Hi Lor,

We just got back and are leaving again so it will take me a long time to catch up on everyone's threads.

I just wanted to tell you to have a wonderful time in Alaska and I'm delighted to hear that Drew is doing so well.

I, too, have had the experience with therapists who tell me they would never know Zac was having so many issues. One of them actually told me she was enamored with Zac! I'm glad, though, that the new pdoc is a good communicator. That will help tremendously!

I'll update everyone when I have time, but Zac basically had a great two weeks, although he was very stressed at times. He worked through it but, again, I'm reminded of the fragility.

Have a wonderful, wonderful time!

Love,

Hope

Hope, its so obvious that zac doesnt do well during the school year..and better without the schedule of school? He doesnt sound too bad, thats good news.

lor, you going to alaska? thats cool:cool: ...i wish i was leaving florida and heading that way..:D its in the high 70's there right??

You're right. Stress is his undoing and he still hasn't learned how to handle that. He has a very challenging schedule this coming year and he is starting to worry about it already. As it is, he has an assignment of 5 different books this summer (4 for AP Lang Arts and 1 for Honors British Lit), as well as finishing Algebra.

How are you in Florida, my friend?

Love,

Hope

Hope,
Welcome back! You were missed, but I hope the time away gave you time to recharge. I'm not sure how to explain this, but when things are going well I find myself focusing on recharging so I will have the strength and ability to stay calm during the next challenging time.

I'm glad Zac did well. Hopefully his ability to deal with the stress and come out on top is teaching him some coping skills which will make things easier for him in the future. It does sound like he is going to have to start focusing on preparing for the next school year. Maybe EYE's chain reaction will help him to get started. The more he procrastinates the more stressed he will become. Drew has three books to read and a summer math packet. I guess the days of long, lazy summers are over.

Jules, I'm not sure what the temperature will be in Alaska but I know it will seem cool to me. I'm sorry you are not seeing much Sunshine down here this week. We have had some rain where we are but not all day. We've been spending time at the beach the past few days to take advantage of the waves. Drew even did a little surfing yesterday. Did you do any shopping?

Lor:)

Thanks guys, we woke up to more rain today..im starting to lose it.. isnt this supposed to SUNNY FLORIDA? hope, i understand about stress and how it changes zac..part of the problem is he puts alot on himself because he wants to be the best he can and wont be happy with any less.:(

Hello friends ~

No vacation for me, but I am going to the spinal surgeon today. I woke up and was in the most pain I've ever had so I hope he doesn't take one look at the way I'm walking and admit me to the hospital for surgery right then and there.

Son went to pdoc yesterday for check up. It's so great when you get to the point that they don't really want to see you!! You'll all get there one day soon, too.

Take good care, everyone.
:wave: Tsohl

Oh Tsohl, I wish you could find some permanent relief from your back pain. Hopefully the appointment went well and the surgeon has something to offer you. You have been so helpful to everyone here, and it gives me hope to hear how well your son is doing. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers over the next two weeks.
Lor:)

Oh ts, thats horrible...i know you are trying to avoid surgery and i dont blame you..but, you cant live with the pain you are in everyday.. please keep us posted..i will be thinking about you today.:)

Thanks guys for your good wishes. You know how you can feel awful, but the day you finally get in to see the doctor, you are feeling much better?? Well, that didn't happen yesterday. My back was THE WORST it has ever been. I wasn't even sure I could walk from the front entry to the elevators, to the doc's office!! But I made it and he could see the difficulty I was having and how crooked and twisted I was standing. I go in Monday morning for a new MRI and some additional testing and then I will now which surgical "procedure" he is going to push for. I have seen 6 spinal specialists now and there isn't a bit of difference in thought over what is causing my problems--I just need to figure out which guy to go to.

Also my daughter has decided that Portland is just too far--oops more later --

ts, im not sure just how bad and what your surgery entails.. this thought may be way out there..but did you ever think about coming into n.y to the HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY. people come from all over the world to go there. they have the newset techniques..just a crazy thought...:D

Hi guys --

I had to run as I got a call from some security people. The alarm had gone off at a friend's home, I have the extra key so am on the "LIST" of people to be called --so I had to go meet the police. Turns out some workmen were banging around on the roof and it set off the alarm.

Ok, my surgery isn't that complicated -- I have spondylolisthesis at L4-L5 which is resulting in spinal stenosis -- pinching off all the nerves leading to my legs -- thus the sciatic pain, inability to walk or stand, etc. It's just that they want to do a fusion which requires a body cast for 3 months; recovery is 6-9 months and reading on the back board makes it sound as though the surgery may take away one pain, but leads to more surgeries and new, different pain....I have thought about going over to the Mayo Clinic which is about 4 hours from here...but we have very good medicine in Milwaukee, so that really isn't my concern. I just don't want to go through it if I am exchanging one set of problems for another.

Lor -- Hope you have a terrific trip and that Drew enjoys it and allows the rest of you to enjoy it.

Fla -- How's your son doing? Did he start the 2xweek therapy yet??

Hope -- let's see...you'll be back this weekend, I think. Hope you had fun watching Zac on the roller coasters.

Hi Goody ~ Hope things are smooth sailing in Goodyland.:cool:

All for now -- keep the peace.

Tsohl

Hes doing ok ts, his friend (old drug buddy) o.d ed last week, stopped breathing and needed to be resuscitated in the ambulance. as far as i know hes ok, he went to a re-hab. my son was so upset by this, my husband said he went to a couple of meetings this week. he has been seeing the tdoc only 1 time a week..hes going away on vacation for 2 weeks next week.

so do you have any definite surgery plans?

Hi guys, :)

Just wanted to let my friends know that I am going to Minneapolis this evening and will return late Monday/early Tues. morning. My daughter was quite undecided about moving to Portland as it is so far away and she knows no one out there. I was looking online for apartments in the Twin Cities and found what appears to be a great apartment in an old mansion that has been converted into apartments. It is tastefully decorated and has a working fireplace and it is in the neighborhood that she thinks she would enjoy...so I quickly called on it and "got it." That is to say they are holding it and we have the right of first refusal...but I didn't feel I could make them hold it forever...so we're going up to have a look. Not the best timing what with all the people in town due to the bridge tragedy...my son hasn't been on a road trip for at least a week, so he's coming along to be the chauffeur, as my back is really bad-- but I want to go.

so hold down the fort while I'm away....

love,
:wave: Tsohl

My son went to his pdoc this week and was told that the guy is going out of private practice, to a county mental hospital. That was very BAD NEWS. He told son he ws going to keep seeing a couple patients, so son has another appt in 3 months...but we don't know what will happen after that. He seemed to be handling it ok though.

Hello all....just wanted to check in....Hope haven't seen much of you around lately...are you back on the road again??;)

Jules...hopefully the weather has improved for you in FL....so sorry to hear about your son's old buddy. Any further news on his condition? And how is your son taking the news?? I would think it would be an eye opener for him which will make him see how fortunate he is to have been able to work on staying away from a life with drugs. I sure hope that this is something that will allow him to reflect on what he doesn't want his life to be. Rest up and hopefully you are enjoying yourself a little bit. Hubby heads down on Thursday and is hoping to have good weather.:cool:

Tsohl ~ Wow....you have so much going on...I sure hope that your back can take the ride. Make sure you bring lots of ice. I am a bit confused....did your daughter find work in the area or is she certain that this is where she wants to be and is going to pursue finding a job in the area??? I have been busy maintaining the castle and perhaps missed something. Have a great trip and let us know how things went when you return.

Lor ~ Hope all is going well with Drew....I believe that you were going away for a bit but forgot the timing. I hope that you have a wonderful time and get to recharge a bit.

Love to all ~ Goody:angel: :wave:

Ts, im curiuos about that apartment..it sounds wonderful... your son will be ok, hes been thru so much and is doing well. the timing could have been worse.

goody, yes the weather got better..very sunny and hot, we went to a water park today.tomorrow we will just kinda hang out have pasta and meatballs..my dad is a great cook!:D we will also go the lukewarm pool..:cool: ...monday we are going to st petersburgh beach, hopefully the weather will stay nice and sunny. My son was so upset about his friend. they have been friends since kindergarten.. it just recently turned out to be not a good thing when my son started using drugs..the friend has been doing them for a few years now..hes a very depressed young guy, has suicide and other mental illnesses in his family.Im not sure if we will find out any more info. hIS PARENTS ARE GOOD PEOPLE AND WILL DO THEIR BEST TO HELP HIM.