Is Anybody Home -

[alex44]

How about it folks - is this forum alive? How about it Houghchrist, StillstANNDING, aLil e, Sorry about spelling , Im still here( Alex44)Or do I need a refresh Hoping to hear!
Blessings
Alex44
AKA Revsteve

[houghchrst]

Hello there Alex. Always good to hear from you. How are you? Yes I am still here. Barely moving but still here. This pandemic has really put me in a place that I don't like. I have become a willing hermit. A lazy one at that I feel. I have lost all sense of self care. My house is disgusting because I am limited in my abilities. My psych doc upped my Latuda and quite frankly for the second day I am feeling better in the morning. Not so obsessed and stressed about everything. It never lasts though. My pain is at an all time high. I worry about how I am going to keep my yard up this summer. I own an acre and it is a lot of work. Lots of trees and hedges that have begun falling apart. I cannot afford to pay for things to be done. I would come here more but there seems to only be like three forums that get any 'biznezz' and I don't feel like a member so I stay in my part of the playground. I have stopped blogging. It seemed to be the same old stuff day after day and it was started as a way to get me to make better decisions and start changing some things but it went downhill quickly LOLOLOL. I will be finding out whether or not I am going to lose the house to back taxes at the end of March. It is not a lot of money really but I cannot afford to pay it all at one time. IF that happens I have no idea what I will do. A friend suggested starting a GoFund Me but all my friends are poor and I would just be embarrassed at how little money I would get LOL. I'm sorry I have gone on, guess I miss talking to someone. I hope you are well.

[agate]

Hi, alex44--I'm still hanging around the MS board and so are some others of us.

houghchrst and others, the MS board has become a place that tries to include anyone with enough interest in MS (and in those of us who are posting there). So many have passed away or dropped out of sight that the only way we can survive is by being open to anyone who would like to be there, provided the rules are observed, of course.

I think we've been making an effort not to be a clique or a closed group, not to circle any wagons or make people feel as if they don't belong. If you don't get replies to posts, it may be just that most of us are slowed down by our MS and would like to reply but the energy just isn't there. So please bear with us if the MS board is one of the places you had in mind when you mentioned

I would come here more but there seems to only be like three forums that get any 'biznezz' and I don't feel like a member so I stay in my part of the playground.

We mean well.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Alex ~

It is wonderful that you are reaching out to others, and I hope they stop by and see your post and reply.

One of the main reasons why BT has so little participation now is that people stopped posting. Many times over the years, I have responded to returning members, who post something like, "Where is everyone?" Or "This forum is not the same as it used to be."

My response is always, "They left, as you did." We can't expect the forums to thrive, unless we all participate. I would imagine that we have former members, who lurk, check in occasionally, see that there is no activity, and then leave.

But you have been consistent for many years, and often, when you've posted, others followed in replying to your thread.

How are you Alex? I know you've been going through difficult times, and we're here for you, as sparse as we are to support you. Bless you, Alex.

Chris ~

I remember when we had thousands of members posting constantly every day. My "home forum" is Child Neurology, of course, but I never let that stop me from migrating to other forums to welcome new members, or answer questions, or just give support, hugs and love. I probably posted in 80% of the forums at one time or another, while we were flooded with members.

While there are far less active members, now, we're still here, and we care about you and all of our members. You don't have to stay in your playground here. You will be embraced and loved no matter where you post.

It sounds to me as though you need to either start blogging again or keeping a journal privately to help you work through the myriad issues you're confronting now.

As for your yard, your son could benefit from tending to your acre of land, as would you. Have a heart to heart chat with him, and let him know that you need his help. It will be good exercise for him, and he will feel useful and helpful.

As for your back house taxes, I recommend that you contact the agency and explain your situation. Ask if you can make monthly payments. If you don't ask, you'll never get anything. Explain your financial situation, your disabling condition, and ask for mercy. It can't hurt, and it might help. Don't give up. Call your local officials with your same plea, if the agency doesn't help you. These are hard times for everyone now with COVID. You might find people to be more understanding than they would have been before. Make that call.

As I have often said, our home is a reflection of ourselves. If it is a mess and chaotic, then we are a mess and chaotic. If you can make a commitment to do one chore each day, you will discover how good it feels to have accomplished that chore. Eventually, you will get caught up. Pace yourself. This is what I do everyday. I think of what needs to be done, then I prioritize, then I do at least one of those things. Sometimes, I can finish two chores. Sometimes, I'm not up to doing anything, and I take a break. I know that I'm never going to get it all done in one day, so I rejoice in what I can do each day.

agate ~

Just to echo your sentiments ~ The MS forum is, of course, our most active BT forum. And every member is welcomed warmly and with caring and concern. I feel at home there, thanks to all of the wonderful MS members.

I've been trying for some years now to keep Child Neuro active. People change, move away, move on to something else. But we're still here, and as long as we are, we will endeavor to keep BT going!

Please everyone be safe, be strong, be well ~

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[stillstANNding]

Hi Alex, I’m here. Thanks for asking. I hope you are keeping well.

I’m having trouble sleeping due to pain and muscle spasms (MS + spinal stenosis). I can get to sleep but I wake up too early in pain. I’ll be happy when I can actually see a physiatrist and a physical therapist in person again.

ANN

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

ANN ~

I'm so sorry that your sleep is disrupted with pain and spasms. I wish that you could see your PT and physiatrist now. We all know how vital good sleep is to our overall health and well being. Sending healing prayers that you will find relief very soon.

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[alex44]

Thank ALL of ya'll who have replied. I am sorry it has has taken time for me to post, Houghchrist, You are an Angel - reach out for help, It Will be provided. We go way back and I am sorry you are upon dire straits. I will be praying for you - I have been and will continue. I too am worried about many of the same things you are - Ask and thou shalt receive. Agate - I wil check it out as t s a possibility for me... And If I can offer support to others, I will. Earth Mother to Angels - Indeed you are. We have been together on this forum for years and I can only imagine the heartbreak in your life. I am glad you are still here and thank you for replying. Thank you for the good advice to others in the forum - You have always been there for others, let us be here for you. stillstANNdind - Thank You - I am sorry to hear about the MS and the sleep problems - A good nights sleep is priceless, not to mention relief from the pain - if you can get it in todays political climate the "Opioid" crisis. what nonsense, a few have made it impossible for legitimate people like us to get relief. OK - Me - I continue to struggle wit pain,PTSD, Possible heart problems and balance issues, as in I am sober as a judge and i get vertigo and fall, this is in addition to ear problems, which will be addressed Tuesday - a scary thing. The VA, They are swamped, no help to me, I asked to get a Covid VAX, I am over 65 and diabetic( whole new diet, lots of changes) and yet, NO VAX, Had to go to next care to get tested - I will try to get into local chain to get vax shot. My health could be better, and yet, I am blessed to have a few friends, this after a train wreck of a relationship, where I got sent to Siberia, am trying to get it back on the rails as a friend, another train wreck, recently, NO hope, Better to have loved and lost then not to have loved at all. I hope to contribute here, other problems , yes, but no desire to dive into them, as I have said before, My Faith Sustains Me.
Blessings to ALL
Please, Stay safe
Alex44
AKA Rev. Steve

[alex44]

Hi All - Did not mean to sound so clinical last nite - guess I forgot to take ff my mnisters hat, oh well. I am hanging in there, Thats why I reached out. Medical stuff has been bringing me down, I am scared of what is going on with me. I see the first of many, Thank all of ya'll for yor support.
Blessings
Alex44

[houghchrst]

Alex I am sorry you are doing so poorly. Seems life just piles one thing on top of another doesn't it? Here it seems I get one thing taken care of but there are three or more than need doing also and I become overwhelmed. Do they think that your ear issues are causing the vertigo? I too am sick of having untreated pain. The only thing that makes things tolerable is the medical marijuana. Pain and depression would be even worse were it not for it. If I was to give it up I might be able to get something like Tramadol which is totally useless to me. The few have ruined things for the rest of us.

Earth Mother and agate, thank you I appreciate the warm invite to participate in the MS forum. I just feel as though I don't belong there, I can't relate except to the odd thread like the reading thread. Once in a while Child Neurology has something in it that looks inviting and I feel I can participate. I also feel like some of those threads could be used in other places on the board and it would make it seem as though we are actually getting some action but when people come and everything is in two forums I imagine they feel as though they don't belong so don't post. The rest of the board looks dead. Even I have stopped posting so often in my beloved Emotional Support group because lately most of the posts are mine lol. I am sure people get tired of reading about me. I will try.

I am going today to see about getting help for my taxes. I have an appt at a social service organization and have all my paperwork ready to go. Pray for me please.

[stillstANNding]

Chris, I said a prayer for you.

ANN

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Alex ~

As Chris mentioned, it's possible that your ear issues are causing vertigo. I pray that all goes well at your appointment tomorrow, and the doctor is able to resolve your ear issues, which will result in no more vertigo.

With COVID, I would imagine that the VA is swamped, more so than before the virus hit. Are you taking any meds for diabetes? Good for you for changing your diet, and I hope that is helping stabilize your diabetes. Best of luck to you in searching for the vaccine. The roll out has been horrendous. But, we're promised that it will get better.

Keep your faith strong. We're here for you.

Chris ~

How did your appointment go today? I prayed that you would have a compassionate, understanding person to help you with a doable solution, and that tonight, that problem is behind you.

Recently, the Child Neuro forum essentially has been a conversation between Mary Grace and me. Our former members communicate on Facebook primarily. A few did stop by with condolences for me after Jon's and Jim's passing. When I stopped posting daily updates about my chaotic life, members drifted away. My life was like a soap opera. Without the drama, people lost interest.

Some of the posts on the MS forum could possibly be placed in other forums, but MS members might not see them, unless they check for New Posts or follow the Top Ten Posts on the Home Page. MS forum members, who are absent for awhile, know exactly where to go to connect with their forum friends. MS forum topics aren't necessarily always MS-specific. In the Chit Chat thread, we talk about everything. Lots of conversation about COVID, the vaccines, and lately, computers. We don't have to stay in our own lane/playground here.

There are so few of us now, and we all know each other.

I have replied to many new members' first post in various forums with a welcome and "I don't know anything about this condition, but I'm here to support you."

What we all have in common is greater than our differences.

ANN ~

Are you still coping with sleeplessness and pain? My prayers continue for you.

And to all, I send prayers, healing, positive energy every day. Abundant blessings upon you ~

Love & Light,



Rose

*Virtual Hugs Are Germ-Free!

[agate]

In the Chit Chat thread, we talk about everything. Lots of conversation about COVID, the vaccines, and lately, computers. We don't have to stay in our own lane/playground here.

There are so few of us now, and we all know each other.

Rose, there's also the exciting fact that one of the MS board members recently landed on Mars. It doesn't happen every day.

[alex44]

Houghchrist - Hang in there. I Know about things piling up - yuck. You have been and will continue to be in my prayers. everytime i see someone, I get ANOTHER referral, my RPN wants this, another wants that, I just told them - one at a time. Good luck and keep on Trucking.
Blessings
Alex44
AKA rev. Steve

[alex44]

Rose - Thank you indeed. Yes, I actually saw a DOCTOR for my Hearing and Vertigo. A very nice lady, She cleaned out a LOT of ear wax, and did a nerve conduction study, Don't have the results yet but she did say there were abnormalities so we shall see. I do get it about the Drama, that is a shame - I too try to welcome new members if only to say hello. I do get it, I know you miss your family and know what that entails. I will pray for ALL of you and will pop in when I can. I stress too much but thru prayer, meditation and yes, this forum, a FEW friends, I am hanging in there.
Thank You
Blessings
Alex44
AKA Rev. Steve

[houghchrst]

Hey Alex, I hope you got your results back from your ear test and that it is nothing serious.

Ann I need all the prayers I can get, I thank you and hope you are well.

Rose, I know I am welcome and will try to participate. I do go and read occasionally. My appt didn't work out. I was there one day asking for help, turning in documentation and the next day she calls me and tells me the money ran out and I will have to try again. So I am starting all over. I have to have my delinquent taxes paid by March 31st or foreclosure starts on my house. I got a small loan from my ex and a couple of friends have pitched in but it is not enough. Some mention starting a GoFundMe but most of my friends are poor or animal activists who rely on donations. I am willing to give web address to take direct payment if anyone wanted to help but I am afraid to post that on FB. I have family that has already insinuated that I am scamming. Of course I have not spoken to my brother in a year and a half and he chose FB to make his comments on a post of mine regarding my property taxes. Then we got into a big thing on Messenger and supposedly he is done with me. I thought that happened a long time ago LOL.

Agate I hope you are doing well.