Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Thoughts and Prayers for Megan, her Dad and Family

Lol Thanks Sue, I've tried that too. I must look like a nutter doing that, but hey, whatever works. That's how I have to watch tv when someone else is here (I don't turn down the brightness when other people are over). I can't help watching tv right now - love the olympics.

unfortunately megan, don't think its just your department / university / field. the more i talk to others in academia, regardless of institute or field, it seems like we can all trade similar war stories......often getting a PhD or tenure can feel like a hazing ritual. not to say that's always the case, or even usually the case, but does seem to transcend specific fields, departments, universities. too bad.

as for the on-line degree programs. i think that perception really did use to exist, but as more "brick and mortar" universities have begun offering on-line courses, i think the perception could be changing. perhaps if you looked into on-line courses through a "brick and mortar" university with a good reputation, then your degree would be from that school, and perhaps, no one would be able to tell the difference on paper. and i also know of people (in science) who have done their postgraduate research in industry, rather than within a lab at the university, so i think there is some flexibility out there.

though it sounds like feeling better is currently your number one priority. i think it would be for me as well.

Hi Megan,

Thoughts and prayers to your family.

A thought on disability - You have many things your dealing with, health wise. I would approach your provincial disabillity and CPPD. It's normally easier to get CPPD after you have the provincial disability.

I had my ex-family doctor at the time fill out my papers. She had originally threw my papers in the garbage. After the college and Physcians here in Ontario talked to her, she threw the papers together. It was like she put half my file in ODSP (provincial disability), and the rest in CPPD. I photo copied all the papers and put them with both files, with each others report.

Then I went to all my doctors, and got their up to date info and added it to both files. Everything you went to the doctor for physical, psychological, neurological, adrenal, liver, etc, etc, you put it in your applications for disability.

I even included letter from my fire chief at the time. He described me as a fire hazzard.

Any information, even information you don't think may be relavent put it in the file. If you have health issues with multi body parts, your multi chemical sensitivity, this will help you get disability faster.

I was told by many that I would not get disability the first time around. I was surprised that I was accepted six weeks after applying.

Megan, you won't know until you try, so I am suggesting you get your application in for disability.

Hugs
Gerri

Hey Gerri. Thanks for your help.
I flat out can't get any kind of disability, because in order to qualify for provincial or federal disability programs, it has to be a *permanent* disability. Because I have no idea what I'm dealing with, no one will label it permanent. Even though it's been going on for nearly 3.5 years now...

Oh Meggie, how awful to have to drop your thesis. Good god, is there nothing we can keep safe from this disease??!!

Warm hugs,

meggie, baby, aloha

you probably need some absolutely inaaproriate, roving hands,warm hugs...feel so badly for you that bf is distancing hisself from your in time of need.

we all have times of need- this is a steel-cage match: you vs the spondy monster...sometimes our time of need can occupy a much too long period of time. as i'm want to say from time time: the monster sometimes comes and goes; it's worse when it comes and stays.

wish so that i could help.
pu liki mau

Thanks everyone!

Good news - my dad is now out of hospital and bad at home. He's trying soft solids right now, so hopefully that will go well.

Thanks for all your prayers and words of support. I think all the good thoughts worked.
To you all

Hey Kat, it's not the AS that's the problem at the moment. It's whatever else that's going on... the photophobia, constant barfing, nerve pain, eye pain, and fatigue that are preventing me from doing anything normal right now. If you have any clues on what this is, let me know, cuz all my specialists have pretty much given up. Grrrr.

Thanks Ben - it's so nice to see you're still popping in here.
Yes, my time of need has gone on way too long. It's gotta be hard for any significant other to be super supportive for this long. Especially when I don't even look the same anymore.
Ah well... we're working it out. Just need time, I think.
Hope you're ok these days. Miss seeing you post around here.
Lots of hugs!