General Chit-Chat Part 2! Showing 1,701-1,750 of 2,680

[Marina]

Thanks, my dear friends. You cannot imagine how good it is to come here and know that you will "listen" (well, read, actually). I went and had my blood tests this morning, and will have the results tomorrow, which is pretty quick, luckily. Unfortunately I won't be able to see my doctor before Monday, but still. Yes, Karin, the doctor got me tested for a certain type of cancer, too, as well as diabetes, thyroid, allergies - as for the autoimmune diseases, I'll need to wait until June 3rd because of "technical issues" at the hospital... I'll let you all know, and thanks for being there ♥

[Janice (JG)]

Blessings on both of you, Laura and Marina.

[B the BookAddict]

Marina, it sounds like you have a doctor who is on the ball. I really hope that your diagnosis is not some chronic illness.

[Joan]

My sympathies Laura and Marina, I cannot add much to the above except:
My sister had her thyroid out; although it took a bit of time to get her medication dosages correct she is fine now and says she feels much better than before the operation.

Over 30 years in biomedical research, I’ve interacted with many physicians in many specialties- and many of the rheumatologists have been among the most patient-centered, caring and clinically creative- those disorders can be a bear to identify and treatment regimens vary widely- it sounds like you have a good team.

One doc said something like “a lot of people think these symptoms are psychosomatic, until they suffer even just a week of chronic pain - then all of a sudden they understand.”

[Joan]

B the BookAddict wrote: "“Threats are the last resort of a man with no vocabulary” was written by Tamora Pierce."

B, can you give me the reference for the quote?
I wanted to get the context but can’t find a record of where she wrote or said it.
I wondered if it was a misunderstanding of her sentiment - as for example when folks mistakenly claim the Robert Frost believed fences could make good neighbors (another of my bugbears).

[Marina]

Joan wrote: "One doc said something like “a lot of people think these symptoms are psychosomatic, until they suffer even just a week of chronic pain - then all of a sudden they understand.”"

That was a wise doctor. Thanks, Joan :)

[B the BookAddict]

Joan, I only know it is from her novel Lady Knight.

[Karin]

Joan wrote: "My sympathies Laura and Marina, I cannot add much to the above except:
My sister had her thyroid out; although it took a bit of time to get her medication dosages correct she is fine now and says s..."

Your last comment is spot on! I know a retired surgeon (my dad) who had this issue when he injured his back and discovered that it really was true that you could have a back problem that only hurt you when you sat or stood in certain positions. He used to tell the story on himself.

[Karin]

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Thanks, my dear friends. You cannot imagine how good it is to come here and know that you will "listen" (well, read, actually). I went and had my blood tests this morning, and will have the results..."

I'm happy that they are testing you for all of these things. Ihope that they find the answers and that all goes well for you so that you can get some relief and, ideally cured or on care that helps you live comfortably for many years to come.

[Marina]

So, news are as follows: apparently I have a streptococcus although we don't know where and despite my not having the usual symptoms, but that's what the blood tests say. So I have to take antibiotics and cortisone. I'm not normally allowed to be on cortisone, since it doesn't do well with my psychiatric medications in that it makes me horribly nervous, horribly indeed. But the doctor says I can't do without in this case. I am to take only very a small dosage anyway.

After which, I'll need to see haematologist because my white blood cells are low - not worryingly so, but still too low. That will be next week. My doctor also advises to go on with my rheumatological visits and tests, since they might clear things up a bit.

I'll let you know when I have any news, it's so good to have such friends as you, although "virtual".

[Karin]

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "So, news are as follows: apparently I have a streptococcus although we don't know where and despite my not having the usual symptoms, but that's what the blood tests say. So I have to take antibiot..."

I do hope that the antibiotics help with your symptoms--usually it starts with strep throat, but if it doesn't go away, it can lead to other things as I'm sure you know.

[dely]

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "So, news are as follows: apparently I have a streptococcus although we don't know where and despite my not having the usual symptoms, but that's what the blood tests say. So I have to take antibiot..."

You will be busy with medical dates in the next weeks but if they are necessary they have to be done.
I hope that the small dosage of cortisone won't affect too much your mood. Maybe thinking that you have to take it only for a few days can help to bear better the nervousness?

[dely]

Thinking about Laura that today had her surgery! I hope everything went fine and smoothly.

[Petra]

Marina, I'm glad that you are getting answers and solutions. It will be a hard few weeks but after that you will be back to a healthy state.

I'm thinking of Laura as well. My thoughts are with her.

[B the BookAddict]

Marina, that is the first step at least - getting a diagnosis. At least your Drs will know what/how to treat you, although there are many species of streptococcus.

[Brian Christiansen]

A few months back,I asked about some books (I thought on this group, but I can't seem to find the message). I mentioned several,but I will ask some questions about just one, Moby dick, based on some of the links I was Sent here on Goodreads,and found elsewhere on the internet.
First, I have tried to read it at least twice, and both times I lost interest very quickly because of the diversions into stuff like 1850's whaling law, classification of whales, etc, and am pretty sure that would happen again if I downloaded or purchased the unabridged novel,so I am interested in an abridged version (not something like a cliff's notes though) .
On the "Moby dick" group I was sent to on Goodreads,I could find nothing about abridged versions, and on sites outside of Goodreads, there seemed to be a snobbish (sorry,I just can't think of any other word) attitude about abridged versions, though they didn't say specifically what was wrong with abridged versions.
If there is something wrong with abridged versions, what is it. If not what is the "best" such version, or at least how would I go about finding it. I found a version by William Pocock that comes in a kindle edition, is that any good? It seems to have good reviews on the Amazon site.

[Tamara]

Brian Christiansen wrote: "A few months back,I asked about some books (I thought on this group, but I can't seem to find the message). I mentioned several,but I will ask some questions about just one, Moby dick, based on som..."

Brian,
I'm one of the moderators for Classics and the Western Canon group on goodreads. We did a re-read of Moby Dick in July 2018. I'm attaching a link to our discussion about sources, backgrounds, and different editions. I hope you find this helpful. You might also find it helpful to browse through the discussion threads of the chapters.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Karin]

My middle daughter had her Community College graduation/commencement yesterday and is off to do her last two years in university in September (she also won a transfer scholarship which helps!)

For those of you who don't live in the States or Canada, this is a two year program that gives you, at least in the States, and Associate Degree and you usually start this at 18 if you go right out of high school (which is where teens from 14-18 go to school before university). She has enough credits at her state university that she only has to do two more years to get her Bachelor of Fine Arts as a sculpture major.

BUT, it was long and boring. In the USA, or at least in this state, they have an inordinate number of speakers at graduations and commencement ceremonies! The valedictorian didn't even get to start speaking until more than an hour into the ceremony, and by then the audience was BORED. Worse, the main speaker spent most of her 22 minute speech talking about herself and her work and no one was there to hear about that.

BUT, we're happy for her, and for her close friend who was also the student trustee there and who is going for engineering.

[Tamara]

Karin wrote: "My middle daughter had her Community College graduation/commencement yesterday and is off to do her last two years in university in September (she also won a transfer scholarship which helps!)

For..."

Congratulations to you and to your daughter, Karin!

I worked at a community college for 26 years before I retired--as a professor of English for 18 years, then a dean, then as the VP of Academic Services.

I used to love graduation ceremonies because of the diverse nature of our student body. A grandmother would walk across the stage, followed by a young woman teetering on her high heels, followed by a middle aged man. Different ages, different races, different ethnicities. It was wonderful.

We always tried to keep the speeches short because we recognized the audience wasn't there to hear us speak but to see their loved ones walk across the stage. We'd get the speeches out of the way, usually within 30 minutes, then I'd invited the graduating class to stand up, and the audience would go wild. Students would then walk across the stage, one by one, to get their diplomas. I say "walk" but some of them would dance across the stage!

I used to enjoy it so much.

[Joan]

Karin,
Congratulations to your daughter and you! I enjoy volunteering at my university graduation because I love seeing the happy families- but I always volunteer to give directions etc outside the stadium so I don’t have to listen to the speakers.

[Esther]

Karin wrote: "My middle daughter had her Community College graduation/commencement yesterday and is off to do her last two years in university in September (she also won a transfer scholarship which helps!)

For..."

Here they love making speechs too at ballet recitals, memorial evenings, everything.
First the mayor bores everyone, then the functionary from the municipality involved with arts, education or whatever. Then a couple of the organisers and finally the actual MC. Of course they all thank each other and blow sunshine (well they have to ensure their future funding/re-election).
One year at the ceremony for the start of primary school (we are talking 6-11 year olds) our mayor was nearly an hour late and the municipal functionaries wouldn't let anything start until he arrived!!
When he got there he made a 20+minute speech about the wonderful things he was doing for local education.
Then the (by this time totally bored) children did a little song and a dance and the parents were finally allowed to go back to work!!!

The only place that did speeches well was my children's middle-high school. The speeches were short, funny and heart-felt.
I really miss going to all those school ceremonies and events.

[Esther]

Karin wrote: "My middle daughter had her Community College graduation/commencement yesterday and is off to do her last two years in university in September (she also won a transfer scholarship which helps!)

For..."

Congratulations to you for surving the ceremony!!
And big congratulations to your daughter.

[Marina]

Karin, congratulations to your daughter!

[B the BookAddict]

Congrats to your daughter, Esther. Any child who elects to study beyond Year 12 deserves a huge pat on the back.

Over here, we are subdued about moving from primary school (ages 6 - 11) and you simply progress to Year 7. No graduation ceremonies. We hang on to that for the real reason to celebrate which in my day was graduation from Year 12 and/or college (university).

[Esther]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Congrats to your daughter, Esther. Any child who elects to study beyond Year 12 deserves a huge pat on the back.

Over here, we are subdued about moving from primary school (ages 6 - 11) and you si..."

Hi B - I think you got confused with the names. Karin's daughter had the graduation/commencement ceremony.
My daughter is at home looking for a job while she plans where she wants to travel next.

[dely]

Karin wrote: "My middle daughter had her Community College graduation/commencement yesterday and is off to do her last two years in university in September (she also won a transfer scholarship which helps!)

For..."

Congratulations to your daughter and also to you!

[dely]

Esther wrote: "My daughter is at home looking for a job while she plans where she wants to travel next."

Is she like my son that just isn't able to stay at home? Now he will arrive in June, he will stay here for 5 days and then he wants to go to my parents for I don't know how long. He booked only a ticket to go, not to come back, lol.

But I know that most likely then he will leave again for Malaysia. He has been accepted for a research in a Malaysian university. He is only waiting for his university to tell him if that research is ok and gives him also some credits for the third year.

[Esther]

dely wrote: "Esther wrote: "My daughter is at home looking for a job while she plans where she wants to travel next."

Is she like my son that just isn't able to stay at home? Now he will arrive in June, he wil..."

No my daughter likes staying at home but she is realistic and calculates that once she is studying although she will be working she will also be racking up debit and responsibilty such that after university she won't be able to drop everything and go travel.

There are a couple of places she wants to visit but she wants to go with her brother so that will have to wait until he has finished his military service.
Otherwise it is Europe and the Far East. At present she is saving money, gathering information and checking out travelling companions.

[Karin]

Tamara wrote: "Karin wrote: "My middle daughter had her Community College graduation/commencement yesterday and is off to do her last two years in university in September (she also won a transfer scholarship whic..."

You folks did a marvelous jobs on the speeches--I think limiting them all to 30 minutes works well.

[Karin]

Thanks, all!

The very next day, someone pulled out in front of her from parked cars (they couldn't see) and caused her to crash into them! No injuries and he was remorseful and honest (as was his wife - not sure about the dog ;) ), but her car is in rough shape. It is worth more than the blue book* value due to its low mileage for its age, so she's hoping they don't write it off as totalled or that she can still fix it with what they give her if they do that.

While she lives at home to save money (not that she is happy about that but so far she is debt free and even if she needs small loans at her 4 year state school she will be nearly debt free) she hates the fact that she no longer has her car to go where she wants when she wants. Our bus service is abysmal. Now my husband and I have to drive her to and from her summer job, etc.

* For those of you not familiar with the blue book it's a publication of used car values that used to be bound in blue (now I think it's online) that is updated annually.

[Joan]

Karin, what a week for your daughter! I’m glad she is okay.

[Karin]

Joan wrote: "Karin, what a week for your daughter! I’m glad she is okay."

Thanks :)

[Marina]

Has anyone heard from Laura and knows how her surgery went?

As for me, it was not the streptococcus after all, so I'm still looking for answers. Frustrating to say the least, also because I can no more afford even a 500 meter walk. I was used to 10+ km walks and regular 1+ hours sessions at the gym. I also started having panic attacks because of this.

[dely]

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Has anyone heard from Laura and knows how her surgery went?

As for me, it was not the streptococcus after all, so I'm still looking for answers. Frustrating to say the least, also because I can no..."

I'm so sorry to hear all this! I assume you are still doing tests and dates with doctors to see if they find out something else?
I can understand the panic attacks when you feel so bad and you still haven't received a clear reply from a doc. I really hope it won't take too much longer so also the panic attacks will surely stop.
Have you also done a hospitalization to be checked better and faster?

Laura is fine, I heard from her this morning!

[Alannah]

dely wrote: "Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Has anyone heard from Laura and knows how her surgery went?

As for me, it was not the streptococcus after all, so I'm still looking for answers. Frustrating to say the..."

That's great news. Thank you for letting us know.

[Marina]

dely, thanks for letting us know about Laura, I'm so glad she's fine! Tell her we're all hoping for a speedy recovery for her :)

Yes, I am still doing tests and what not. No hospitalization as yet. I'm feeling really tired, psychologically as well as physically. Let's hope something comes up soon.

[Petra]

Marina, I'm sorry that there are no answers for you yet. I'm sure the unknowing is draining. Hugs.

[Esther]

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Has anyone heard from Laura and knows how her surgery went?

As for me, it was not the streptococcus after all, so I'm still looking for answers. Frustrating to say the least, also because I can no..."

Marina, it must be so upsetting not to have any answers.

[Esther]

dely wrote: "Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Has anyone heard from Laura and knows how her surgery went?

As for me, it was not the streptococcus after all, so I'm still looking for answers. Frustrating to say the..."

Thanks for the news about Laura!!

[B the BookAddict]

Marina, that is shocking that they still have not found as answer for you. You poor thing.

dely, thanks for letting us know about Laura.

[Marina]

Thanks, dely, Petra, Esther and Bette. I'll let you know if and when I have news.

[LauraT]

I'm back!!!
Everything went well. A little annoyed by the general anesthesia but nothing terrible.
Thanks for all your kind words; sorry for not having been on line more, but I sincerelly wanted to take a break.
From now on I should be more "around"!!!

[LauraT]

And thanks Dely for having mentioned me!!!

Marina so sorry to hear you've not solved yuor situation yet!

[Marina]

Laura, I'm so glad to know all went well :) Don't worry about taking a break, I think we all need it from time to time.

[Karin]

LauraT wrote: "I'm back!!!
Everything went well. A little annoyed by the general anesthesia but nothing terrible.
Thanks for all your kind words; sorry for not having been on line more, but I sincerelly wanted t..."

I'm glad you're doing well. I hate general anesthesia which is why last year I had local for surgery that can be done this way if you find a cooperative team (the surgeon and the anesthetist, but I found the right way to get them to listen).

[Karin]

Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "Laura, I'm so glad to know all went well :) Don't worry about taking a break, I think we all need it from time to time."

I'm sorry to hear you still don't have any answers, but hope you find something out soon :)

[Karin]

An update on my daughter and her car.

It took some time and we had to buy a copy of the police report ourselves to speed things up, but here his what's going on.

1. They wrote it off as a total loss, since it is front end and it can cost more than they think.

2. The car is NOT a total loss, and we got a private estimate which was lower (but in both cases it could cost more.)

3. She is getting a cheque for the value of her car minus salvage which should be more than enough to fix the car, but if it's not, will cover most or all of it.

4. BUT it will be at least another week and a half until it's fixed, so we're still driving her to and from work (along with our son, so we try and do a sort of triangle with a little piece coming off the top of it at an angle even though they are sort of in opposite directions). This makes it hard to get many things done, but at least no one was hurt and the stress of what is wrong with it, that the insurance company knows she was not at fault at all, and wondering when it can be fixed is over.

[B the BookAddict]

Of course, once you've had an accident and claim insurance, your rates go up and your rating goes down. Ten years ago a guy hit me head on (he was on wrong side of the road) so it was his fault obviously. We claimed thru my insurance because it was faster for a payout and his insurance eventually paid mine. But my rating went down and my rate went up.

[Karin]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Of course, once you've had an accident and claim insurance, your rates go up and your rating goes down. Ten years ago a guy hit me head on (he was on wrong side of the road) so it was his fault obv..."

Wow, that is NOT FAIR!

Did you get all the money you were due? My daughter is getting the entire value of her car minus salvage value. Sometimes that doesn't happen.

I wonder if EVERY insurance company does the same thing. BUT, she is already at the top rate, so I think she can't go higher if she's not at fault--she hasn't driven enough for safe driver discount or experience points, as she's been driving and owned a car for about 2 and a half years. Well, she has discounts for good grades, having me on her insurance, belonging to a certain auto club and for paying her full year's premium all at once, and that helps a lot.

[LauraT]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Of course, once you've had an accident and claim insurance, your rates go up and your rating goes down. Ten years ago a guy hit me head on (he was on wrong side of the road) so it was his fault obv..."

Even if it wasn't your fault? In Italy we have something of this sort, but only on the wrong doer's side!!!!