Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 25 Feb 14 - 11:31 AM

Ahoy fellow crew members.

Saw rheumatologist yesterday. Only about 10 minutes with her and most of that she was messing with computer that sould not open my most recent blood tests. Sent nurse away to collect them from another PC. Told me, after I made ususaly complaint about pain and fatigue being worse than ever that if bloods do not show reduction in inflammation then funding for my anti-TNF treatment would be removed.

She did not look at my hands (or my feet which I told her are now showing deformity).

At end of appointment a nurse came in with print out of my blood work taken from another computer and luckily the inflammation is down to 27 from 67. That is a drop of 40 points. Doctor couldn't explain why I still feel so bad and didn't really want to talk about it. My guess is it can't be infection as this would show in the blood work as inflammation. Anyway, doc approved an appointment with anti-TNF therapy nurse in 3 months time.   

I'd cross my fingers if I could and wish that my symptoms to take a clue from the blood tests long before end of May.

4th injection of anti-TNF this coming Friday.

Love, good wishes and warm sunny days to you all.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 25 Feb 14 - 05:42 AM

Thank you, gnu. Thank you, ChanteyLass. Thank you, Janie. Ann & I can begin to gather our thoughts, which, until now were distinctly lacking. My invitation for ideas & inspiration remains open.
                     With Love,
                                    Nigel & Ann
                                    xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 24 Feb 14 - 09:39 PM

Hope Tommy's first day back at school was a good experience.

I have nothing to offer Nigel. Families are different, and within families, how grief and loss are dealt with are different. And as you have already commented, losses of different family members are also different, often dependent on whether the the death of a loved one was/is "timely" or not. In my own family, but this is only my own family, we tend not to do anything specific, but will call one another (none of us live remotely near one another) and acknowledge our memories and emotions on the anniversaries of the deaths of those we love, as well as on the birthdays and major holidays that remind us acutely of an "empty chair." Sharing our loss. Sharing our love. Reminding one another, essentially of what 'Spaw shared so eloquently.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 24 Feb 14 - 08:49 PM

Pete, I hope Tommy's return to school goes well.

Nigel, I can't think of anything brilliant at the moment, but are you thinking of a commemoration involving just a few people or several people? Of course, by the time you answer this, others will probably have posted their brilliant ideas!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 24 Feb 14 - 04:47 PM

Nigel, re March 23, a feast with her fav foods attended by family and friends? Lots of pics and memories and stories and music?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 24 Feb 14 - 06:06 AM

"And there is only what is......what should be never existed". Spaw, I wish I'd known you fifty years ago. Those words would have helped so much, back then. Eleven words that convey a universal truth which I have taken to my heart. It's never too late to be given such a gift.

'Jane's Rainbow' is in fine fettle, crewed by some of the finest folk it's ever been my good fortune to meet. I am honoured, touched, moved to call you: "Friends". I call upon your Friendship as the 1st anniversary of Jane's death peeps above the horizon, just one month away. Ann & I would appreciate your views & ideas as to how we might mark/acknowledge/celebrate the 23rd March. We've both experienced many bereavements throughout our lives, but nothing quite like this. As a guide I offer three words: "Simplicity, Sincerity & Dignity". Everlasting Love overarches all we think, say & do.
                               With Love to You All,
                                                               Nigel & Ann
                                                               xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 24 Feb 14 - 05:35 AM

Great news Pete, hope Tommy has a good day at school,

Sun shining in Frinton, Happy days all

with love

Wendy xxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Feb 14 - 04:30 AM

what gnu said

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 23 Feb 14 - 05:32 AM

Progress! Thanks for the update.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 22 Feb 14 - 07:43 PM

well, I did begin to wonder if tommy was going down again as he had gotten very drooly, but so far so good. he has been off school since hospital, but the plan is to start him back tomorrow on shorter days.
blessings all    pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 22 Feb 14 - 11:40 AM

Ya know, Spaw, since Bill Gates called and told me that IE 9 & 10 have severely vulnerable security problems and that I had better get the latest version RFN and since the new version won't run on Pista, I switched to Google Chrome on a trial basis. Mudcat loads far faster. GC? you ask. Still kickin it hard when it won't do what I want it to do but real men don't read the directions. Oh, they ask questions when they get entirely frustrated... even if that approach takes longer than readin the directions. I did try Firefox and Opera but importin my favourites was a nightmare so here I am, struck in the middle. Hey, even if ya don't like GC, just use it for Mudcat.

Either that or quit yer weenin ya saggy assed old fart.

Have a nice day, all.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Feb 14 - 09:28 AM

LOL.....I was sort of wondering the same thing Lassie! I hope the news remains good! Hopefully too the change of seasons coming up will bring some new life after this really bad winter.

I hope it also brings something a bit faster to the old 'Cat who has seemed to be a bit slower and less reliable the past month or so.

Best to All!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 21 Feb 14 - 08:43 PM

I've continued to read this thread but haven't had anything to say lately. I hope things are going as well as possible considering what some of you are dealing with.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 06:10 AM

sniff.

apology accepted

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 05:29 PM

Leave it up the loikes a ye to make a crude joke. And thanks for the chuckle.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 01:01 PM

Ya' know, you'd think after all these years I'd have caught that........Goodonya' Pete........LOL......Sorry Sandra!


Spaw

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 10:32 AM

Sandra! Leave Sidney alone!

LOL!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 10:47 PM

Thank you, sandra in sidney.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 04:54 PM

UP SPAW..very moving account.   blessings all pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 04:53 AM

Thanks, Spaw.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 04:47 AM

drought pics & stories

Australia is famously the land of 'drought & flooring rain'- tho the rains seem to be in Britain at the moment.

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 12:26 AM

What sandra said.

Thanks and hugs, Spaw.

And may rain fall in Oz where ever it is most needed.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 08:06 PM

well, it means a lot more to me than it does to someone who has never read it ...

there is only time. And there is only what is......what should be never existed. thanks, spaw

sandra

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 06:20 PM

Spaw, a lot of that post will be spinning around in my head for awhile. I'm sure a lot of us have had experiences, or sequences of experience, just similar enough to make that ring a bunch of bells, and bring back a lot of things. What a bunch of you here did for me in June of '12, on the thread I had started, was much the same as how this thread has gone.

How about we start a contest, seeing if we can one-up each other on how much this thread has meant to us?

....nah...    : )

                Dean

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 05:30 PM

I decided awhile back that I would not post again til I had the time to sit back and read this thread once again from the beginning. The 'Cat has been fighting me since the cold really set it and I think the old girl has some bad moments like the rest of us. BTW, I was delighted to first read the latest good news from so many fronts.   Ups for you all!!!

So I did get the time and the 'Cat's cooperation and I have enjoyed the read. I cannot tell you how much I have learned from this thread and from all of you.......and all of it has been important to how I am doing from that knowledge and support. But as we sail on I have had other experiences which I'll share here to help explain what I know now that I didn't know before.

Let me tell you about Rich. Rich and I were good friends in high school but went to different colleges. We worked several summers together during the college years and hung out together in our early 20's. We did about as crazyass shit as you can imagine on every level and we somehow survived those years though I'm not sure how. I have a warehouse full of "Me and Rich Tales" that I will never forget....or tell. Life overtook us and we drifted apart. Rich married Jan, his High School sweetheart, and started a family and by the time we were 40 barely saw each other although were always happy to do so, like two little kids with a shared secret.

A few years ago I sadly found that Rich had died. I didn't know any details or how to find Jan but I kept it in my mind for many years. Facebook has a site of folks who grew up in the same town as I did and I found many old school chums. All too many were now widows and widowers. One good friend, Vicki, knows everything about our class it seems and when I asked about Rich and Jan she gave Jan's info and then talked about Rich. Things had been going badly for him and he committed suicide. I was dumbstruck. I have talked to Jan and all but the idea stays in my head that sometimes we just need a friend or some support like we try to be around here. Perhaps if Rich and I had stayed in closer contact, I could have been that person for my old friend. Perhaps not. We don't know nor can we know. As I often say, there is only what is.

But oddly enough this voyage of Jane's Rainbow and the death Rich's death came together to finally make me realize, even after all I have gone through before, that the only thing I am absolutely certain of, that I can believe in and be assured of, is that in the final analysis there is only time. And there is only what is......what should be never existed.

There is also friendship which makes the time ever so valuable. Thank you all for the friendship and the time you have given and that we spend together here. Let's sail on together........


Spaw

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 11:15 AM

Beautiful day here in Staffs yesterday, but the rain's back today. Still, the days are getting noticeably longer. Springs a-comin'.

UP!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 06:40 AM

up, up & away - including the rain clouds

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 05:16 PM

We been down to winchelsea and rye overnight. beautiful sunny day.
I don't think it is expected to stay that way but hopefully it will be on the up....and UP ALL .    blessings    pete.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: maeve
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 04:43 PM

Up

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 06:11 AM

Almost off the board. I'll take that as 'steady as she goes'. Good enough fer tha girls I goes wit sir.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 06:21 AM

With you all the way with that, Nigel. As I write, there's a big bright thing in the sky. Now what could that be?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 06:12 AM

Last night was very rough, here in East London. No significant rainfall, but winds gusting between 60-80 mph. My neighbour is a 'radio ham' & the sound of the wind blowing through his aerial array could've come from a horror movie soundtrack...very spooky!

The flooding in the South West & the Thames Valley remain the major areas of concern. Some news footage taken yesterday showed water levels had risen almost to the height of a front door. Imagine that volume of water invading the ground floor of your property. Neighbours/Communities are rallying round & helping each other where they can & the Emergency Services, bolstered by the Military, are working round the clock to protect, pump & repair. Heartbreaking interviews on the news...good people who've lost so much. As one man said, he wasn't bothered about replaceable items like 'fridges & TVs, it was all their personal possessions: photographs, family mementos, a special chair, all ruined by the filthy flood water (often contaminated by sewage). There is a stoicism within the beleaguered towns, villages & individual households, but it is increasingly obvious just how 'flood weary' they are becoming. The ground is saturated; the water table full to overflowing. The phrase one hears increasingly is: "Since records began".
          Ann & I are amongst the lucky ones, safe & dry, despite the fact that a tributary of the Thames flows 200m behind our house! The forecast for the coming week is more benign, so a little respite for some. I want to see records broken at the Winter Olympics, not in Meteorology.
         Keep safe...take good care of yourselves,
                                                                      With Love & many UPs,
                                                                                                       Nigel & Ann
                                                                                                       xxxxxxxxxx

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:36 PM

stormy here, but not flooding, thankfully.
also UP all!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 08:27 PM

I'm on snow watch for the next five hours (to 02:30). I managed to keep Mum calm and it's such a chore as the media, especially the TV, hype up storms for ratings. But, I think she'll be okay.

UP all!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 11:15 AM

G'morning, crew: "UP" spaw, "UP" one and all.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 07:08 PM

good news from Wendy & Tam (let there be light!)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 06:23 PM

Isn't light wonderful, VT? Spring and blue skies will surely come again.

Glad you have some support and ideas re the situation with your brother, Wendy.

Not quite 30 years ago we were flooded - water waist deep in the living room. We cut down some rather large trees with axes to get them out of the way, then attached a come-along to the front axle of our truck on one end and tree higher up the slope on the other, and wenched the truck up the mountainside to keep it clear of the flood waters.   We had moved my car to higher ground at a friend's house up on the ridge before the flood, thinking the road might get covered and we might want to hike out a little further up on the slope, but never dreamed the water would actually reach the house or driveway which were well above the road. Two days later we rescued ourselves and our two large dogs by kayaking out through what were usually the woods well above the river. I shudder when I read the news reports and look at the photographs on the news services. What I most remember was my shock and the sense of unreality when we did get out, drove up onto the ridge at the top of the valley and realized the rest of the world wasn't flooded. My heart goes out to all across the pond dealing with this devastation.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 04:18 PM

Well talk about Mudcat Mojo! Downgraded to about 20cm of snow tomorrow eve/night, 70kph, then 30mm of rain, and + (yes +!!!) 7C on Friday. Snow Saturday but not much.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 02:17 PM

Well, I didn't say it wasn't sunny. Nare a cloud in the sky. And, I'd guess it's about -8C with a 10 - 15km breeze. I was just out supporting the economy and saw many young folk with their coats open and sans scarf. They will learn. Especially the lad who thinks women appreciate his hairy legs. In my youth, he would have been given pants in sympathy or avoided or perhaps even sent for an assessment of mental accuity.

I see Brits wading in waist deep water on my TV and am not just taken aback with empathy but I also wonder just how cold the water is or how tough they are. I hope Mother Nature lays off ASAP.

Better days ahead for all I trust and hope.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 01:27 PM

here's to more light, and hopefully warmth, gnu and tam.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 10:38 AM

Cheering for Gnu. So happy for Wendy with news from the Admiral nurse re brother.

Grey and rainy in England for more than a month with only brief reprieves. And of course it contributes to the physical pain as well as the low mood. But something wonderful happened yesterday while I was at work which I didn't discover until this morning.

The leylandii with dead patches in it viewed from our first floor flat lounge and kitchen windows is gone!!!! Can't believe how much more light in our kitchen and lounge even on a grey day.

Can't wait until the sun comes back.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 06:10 AM

We had about 1cm of snow in a 40 minute flurry yesterday. All the snow this winter is falling as rain, and lots of it. "Experts" say the flood waters could take weeks if not months to dissipate. We aren't in a flood zone, thankfully, but thousands in the south-west are waist deep in water. Poor buggers.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 05:34 AM

I sit on the lap of winter. As I type, it is -20C about 2m away. The only thing between myself and frostbite is an R12 wall and nuclear power. But, it is gonna warm up... so it can snow. Wild predictions abound in the media, delivered in ominous hype by weather terrorists who desperately need ratings. Environment Canada says "... we could get some "heavy at times" snow, maybe some rain, and expect strong winds in coastal regions... we'll see." Jonna Brewer of the CBC Radio show Early Morning just said that she heard as much as 55cm and high winds. 'Wailin' Kalin Mitchell of CBC NB TV was in fine form last evening and even said 80km winds. I haven't made a final forecast for Thursday night and Friday personally but my preliminary forecast is "It's February in New Brunswick. I need a turnip for my chicken stew."

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: frogprince
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 08:17 PM

Hey, gnu? Whose lap are you sitting on?

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,gnu on laptop
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 07:44 PM

Good to hear, Wendy.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 05:07 PM

sounds good, wendy. some resolution to the quandary at last.

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: billybob
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 05:57 AM

Gnu, that's why we come aboard, to share our feelings, much better to have a rant with friends here than bottle up on your own.

love and hugs

Wendy xxxxxxxxx

( who had a brilliant meeting with her Admiral Nurse yesterday and now knows what to do about the brother problem!!)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Feb 14 - 01:44 AM

I'll second that

sandra (no longer cookieless, thanks to Joe Offer)

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: Janie
Date: 10 Feb 14 - 10:52 PM

Up thread! Up Spaw! Up All y'all!

Subject: RE: Jane's Rainbow: for all needing support & comfort
From: gnu
Date: 10 Feb 14 - 08:21 AM

Now youse are about to tear up me eyes. Thanks. Onward...