soundofmusic
sound of music

part 3....See you later on. It will take me time and I am going out tomorrow for brunch at my son's. I am dying to answer you PM's in particular. I can so relate!

part 2

Well, the condition I have which is chronic and not yet curable (they are looking for a cure and better treatments all the time) is very difficult to keep under control. It often involves periods of intense pain, mostly kept under some control with different pain meds, even muscle relaxers. I used to have it under better control but contracting this infection as well has complicated things. You can read about my condition at ichelp website. Just run thought search to find it. I am not sure if it's com or org.

Well, that's a fantastic compliment but it's my son who is nearly 40, not me; but thank you anyway. I just turned 60 - eek, that sounds old, doesn't it? I never showed my age when younger.

see part 3

Ok, I am starting with these and then going onto the PM box. Don't write back till I finished because I have others to answer and I am going out for a short while today to spend my Mother's Day coupon.

see part 2

Sorry, I guess I mislead you. As with my daughter; because she is over 18, she is able to claim herself as an independent adult and would be able to get public assistance or scholarships based on her own income. She would merely add any money I give her; or living with me, she would not claim rent.

I have no medical skills, but it may be a good idea. I don't think I could claim myself separate from my parents, because they surely send a social worker to check everything you may have said when you applied for the program. Basically, I believe they would catch me in a lie However, thanks for the tip. Good luck with the grueling days and take care

The unemployment programs are in general for really impoverished people who don't own a home. Not my case, because I live with my parents and we own the house, so I'm practically out of any unemployment program range. Oh well, I'm on my own. It so happens.

You're too humble I think you must have a lot of credit. Our children take a good part after us, even unconsciously, I think. You take care too.

part 4...I am more broke than ever, because of the medical expenses, plus the other over the counter drugstore stuff I buy monthly. I keep myself up by concentrating on things I love like my granddaughter and I love movies (get those free from my library)...and I always said 'one can't be poor if one has friends'. I find I need to adjust my focus, living with pain. It's upsetting feeling the system is robbing you; however, we also have to live with hope that things will change. At least I live in a nice house and have enough food. I can deal with most things most days; but then we are all only human; so it's only natural somedays one can't seem to function as well. I am bit under the weather today. I have to go make dinner now and go to the library and the drugstore. Seems I spend my life at the drugstore.

part 3... She actually wants to divorce him at times or so she says. Usually she just goes in circles; but he is a pretty nasty person - always was difficult. She has a good job teaching; so right now that is her only salvation...kind of sad.

How old is your daughter and do you have more than one child? I only had a son - Sean. He married Michelle and my granddaughter came along a few years later - what a surprise since they always said they would not have any children. Brooke is my beloved granddaughter...I adore her. She will be two next week.

I am a pretty strong person if need be; but then I pay for it in physical ways - stress is a killer. Last year I had to deal with my other sister who is bipolar and was hospitalized 4 times for pyschotic breaks. Now she is living in a boarding house; she did live here with me and my 88 yr old mother. I had to fight the system continually and it took a lot out of me. At least, she is doing ok now.

part 2...Ray only stopped smoking when he got the cancer. He had chemo and then they were fortunate they could operate and remove the diseased lung. He later had a kidney removed, because they suspected cancer - turned out not to be. He's a very controlling type man and I think he is obsessive compulsive - he gambles too obsessively; also a neighbor just died a horrid death from brain cancer; that really set him off and back into a deep depression; add all this into the mix and you have a bad situation. He does see a professional for his depression and has been on antidepressents and my sister goes to NAMI. My sister could use a drug; she can be as bad as him sometimes.

Oh gosh, you are making me blush. I am not young. I am now 60. I must admit that photo is about 5 yrs old. The ones in the album are last year. I gained weight since that profile photo; but thank you to you and your daughter. On good days I think I show my age well, even when I am in pain, I don't always seem believable; which is often a problem.

No, the medications are the cheapest they can give me - generics. I don't believe they are nearly as effective and strong as the ones I had controlling my pain for years. I have had this chronic bladder condition now for over 20 yrs; so that I can tell the difference.