tiredofdoctors

Hmmmmm...... I think that Steve has always posted very insightful, thought-provoking responses. He isn't "long-winded" like me , but he gets to the heart of the issue and provides accurate, pertinant information.

Personally, there has been a thread in which I knew my "mouth" would get me in trouble should I choose to post there. I read Steve's post, which I thought was ABSOLUTELY correct, and PM'd him, telling him so. Just figured that I needed to stay away from trouble, but I wanted him to know that I wholeheartedly supported him. I just wish I had the guts to take a stand and defend it as he does.

IMHO, my interaction with him, even when we didn't agree, has been intellectually challenging . . . . (didn't know we were intellectuals, did ya?)

Don't know about the haircut issue, but I think his picture is "quite lovely", and I think he had better take a couple of cooking classes, given this morning's happenings!

Sorry, Steve, had to bust your chops!!!!!!!!!

Lynne

As if the latent TB weren't enough . . . . .

Prior to Ashley getting married, she started developing nausea and vomiting - quite severe. We all knew (or thought) that it was due to the BCP's they were trying . . . (No, she's not pregnant -- should have prefaced that!)

However -- the doctor's office called her today and said that she was ineligible to take the INH due to her labwork. They said that the doctor wants to talk with her about it, and that she (the doctor) will call later today. They did not specify WHAT it was, but alluded to her liver panel . . . . . My daughter doesn't drink -- and the only thing that I DO know that she has had wrong was an abscess of her gallbladder because of a botched Belly Ring that she (we) had done on her 16th birthday. Her liver function panels have been normal since then, though . . . .

I am scared and frustrated. I am going to ask my daughter if she will sign for the physician to speak with me directly -- that way I can get some better information and ask a few additional questions. I am not saying that my daughter isn't capable or intelligent, it is just that she is only 20, and I don't know that she knows to ask the questions that need to be asked. Any suggestions?????????????

I'm so sorry you're feeling frustrated . . . it happens to all of us, though -- so please know you're not alone. I agree completely with everything everyone has said. If you are drinking protein drinks or taking a protein supplement, you may want to check it out COMPLETELY -- sometimes lists are incorrect, despite VERY thorough investigation. Also, if you take vitamin supplements, you may want to check those as well. I take Freeda vitamins, as they were suggested by a Celiac dietician which I consulted. They are "everything-" free! Gluten, yeast, blah blah blah . . . . !

I also agree about the issues of other sensitivities or intolerances. I am getting ready to go back to my allergist/immunologist from YEARS ago to discuss all of this with him. Just to be on the safe side . . .

I think the idea of a food journal (while being young I can figure would be a pain in the butt) is a FANTASTIC idea . . . I had to do this for my kids when they were little, and it was the singlemost important thing to pinpoint WHERE their problems were.

You wouldn't BELIEVE the things that can trigger difficulties in people . . . .

Keep the faith, STAY GLUTEN-FREE, but continue to investigate other solutions in addition. Also, I hate to say it, but give it a little additional time . . . . your body needs to adjust to this new lifestle.

I wish you the best of luck . . . . you have come to the right place, though. The people here are the most kind, knowledgeable and empathetic people I know . . . . . Hugs, Lynne

Personally I find I have learned a lot here but equally I think that means I should now put-back.

If everyone who gets to a certain level of understanding leaves because they find they are putting in more than they receive then truly the board is doomed or it will at best be the blind leading the blind.

I had never thought about it that way. I am guilty of not putting back into the forum with regard to newbies. I have mostly posted in the gab/chat room where I am within my "comfort zone". I have posted on the pregnancy thread, think I may have been of some help, but I have avoided the others for fear of being "blasted". I once had FEAR described to me as False Events Appearing Real.

I am renewing my commitment to the newbies -- because I remember how desperate for help and information I was a year and 1/2 ago . . . and how much help I received. Thanks for reminding me of that. I think I got so wrapped up in worrying about "who was going to say what" and "will I have to defend this?" that I stopped doing what this forum did for me in the beginning. You make a very good point.

Have been talking to Ashley daily, of course . . . I am trying NOT to meddle, trying NOT to be the interfering mother-in-law type, but she's my BABY!!! She called tonight . . . my parents told her that if she would quit her job, they would pay her rent . . . . they are very worried that with a full school schedule, plus working close to 40 hours per week, her immune system will collapse and she will go into full-blown TB. The doctor that she is seeing DID tell her that illness, fatigue, stress -- I can't remember what else -- could possibly trigger the TB to become active, and warned her of that. She asked me what she should do. I told her that was between she and her grandparents -- it was none of my business. She said, "I don't want to make anybody mad. What will Brandon think?" I told her that they had helped him during a few rough times, and quite frankly, it is none of his business. He really doesn't need to know. She said she still needed to think about it. (To be honest, they're living in the married dorm . . . NOT a lot of rent . . . . )

Then she began to tell me how much she disliked my son's girlfriend! That is a good sign . . . what she REALLY doesn't like is the fact that Brandon's girlfriend and I get ALONG, I think . . . !!!!! So, if feistiness is a good sign, she's there!

I do know she's really scared. She will get the final test results either tomorrow or Tuesday. She does sound very nervous when she is talking about the results. I have reassured her, though, that there are options . . . I have told her that gfp has everything ready to go -- all we need is a biometric passport . . . . so she is pretty much comforted by that. In the meantime, we're doing lots of hugs and I love you's over the phone . . . .

Thank you again for your help, interest, support . . . I'll keep you posted. xoxoxoxoxo Lynne

Happy Birthday Fiddle-Faddle!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxLynne

Chelsea -- I am so sorry to see you leave. You have been such a source of comfort, of information, and a friend. My initial reaction is to say "Please don't leave" . . . . but then, again, the reason you are leaving is EXACTLY why I left months ago. I think that it is so sad that the good people end up leaving, the rabble-rousers stay, and we're left with a somewhat "shell" of a forum. I understand your reasons for leaving, and actually support them . . . . but I am so sorry that you are leaving. I will be keeping in touch with you through e-mail. Love and hugs to you, Lynne

Thank you all, so VERY much.

gfp -- my daughter's doctor didn't call her back yet. She has an appointment, I believe, in the beginning of the week. I have to say again -- you are amazing. I can't thank you enough for offering this. If I am not mistaken, you are atheist? I have been yelled at by MANY a family member that I must be an "agnostic" -- because I believe in a God, I'm just not sure yet in what FORM . . . . would it be okay with you if I said prayers of thanks for meeting you and for the type of person you are? I find your offer to be so generous . . . it boggles my mind.

Again, thank EVERYONE for your information, your kind words, and your prayers. So far, Ashley seems to be taking it in stride -- not that we haven't shared our moments of tears on the phone. Her boss wanted her to work 9 hours today -- in retail. She told him that the last blood panel was not in which would determine whether her TB was latent or active, and that she could still be a potential threat to her co-workers and customers. He told her to come in ANYWAY! She asked me to call them . . . for some reason, I thought that was so cute -- and I felt so needed again. ("Mommy, FIX it." came to my mind, like when she was little) I called, the manager was "at lunch and not to be interrupted." So I was asked if I wanted to speak with the co-manager. She is from India -- when I told her the situation, she said, "Oh NO -- she does not need to be working right now. Tell her to call me when it is okay for her to come back to work . . . . and tell her I hope she is doing better." Quite a difference of opinion, huh? She was a very sweet lady, and I thanked her very much.

So, I think we have heaved a collective sigh of relief that it is going to be okay, that she is going to get through this and continue to be happy and healthy, and that this is just another bump in the road. I think she would have preferred that this bump not happen so soon in her marriage, but evidently she DEFINITELY takes after her mother! My gluten intolerance "bump" happened about this far into our marriage . . . but we didn't know what it was! Like mother, like daughter, I guess!

Love, love, love and hugs to you ALL,

Lynne

I know that AIM toothpaste is gluten-free, but don't know much more . . . . !!!

Thank you all for your information . . . I feel a LOT better. It was so scary when I first heard it -- with her asthma, etc., I was so worried. Now that I've heard other's stories, and know that it is going to be okay, I'm not nearly as scared. Thank you. Lynne

And the chicken soup sounds like a VERY good idea . . . . our friend Helen passed away three months ago. She was the stereotypical "Jewish Mother" -- Ashley would have had Matzo-Ball soup for the next 9 months! Fiddle Faddle, even though she didn't believe in heaven or hell, I still know she's looking down and smiling, shaking her head "yes" at you!!!

Lynne, oops, was there a typo in my post about Eddie Bauer? Not sure why you were howling?

We were howling because someone finally affirmed that the Eddie Bauer outlet is on the way! Also, because you go two times per year . . . and we were REALLY jealous!!!!!

I LOVE English accents . . . . but I don't think he could say Luh(a)vull in that beautiful accent!

That's really good advice . . . thanks, Carla. Also, thanks for making me smile a little . . . it's a little refreshing given that I've been bawling since she called . . . . .

There you go . . . . . .

Just saw the addition . . . will tell her about the B complex in addition to B6. They're all water-soluble, so if she gets too much, she'll just pee it out!!!

Our local news just said that there are several people here who are very sick from the spinach . . . . .

gfp -- just talked with my daughter again -- she was blown away by your offer. She is going to call the doctor to see if they want to do that, and if so, we'll get it in motion. We will reimburse you ANY costs that you incur during the process, should this happen. She said to thank you VERY much. Much love to you, Lynne

Thanks, gfp . . . .I already called Ash and told her what you said. The doctor at the clinic has already prescribed B6 supplements, but not the iron . . . I told her that if if wasn't a prescription B6, then I would call Freeda . . . . I haven't called yet, so I'll get the Vitamin D as well. I know she has to watch that because it's fat soluble, but will warn her of that.

I didn't even realize that you were offering to donate blood to increase her antibodies -- what an amazing offer. I can't even thank you enough for that. What a selfless act -- you are such a beautiful person. I will have her ask the doctors that are treating her. Thank you so VERY much.

I haven't EVER had a seller "talk" to me that way . . . I would want clarification as to what he meant as well. He may want positive feedback and be anxious about it, but that certainly isn't going to get positive feedback! I'm overly sensitive sometimes, too, but I think that was downright RUDE. As a buyer, you have the right to make sure that your item checks out prior to leaving feedback. If you put that he was great, loved the merchandise, etc. and then it was a piece of "poop", he'd get by with selling shoddy merchandise. I think he was WAY out of line as a seller . . . .

Angie -- thank you so much for looking that up. I'm not in much of a state to think clearly -- I simply freaked out when I found out about it. Ashley has Asthma that is SO difficult to control . . . at age 20 she still has to take her peak flows twice a day, and is on a myriad of asthma preventative meds. I think that is why they want her on the INH for so long . . . . .

I am a little more comforted that the CDC said that most latent TB doesn't become active. They just did another blood panel today -- forgot to even mention that -- if it shows that the TB is active, then all of us will need to be tested for TB, she will have to wear a mask for a week, I think, and we'll have to be treated if our levels are high . . . . I don't know when she'll get that info . . .

Thank you so much for looking that up.

gfp -- Thank you for the information -- I think it's really important . . . I'll call Freeda and order the B6 to make SURE that she takes it. I already have peripheral neuropathy that is BAD -- I don't want her developing that. She is already anemic -- I'll need to get iron supplements, as well. She knows about the alcohol, but she isn't much of a drinker, thank goodness.

Carla, Patti, Metta everyone . . . thanks for the prayers . . . . I appreciate that very much.

From what she said, the meds will make it stay latent for now, since her tests were so high . . . She will always have latent TB, and will have to have chest x-rays each year for life . . . . I THINK that's what she said . . . I got so upset, that quite frankly I don't know if I have everything correctly.

I just found out that my daughter, Ashley, has been diagnosed with latent TB. She had to have a TB test at school, and the nurse told her that the reaction was the worst she had seen. They did a number of panels of bloodwork, and her "numbers" -- I don't know WHAT numbers -- were extremely high. A chest X-ray showed that it was normal, and they said that she doesn't have ACTIVE TB.

The doctor at school said that she thinks Ashley contracted it when she was volunteering for Big Brothers / Big Sisters. She said that those kids are frequently exposed to TB, but do not have regular immunizations or testing, so it's difficult to know.

At this point, they are putting Ash on medication -- I believe she said INH (???) for 9 months. She will have to have a chest x-ray once per month during that time to make sure that it has not become active. She said that the doctor indicated that increased stress levels, illness, and I can't remember the others can induce the TB to become active.

My books are all in boxes and piled 5-high. If anyone knows ANYTHING about this, I would appreciate any information you can give me.

Also, if you are the praying type, I would appreciate those, too.

Thank you,

Lynne

BTW: 40 is the new 30 . . . . .

Also, have to say, my 40's are GREAT! Lovin' it . . . . !!!!!

I was just bustin' Chris' chops! Had to give him some grief over SOMETHING -- the guy is freaking amazing!!

Jen e-mailed the picture of us . . . as you can tell, I DON'T like having my picture taken, but I WILL place it in my avatar . . . . TEMPORARILY. The other girl in the picture is Brooke, my son's girlfriend . . . . . . Both she and Jen's pictures are good. Mine looks pretty bad . . . . .

Okay, the file is too big, so I'm going to have to go in and re-size it . . . . . I'm NOT good at it, so it may take some time . . . again CUT ME SOME SLACK!!!!!!!!!

It's done . . . . are you happy now???????

Happy Birthday!!!! Hope it's a GREAT one! Love & Hugs, Lynne

If you could get arrested for wheeling under the influence, I'd still be in Vegas!!!!!

Chris -- no problem with regard to the faux pas! The Ostrich is hanging around -- We've been calling back & forth, but I've been sick for a few days and I'm guessing she has, too. Will have to give her a call tomorrow and see what kind of trouble we can stir up! I DO want to hear about the Maid of Honor thing . . . I vaguely recall that story . . . but seriously -- tell me that you DON'T have to wear a dress. That would just be WRONG, Okay??? Also, I need pictures . . . even if you ARE in a dress . . . .