Physical Disability & Self-Esteem: Life As It Is Now, Coming To Terms, Rising Above

[BlueMoonWolf]

*wondering if SFK is back yet* I can hardly wait to hear about your trip!!

Bad coupld of days here, don't know what's going on but last night severe nausea which forced me to take phenegren IV...knocks me on my rear, went to bed at 8:30!! This morning got up and felt pretty good so went with the SE for breakfast and actually ate some of her omlette and about half an English muffin....poof...nausea again. I took her to her nail appt. and slept in the car, we came home, phengrine again and crashed for 6 hours. This is basically what happened before and it makes me afraid to eat. So I'm sitting here procrastinating about food...usually my best bet is oatmeal, so I may try that in a bit. Right now I'm just glad I'm not nauseous...*sigh* I thought these days were over.

Blue Moon...good news about your surgery. I'm always surprised when the surgeon discusses the scar business...I could give a hoot about the scar if the surgery is going to help me. They must think all women are vain!!!

Jules
*going off to help Miami Butch and PM visualize MB in a car*

Jules,

Just cuz i know entirely too much about puking... have you tried digestive or arrowroot cookies? there is another one that helps me it's a almond butter cookie but i am not sure that you are allowed those? I don't know if you can get them where you are but maple creams work too as well as oatmeal raisins. Mint teas help too sometimes as well as mint lifesavers.

I so completely understand about after being nauseated not wanting to actually put anything in your stomach, i have lived for days on oatmeal, cookies and mushroom soup. Sometimes even the old stand bys don't always work. I have one anti nausea med that makes me stupid for 3 days. I mean can't form a sentence stupid but i can at least eat... LOL that is if i remember how a fork and spoon works... Anyways I feel for you and i have been there too.

Woodie, thinking about you and yours while you are in physio.

*goes to bed visualizing everyone driving* sigh i miss driving sometimes but i know that everyone else is much much safer if i don't drive LOL

Oh PS about the chat time for us all... does 7 pm CST on say either a Sunday or a Wenesday?

[sapho32]

Hi all. I am finally starting to feel better. 8 days moving from the bed to the couch and back...this bronchitis kicked my butt. I'm done with the antibiotics (just waiting for that inevitable yeast infection - yum!), and they seemed to have done the job.

Nausea sucks! I had one day of severe projectile vomiting, and I couldn't even keep water down. I'll be thinking of everyone here having a good appetite and eating healthy again. No more nausea!

[DAYWALKER]

There are times when medical folks take entirely too long to figure out what is causing someone's severe nausea. It could just be that your body is releasing the chemicals out of turn, the ones that tell your body that you are motion sick. It resembles a mild Labrythitis. There is a patch called Transdermscope that regulates the flow of these chemicals. Also, lol...sounds stupid...but take a Dramamine (less drowsy formula) and see if that assists. Oh, and there are those wrist dealios for nausea as well. I think I saw them at Walgreens.

Hope some of this advice helps out.

In other news:
I am recovering well, I can feel my feet n stuff...lol, only now I just feel the pain. Good news is, the pain is beginning to subside. I have had to use my sticks at work, I hate that...well, my pride hates that...lol, the rest of me appreciates it! I figure I should be off the stick in about a month or so. I can get myself in and out of the shower, which is a bonus...as I think M'Lady was having a lil too much fun washing my back for me. She's so freaking adorable like that though. I still can't drive yet, so our trip to Nashville tomorrow is gonna suck...'cause I gotta be a passenger the whole 3 hour drive.

I get car-sick, so I will have to prepare with my own dosage of Dramamine...lol!

We gonna meet up with some fellow BF'ers,
and we are so looking forward to the much needed social break!

Hope everyone remembers to listen to their bodies talk,
taking heed to the screams.

Happy Saturday!

[Jules]

have you tried digestive or arrowroot cookies? there is another one that helps me it's a almond butter cookie but i am not sure that you are allowed those? I don't know if you can get them where you are but maple creams work too as well as oatmeal raisins. Mint teas help too sometimes as well as mint lifesavers.

but take a Dramamine (less drowsy formula) and see if that assists. Oh, and there are those wrist dealios for nausea as well. I think I saw them at Walgreens.

'
Thanks for the advice and ideas. At the risk of being redundant...with the gastric bypass I have nausea occassionally. This nausea is different, its lasted for two days now. I think I might have been exposed to a bug on one of the adventures out into the real world.

I actually have two meds for the nausea. Zofran if its not really bad and phenegrin if its overwhelmling. I have a PIC line (a catheter inserted in the vein in my arm that goes directly to my heart. Its easy to talk the med because I just inject them into the line.


Again, thanks for the advice and I'll look that stuff for the future, as I won't always get thee meds and the PIC line in not a forever thing.

Jules

[BlueMoonWolf]

'
Thanks for the advice and ideas. At the risk of being redundant...with the gastric bypass I have nausea occassionally. This nausea is different, its lasted for two days now. I think I might have been exposed to a bug on one of the adventures out into the real world.

I actually have two meds for the nausea. Zofran if its not really bad and phenegrin if its overwhelmling. I have a PIC line (a catheter inserted in the vein in my arm that goes directly to my heart. Its easy to talk the med because I just inject them into the line.


Again, thanks for the advice and I'll look that stuff for the future, as I won't always get thee meds and the PIC line in not a forever thing.

Jules

Jules,

Just because you know that you get nausea doesn't mean that attempting the ideas might make you feel better. I know i have nausea and it won't change but sometimes just going through the steps makes me a feel a bit less frustrated with it... well that and lately the solution has been cookies and who can't be happy with sucking on some cookies?

[Peregrine Magic]

I actually have two meds for the nausea. Zofran if its not really bad and phenegrin if its overwhelmling. I have a PIC line (a catheter inserted in the vein in my arm that goes directly to my heart. Its easy to talk the med because I just inject them into the line.

I hope you're feeling better today, Jules.

All this talk about nausea has made an impression on me. I will lie perfectly still for days if it means I can avoid throwing up. And frankly it never even occured to me that there was nausea bad enough that Zofran wouldn't take it out. Jeez Louise, you people are tough.

Peregrine

[BlueMoonWolf]

I hope you're feeling better today, Jules.

All this talk about nausea has made an impression on me. I will lie perfectly still for days if it means I can avoid throwing up. And frankly it never even occured to me that there was nausea bad enough that Zofran wouldn't take it out. Jeez Louise, you people are tough.

Peregrine

lol Peregrine,

Zofran for me is like a tic tac.. it lasts maybe an hour. i have 4 more meds that i use to combat nausea on top of zofran... like i said one, Cesamet Pulve, makes me stupid for 3 days but that's my last resort.

[Woodie69]

BMW - I am with you...Zofran is a tic tac, just mislabeled.

PM, Picture me in a Jeep, fully loaded, brand spankin' new model, leather interior, you know what us bois like.

Jules, my disc was torn last year in my accident. I had to wait that long for surgery. My surgery revealed my hand and wrist was more damaged than what was on the x-rays, and MRI.

[MiamiButch]

I've been having a bad day today. On top of the fact that my back is killing me, my blood sugar level is high and I tore a toenail off completely last night while trying to get into my wheelchair in the dark, I've been feeling rather melancholy, borderline depressed. It's a beautiful day outside, but I just can't seem to get up the energy to leave my apartment. I think my meds are not working so well anymore. I've been on Lexapro for my depression for a few years now, and I'm pretty sure I've developed an immunity to it. My doctor won't prescribe anything else, since I've done Prozac, Wellbutrin (which made me REALLY sick), and so many others I've lost count. I'm out of suggestions for my doctor (who just so happens to be married to my mom's best friend) and he's just so blase' about my treatment, that he's getting on my last butch nerve! Any suggestions, medication wise or other as to how to get myself out of this funk? I'm usually pretty good at pulling myself out of my depressions, but this is a bad one. I need all the help I can get. Thanks everybody for letting me vent, and thanks in advance for any advice.

[Jules]

Wow Miami, rough day. I wish I had some answers for you, but alas, I don't. I'm not really well versed about antidepressents since NONE have worked for me, they usually make me sick. I have seen this thing that operates under electrical stimulus...little things hook to your ear lobes and it generates a small current of electricity and supposedly can help with depression...Let me see if I can find the name and I'll PM it to you, or if others are interested, I will post it here.

And, I'm sure you know, but I want to make sure you know...watch that toenail you tore off...with your diabetes you really need to keep an eye on it and keep it cleaned and medicated....*I never would make a good mother.* OK???

I hope you're feeling a bit better. I hope your toe feels better, makes my toe hurt just to think of it....

Here's some links to that electrical depression thing....Like I said, I'm skeptical, or maybe I didn't say that, but anyway, I am...they make a lot of claims....just throw it out there for everyone to see and comment if you wish.

Jules

http://www.depressiontreatmentnow.co...dorsement.html


http://www.depressiontreatmentnow.co...stimonial.html


http://www.depressiontreatmentnow.co...stimonial.html

[lionandlamb]

I've been having a bad day today. On top of the fact that my back is killing me, my blood sugar level is high and I tore a toenail off completely last night while trying to get into my wheelchair in the dark, I've been feeling rather melancholy, borderline depressed. It's a beautiful day outside, but I just can't seem to get up the energy to leave my apartment. I think my meds are not working so well anymore. I've been on Lexapro for my depression for a few years now, and I'm pretty sure I've developed an immunity to it. My doctor won't prescribe anything else, since I've done Prozac, Wellbutrin (which made me REALLY sick), and so many others I've lost count. I'm out of suggestions for my doctor (who just so happens to be married to my mom's best friend) and he's just so blase' about my treatment, that he's getting on my last butch nerve! Any suggestions, medication wise or other as to how to get myself out of this funk? I'm usually pretty good at pulling myself out of my depressions, but this is a bad one. I need all the help I can get. Thanks everybody for letting me vent, and thanks in advance for any advice.

Hey MB,
I'm sorry to hear your depression plan isn't working. A couple of suggestions that might help. If the SSRI class isn't working (prozac, paxil, lexapro, celexa, etc) then maybe try one of the tricyclic antidepressants. These would be elavil, pamelor, amitryptline (I'm sure I'm misspelling something!!). They tend to have side effects like dry mouth and sedation, but those do pass. I have been on pamelor (nortryptiline) for about 5 years and I love it. Not only has it helped with depression, but its also used as a chronic pain med. Another idea is to make yourself get out in the sun. In our clinic, people are told to go and walk/or get outside in some way for ar least 30 minutes a day. It really does help.

I hope this gets better for you! We could all start telling bad jokes to get MB laughing again....I'll start....

Two parrots were sitting on a perch. One said to the other, "It smells fishy around here."

Two fish were in a tank. One said to the other, "Do you know how to drive this thing?"

[Peregrine Magic]

I'm taking celexa, which is essentially the same as Miami's nonfunctional lexipro, so I have no advice in that area. I can contribute stupid jokes I overheard in my former profession of second grade teacher, however.

What nationality are you when you're in a hurry to use the bathroom?
Russian.
How about when you finally get there?
European.

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Banana.
Banana Who?
Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Banana.
I said, Banana Who?
Knock, Knock.
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange Who?
Orange you glad it's not Banana?


I dunno. Surely some drug would work better than this...
Peregrine

[Jules]

You kind of have to visualize this:
Two gold fish standing outside of a fishbowl in flames....one looks at the other and says..."yeah, but now we're equally screwed...." guffaw, guffaw......

[Holliday]

First, you need this:
((((((((((((((MiamiButch)))))))))))))))))

Followed by my 2 cents:
Have you talked with your doctor about trying a combination approach? My psychiatrist always said combining 2 or more drugs at once might be helpful for that "hard-to-kick" depression.

Also, it sounds like you're in a bit of a bind, having a family friend for a doctor. If you can afford to go elsewhere, it might be helpful. Having a new doctor who is open to some different treatments would probably be good.

Holliday
xox

I've been having a bad day today. On top of the fact that my back is killing me, my blood sugar level is high and I tore a toenail off completely last night while trying to get into my wheelchair in the dark, I've been feeling rather melancholy, borderline depressed. It's a beautiful day outside, but I just can't seem to get up the energy to leave my apartment. I think my meds are not working so well anymore. I've been on Lexapro for my depression for a few years now, and I'm pretty sure I've developed an immunity to it. My doctor won't prescribe anything else, since I've done Prozac, Wellbutrin (which made me REALLY sick), and so many others I've lost count. I'm out of suggestions for my doctor (who just so happens to be married to my mom's best friend) and he's just so blase' about my treatment, that he's getting on my last butch nerve! Any suggestions, medication wise or other as to how to get myself out of this funk? I'm usually pretty good at pulling myself out of my depressions, but this is a bad one. I need all the help I can get. Thanks everybody for letting me vent, and thanks in advance for any advice.

[Jules]

*looking around* Has anyone heard from SFK? I hope the trip didn't do her in physically...she's being awfully quiet.

Shy, I hope all is well and you're just resting up after your trip...but I am a mite concerned since you haven't been around...

Jules
*thinking about Hallie Anne*

[MiamiButch]

Everyone, thanks for all the advice. Holliday, thanks to you for that delicious hug, you're right, I needed that. My biggest depression comes from feeling alone all the time, cause I can't really count on my families support (being persona non grata with them) and since I'm single, that gets to me too. Mind you, I love my cat, and he's really good at bitching when he wants something, but he's not too great of a conversationalist! lol I'm feeling a bit better today, probably cause all you fine folks managed to put a smile on my face. As far as SFK, she's tired, but ok. Her flight back was cancelled and she was in the airport for an ungodly amount of time, US Air will be receiving a SCATHING letter from her AND a Homeland Security Officer that happened to be in the line with our Kat. She should be on later today, God willing, so, relax, she's fine, and remember, she's a cat, she lands on all four feet, no matter how hard they try to make her fall!
Holliday, let me know the millisecond you get my letter, I'm feeling artistic! I just might send you some of my poetry or artwork. Hope everyone is feeling fine, God bless you all, and THANKS for all the support!!! : )
(Trying to visualize what I would look like with little electrodes hanging from my earlobes, I shudder at the thought, but if it works???) lol

[MiamiButch]

AND since we're all telling bad jokes, here's MY contribution:

How do you know there's been an elephant in your refrigerator?
There are footprints on the cake.

[Jules]

Miami, I'm so glad you're feeling a bit better and thanks for the update on SFK...that eases my one functioning brain cell. I've found the same in my cat, Ethel, she meows a lot when she wants a treat or to turn on the faucet in the bathroom, but not really good in one on one discussions....she listens ok, its just that there's no response...well, perhaps a yawn. Does anyone else's cat drink from the faucet? She refuses to drink water from a bowl... and if you want to see her precious little self, feel free to visit my gallery!

Jules
Who's feeling pretty darn good today!!

[Jules]

Miami, I just visited your gallery and now I understand your cat a bit more....he and Ethel are of the same ilk...except Ethel's half siamese half himalayan.

Carry on

[Holliday]

Here's the only joke I consistently remember. It comes from my mother, who is a musician:

Q: What's better than roses on your piano?

A: Tulips on your organ.

Holliday
xox

[hellboi]

lame jokes to contribute:

Waht do you call 12 lesbians in a closet?
A: A licker cabinet

What do you get if you put 25 lesbians and 25 politicians in a room?
A: 50 people who don't do dick.

How can you tell if a house was built by a lesbian?
A: All the wood is tongue and groove.

*heh heh...the last one is my favorite heh heh*

[Sweetstonefemme]

It must be funk day.......me too. I dont know if i am missing my life or just wanna give up. I am so very tired of this tbi. Its the only subject in my life latley and as much as I know I am more then tbi, seems the rest of the world thinks differently. I still cant taste or smell, and am so tired of being asked if i can. No my short term memory is NOT better, thank you. I am so angry that this tbi was missed when i fell back in june. My life is so full of strangers now, they call themselves professionals lol........Last week, i had to find someone to handle my money cause I dont recognise numbers, and cant tell a penny from a dollar. I did go to a support group for tbi, it was ok, but i felt badly for everyone in the room cause i know whats going on for them too. I find myself doing things I would never had done before. A friend came to visit for a few days from out of state(a butch) and I slept with hym. I am partnered, so theres the trouble, i have never cheated before.I also have been shop lifting little things....both of these things my therapist says is cause of the tbi.Just makes me more angry. Miami...hold your head up dear...your a sweetheart.......

[Jules]

My gosh, Sweetstonefemme....so much to deal with I wish I had some answers for you...but I don't. I'm not well informed about TBI's, but I intend to do some research now with both you and Andrew suffering from this. What do your doctors say? if anything...is there going to be any improvement, or will you have to deal with this from now on? I'm sorry for all the questions, but I want to understand, I just feel so bad for you.

Is your partner aware of what happened with this other butch? And, are you putting a lot of stress on yourself because of it? I'm sorry, I just feel so helpless, wishing there were something I could do, information to give, or some type of comfort to help you through.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope for your sake, things improve some for you....

Jules
At a loss right now

[Sweetstonefemme]

Jules.....thanks. This is a page with a list of symptoms, i seem to have most of them..http://traumaticbraininjury.com/cont...isymptoms.html I am told that the brain heals and some things come back, by relearning, I am still waiting I guess. I go to therapy......time will tell

My gosh, Sweetstonefemme....so much to deal with I wish I had some answers for you...but I don't. I'm not well informed about TBI's, but I intend to do some research now with both you and Andrew suffering from this. What do your doctors say? if anything...is there going to be any improvement, or will you have to deal with this from now on? I'm sorry for all the questions, but I want to understand, I just feel so bad for you.

Is your partner aware of what happened with this other butch? And, are you putting a lot of stress on yourself because of it? I'm sorry, I just feel so helpless, wishing there were something I could do, information to give, or some type of comfort to help you through.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope for your sake, things improve some for you....

Jules
At a loss right now

[curley]

lame jokes to contribute:

Waht do you call 12 lesbians in a closet?
A: A licker cabinet

What do you get if you put 25 lesbians and 25 politicians in a room?
A: 50 people who don't do dick.

How can you tell if a house was built by a lesbian?
A: All the wood is tongue and groove.

*heh heh...the last one is my favorite heh heh*

hey their not that lame .I laughed outloud at the politicains one
here's my bad joke:
Why cant a lesbian go on a diet and wear makeup at the same time?
Cause she cant eat Jenny Craig with Mary Kay on her face

[Holliday]

hey their not that lame .I laughed outloud at the politicains one
here's my bad joke:
Why cant a lesbian go on a diet and wear makeup at the same time?
Cause she cant eat Jenny Craig with Mary Kay on her face

This one trumps all, in my opinion.

[Shyfemmekat]

Home now, so glad, so tired and dehydrated. Just wanted to check in quickly. Want to see how I spent most of Friday, Saturday and this AM? Click these links for pics and info.

Baggage claim in Indy looked about like this today:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17246508/

What a mess, Washington's Reagan National Airport
http://video.nbc4.com/player/?id=82890

The lines were better yesterday but I wasn't there yesterday....
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...ts_N.htm?imw=Y

I finally got a rebook of a rebook of a rebook. The lady took pity on me because they cancelled again this AM and I started crying. My MS shot was due Friday and I was out of all my medication last night. More tomorrow night when I get rested up.

Y'all have been busy posters!

SFK

[Jules]

Glad you're back safe and sound. I bet you have some "airline/airport" stories to tell!
Get your much needed rest...airports are the worst even for the healthyist (is that a word?) of folks.

[MiamiButch]

Jules, yep, it is a word, ya just misspelled it. Healthiest. Sorry, am I being the spelling/grammar police again??? LOL
Shy, hon, I tried to call you yesterday, but your phone was off. Glad to know you're safe and sound, back where Rhon can be there to take care of you. Say "Hi" to hym for me, and apologize for me if it bothered hym that I called to give hym updates on your situation. I'm gonna be hys friend whether hy likes it or NOT! LMAO
Some butches can be SO insecure! Damn, and I'm such a nice one, respectful, cleancut, funny, oh, and did I mention MODEST??? As you can see, I'm feeling better. I got rid of one of the biggest stress factors in my life. I closed my bank account and told Bank Atlantic where to shove their OVERDRAFT FEES!!! LMAO * Doing the "I'm rid of them azzwholes happy butch dance" lol

[sapho32]

Good Morning. I'm doing better...good enough to go to work today. I am still coughing, with a headache. But I'm able to eat (yeah) and concentrate better. Bronchitis be gone!

Sweetstonefemme: my thoughts are with you. Like Jules, I know I can't make it better. I can offer an ear and a shoulder.

Shy: glad you're back and looking forward to hearing more about your trip once you've rested.

Miami: good to see you have some energy - way to tell the bank how you feel.
--------------------

Bad joke:

Why do so many lesbians look alike, talk alike, and dress alike?

They all rub off on each other.

[Jules]

Thanks for the spelling correction Miami...believe me I'm used to it! My spelling has always been terrible, much to my mother's disgust (She had a degree in English) and even through college I had to have a dictionary by my side at all times! Glad you're feeling better, and give that bank HELL...banks make fortunes off of "overdraft fees" I think they should be outlawed.

Sapho, glad to hear you're back to work....here's hoping the rest of your illness goes away quickly!!

I'm off to see the doctor who's in charge of my feedings...here's hoping I've gained some more weight!!

[Jules]

Well, hell, I haven't gained any weight....what's with that? I've actually been eating more plus the tube feedings.....well, actually to be really, really technical, I've lost about 9 ozs.
He told me to go get Carnation Instant Breakfast...just as good as Ensure and Boost and a lot less cost, so I'll be off to Krogers in a bit....first I need to get my protein drink down...brother....eat/drink/eat/drink....my work is never done!

[Peregrine Magic]

Welcome back, Shy!

Obviously the airport sucked, but the rest sounds absolutely fabulous. I'm so glad it went well. I'd love to see you on video. Is there a way you could put your part on youtube?


Peregrine

PS: Rats, it's happening again. I'm responding to a post which appears after mine.

[Jules]

Hey Miami, thanks for the offer...*wondering if we could pull that off* I never dreamed trying to gain 15 pounds would be so difficult!! I jotted down the names of the Milo and...well, what was the other? Chocolista? And I wouldn't mind Cuban coffee or rice and beans...sounds good to me...but they would have to be authentic...*wondering where I can find a Cuban cook* Does it differ from culture to culture? We are developing a large Mexican population here and the authentic restaurants are popping up all over. I do have to be careful about sauces and spices as they still kind of upset my "pouch."

I listen to music all the time, there's never a time that I don't have something playing. Mostly in the evening its classical, but sometimes I jam out to 60's rock. My problem is absorption...that's part of this surgery, that you don't absorb a lot of calories from food, that's where the "bypass" portion comes in. The part of your bowel that absorbs the food broken down in the stomach is bypassed. Plus the pouch does not produce any, or little, gastric juices to break the food down, that's why the weight comes off so easily and quickly the first year or so, until the body readjusts itself, then there is "some" absorption of calories, but still not as much as someone without rearranged plumbing!

Shy, I'm loving your recount of your trip, sounds like it was great for you, I'm looking forward to the next installment, and hope that you're not too sick from your shot.

Gosh, sorry this was so long winded....don't know what got into me

Me too PM....my response posted before what I was responding to....

[Jules]

I posted a post, but it appeared before the post I was responding too...PM had the problem too.

[CalCowboy]

Hi Shy ! nice to see an old friend....sounds like you've been busy...glad you made it home safe & sound....bet Rhon is gladder...hope you guys are doing well...take care

[MiamiButch]

Jules, I've got about a hundred extra pounds that I'm willing to give you. Find a surgeon who will liposuc,tuck and lift me and we can pump the excess into you. High quality Spaniard/Cuban fat, too! lol
The only downside would be the addiction to rice and black beans and the unreasonable craving for Cuban Coffee at 7 AM! LOL
On a serious note, have you tried MILO or Chocolisto? The latins use those a lot to make their kids gain weigh. They're both jam packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals and they don't taste bad at all. There is one, which of course I can't remember at the moment, that tastes like chalk, but luckily, it's not easy to find.
Do you listen to music when you're eating? Believe it or not, there have been some studies correlating music and nutrient absorption. I keep forgetting what kind of music, but I think it's all about just getting your mind in the right state to release and increase dopamine levels in your brain, and that triggers some sort of increased nutrient absorbtion in your stomach and bowels. I really MUST remember to write down the places I read stuff like this! Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, and I hope you can gain more in the weeks to come. If not, there's always that surgeon and me to fall back on! lol

[Shyfemmekat]

Well, I had a long post done and the computer ate it.

The flight to D.C. was nice, got to sit in first class, nice to have room for all of me without feeling compressed.

Hotel was very nice. I liked it that they were big on diversity and I had the most exceptional customer service there I have ever had at any hotel. Period. The guys made my extended stay more like being snowed in at a friend's house than being stranded in a city where I didn't know anyone. My companion goldfish also made me miss my "kids" less. The phone was my friend and I used it.

The restaurant also had exceptional service, although the food was not to my liking. I am too down home for white truffle oil and beurre noisette. Thank goodness Adam helped me hunt down some things I could recognize like macaroni and cheese, french fries, etc. The chocolate souffle with passionfruit sauce, though, was amazing.

It was a busy trip. Myself and the other PPA recipients had a dinner that Thursday evening at Poste with some of the PR people and one of the key executives. A good time was had by all. I will admit to y'all that we were quietly playing a game at my end of the table I named, "What's My Food?" We would poke things with our forks and then take a group survey as to what the item might be.

More next post...

SFK

[Shyfemmekat]

The meeting went well. No chance to really say much. Montel could not make it, stuck at LaGuardia Airport, so that was a bummer.

It turns out that there is a PPA documentary, and we received copies signed by Montel with gold gel pen. That was a rush. Even more surprising is that I am in it. I have not watched it yet.

The event was amazing. We waited backstage for the MC to call us up. Ken decided I was going to go first and I started praying, "Please, God, don't let my tongue get wrapped around my head or something. I have got to represent for my community and let this go off without a hitch." My suit looked sharp and the hat was perfect which helped, LOL. That made me feel better.

Then he touched my elbow and I whipped out there into the lights. I said. "Hello!" to give myself a chance to calm down, and then spoke for about 45 seconds about my story, what the program meant to me, thanked everyone, told them the assistance I received was the answer to prayer (it was, believe me!) and that the program was a blessing. Then I stepped left and the next person went up.

It was very emotional. I can remember what that feeling was like to be sick, freshly fired and not sure what the hell I was going to do now. I was tearing up, and many of us ended up crying.

We brought the house down, lots of folks standing and applauding. I found out later we were taped, don't know anything more except that at some point we'll get copies. Some of the drug company CEO's and reps came up afterward and spoke to us.

We got to meet former Congressman W.J. "Billy" Tauzin, someone who knows about being sick, having beaten cancer himself. You know he got a hug from me.

There was a professional photographer there and I am told there will be photos for us some time in the future, likely by May. I wish I'd had a really cute walking stick like some of the ones DAYWALKER has. Going to have to go shopping online...

All right, I have taken my shot and am getting sick, catch you later with the last segment...

SFK

[hellboi]

hey their not that lame .I laughed outloud at the politicains one
here's my bad joke:
Why cant a lesbian go on a diet and wear makeup at the same time?
Cause she cant eat Jenny Craig with Mary Kay on her face

1. ROFLMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO