Happy Thanksgiving

W2SMITH(AT)aol.com
Thu, 27 Nov 1997 11:31:29 -0500 (EST)

For the last six weeks, I've been a silent observer--just sitting at my
computer reading and learning. For years now, when I go to the doctors they
will ask me how I'm doing. My answer (unfortunately) is always the same. I
talk about the burning, skin is supersensitive to the touch, nerves seem to
be exposed on the bottom of my feet, it hurts to sit on anything hard, legs
feel heavy, lack of strength, hard to walk--straight or upstairs, ankles and
feet have swollen lumps which get larger as the day goes on and on and on.
Their response is to always just nod, twist their lips, and write down once
again my comments. However, they don't have anything else to say except
"keep trying." The best they can offer me to medication for pain, which at
best is a bandaid since we are all aware that "nerve" pain is extremely hard
to manage.

Some of you have mentioned being grateful for what we have (even though we
would all like to have what we had at one time). Believe it or not, there
are days I can truly say I am grateful for what I have. I'm not talking
about this miserable illness; I'm talking about my family, friends, the
beautiful flowers/trees, animals, my ability to still sew, make floral
arrangements, quilt, read, etc. I'm also talking about finding this group on
the computer. Until a couple of months ago, I didn't have a computer; nor
did I know anything about the internet, www, chat groups, etc. Now, I have
found a place where people "understand". My family/friends love me, but they
don't "understand". They haven't had to loose themselves and find themselves
as we all have had to do. That is probably the hardest part of the illness.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts--both the good and the bad. It isn't
easy being nice all the time, especially when we are in pain.

Happy Thanksgiving to every one of you and God bless!

Pat S.