Thanks Erica,

Been lucky and haven't had to use them yet. Been able to find parking spaces right next to the handicap parking. I never am able to find parking spaces that close otherwise, usually I have to park at the end of a row, 3 football fields away.

Hope you are doing well...are you still doing water exercises?

Hi Sue

Thank you for the good wishes!!!

I think sometimes we let pride get in the way and even make excuses for not using them when we really need to...like you said, why should everything be an uphill battle. When I had my tags last time, I didn't use them all the time. If I noticed only one handicap stall open I would save it for someone worse then me and then just tough it out. I think for those of us that don't appear to be disabled can sometimes be reluctant and feel guilty to use those spaces for fear of being judged. I was never hassled for using them but have heard stories.

Hi Lisa

So glad to hear from you. I thought maybe you were across the pond with Alan, drinking and dancing the nights away. I am sure Alan can Tango a girl until she is nothing more than a wet dish rag in his arms.

The Anniversary dinner went well until we got the call that my wife's dad had trouble swallowing his pills and was sure one got stuck in his throat. Luckily the restaurant was only 3 blocks away and we had just paid the bill. When we got there my father-in-law was hunched over the sink, gagging. My wife was calm and gave him some very warm water to sip. Once he calmed down he was alright. I think the pill was down but scratched his throat, so it still felt like it was there. We were both sitting there to make sure he was alright all the while my mother in law complained about everything under the sun that he does wrong. The stress really made my pain levels shoot up so bad that I had to excuse myself and go sit in the car with the heated seats on.

With the remicade not working I took way more pain killers than usual. If this continues I will need to talk to my rhuemy again as to what to do for pain till Enbrel hopefully works.

I had really planned to have a night out with out talking about or having any issues...AS had other plans I guess.

21 yrs? that is a pretty good run. These health issues can really be hard on our spouses too. Can't take them for granted either.

Lisa, I hope you are doing well and no dancing on the tables!!!

Hi Pea !!!

Some people don't realize how just going out to eat can be a challenge for some of us. Even my wife couldn't understand why I didn't say goodbye to her dad and why I was in tears sitting in the car (you can tell people i cried but I will deny it) REALLY it was that bad. How I could seem fine one moment and the next moment be in that much pain. When I got home I went online and ordered the book you recommended "But you LOOK good". I want my wife to understand and "get me". Maybe because I am a guy I am not good at expressing myself or explaining things in a way she can understand. I hope the book will be able to do that.

I will try to post a link but if someone beats me to it that will be ok.

Talk to you later Pea...Hope the Savella keeps working for you!!!

Hey Chris

Thank you so much. Started a "pain diary" for disability" hope that helps but like you said, Disability, It's no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I didn't choose it, it chose me. If it were up to me I would get up everyday and go to work without a care in the world. How are you doing??? Are the implants working for you??

Thanks Chris

Thanks Tim

Having unseasonably WARM weather here!!!! LOW 30's


HEAT WAVE!!!


Take Care Tim!!!

Hi Donna

I know there have been times I wish I had renewed mine. It seems it's harder to find a spot close when you are having a bad day. At least now I have a choice. Any new trips planned??

Steve

I regretted getting mine too but I knew I really needed them. What a thoughtful gift to give her. You are really blessed to have Miss Diane and the girls.

i went to amazon but couldn't find the book by that title,

but wanted to include a link to the book that first helped me, as a spouse, understand for the first time, what my husband was going through with invisible chronic illness.

then shortly after, helped me deal with my invisible chronic illness.

http://www.amazon.com/Sick-Tired-Feeling...8357&sr=1-1

i read the book back in the early 90s, but occasionally go back to it, and it seems as relevant to day as it did then.

PS maybe this is the other book:

http://www.invisibledisabilities.org/educate/butyoulookgood/