I haven't been feeling too good for about a month.  I had a real bad set back with the neuropathy in my feet and it took me about 4 days to get the pain level down.  And now I have a Diverticulitus infection.  My computer was in the repair shop for about 7 days, so I haven't been on computer much at all.  I hope to get back to being on the AARP website on a regular basis.

Tomorrow is always a better day and I know I will feel better.  Thank you for listening.

I have been doing pretty good, buy my constant companion is the Neuropathy in my feet - a side effect of chemotherapy.  It has been having a real bad "burning" type of effect on the bottom of my feet lately and that irritates my nerves - keeps me on edge most of the time. Laughter is my favorite thing to take my mind off of the pain.  I have been dealing neuropathy since January of 2006 - so I will keep on dealing with it and savour the good days and get through the days when the pain "rises to the top".

I just finished a Beginning Spanish class at the community college and it has been a huge accomplishment for me. Met some really sweet - young folks - made some new friends, and it has helped my self esteem tremendously. If my health will continue to stay steady - I hope to take Spanish 2 during the second semester of Summer school.  I just take things one day at a time.

Thanks for listening,

Charline

I thank each one of you for your emails and friends requests.  I am not feeling great  so - I don't get on my computer much and haven't answered any emails - and I sincerely apologize.  I hope to feel better soon and will reply to each email. I am still very confused on how this new AARP site works and how to "navigate" around to everything.

Kindest Regards,

Charline

It sounds stupid - but I forget to take my medication sometimes, so I have made a diligent effort to make sure I take my medications. 

So, the depresssion is better, but now I am fighting an upper respitory infection.  My immune system is still comprimised but I can at least call my doctor tomorrow and get some (more) medication to deal with the infection.  I am very suseptible to bronchitus - so I have to be very careful.

I haven't answered too many messages because I haven't been feeling good. I will get to each message that has been sent to me and thank you very much for your message(s) and also for those that invite me to be your friends. You are all very precious people and friends.

Thank you for listening.

Charline

I am not ashamed or embarrased about having depression.  I didn't ask for it, I didn't choose it, - it happens.  I take medication, go to counseling and I am a kind person.  It is the unkind people and uncaring family that cuts like a knife in my very soul and heart.  I can't change them - that is not my job, nor would I want to,  so I try to learn to cope with the loss of having a family and try to control myself around rude and unkind people - and I am honest when I say - I don't always succeed at that.  But when I snap at someone, I have the decency to apologize.

I feel as though I am losing ground in my strength for life and more than anything - I just want to feel better and learn to accept people the way they are. The rude people, the people that are so thoughtless, family that are so self-righteous that they fail to realize they have some work to do on themselves - just like I do.  I am way too sensitive for my own good and that is a real weakness in myself.  I wish I could make that better too.

Prayers would sure be appreciated during this time.  It got me through cancer - but during that time my brain was not functioning.  Now my brain is "somewhat" functioning, but my heart is broken.

Thank you for listening.

Charline

Having a lot of trouble with depression and not feeling well.

My husband saw the Neuro surgeon today.  I went with him  - and I took a lot of notes.  The doctor of course recommened surgery.  I hate to see my husband in pain and he still goes to work everyday.  He works with some very, very kind people that are trying to lighten his load - by doing the walking - since my husband does patrols - being a Security patrol person. I believe that some really good things can come out of situations that are overwhelming - but right now I feel like I am a "basket case".  We have no family to be of support to us - they just don't want to be bothered - and they do know what we are going through, so I feel like it is my husband and I against the world.  But we also have God on our side and that is the best.  I appreciate everyone just letting me write my thoughts on this journal portion of the site - it sometimes helps to journal.  And I ALWAYS appreciate feedback/advice/suggestions.

Thank you for listening.  My husband and I will get through this.  We made it through me having stage 3 cancer and we had so many obstacles to overcome - but it was my husband during that time that was dealing with everything - I was too sick to know what was going on.  So now it is me trying to make things better for my husband and help him and sometimes I feel very alone.

I appreciate each and every person on these sites on AARP.

Thank you for your time.

Charline

My husband has an appointment this Monday with a Neuro Surgeon.  He wants so much to avoid surgery if there is any way possible.  It will create many uncertainties for us.  I just want to have a simple, normal life and my husband and i both feel good.  We don't have a support system, but he and I have each other.  I went through cancer alone and I just want to be able to "nurse" him back to health.  I am feeling pretty overwhelmed right now and am praying for God's help.

We found out today that my husband's MRI results show that he has some severe narrowing of the spinal canal/column - and is pressing down on the L5 nerve.  He is a security guard and has had trouble walking because of this problem.  It leaves us feeling overwhelmed and wondering - what will we do.  But I believe in Miracles.  I thank God for this website.

Had an EKG done last week and doctor found a slight abnormality so he is sending me to cardiologist.  I have pressure in my chest a lot, not pain, but pressure.  I think the pressure is caused by constant anxiety.  I am nervous and scared about taking a stress test.  I have neuropathy in my feet but I can walk on a treadmill.  I just want to be feeling good and doing good things for people.  My husband and I are both having health problems and it is very stressful and scarey and has been causing me so much anxiety.

Thank you for listening.