there are moments I really don't know what to say - and everything I type sounds like a platitude and rings hollow and ... arggh

please, please know that my heart and my thoughts are with you ... and I'd give the world just to make you a cuppa tea and give you a hug right now

Sundae >hugs<

Sad to hear this Sundae.

A few months ago my one and only brother confided in me and my 2 sisters that he had chronic cirrohis from Hepatitis C and is not a good candidate for much of what is offered like interfuron. We were all so surprised as he is usually in great health and has been a strict vegetarian for 35 years or more and quite any drinking at that time. Unbeknownst to us he had experimented with drugs via needle back in his college years when he was living in NY city at school; probably heroin, the choice of the jazz crowd he hung out with.

He lives in Taiwan and sees a specialist who suggested he come back to the USA for a liver transplant but having no home base or health insurance here pretty much ditched that. He is Buddhist now and has a positive attitude, he is ready to go when his time comes. His doctor says the only reason he has lived so long until now with this condition was his healthy vegetarian diet and lifestyle with things like meditation.

I really want to go over this year to see him before it is too late.

Is a transplant an option, Sundae? Over here they would of course expect you to remain completely teetotal after receiving one, but being so young would make you a good candidate. Please do whatever they say you should do to take care of yourself. I want you around for a long, long time to come.

Stop drinking Sundae. If you have another drink I'm going to call you a dick. OK?

*hugs* Sorry, I only just saw this.

Call me if you want to chat, m'dear.

Dammit

Please stop. Shoot for the 15 years.

Jesus girl, do whatever you can.

Damn. Please stick around, Sundae.

Sundae what all these guys said. I have a few friends with Hep C and in addition to not drinking they also avoid meat and rich foods like salmon, cream, butter. Anything to lighten your liver's load.

I hope it does not turn out to be so dire as you fear.

not a doctor Sundae. I do know though that you are smart and strong and determined, all qualities that can help you succeed at whatever you set your mind to. Do what you can, and give it your best effort. That's it, that's all. Furthermore, that's enough.

...

In other upsetting news, though not in the same universe as Sundae's situation, I have a broken shuttle on my sewing machine and another fifteen pack covers to go in the next twenty hours. I guess I'd better break out the backup sewing machine now.

auuurrrgggh.

I love you Sundae!

For me today, I had an interview and I don't feel like it went very well. On top of that I opened new medical bills to see I have another 3K I owe. I'm never gonna get out of the hole I'm in. :(

Most people never do, they spend their whole life "in the hole".
I think the majority are neither happy, nor sad, most of the time. They're just running on auto-pilot, doing what's got to be done... the rat race.

But you know what, they still find a way to be happy some of the time. Not all the time, mind you, but they manage to create enough bright spots in their week to have things to look forward to, and reflect back on.

I'm so sorry about your situation Sundae. For what its worth-sending positive energy your way.

Damn ... dunno what to say. Do whatever you can to stick around as long as you can. I haven't made enough money yet to travel overseas to see you and Dana and Limey on the European leg of my trip around the world ... yes, selfish reply. I know.

Sundae - been off on one of my juants to deep cyber space only to return to read your most recent posts in this thread.

Alcoholism is so fucked up. I watched it slowly destroy one of the kindest, funniest, intelligent and bravest persons I've ever known - my father. He fought the good fight until he came back from his second tour in Vietnam, and then he just said, "Fuck it," got his pension and his bottle and he was gone in 10 short years.

I've lost so many good people to alcohol. Please, not you too, Sundae. I almost killed myself - at least 3 attempts, anyway - over my own drinking. I hated myself and I had no hope left. But somehow, I kept putting one foot in front of the other. THIS time, I got my 4 year chip on May 10th. Before this most recent period of sobriety I was drunk every day for 3 years, and before THAT I was sober for 5 years. 9 good years out of 12 ain't bad, and if I of all people managed that, I KNOW that you can Sundae. You're smart and you have a kind heart and you're funny and you're just - well, cool.

So hang in there. I had a friend who was told by the doctors he wouldn't make it even a year if he kept up the drinking like he was. We quit at the same time amd his doctor gave him a good bill of health on his last check-up. Maybe not perfect in every way, but he should have many years ahead as long as he doesn't pick up that first drink again.

Hang in. We ALL care very much!

Oh Sundae, I'm so sorry! I just read your post. Please do whatever you need to do so you can stay here for a long, long time. *HUGZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ*

My neighbor across the street has a daughter three weeks older than mine.

During her pregnancy, she had hyperemesis gravidarum -- violent and acute morning sickness for which she was hospitalized several times. She needed a C-section and had an awful time recovering from it. Her daughter was colicky for the first three months; more than 2 hours of continuous sleep was rare. Troubles with breastfeeding and then with formula mean the baby is now on very expensive specialized formula.

Persistent pains led to a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. It can be difficult for her to carry her daughter, to get up and down from the floor. This past spring the docs found skin cancer on her scalp, and she had to undergo surgery to have it removed.

This week she was diagnosed with lupus.

I wish there was something I could do to help her. I'm so grateful I'm not in her shoes.

Wow, what a rough start.

I'm upset about something with one of my students today, but I don't think I want to even allude to what's going down. I'm hoping for the best for the child and family.

Jeez. that poor woman.

Shit Choco, that sucks.

At least she hasn't got herpes.

Sad that Congresswoman Michelle Bachman won't run for re-election in 2014. Who will carry on with monthly attempts to repeal Obamacare? Politics will be very boring without her. ;)

Dear Minnesota

I'm not sorry about ur nutball.

Wishing for the best along with you Griff. That kind of stuff tears me up too...

Playdate Choco? You could do the getting up and down on the floor.. Or something.. Sad

I heard her described as a firebrand today. Firebrands suck. Even when they are on your own team, they suck. Everything worthwhile done in the history of this country has been done by moderates and people who could see the humanity and the common ground they have with those on the other side of the aisle. People like Olympia Snowe, who retired because of people like Bachman. Good riddance to Bachman, although I have a feeling we'll be seeing her again.

Not if you delete the local Fox News channel from your television.

A former coworker from when I worked retail in college was struck and killed by lightning yesterday evening.

She was one of those people who was a joy to be around. Very positive, kind, generous of time and spirit.

Of all the unlikely things to happen... :(

Wow. Sorry, Choco.

How horrible. Sorry to hear that, Choco. :(

Much lower on the scale of upsetting things, I somehow gave myself a corneal abrasion yesterday. I wanted a distraction from my post-surgery soreness, but more pain was NOT what I had in mind.

That is so bizarre. Sorry to hear that.

Holy shit, Choco. I'm sorry for your friend.



But between her and your neighbor with 1000 plagues, have you considered maybe you're bad luck to be around? [/Oh I kid, I kid, I'm going to hell I know]

Choco, how dreadful!

Glad you said it, fobs, so I didn't have to. Scoot over in that handbasket.

Thanks, guys. It has me pretty shaken up. I mean, it's that thing that is cited as being so statistically improbable. "You're more likely to get struck by lightning than to.... !"

She wasn't a very close friend, but I can't imagine the grief her family must be feeling to have their loved one stolen from them in such a freak accident, so suddenly and without warning.

Here's the Daily Mail's write up.

I'm just hoping I'm not next. :worried:

Lots of crappy news here. I hope things start looking up for all concerned.

I did some research on that claim because I had always heard the same thing.

Well, it seems you are VERY likely to be struck by lightning if you are outside, in the open during a lightning storm. Not as much if you are indoors.

There are also a bunch of different types of lightning strikes with varying degrees of fatality and causing your bones to EXPLODE.

So, yeah. Lightning, better not to be struck by it.

Grand Canyon sees a lot of lightning deaths. Not only are you outside, but everyone is standing at these overlooks that are basically lightning strike zones because they are jutting out into the air. And many of them are leaning up against the metal railings for a better view.

Our local newspaper has a weekly question. This week it was:
What are the top reasons for being stopped by Lake Oswego police ?

The LO Police Dept Spokesman gave 7 reasons... none of which included my
Reason #8:..being Hispanic and white driving a pick-up, or driving a pick-up, or being Hispanic.

.

A bit frustrated that my wife came out of a meeting with the head of her small company with a decline for any pay raise now or in the future. Her salary as well as the other senior level employees was essentially capped 5 years ago when the owner decided they were all making enough money and would only offer bonuses based on sales income to the company. With a rising cost of living for everyday things we find ourselves earning less than 5 years ago and the paycheck barely covers things some months. She had argued this as well as his plan to sell the company and share in the profits all seems to have gone by the wayside when he and his wife came into some wealth; selling the company is no longer a priority for him. Bonuses are nice but aren't something you can use to plan for retirement or even paying for a new car! It just seems wrong but as my wife is 60+ her options are limited for changing employers. And it is frustrating that even when she excels on projects and makes the company look good that her bonus is based on how sales are going. Oh well, better than being unemployed.

I hate that this saying is the new reality.

Indeed. It's only marginally better than "Brother, can you spare a dime?"

Dazza earns a pretty good living, but we're flat out covering the bills lately either. It's very hard with all the brats hanging around too. I guess we all just have to soldier on and cut costs where we can and try and think of little things to do to save (or make) a little extra.

It upsets me too. Sorry you just have to suck it up Chris.

If I had any gumption, I'd put that in the HOF. srsly.


Although it is accurate, it does suck. Sorry.

They say bad things come in threes. Third thing just arrived.

A neighbor/family friend passed away after a battle with cancer last week. She was a mother of three, and was like a second mother for my brother. She was such a good person.

Too much loss and suffering, this week.

I'm sorry, Choco. Such a hard week ... these things seem to happen close together. I hope you are able to take the time you need to grieve. With a small child, I know how hard that is. Try to carve out some quiet time.

My mom is sick. We don't have all the details yet but I am honestly sure that the only thing that's holding me up is promising I would be strong for her. I'm not doing well. I've never known a better woman than my mom, or a better man than my dad, or better family all around. This isn't about me. I know this. I'm helpless. I know this.

If I let go, if I let this out, I may not come back from it. So I am doing everything I can.

I don't want pity or even sympathy...it all seems so goddam irrelevent. Like how in the fuck is the world still even fucking spinning? Nothing else, not one other thing, matters on earth.

If promising to be strong for her is what keeps you going, then that's what you should focus on. She would not want you to be a wreck, so don't be one, for her sake.

Thanks Clodfobble. I know you are right. I am trying to be strong for how strong my parents have always been for me.

Not able to post new thread. It says new users are not allowed to do so until they are confirmed not to be spam. Well, I am not new, though this ID is new :D
Guess, I am back after all those years and nothing much has seemingly changed. I will search my lovely posts and put them back :D

so you still don't find the cellar to be what you need it to be...is that what you're saying? and this upsets you, hence this thread? so why are you back...hopes of more betterer fulfillment? :D

I thought I must have been one heck of a brainy guy here and that you people must have missed me a tons. But then I know that's just like poking insult at cellar-ites.
Was just loafering around the net and popped this link at random. Memories came flooding back!

Maybe it was a bit premature, but this dude was clearly a troll, and I'm pretty sure he's MysticRhythm who Bruce banned years ago.

oh. i don't know that person. i was sure it was the merc.

*placing post on the ground, stepping away from the post, slowly*

Today I am upset that my oil drain plug was installed so tight that I am unable to remove it with a socket and ratchet.

There was also a guy named mystic ... something. ryder maybe?
Seemed OK. Why the short leash on the ban? Did something happen in another thread?

My Mac keeps shutting down with no warning. I don't know what to do other than take it to the shop. GRRRRR!!!