Have you hugged a DUer today?

[Ladyhawk]

If you like someone's posts, private message them and tell them. If you think someone is particularly funny, insightful or clever, private message them and tell them. If someone has been incredibly kind to you in moments of distress, private message them and tell them.

During the past year, we've lost three well-known members of DU. We'll never have another chance to tell them how much we appreciated them. Sometimes I send a person a supportive message and assume that it's good for all time. Why not tell that person again? Do we say to our loved ones, "I love you" and assume it need only be said once? Of course not. :) It's time to let them know, once again, that we care, we notice, we appreciate. :)

Send a PM and hug a DUer today. :)

[babylonsister]

1. Hugs to you, Ladyhawk. Nice post and

sentiment! :thumbsup: :hug:

[Ladyhawk]

2. Thanks for the hug!!!! Backatcha!

:hug:

[Joey Liberal]

3. That was nice Ladyhawk

I'll bet you are very huggable too:)............

[yewberry]

4. Actually, yes.

I hugged IdaBriggs.

Then I had to go pick up my husband; I'd have liked to have hung out for a while and maybe even go out for a drink with everyone/anyone.

But yes on the hug.

[Ladyhawk]

5. Excellent. :)

I'm sort of kicking it for all the people who need hugs out there. :)

:kick:

[In_The_Wind]

6. I've hugged a few

here's a :hug: for you

[Ladyhawk]

9. Thanks. You even rhymed it for me.

;)

Backatcha: :hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. I even hugged an Eagles fan today...

...and it didn't even hurt....much. ;)

[Ladyhawk]

8. LOL! I take it you're NOT an Eagles fan?

:P

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. Go Packers!!!

;) :hug:

[IChing]

11. That was sweet, how are you feeling?

I missed the California hookup today,:( :( :(
cash flow problem, would have had to spent the night, expensive.

but you made my DU day with this post.:-) :-) :-)

[Ladyhawk]

12. Ah, thanks! You're too sweet. :)

I missed the DU meet-up today, too, but I don't dare go anywhere where I'll possibly have to spend the night. I sometimes "hit the wall" to the point where I can't even talk.

Overall, I've been feeling better. I've been closely monitoring my blood glucose. Today I did really well, staying below 160 all day. The diabetes mixes quite unfavorably with neck pain and depression, as you can imagine. :D My neck pain crept back today, probably because I left my c-collar off too long yesterday because of the heat. I'm medicating it and it feels somewhat better.

Thank you for asking. :)

Before my surgery when things were getting sticky, everyone here was so kind that I was at the point of tears for days. :) Someday, I'm going to have to go back to those posts and write everyone a thank-you note. Wow! I would have HATED to ask for help, but I know DU would have been there for me in some way.

During that time, Andy expressed concern for me. Originally, he was supposed to precede me into surgery by five days. He had a much more difficult surgery and a much, much, MUCH more scary diagnosis, but he was worried about me. I'll never forget that or the outpouring of sympathy when I felt all alone. :)

Thanks, DU. :D :grouphug:

[IChing]

16. I have severe ostro-arthritis in 4 vertebras

Which of course is growing since it is degenerative, I lost my insurance so I can no longer afford the epidermal injections at $1400 per session.

But I do have an inversion table which helps, but I can't be too far away from it without suffering. So as you know some days are better than others. Walking or for more than a half hour will cause pain to the spine, so headaches, tingling in the arms etc.

I scared of a fusion for I was told I would lose a lot of mobility.(heard too many horror cases where they had to go back, again and again,$$$$$)

I'm pissed at it, cause 4 years ago I snowboarded, mountain biked etc. and still look athletic for my age.

Anyway glad your health is stable and thanks for the hug.

[Ladyhawk]

18. That sucks so much.

Did your insurance company dump you because you are sick? I've seen that happen before--then NO company will take you. If you're sick, you can't get insurance unless you're also very poor. In my early 20's, I was diagnosed with CFS and was told no insurance company would take me until I was healthy five years after this diagnosis. Ugh! I went awhile without insurance because at the time, I wasn't poor enough to qualify for Medi-Cal.

I have Medi-Cal now, which pays for my care, but there are some major drawbacks, like not being able to get necessary tests done (MRI) for over a year. My last MRI was not approved until a neurosurgeon asked for it, even though the previous MRI showed herniations and the surgeon couldn't operate without an updated scan. Sigh. It's hard to know how to work the system to get the care you need. Three different doctors requested the MRI and I was told nothing. I found out later that they had been denied or sent to the wrong place.

Yes, I have degenerative disc disease also. There is a small herniation in my lower back which pains me, too, but I'm hoping my weight loss and (hopefully) exercise will keep that from becoming a big issue.

Where in your spine are the offending vertebrae? Neck fusions are generally more successful than back fusions. Still, I feel I was misled about recovery after surgery. It was / is a bigger deal than I was led to believe.

I don't blame you for not wanting surgery. The whole idea of someone operating on the spine is scary. :scared: Also, I have learned not to trust doctors. The ones in this town suck. That's why I wanted a referral to UC Davis. There was no way I was going to let some local hick fundy operate on my neck. :) And that's who it would have been: a local hick fundy. I had a bad experience with both him and his psychiatrist wife: both fundies. It's best to have an operation at a teaching hospital, IMHO. The doctors there have to know what they're doing. Still, I wonder if they recommend surgery when it isn't necessary because they've been eyeing that new BMW at a dealership...

[RevolutionaryActs]

13. This needs to be on the greatest page.

Only needs one more recommendation, come on people!

[sniffa]

14. what's it worth to you?

[RevolutionaryActs]

15. Um...

I'll give you a kiss? :*



:P

[PittLib]

21. from what I've seen sniffa ...

I'd pay top dollar to hug you.

(oooh ... did I really type that? :blush:)

[Mythsaje]

17. You make some great points

and we'd all do well to pay attention.

Thanks.

[bettyellen]

19. 3 of them, all shamelessly liberal

:)

[PittLib]

20. I'm hoping to hug a few ...

at my house party next Sunday, and in London next month. I'm so ridiculously attached to you all. :grouphug: