Passing along what Kathi sent to me in email: Kathi send her thanks to all for all the good thoughts & prayers! She will send email to a few when things settle down. On Thurs, her hubby seemed a good deal better. He wasn't having much pain, down to a 3 he said on a scale of 1-10. He was running a temp all day. He was alert and aware of all his surroundings and was able to do the little exercises they put him thru. They haven't let him out of bed: risk of falling. She knew he was feeling better when he said he wanted to go home...he was hungry! LOL (She said "Isn't that just like a man?) :) Their daughter was able to change plans of a conference in San Diego to go see them instead. Nice surprise! If things continue going well -they get his temperature down-they may move him out of ICU Friday. All the staff is surprised with how his recovery is going. They all tell him he's in real good shape(and she agrees) for his age. He was 75 on the 25th of last month, but he is as strong as a horse and has never had a moment's worth of fat on his body. He still weighs 170 and that's only about 5 or so more pounds than he weighed when we got married 54 years ago. She says "Sure wish I was that lucky!!" Here's today's update. He's doing very well.They have moved him twice since she last wrote. Yesterday they moved him to acute rehab, where he will stay until he comes home. He's getting all kinds of therapy, both physical and occupational. They had him walking around yesterday, up and down small flights of stairs, and ramps, and that step thing that people use for exercise. Since he gardens they had him pretend he was getting up and down on his knees in the garden. They want to put him thru the paces of all the things he does when he is at home, gardening, cooking, laundry. Since he also does Their finances they are going to work on that and the computer with him this weekend. She knows how to do all those things as well, but when she had 2 surgeries back to back a couple years ago, he took over (and has done it ever since). She was amazed yesterday at how good he looks, moves and speaks. He's a bit on the weak side. Tends to have a slight balance problem. Other than that thinks he looks darn good considering he was knocking on death's door just this past Monday. Kathi said "Praise the Lord, he pulled him through." So remind all the men in your life to pay attention to their bodies and listen to those still small voices. If something doesn't seem or feel right, get it checked out! Don't wait till it's too late!!!

Well, well, well. Here was I today putting in my brugs on the first hot day we've had for eons. Wouldn't you know it, I must have wiped my right eye. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, thinking maybe I had a heat stroke or something, but then I remembered this posting by davidlee. I went indoors and immediately drank a lot of water, and had a lukewarm bath after first scrubbing my hands and arms well. One eye had the pupil almost entirely dilated, while the other was normally small, considering it is so bright outside. Three hours later, it is still in this state, and I am wondering how I am to read my speach which I am supposed to give tonight at 7:30. I guess I will have to wing it. A new respect, indeed. Brug lovers ( myself included) take heed. Wash well after touching them

Irma, thank you for the thoughts and your kind words. I am still experiencing anxiety attacks and attempting to plan what my next move is going to be. At the present time I have returned to work and due to the generosity of the servers I worked with at night I have had enough funds to eat and keep going the past several weeks. I am still waiting for the insurance money which is enough to pay the rent for December and pay a few bills and for my annunity payment from Lee to begin. It will not be enough to allow me to stay where I am unless my friend moves in. I am still not physically healed myself and it will take time for me to regain my strength and to heal emotionally. Disney had me work Thanksgiving and that helped as I was too tired to think about things as I worked 10 hours and then turned around and worked 6 hours the following morning. My foot that underwent surgery is very painful today and feels very numb and swollen. I hope it feels better by Monday. I had Thanksgiving with my friend and his mother on Fri ad I also had to stand to cook the turkey and make pies. I am exhausted and am so glad to have my fur babies thanks to Judy's generosity. They are sticking to me like glue and giving lots of love. I still cry off and on but I keep alot of it inside and smile for the world. I am worried about a lot of things but know that God and my angels will take care of me. Christmas is going to be the hardest as that was our time of the year and Disney is where we spent Christmas. I am beginning to cry with the Chistmas decorations, commercials and shows. I have no family to spend Christmas with and I will have eye surgery Christmas week to remove my first cataract. Thanks once again for caring and for everyone else who has been there. Linda

Well, after another visit to the ER -- the same ER I went to two week ago -- my GYN offered two solutions for the pain and neverending period. The Pill or Uterine Oblation. I took the pills. I feel very depressed about this and slightly scared. Scared of what? Risk of strokes, etc. Although I do not want any kind of surgery. Has anyone out there tried this for the painful end of their periods before menopause. I thought I would go out of my mind with the pain/nausea/vomiting! My doctor saw from the ultrasound that everything appears normal; the hormonal waxing and waning is causing my cramps/pain/nausea/vomiting. None of my friends my age or older have had this problem. Most tell me they just quit having periods and that was that! So yes, I am looking for some sympathy!!! This experience has been so disruptive of my life... I think I am willing to try "the Pill."