Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

June 5, 2007

Today’s Announcements

Today we have another new writer. Marilyn Nicholson becomes writer # 417.  Please email her and welcome her into the fold.

Today’s Stories

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An Open Letter To Everyone

Marilyn Nicholson

This is an open letter to anyone with medical/health experience. We're at the end of our rope, and it also seems like the Doctors here are as well. Our Aunt is almost 86 years old, and in the previous years, has truly been the cliche', "healthy as a horse".

It all changed about 2 1/2 months ago, when she fell down, out of nowhere, right on the rug in her bedroom. She explained it to us that she knew she was going to fall beforehand, but couldn't do a thing to stop it. Fortunately, she got one bruise and that was it. She got back up and sat for awhile, wondering what happened.

I'd asked her then to please see a Doctor, but she told me to wait a week before calling her and ask her again. You have to understand that she had no family Doctor as she never really needed one, refused Medicare D (which is on a lockdown right now) and ConnPACE - Connecticuts version of help for covering what a Medicare D plan won't. In other words, she has Medicare, period.

In a week, like we'd discussed, I called her back. The first thing out of her mouth was "Why haven't you called me?" OK, I was confused and told her that I was calling on the exact day she'd asked me to. Besides, she could've called me and didn't. It turned out she didn't remember any of that and in that week, had fallen again, but once more on the rug. She didn't get hurt, but her memory was horrible. Being that for all of her 85 years, she's had a fantastic memory, that hit hard, for her and us. This time, I told her she really needed to see a Doctor and she agreed. She didn't have one, so I said I'd find her one.

After several calls to new Doctors who I'd gotten recommendations about, I found one that was taking new patients, and made an appointment. In the meantime, her memory kept getting worse, short-term, though she could remember things from long ago. She also pretty much stopped eating. She said she wasn't hungry. Since she was afraid to cook, we've been making and taking her meals over to her, which I doubt she ate. Her son lives there as well, but works a lot, so they don't see each other much, or talk much. No help there. We actually see him more often as he comes over on Saturday nights to play cards. He didn't understand at all what his Mom was going through for the longest time, and I'm not sure he still does fully.

I also brought over my spare cane, so she could use it to help her walk, and she said it was the best thing I could've ever given her. She didn't fall again prior to the Doctor's appointment and we took her and as she wanted me to go in with her, I did. He asked a lot of questions, sent her for an Echo-Ultrasound on her neck and heart and also for a CAT scan on her brain. We took her to those too. The waiting started and her memory got worse and worse. Her weight continued to drop. The results came. The Doctor said that there was a blockage in her neck's artery. Referral to a Cardiac Arterial Specialist was next.

In the meantime, through bloodwork, her Doctor found a bladder infection and also awhile later a bacterial infection in her abdomen. He treated the first infection with antibiotics, Cipro 500 mgs., and the second with what's called a PrevPac, which is a box of packets of pills, four in the morning and four at night, a combo of antibiotics and Previcid. She's forgetting to take those and/or taking double doses. No matter what. My cousin has finally tried to help as he figured out she's really doing badly.

I made the appointment for the Cardiac Doctor and we went. He examined her and told her that she was so skinny that she was showing signs of starvation. The day before this appointment, she fell again. He took more tests on her legs for circulation and blockages, and had the results of the first tests and said that yes, she did have some blockages but nothing that would do what was happening to her. He also said that even if something was found that needed surgery, she was too weak to go through it. He would not operate on her or even consider it till she gained at least 20 pounds. However, so far there's been nothing found to operate "on". He did mention "seizures".

He's sending her for a CAT of her abdomen tomorrow, to see if there's a mass or aneurysm, but those also wouldn't have the symptoms she's having. She calls me, or I call her daily and she'll tell me that she cannot remember anything. She fell again and her bowels let loose at the same time. She can't remember if anything hurt. Same night she took eight pills instead of four.
She cannot remember (this is happening so fast):

How to use the coffee maker - gone. (she tried to make it and forgot the water)
The microwave - doesn't remember how to use it.
Our last name. We're very close to her and have been very close forever, my husband as well as me.
She's getting shakier by the day.
She can no longer walk from the bedroom to the kitchen, even with the cane. She stops in the den (halfway point) and sits with the TV on till she can go the rest of the way. Sometimes that's hours.
She gets very confused, very quickly and no matter what you try, it doesn't help - she's still confused.
She's not to go downstairs (she has a ranch, but the washer is down there) and our cousin is going to do it, but she keeps referring to going to do the wash. She's had both Dr's tell her NO Stairs or cooking, no driving. Period.
She forgets to eat and drink liquids.
She doesn't know the date or day of the week.
She doesn't know when her Doctor's appointments are, though she writes it down on a paper and leaves it on the table. She forgets where she put it.
Bills, writing them out, are a problem. She doesn't get it.
There's more, but this is the general idea.

If anyone has known or heard of anything like this, could you please post it here? My grandmother had alzheimers, but it never went this fast. Our Aunt's memory is going for short term in less than three months and it's also started to affect her long-term too.

I know she's scared, she's told me she is, she is aware that her memory isn't right, which only makes it harder on her. Any help or advice would be truly appreciated. We don't understand why after about 2 1/2 months, nobody seems to know what's causing this. Our thanks in advance to anyone who knows anything about this.

Sincerely,
Marilyn Nicholson

nicholson.m@earthlink.net

~**~**~

Poetry Corner

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Fruit Of The Spirit

By Chris Hansen

Grow these fruits in me, oh Lord.

Let these fruits be my reward.

Let them be sweet and full of seed,

so others will want what they most need,

so others will want your love and grace,

so others will see your smiling face.

When others are cruel,

in the things they do and say,

in the eyes of this world let me be a fool,

and love them anyway.

When I have gone as far as I can go,

and my sorrow is more than I can bare,

I will be joyful because I know,

that Jesus will not leave me there.

When I face sudden disaster,

and even when I pray, I find no release,

I will still trust my master,

and my savior Jesus Christ will give me peace.

I want the fruit of patience, Lord,

and I want patience, now!

But you say that I must wait, my Lord,

so I guess I'll wait, somehow!

Even the Godless farmer,

receives your sunshine and your rain.

Let me send forth kindness, Lord,

even to those who cause me pain.

The food that is filled with goodness,

is the food that will be consumed.

Let me be filled with goodness, Lord,

even when I know that I am doomed!

The sunrise is always faithful,

even at the darkest hour of the night.

Even so, when others let me down, oh Lord,

let me be faithful, and keep on doing what is right.

A gentle wind can move a giant sailing ship,

and yet it does no damage to the mast.

Let me move the lives of others gently, Lord,

and leave no harm behind me when I have passed.

Lord, let me master,

even the very desires of my soul!

Then I will know,

that I even have self-control.

Let me have these fruits, oh Lord,

and nothing will hinder me, in heaven or on earth!

Can anything stop a woman's child,

when the time has come to bring him to his birth?

Lord, you know my every flaw.

You know each time that I have sinned,

and yet there is no law,

that can stop the blowing of the wind.

No law can stand against,

your love and grace in me.

I have tasted your fruit, oh Lord,

and I know that I am free!!!

Chris Hansen

chrishansen54@sbcglobal.net

Author of:

“Revelation Revisited,”

“Secret of the Psalms,”

“Grandfather’s Journal.”

www.xlibris.com

~**~**~

 The Ten Commandments

By

Chris Hansen

Author: “Revelation Revisited,”“Secret Of The Psalms,””Grandffather’s Journal.”

1.  Worship God alone, and declare to him his worth.

2.  Never worship anything else in heaven or on earth.

3.  Never use God's name in a disrespectful way.

4.  Always honor God on his special holy day.

5.  Honor your father and your mother and listen to what they say.

6.  Never take an innocent human life.

7.  Never cheat on your husband or your wife.

8.  Never steal what does not belong to you.

9. In a court of law, always tell what is really true.

10.  Don't even envy somebody who has more stuff than you.

If you want your life to be extended,

And if by God you want to be befriended,

And if by man you want to be defended,

Obey these commandments and you will really live,

And even your enemies will want to forgive.

Thank you God for only ten.

You could have demanded ten thousand and really burdened the race of men!

How much trouble for us there would be then!

Chris Hansen

chrishansen54@sbcglobal.net

 ~**~**~

Readers Feedback

I share my joy in wishing our Clara a happy blessed birthday. She is a dear lady, helping me edit and present my stories and poems in quality format. She is a sweet person and a blessing. May God bless and continue to give her talents, health and happiness for many years to come. We are proud to have Clara as part of our storytapestry family. Blessings to all. Cynthia

Hello Carol

I am talking about Non-Hodgkin's Lymphorma disease. I can understand what it is like for the patient and other family members during the treatment. It is very difficult to be normal during kemotherapy and radiotharpy. I cannot believe how brave this person would be to take part in sports. I lost my son in 1995. I wish they find cure soon

regards

S K Jandu

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