. Sometimes I just don't know what to say and need to be in lurk mode for a while. Having said that, I'm really thinking that I'm going to have to cut back on the number of threads that I'm subbed to. There are times when I see how many subs I have waiting for me and freak. I have to lower my stress levels.
Tomorrow on, there's things that are going to be keeping me busy. I have to see the rheumatologist again in the morning. After that are errands and shopping. Thursday and Friday we will also be out again. Saturday morning, a friend of ours is having a birthday breakfast. Sunday night, a friend who was supposed to have been coming over last night for dinner, will be coming for dinner then. Joan hasn't been well, and neither have I, and we didn't think it would be a good idea to infect him.
I'm trying to get things organised for Christmas, not just for the community exchange, but for Christmas for friends and family here in Australia and overseas as well.
It's only early spring here, and already my body isn't liking it. I've got hayfever really badly. The heat is already too hot for me. It's in the 90s. I prefer the cooler temperatures. Not cold, just cooler.
Well, I'd better close this for now. Take care and God bless.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 11/2/2008 9:10:21 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Hi everybody. It's been a while since I last posted in here, so I thought I'd better spend some time in here.
A couple of weeks ago, I had a doctor's appointment to go to 2 days after we were all talking, (John, Joan and I). We were just saying that John and I were going to have to take the bus to get to my doctor's appointment and have to walk the rest of the way. By the time we were due out of his office, we would have had to catch a bus to the nearest big bus station, (as the returning bus would have stopped running for the day), go into town, catch a train to our nearest train station, and then catch a taxi home. I wasn't really looking forward to that. Anyway, midway through the conversation, the husband of a friend of ours called. His wife had just left to go interstate for a couple of weeks. I whispered to John and Joan, "wouldn't it be funny if he offers us her car?" Sure enough... But she's back again now, and again we are without a car. I've got a medical appointment on Tuesday and he's the kind of guy that you never get to see him on time and you always come out of his office late. I don't get paid until Wednesday, so getting to and from his office is going to be interesting. It's a really long walk, especially for somebody in my situation, and John has medical problems with his feet, meaning he can't walk long distances either. We'll have to see what happens.
My pain meds have been put up to maximum amount by the rheumatologist. Still in a lot of pain. Tonight I was doing something and again, I was just about screaming. I made sure I took some pain meds, and laid down to read for a little while. I just couldn't take sitting up. That's what caused the pain.
I've got lots of things on my mind and I'm feeling really pressured. I think part of it is that I put too much pressure on myself. I'm a perfectionist by nature. I'm working on some projects that have time frames that things need to be completed by and I don't work well under pressure.
Organising the Community Christmas card exchange is working out easier than I thought it would. I'm thankful for that. Now, if only I could be at ease with all the other projects I'm working on. That would be good. I know that I'm supposed to be working on lowering my stress levels.
I get paid Wednesday, and my money is pretty much already spent. I don't mind though because it means that my bills are paid and I'll have some money that I can do things with that I want to do. I still have some Christmas/birthday shopping to do, so that will make a good start on that. November through February is an expensive time for me. Seems everybody has a celebration then. Oh well. It's all good.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 11/4/2008 9:27:10 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Today something happened that I never wanted to happen. Some of you know that I'm a diabetic. I don't know what's been happening, but lately my blood sugar levels have been higher than they should have been. Some of them I can account for. I'd been a naughty girl or something. I know that I've had infections etc which can push your blood sugars up too. The last few times that I've been to the specialist, I've been threatened with insulin. I don't know why, but for some reason, I really haven't wanted to go on insulin. I still don't. However today, the doctor showed me how to use an insulin pen and to inject myself. I'm not happy with it. I really wish that I didn't have to use it. Oh well. Hopefully one day they'll tell me that I don't have to use it anymore.
Thankfully a friend of ours was able to take us to the appointment. Having no car is proving difficult. We need to go grocery shopping tomorrow and I have to pick up some things from layaway, and it would be so much easier to put it in the boot of a car, and not to have to try and carry things away using bus, train and taxi.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 11/11/2008 9:38:30 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I've been pretty emotional since the last time I was in here. Very teary and really down. Somebody suggested that diabetic medication can make you more emotional than usual. It got so that I was thinking about taking a long time out from CW. Still thinking on that one. In any case, I won't do it until after the people doing the community Christmas card exchange get everything they need to do their cards.
I hear it's 6 more weeks until Christmas. I didn't want to hear it, but I guess it is what it is. It's starting to look a bit more like Christmas.
Each year, we pay a small amount of money every fortnight, and this time of year, all the groceries that we've paid for come. All of the boxes of food etc came today to our household. It's a time of year that we look forward to. We get to restock our cupboards and the freezers. We also get to put aside boxes of food to take down to the church so that they can be made into food hampers for those who are doing tough. We've got some school chaplains in our church, so they take most, and some go to people within the fellowship that aren't fairing so well. It's a part of the year I enjoy.
I'm slowly getting Christmas projects done. Things that I've decided to do to bless others with. With the reminder of how long it is until Christmas though, I think I'd better hurry, otherwise they won't get to their recipients on time.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 11/23/2008 9:18:41 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Hi everybody. Seems like ages since I was in here, so I thought I'd better get in here and do something about it.
It's been pretty quiet here, other than the banging and crashing from the thunderstorms we've been getting this week. Not as bad as the other side of the country, but this will do for us, thankyou very much. Bailey, our dog, isn't too fond of storms, and I have to confess, neither am I. Especially if they're right over the top of the house.
I'm keeping myself occupied. Probably dull and boring stuff to most, but I don't mind it.
Been getting out of the house lately. We still don't have a car, so that means using public transport. Most people wouldn't think it was far, but when you're in agony by the time you're half way down the street and you have another block to go, it doesn't feel too good. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so if he ever doubted what I'm like after walking (it's 2 buses to get there and a bit of a walk), he'll see for himself tomorrow.
I try and not move around too much, if I can help it. I'm trying to spend some time on my exercise bike every day, except Sundays. Other than that, just walking around the back yard just about has me collapsing. Not good as I'm on the maximum dosage of pain meds, and the rheumatologist told me that if that doesn't work, she's going to take me off them. Not a nice thought.
Just about got all of my Christmas cards done, we have an end of year celebration for our friendship group, some of my Christmas gifts are bought and some I've organised. Sounds good to me.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 11/27/2008 9:56:15 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I had a visitor last night. He is a man from the pastoral care team at church. He's a man that I greatly respect. A wonderful Welshman who is truly an instrument of the Lord. He came to see how I was doing and to let me know that he's missed me. That's so nice to hear. I didn't think that anybody from church would miss me.
This man is a man of action. It's one of the things that I admire about him. If he hears of a need, he tries to help fill the need. He had no idea that we are without a car. Just recently he heard of somebody giving their car away because they can't afford to keep it running, and they want to give it to somebody who needs one. We don't know if it's still available, but he'll check. Who knows?
I've just started on a new antidepressant. I find that meds work well for me for a while, and then they just cease to work. Then it's time to try something else. I've been through so many antidepressants over the years because of this. So, today I started on a new one. John forgot to tell me that the pharmacist told him that people's mood lowers for the first while as it changes their body chemistry. I'm hoping that I'm going to be ok as far as that goes. Normally when I'm changing over antidepressants, I'm an absolute mess. Please Lord, not this time.
Tomorrow we have got our friendship group coming over for lunch. It's the end of year celebration. I'm in the middle of trying to make gifts and get my Christmas cards finished. I don't have the energy, but I need to tidy away all of my things. I'm going to bed soon, so hopefully that will help, but I know that the tiredness is more than just having to go to bed and get up in the morning. It's a real deep tiredness, even exhaustion. I'm just going to have to force myself to get things done.
I can tell Christmas is coming. There's glitter all over the house, even though the vacuuming has been done. LOL!! Even off me, just sitting here typing on the keyboard. Poor John. He's forever trying to clean it up, and it just keeps coming back.
Speaking of Christmas, I got my very first Christmas card for the year today.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 12/8/2008 9:45:38 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I have to say that I'm not looking forward to Thursday morning. I have an appointment at the hospital to have some fluid put into my port. For those of you who don't know, about 4-5 years ago, I had lap band surgery. It puts a band around the top of the stomach so that you feel full a lot quicker than if you didn't have it. It's not the same as gastric bypass.
Since I had the lap band surgery, things have been totally unpredictable for me. Things I can eat one meal, I can't eat the next. For example, I can no longer eat red meat, unless it's ground beef or lamb. I can no longer eat apples. Some breads are totally off the list. I can only eat chicken or ground red meat. Sometimes I can eat carrots. Sometimes I can't. Sometimes there are other things that I can eat, and not the next meal. It's frustrating because you never know from meal to meal what you can and can't eat.
Last year, I had all the fluid taken out of the port so that I could have some gastric tests run. I've managed to leave it empty until now. The gastroenterologist that I saw last year said that the lap band wasn't working for me. So, when I went back to the hospital last year after having the fluid removed, the doctor wasn't happy when I told her I didn't want any fluid put back in. This year, I saw them the day after I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I told him I was too stressed and didn't want any fluid put in the band (which tightens around the stomach so that you get full).
After seeing the doctor last time, he told me that he wanted me to get some fluid put back in the band as it was the only way that I could get my blood sugars down. If I eat less, I don't have the same problem.
Herein lies the problem. Eating was bad enough when I just had fluid in the band. With the fibromyalgia, my hypersensitivity over food has worsened exponentially. I so much as get the smell of a certain food (again, no telling what food will set me off), I lose the contents of my stomach rather violently.  Things that I used to be able to eat, chicken, ground meats and a lot of other foods make me sick. Strangely enough, it's the things I'm not supposed to be eating that stays down, not the healthy stuff. I can't live on cake and cookies. As nice as my taste buds would think it is, my body would not appreciate it.
Part of me feels like Wednesday will be my last supper. Hopefully I'll be able to keep those things down. Insulin apparently makes it harder to lose weight, but I hope it works. And I hope the blood sugars drop significantly too. There has to be an up side to having more fluid in the band. Personally, I really don't want it, but the doctor seems to think that that is the only way things will work.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 12/11/2008 2:08:45 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Well, today was the day I had to go for my hospital appointment. I got a doctor who didn't know what to do with me. He kept telling me that I'm a complicated case as it's not just straight forward putting fluid into the band. The fibromyalgia makes a mess of things as does another gastric problem that I have. He's put half of what they originally put in first time. Not much after this stage last time, I started vomitting. It was very painful. It was like he put his whole weight on my ribs while trying to find the port. Then he had 3 goes at trying to put the fluid in with a huge needle. I knew the needle would sting, but as he did the whole procedure, all I could think was OUCH!!!
He said there are 2 other procedures that are available if this doesn't work. He hinted that this didn't work, as did I, and I told him another gastroenterologist that I saw last year also believed it didn't work. The other 2 procedures he said he wouldn't recommend. One couldn't be done at that hospital, and another would make me very thin, but would kill me within 20 years. So, I'm not going for either of those. Try and fill me up and see if things work. If not, it comes out. He said he would get a round table discussion going with other gastroenterologists and specialists to see if they could figure out anything to do with me as it's so complicated. It's scary knowing this guy doesn't know what to do with me. I know God does, but things just seem to be going along so slowly.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 12/11/2008 7:09:13 PM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Yesterday when I wrote, I forgot to tell you about the explosive time we've been having in our area of the city.
A few days ago, somebody reversed a stolen ute into the Joondalup police station. It made a real mess of things. About $500,000 damage. That police station is about 20 minutes away from where we live. The next morning, somebody firebombed some staff cars in the early hours of the morning at Warwick station, which is a few blocks from where we live. They believe that the fire at the Warwick police station is a copy cat of the Joondalup police station. They've caught a couple of the guys who did the Joondalup job, but are still trying to catch a third.
It made me think about our Christian walk. What are we doing to make an impact to the people around us? Something that would make people stand up and take notice. Are we showing our Christ likeness to people? Are we in some way showing the love of God to the people around us? I'm not suggesting that we go into our town/city centres wearing sandwich boards saying repent or die. Is there some kind of practical way that you can show people the love of Christ in some way? Spending time with somebody? Taking them a care package? Meeting some kind of need that a person has? Is there some way that we can show the exploded love and mercy of God to others? If you haven't thought about it, take some time to think about it. Ask God to show you what you can do and who He wants you to minister to today. Explosions have after effects, and people notice. Remember that these explosions are to point to God, not to ourselves. God is always to get the glory. We are there to get the hugs.
Remember that Christmas can be a very lonely and hurtful time for some people. Some have lost loved ones. Some don't know the true meaning of Christmas. There are so many reasons. How about being somebody's light and comfort in Christ's name this season, for His glory.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 12/15/2008 8:36:51 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I can't believe how fast the last 19 years have gone. Exactly 19 years ago to the minute, I was in the Perth airport, getting my baggage having just arrived from New Zealand. Nineteen years ago today I emigrated to Australia.
Lots of things have happened in the time that I've been here, but there's too many things to try and cover.
Thankyou Lord for sending me to Western Australia.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 12/20/2008 10:59:28 PM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I thought for something different, I'd put in a different version of the twelve days of Christmas.
Australian Version Of Twelve Days Of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A kookaburra in a gum tree
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two cockatoos, and a kookaburra in a gum tree
Three parakeets.........
Four great galahs.......
Five opals black......
Six 'roos a-jumping........
Seven emus running.......
Eight koalas clinging.........
Nine wombats waddling........
Ten dingoes dashing.......
Eleven snakes a-sliding.......
Twelve goannas going.......
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From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 12/20/2008 11:15:43 PM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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In looking around for versions of the Twelve Days Of Christmas, I found this. I didn't know the reasoning behind it.
What do the twelve Christmas gifts mean?
Far too many extravagant Christmas gifts, or something more? The words to this popular Christmas song do have symbolic meaning that connects them to important aspects of the Christian faith. The rhyme was traditionally recited as part of a children’s memory game designed to teach various aspects of the scriptures:
In the 1st verse - one true love refers to God
In the 2nd verse - the two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments
In the 3rd verse - the three French hens refer to the virtues of faith, hope and charity
In the 4th verse - the four calling birds are the Four Gospels
In the 5th verse - the five golden rings are the first Five Books of the Old Testament
In the 6th verse - the six geese represent the six days of creation
In the 7th verse - the seven swans are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
In the 8th verse - the eight maids milking cows are the eight beatitudes
In the 9th verse - the nine dancing ladies are the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
In the 10th verse - the ten lords symbolize the Ten Commandments
In the 11h verse - the eleven pipers stand for the eleven faithful apostles (excluding Judas)
In the 12th verse - the twelve drummers represent the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
I also found the New Zealand version of the Twelve Days Of Christmas. The stars of this Kiwi Christmas carol, A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree, are taken straight from New Zealand culture, wildlife and flora. It goes:
Twelve Days Of Christmas
On the twelfth day of Christmas
My true love gave to me
Twelve piupius swinging
Eleven haka lessons
Ten juicy fish heads
Nine sacks of pipis
Eight plants of puha
Seven eels a swimming
Six pois a twirling
Five - big - fat - pigs !
Four huhu grubs
Three flax kits
Two kumera
And a pukeko in a ponga tree.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 1/8/2009 11:06:58 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Well, Christmas is over and a new year has begun. I can't believe 2009 is here. I'm hoping that 2009 is a better year than 2008 was.
2008 was good in that Joan had a significant birthday. It was good that she had friends and family around her at that time. It was a lot of organisation, but that's ok. Everybody had a good time.
It was hard in that I managed to crack a rib. OUCH! Moving things around for the party wasn't good. At the time, I knew it hurt, but I didn't know I'd cracked a rib. John was recovering from surgery, so I was left to do things.
2008 was the year that we'd borrowed a friend's vehicle as ours had finally given up. After telling the owner several times that the car was leaking copious amounts of fluid, he finally booked it in to get fixed on a Monday. It died not so gracefully as we were driving home from a medical appointment on a Friday, leaving us stranded on the side of a freeway. Thankfully a friend of ours who lived not far from there had a day off, so she was able to come and get us and take us home.
2008 was also the year that most of my family moved over to Australia. They're on the other side of the country from me, but I still couldn't believe they moved over here. I don't know why, but that part of the country has experienced so much bad weather since they've been here. Not that I'm blaming them for the weather problems. Just thinking it's been a shame for them.
It was good and bad as I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Good, as I could finally put my finger on all the symptoms that I'd been having and could put a name to it. I wasn't going nuts. Bad, because I'd been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and there isn't a lot you can do to deal with fibroymyalgia.
2009 is the year that I turn 40. I was planning on going to see my brothers for my birthday, but my finances are not going to allow me to go. I was hoping that John and Joan would be able to come and meet my family, but their finances aren't much better than mine. Besides, if we got over that side of the country, Joan has family not far from there, and they wouldn't like it if we went that far and didn't go and see them.
So far it's been a quiet 2009. I'm on antibiotics as I'm not well. I think it started from hayfever, like it usually does, and went nasty.
The temperatures are in the high 90s and higher on a consistent basis. The air conditioner has become my closest friend. It's on the vast majority of the time that we're home. The times that I sit to write letters, I sit beside the air conditioner so that I can cool/dry off at the same time. I used to prefer warmer temperatures to cooler temperatures, but not anymore. I know it's the start of summer, but ROLL ON COOLER TEMPERATURES!
So far, I'm doing some reading. Christian novels and true animal stories. That's been good. I need light reading as that's all my brain can handle. A friend sent me a series of mystery/suspense stories and I just can't handle them. Maybe later I'll be able to do better with them.
2009 is a year where we need a new car. At the moment, we are without a car. Sometimes friends are able to take us somewhere to shop or to go to medical appointments. Sometimes we have to use public transport. The three of us are physical wrecks for quite some time afterwards due to our medical problems.
2009 is also a year where we need a new computer. Two would be even better. Last year the sound on the computer died, and the graphics followed soon afterwards. I'd love to be able to see graphics again on the computer. It's hard when there are links up and you can't see them. A printer would also be good as well. That died after the sound and graphics died.
I've also heard some devastating news recently that I'm still trying to process and deal with. I can't say what it is, but it's really big. There's been many tears shed over it. At times I've wondered if I'll ever be ok again. I hear given time, I will be. Doesn't feel like that to me right now, but I hope they're right.
Well, whatever you're doing in 2009, I hope it's a great year for you.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 1/22/2009 9:38:18 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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I saw the rheumatologist yesterday. She tells me that I'm doing everything that can be done. I still have to try and increase my exercise levels within my limitations. She suggested a higher level of painkiller. It's one that's used for cancer patients. It's like a morphine type painkiller. Yes I have pain, but I don't want to try something that powerful if I don't have to. She said yesterday that I don't have to go back and see her if I don't want to. My usual doctor is doing a good job, in her opinion, so she's happy to leave me in his care. If I need to go back and see her again, she's happy with that too. We'll see how things go.
Before I left her office, I asked her a personal question. I'd had such a strong feeling since the first time that I met her that she was a Christian. When I asked her, she said yes. It's good to know that my doctor was a fellow sister in Christ.
Yesterday, a friend took us out to lunch. She was actually the one who took us to my rheumatology appointment. It was nice and relaxing. Something we haven't done in a very long time.
If you feel led, please pray for a car for us. We still don't have the finances for one, but we are asking the Lord to provide one for us. It's so frustrating to have to rely on others to take us places. Last week, a friend was taking us to the hospital as John had a doctor's appointment. He needs to have shoulder surgery. We'd asked to do a couple of other things too, and her husband wasn't happy about the amount of time that we were going to be using her help. All three of us feel that now people are just getting tired of us asking for help with transport. Our intent has never to be a burden on anybody, but now we feel that we are. John and I had a lot of errands to run today, and we just used the bus. For me, it was terrible. I was just about screaming before we'd even left the house. We had to go to 2 different places and John saw that by the time we'd gone to the first place, I was really not looking good. He said I was just about cross eyed! All 3 of us are a mess if we use public transport due to our health problems, but we also don't have the finances to get taxis everywhere either. Just not possible. The Lord is getting many requests from our household about a car. We're getting desperate, but I don't know if the Lord has decided that it's the right timing yet.
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From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 1/28/2009 9:41:37 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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On the way in here, I just noticed that over 64,300 people have visited my blog. That's mind blowing! I don't know what to say, but thankyou.
It's been a quiet time in our household of late.
Joan's birthday was on the 16th of this month. We had planned on taking her out to morning tea, but that wasn't to happen. She ended up twisting her ankle the night before and even trying to get her around the house was a real difficulty. In the end, a friend and John went and got a quiche and a black forest cake for her birthday cake. She had a nice birthday. She still wants to go back to the place where we had originally planned on taking her before she hurt herself. She's slowly getting better, but she's not rushing it.
John's birthday was on Tuesday. We'd planned on going out for his birthday, just to the same place that we were going to take Joan. None of us were feeling very well, so none of us ended up going. We were going to go today but ended up running out of time. We'll try again another time.
Speaking of birthdays, some friends of mine have been trying to talk me into having a birthday party this year seeing as I'm turning 40 this year. I was just looking forward to going out to dinner with a couple of friends and that being it. I'm not the kind of person who likes to be the middle of attention. I'd have been happy just to have dinner with a few friends. John, Joan and I prayed about it and seemed to get that I was to have a birthday party. It's kind of scary as I wrote down the name of a few people that I think would like to be there. Joan suggested some other names that she thought might be good on the list. It's turned into about 30 people now. Now that both of my brothers and their wives live in Australia, (on the opposite side of the country from me), I wonder about inviting them. We're not close, but it would be nice in some ways to have them here. Still something to think and pray about.
I know the rheumatologist has told me that she thinks she's helped me as much as she can for now. I'm still having pain, and having to take painkillers. Something else has developed since then. I have been so incredibly exhausted lately. Partly from not being able to sleep in such extreme heat. Other than that, I feel it's more than just being tired. I'm sleeping so much more than usual. I truly believe that the chronic fatigue part of the condition is becoming more pronounced. It just seems to me that I sleep most of the day away, read some, eat some, come online at night, then go back to sleep again. I'm still trying to keep to my self imposed bedtime. I just wish that I stopped sleeping so much all the time.
That's why things have been so quiet around here lately. Joan is taking thing easily whilst she recovers. John hasn't been particularly well, so he's taking things easy. And me sleeping all the time. I hope some day soon that will change.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 1/31/2009 9:16:24 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Things are still quiet around here. John and Joan were going out this afternoon and tried to encourage me to come. The mall that they went to is one that I normally like to go to. I found that today, I just couldn't make it. I was in too much pain. Hopefully there will be another time soon when I can go with them.
As I mentioned in my last entry, I've been sleeping a lot more than usual. I usually get up before my body is really awake. Usually a necessity though. After I've had breakfast, I just go back to bed and crash! I've been sleeping so much lately that I've begun to not know what day of the week it is sometimes, and I can't figure out the time of day. I look at the clock and it's so different in time than my body would think that it is. I'm thinking it would be later in the day than it actually is. It's a bit of a worry.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 2/3/2009 6:34:51 PM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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We're on the road again! At least for a couple of weeks. Some friends of ours are on holiday interstate, so we have the loan of their car! YAY! So now we're able to do some of the things we need to do without trying to arrange for drivers or taxis or buses.
Yesterday we went out for a belated birthday lunch for John. It was good to get out. Not all good though. John was dropping Joan and I off outside the place we were going as there wasn't any parking nearby. His brain did a brain flip and he took his foot off the clutch as Joan and I were getting out of the car. She got hurt on her left side. I was just putting my book back on the seat, and I got slammed across my back, my right arm, and thankfully my right arm caught around the inside of the car otherwise I would have landed on my butt. My neck went flying backwards too. I'm still pretty sore. Just need some time to recover.
I have a specialist's appointment this morning about my diabetes. I know that he's not going to be happy as it's a lot higher than it should be. I know I deserve a lecture, but I'm really hoping that I don't get one. All of our celebrations are over for now, so it means we won't have so much junk around the house. John and Joan have dark chocolate, but I don't like it, so I'm safe on that round.
Dentist appointment this afternoon. Don't like going to the dentist, but it needs to be done.
I had thought for my birthday later on this year that I would just invite a few friends out to Sizzlers. Another friend of mine who now lives in the country also turns 40 this year. She said to let her know if I was doing anything and she'd come up and share the birthday celebrations. Joan and another friend of mine have been trying to get me to do something bigger as it is my 40th.  When we prayed about it, we seemed to get that I was supposed to do something more than just the few friends at Sizzler. So, Joan's got us booked into the same restaurant where she had her 70th last year. I've got some invitations, and now I just have to write them out and send them. I'm going to invite my brothers, even though I'm not sure if they'll come or not. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I'm not inviting a huge crowd. I don't like being the centre of attention, but with those that know my friend, I'll be definitely including her in the festivities if she can get off work for that time.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 2/11/2009 10:31:46 AM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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Hi everybody. I haven't stopped in for a while, so I thought I'd better remedy that.
Have been having a lot of ear problems lately. Last week, I had to get my ear syringed by the nurse. She told me that she couldn't get any more out of the ear and that I'd need to come back next week to get more out if there were no improvement. Well, yesterday, I went back. Got another doctor as they were understaffed. He tells me that I won't be getting my ear syringed as I have an ear infection. He says there is no wax. Don't know who to believe, but I'm still taking the antibiotic ear drops. We'll see how things go.
I finally got all the invitations written for the combined 40th birthday. Some were posted today and some will be handed out at church. If they are not there this Sunday, I'll just post them. I don't like being the centre of attention, so those friends that know her, I'm including them in the celebrations so that she gets to be celebrated, not just me. I hope it will be fun.
My body is still taking longer to recuperate from small outings. I'm hoping that will improve. Fibromyalgia is certainly no fun.
Dentist's appointment went well. I was in there about 2 minutes and then said they were perfect. I'd really thought he was going to be telling me that I need some work done. I even asked him if I need a scale and clean and he said no. You beauty! LOL!
Have spent a lot of time reading, something that I really enjoy. I don't get books read as quickly as I'd like, because I'm so exhausted these days. But I'm enjoying what I'm reading. It's just really light reading. It's about all I can handle at the moment.
Australia is experiencing a lot of bushfires at the moment. They aren't near me. It's on the other side of the country. We have had some arsonists causing problems around the city already. Hopefully they will be stopped quickly.
Well, that's it for this time. Take care.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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RE: A life to cherish - 2/27/2009 8:18:12 PM
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cherish405
Posts: 32125
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: The Land Down Under
Status: offline
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It's still summer here, but I can't wait for cooler temperatures on a consistent basis. Not cold weather, just cooler weather. The heat's really been getting to me.
Summer here in Australia sees a lot of bushfires. Some are from natural causes, and some are lit by arsonists. Most of you would have heard about the fires in the eastern coast of Australia. Fires in New South Wales, but mostly in Victoria, where towns were literally destroyed. Very few houses are left standing. People and animals died. Beloved heirlooms and memorabilia destroyed. It was just devastating to see the death and destruction. I couldn't help but feel for them. If I could have, I would have loved to have gone over there to help. Hand out a meal, be a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on.
I don't understand what makes a person want to burn down an area. Apparently one of the arsonists lived in the area that was burnt. Just a few days ago, somebody was back lighting fires in that area again.
The year before last, somebody set fire to some bushland that is in behind a high school a block away from us. We were getting embers flying over, and one of the neighbours had to put out the embers on another neighbours yard. If the fire had just crossed the road, we were in trouble. Thankfully we had a car then.
Apparently, somebody set fire to the bushland behind the high school a block away from us again yesterday afternoon. Thankfully it was contained really quickly, and there wasn't as much damage. Police helicopters tend to fly over our area on a Friday night, but last night, they were definitely out in force. I wonder if they were making sure there were no more arsonists in the area.
There were 2 other fires down south of Perth yesterday afternoon. One in particular got close to homes and property. Thankfully it wasn't something that ended up like the Victorian fires.
All I know for now is that we're safe. Thankyou Lord for that.
_____________________________
From this time forth, with the powers vested in me, this post serves as public notice of the issuance of one unrevocable lisence to cherish405 to have special dispensation in the matter of drive-by huggings as she sees fit. ~rayofson~
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