michelled's Blog

Last year Leasheryn threw the most spectacular  virtual Christmas Party!   If she is doing so this year I have not yet received my invitation.  Is it rude to ask our gracious host if she is planning an extravaganza this year and perhaps the invitation was misdirected as I have been out of town for so long?

I truly hope so as it was the best party of the year!

It is with JOY that I write this letter to all of you!  I am at home until the end of December and then head back to Gainesville. This time I will have computer access.....at least that is the plan! 

I started my therapy 4 weeks ago yesterday.  It will take several more months before they know if it will work, but I believe it will! 

I was able just now to hook my computer up by  myself which is not something I could have done physically 6 months ago.  Granted it took me over an hour but it is a big accomplishment for me!

You are all always in my thoughts and I miss "talking" to all of you and can't wait to read the past blogs and hear from you all!

It is a Merry Christmas indeed!

p.s. sorry about the election.  I'll have to update my profile, I was kind of sad to find out that I did not win.  Oh well ,2012 is just around the corner!

Michelle should win an award for the performance she has just delivered to the DNC!  She whole heartedly threw in every icon of Americana except a puppy dog on Christmas morning and an apple pie.  She did get in the fact that her dad had to use TWO canes to walk across the room to kiss her mom.  Heaven help us all, and I wish she would change her name! 

Having recently been diagnosed with yet one more disease I sometimes become discouraged.  The latest diagnoses is Systemic Scleroderma, this is my 4th diagnoses.  I have turned to my cousin who has lived with ALS for the past 7 years and has been able to maintain an unbeatable attitude.  I am writing this because he has written his first novel and he is an inspiration to me.  He has only 10% use of his hands and arms, yet he found the strength and fortitude to write a book and have it published.  I am not writing this to sell the book but to tell his story.  When faced with adversity many of us want to blame someone and become self absorbed with self pity, like the world owes us something. With his attitude to tackle such a project he continues to inspire me and I wanted to share his story.

If you would like to view the book, it is called Living the Dream and can be found at the following address:      http://www.amazon.com/living-dream-historical-fiction-
novel/dp/1434896404/ref=sr_1_1ie=utf8&s=book&qid=121815
0429&sr=1.1   

Minutes after wishing everyone a Happy 4th and to be thankful my father called to tell me their house caught on fire.  Everyone is safe, including the kitty.  Just goes to show us that we never know what may happen in this life and to be grateful and thankful.  I do think they will skip the frieworks tonight though, they've seen enough for one day! 

Happy 4th, let's celebrate not only our independence but also the ability to depend on those that gaurd our safety in all avenues of our lives!

Happy 4th of July everyone!  Today we celebrate our independence.  We have a lot to celebrate and I hope most of us will  take a few minutes to count those blessings.  Yes, there will those that will grumble about everything from the price of gas to whatever they let irk them today.  Take a few minutes and think of all the freedoms we do enjoy and be thankful!

Happy 4th and keep safe but have some fun too!

The Blog Turf War's are never ending.  Someone is always stirring the pot.  People, yes, actual people and not just screen names take the bait. They take sides and it goes on and on.  PastorD witnessed something that even the Fox Blog Gods deemed unfit but other than that it's is a matter of what someone wants to post and a bunch of he said/she said [...]. 

When you read a newspaper or watch the news there are stories that appeal to you more than others, you have  a choice to turn the page or channel.    

Many  bloggers do have something to say that could expand our thoughts and views.  No one said you have to read every line of every post.  There will not be a quiz at the end.

Why are terminally ill patients refused medical treatment by experimental drugs?  The FDA did not protect us from contaminated products from China but will not allow most drugs in the experimental stage to be tested on people that have a terminal illness.  When did the FDA become so powerful that they can truly decide who lives and dies but also allows by it's own power to expose us to harmful carcinogins? 

The story that aired this morning on FOX is just part of the story.  Wednesday's front page headline in the Bradenton Herald told a much different story.  The bus was not pitched as an Express Bus service but as a Luxury Bus service for busy executives so that they may leave their luxury cars off of the road at the expense of 2 Million per year in grant money.  The one way fare quoted in the paper was $5.00 with service starting at 5:00 am until 7:00 pm running every 60 to 90 minutes, complete with a coffee bar and wireless internet.

What is wrong with this picture is the county also reported on the same page that the HandiBus service is being cut due to lack of funding.  This bus service provides transportation to the disabled and elderly that have no other form of transportation.  The fare is going up from $2.00 per round trip to $25.00 if funding is not found.

I think an express bus is an excellent idea.  I just wanted you to know how it was pitched and who could possibly suffer.  Sorry, if you have a Lexus or Infiniti ,per the Bradenton Herald, that you can leave behind to drive to your "executive" position why don't you, and let the people that truly need transportation ride the bus.

That is the rest of the story. 

In researching Leukemia for yet another diagnoses for my recent health problems I came across "Hairy Cell Syndrome".   I know the topic is not funny, but the person that named a disease "Hairy Cell Syndrome" has to have a sense of humor!  It is hard to take that name serious, illness should at least have a dignified name.  I must admit I would have a hard time telling someone I have "Hairy Cell Syndrome" especially if all of my hair falls out from Chemo. 

All kidding aside, apparently this round of test show that I have a rare form of Leukemia and it can be managed.  This is my third diagnoses so I am hoping this one is the charm because I am ready to move on.  I do not care if I lose my hair or what the name is of what I have, I just want to get back to living my life.  

I know we are all just blogging friends but it is nice to know that you all are out there.  Thank you for your support, thoughts and prayers!   

"A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses."  Hippocrates

Becoming frustrated with my undiganosed condition and wanting to return to my previous level of health,  I asked my cousin how he handles the negativity of people around him as he becomes increasingly weaker from his illness of ALS.  We do not appreciate what we have until it is gone and I for one have become extrememly frustrated with people who complain about the slightest problem or issue.  That is my problem, I need to learn to deal with it, but people complain about everything from a paper jam to a traffic jam.  I am guilty too, when my health was perfect I thought my day was ruined if I was 5 minutes late for work or if I missed a deadline.  The truth is the world did not come to a sudden halt, time marched forward no one except for me fell to pieces because the copier did not work.   We are the only ones that can control our attitudes and take a second to appreciate what we have in life that is good.

Can you work?  Can you get out of bed and brush your teeth, can you feed yourself?  Can you sit up in bed and hug a loved one?  If so you are blessed and live your life like you are and stop complaining.  Who knows, they may never figure out what is wrong with me but I know one thing, my attitude about life has changed.  Life and health is fragile and precious, appreciate what you have and let go of the things that don't matter.