The sun is trying to come out of its coma and so am I. LOL
@ Ducky: I partially followed your plan. Had changed the sheets the night before, took a shower because my hair was filthy. Let it dry naturally, then put it up in my soft, wrappy curlers for a little body. Watched some documentaries I''d recorded. I'd love to be able to knit or chrochet. Tried to learn yrs ago but am left-handed. I mean, totally left handed. It takes a special teacher to help me learn while turning things backwards. That's what I usually have to do. I do love embroidery but need a pattern. mmmm have to make a trip to the city and find some. But for now, move over cuz I'm not quite out of the dumpster yet.

I am here mostly lurking not doing much posting. Sometime I think I just don't know what to say. In my heart everyone's pain makes me sad. Then the way everyone handles the pain is just amazing. I am thinking of you Mike and I understand how sometime it is hard to climb out. I am in the dumpster more emotionally than pain wise.
It has been a bad week for me on pain but once the front passed through (yesterday) the pain level has come down. If I am honest I have been having a pity party. I canceled a december trip because of my pain. I miss my old life. Then when for sure I know it is worse for others I am ashamed of myself.I am gonna climb out and focus more on others. I feel so insufficient and afraid of saying the wrong thing but I am going to trust my heart
I love you all. Each of you have a special gift in supporting others. I am gonna look for mine. Maybe it is "Be well DS friends" like Toni says.

Hello my favorite people in the world...

@ Nealytee
I am left handed too...It can be done! I will let you share my dumpster...but only if you promise to keep your side of it clean! HUGS and LOVE to you my special lady.

Hey everyone
I am wishing you each a little less pain right now and the days coming. I think we are all having a hard time right now.

@Dave
You are going to have to buy yourself an ark my friend because you are not supposed to lift the boards needed to make it! I say stick you and Rocco in a row boat and get a blanket....curl up and wake up when it dries out.

@Hippy
Lurker, Lurker! You should never be sad for us my friend...your kind words and open heart are always enough to make me feel better and special and supported. As for your pity party....you can share the dumpster with me and Nealytee....that way we can have a girls party! Super support and love to you my friend and lots of feathery soft hugs.

@MaryKathryn
Rest and recoup ... the little ones are endless power houses!

@Cherry
take a breath, release, take another and hold it....release it slow and let every single bone and muscle drain of tension.....you need a break my friend.

@ Kansass
HUGS....you know that these times come and go....just try and ride it out without losing your sanity.

@SadSadLisa
HUGS to you and lots of good thoughts to help brighten your spirit.

>>>ME>>>>
I got out of the house today for two or two 1/2 hours on my stroller. I sat in it far too long and had to be walked back into the house by my son...but, it was far worth it. I got to window shop and preview some projects that I plan on completing for the holidays. Now, I am in bed..waiting for meds to kick in and I am going to take an afternoon nap.

My body is still major down and not much I can do about it but rest. Have to keep my typing down. bummer.
Superducky and I were talking earlier about Christmas projects and I don't have any and I'm usually on them by now so I've got to get to thinking on this.
Hippy your pain is your own, you can't feel guilty about others. I so wish none of us hurt too. I pray about this every day. I'm sure all of us don't want anyone to hurt. I know how much your neck hurts you!

Best wishes for low pain and happy weekend friends,
Toni

Good morning everyone

It is early on the west coast...about 5:30 and I have been up for a few hours already. I tossed all night and have been awake since about 3 am...my hips/back/knee are having a disagreement with my plans for sleep. Darn it! I hate it when all my parts don't follow the instructions at the same time

I will check back in later my friends. I want you to feel my big, supportive hugs, I want you to have less pain today and, I want you to enjoy a good breakfast and coffee/tea this morning===treat yourself special!

Sleeping w/ a Buzz Saw:>}
A long night!! Poor Hubby, he never had a huge prob. w/ snoring until after his last surgery. Now, its awful!! If I get to sleep first, we're ok but if not, I'm punching him all night begging him to turn. I can't even drown out the sound w/ the TV!! And he can't help it. I'm sure he needs some type of tx or machine but w/ no ins., a sleep study is out of the question!!!! I need to film him as he can't believe its as disruptive as I tell him! I know most of us snore, particularly after a certain age, but this is far beyond normal. I listen to see if he stops breathing (sleep apnea) and he doesn't seem to do that. So abt. 3 a.m. my body and mind finally gave out enough to sleep in spite of the noise. Our pain has already but so much space between us (physically) pillows packed here and there to ease pressure etc and the thought of separate rooms would be too much. I've tried ear plugs but not much success. Oh well, so much for my bedtime story:>}

Good morning, lot's going on this weekend but I'm picking and choosing. I'm going to a small town fair to see my oldest march in a parade with the band and hang out for a little bit. Joy and the boys are staying all day but I'm only making a short appearance for the parade.
Slept so so last night and don't feel too bad right now but I don't intend to push my luck. I'm going to do some small jobs around here today while everyone is gone and just enjoy this pretty day.
Hope everyone is doing OK,

Mike

Good Morning All,

I got to work tonight. First time in two weeks. I might work one day a week, keep that connection, company truck, and get my health insurance paid. Still don't know what the long range plan is. Right now they need me to finish something that I have all the info on, and then we'll see what happens.

Anyway....I'm doing OK. Rocco is good. We're just chillin".

Hugs,
David.

Hi Everyone, I find that my family has been hiding out here! LOL. This is a great spot! Well, I will just have to follow where you all lead. I wanted to tell everyone that on Monday I begin a out-patient treatment at the hospital for three days. My doctor wants me to have IV Stetoids to stop an MS exaserbation. She was convinced that I reacted to the Lyrica but also thinks I am in the midsts of an exaserbation of my MS. So the Steroids are the treatment of choice. I have had this treatment seveal times in the past and responded favorably to it. In fact, I have gone from being wheelchair bound to walking again. So I know it works for me. My only concern at this point is that it is going to be given in a hospital setting. And I have this pesky phobia of hospitals. I think I will be fine, but since they have to attach the IV I am afraid I will feel trapped and go a little nuts. It has happened before! It's embarrassing!!!! But I can't control it, all I can think of at that moment is getting out of there. And I am efficient at getting out! All of a sudden I have energy I never knew I had and (adrenalin) I feel like superwoman for about 60 seconds. Then I collape and the poor nurses have to reattach everything and tie me down. Like I said I am not proud of this behavior, I just can't always control it. This is my only phobia, thank goodness, but it is a big one. I blame my father, he passed this phobia on to me. But I really know why I feel the way I do and I am working hard to get a handle on it. I know how silly this all must sound to all of you. Thanks for listening! Hugs, Cathy

Cathy this is not silly. We all have phobias. I don't like to socialize in publlic. I dread that and I want to run. Yours is harder because sometime it is necessary to be their. Is there anything they can give you to calm you. I know on phobias it is hard to do the mind thing and just talk yourself into it and be comfortable. At least you recognize it and can tell them. Even thought this will make you feel better it is obvious you are dreading it. Are you able to focus on something? Like your favorite place or an event in your life that made you very happy. If you can do this it might make it easier. Some ear buds with soothing music and you close your eyes and remove yourself from what is going on around you. Just some thoughts. In the end know you are in my prayers. I am thankful that the doctor is going to do something to help you.

Hi...I appreciate the support I have already received. I have been dealing with chronic pain for 5+ years. It makes me really despressed sometimes. However, it is good to intereact with others in the same boat. It is beautiful today, bright, windy, and not too hot at all!

CW, good to see you here!!! I'm that way w/ dentists. Have to be knocked out!!! Or any kind of intrusive procedure.
Hela, So glad you're having a lovely day. Its starting to clear up here finally!!

Peeking in to say hi and see how everyone is doing.
Yeah David going to work, I hope this works out for you!
Cathy good idea to try to distract yourself. Take a magazine or book. Color a picture. Ask ahead of time if you can take valium or such before you go. I do this for MRIs. You don't look silly to me either, you don't choose to be this way! Try imaging all of us with you and we're hugging you.
Hope everyone had a good day and has a good night.

Ps. Nealytee hope you get some sleep friend!

Sunday morning, Still raining but the sun did come out for awhile yesterday. Looks like this pattern is going to hold (rain off and on) for the next few days.
I DID sleep well last night. The trick is to go to sleep first and be very, very tired . LOL
Am going to set my goal for one small project today. Next wk, a lot of running around. I'll ck back in later.

Nealytee glad you found the secret. It is true that once you get to sleep it usually doesn't wake you up. I also find earplugs to be helpful. I have all kinds of tactics up my sleeve. The light tap and raised voice "you are SNORING" then there is the pillow over head and that also wakes him up. I think a back sleeper snores more. I used to listen also to see if he was not breathing. Meds can cause this snoring as well. On any count glad you slept.

Me I have had a busy weekend with a birthday party thrown in. I didn't have to do anything but go and it was fun. I did help serve the birthday cake. The party was at our local pizza place. Great pizza. Yummo.

Hope everyone goes into the new week with less pain and finds one thing they can accomplish for the week.