Anybody heard from Marsha Lynn?

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I haven't seen Marsha online for awhile - is she doing okay?

[Gina Stevenson]

You mean Marsha Lynn or Marsha Gupton? Recall seeing them over @ FB. 'Been there more than normal myself ... there's that "instant" sort of thing ... a message pops up and it shows @ the top of the page.

[Marsha Lynn]

I haven't seen Marsha online for awhile - is she doing okay?

Thanks for noticing, Scott. Time pressures seem to have finally managed to cure my NazNet addiction -- at least temporarily. Somehow, I have found myself embarked on another medical adventure. I'm tired of doctor appointments and tests. The good news is that, although they haven't managed to rule out MS, they also aren't confirming it. I'm currently in wait mode after having another round at the MRI center this week.

Of course, summer at the library is crazy busy anyway but it's trying to work a bunch of appointments into my already-full calendar while also trying to figure out how to lower my stress level that has taken its toll on my internet time. Hopefully, things will quiet down soon. Meanwhile, I'm indulging in garden time when I can squeeze out a spare moment. Best looking garden I think I've ever had. Not a lot of produce so far -- mostly lettuce -- but I sure am enjoying the outdoor time.

Marsha

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Thanks for noticing, Scott. Time pressures seem to have finally managed to cure my NazNet addiction -- at least temporarily. Somehow, I have found myself embarked on another medical adventure. I'm tired of doctor appointments and tests. The good news is that, although they haven't managed to rule out MS, they also aren't confirming it. I'm currently in wait mode after having another round at the MRI center this week.

Of course, summer at the library is crazy busy anyway but it's trying to work a bunch of appointments into my already-full calendar while also trying to figure out how to lower my stress level that has taken its toll on my internet time. Hopefully, things will quiet down soon. Meanwhile, I'm indulging in garden time when I can squeeze out a spare moment. Best looking garden I think I've ever had. Not a lot of produce so far -- mostly lettuce -- but I sure am enjoying the outdoor time.

Marsha

Thanks for checking in, although I'm certainly sorry to hear of your having another "medical adventure." I pray nothing but good will come out of this turn.

Please make time for NazNet as you are able!

[Edith Thurmond]

Thanks for noticing, Scott. Time pressures seem to have finally managed to cure my NazNet addiction -- at least temporarily. Somehow, I have found myself embarked on another medical adventure. I'm tired of doctor appointments and tests. The good news is that, although they haven't managed to rule out MS, they also aren't confirming it. I'm currently in wait mode after having another round at the MRI center this week.


Marsha

Marsha, have the doctors definitively ruled out Lymes Disease? Prayers said for you!

-et-

[Gina Stevenson]

Marsha, have the doctors definitively ruled out Lymes Disease? Prayers said for you!

-et-

Oh, yeah ... as much time as we hear of you spending time outside, Marsha, while living in the country, could be quite possible.

[Ann Smith]

Marsha,
As a sufferer of Lyme Disease and the wife of one who went undiagnosed for many years, Be sure you don't have Lyme. Many times people have been diagnosed with MS to find out they have Lyme. Email me and I can help you get more infor.
Ann

[Marsha Lynn]

Marsha, have the doctors definitively ruled out Lymes Disease? Prayers said for you!

-et-

Thanks for the prayers, Edith. Lyme disease hasn't come up as a possibility. While we do see plenty of dog ticks and I know of people with Lyme disease, I'm not sure I have ever personally seen one of the deer ticks that transmit the disease, nor have I noticed either the "bulls eye" skin pattern or flu-like symptoms that are classic signs of Lyme. I'll mention it to my doctor next time I see him, however.

Marsha

[Dennis M. Scott]

When Linda began having a peculiar set of symptoms, we went to a Boston hospital, and they quickly dismissed Lyme, saying it was pretty rare. A week later, we went to a NH hospital, where the doctor listened to her, and said it probably was Lyme, which that doctor sees frequently. That doctor was correct. The bullseye pattern only appears in about 50% of Lyme cases. Linda never did see a tick on her, although we see them frequently on dogs and visitors. Lyme also presents with a huge list of symptoms, mimicing many other conditions. Hope you don't have it, but can determine whatever it is. Praying.

Maybe you have that illusive, "Too much time on Naznet syndrome." Most doctors are familiar with it, however.

[Gina Stevenson]

That's definitely a possibility for some of us, Dennis ... that syndrome which you mentioned:

Maybe you have that illusive, "Too much time on Naznet syndrome." Most doctors are familiar with it, however.

[John Kennedy]

When Linda began having a peculiar set of symptoms, we went to a Boston hospital, and they quickly dismissed Lyme, saying it was pretty rare. A week later, we went to a NH hospital, where the doctor listened to her, and said it probably was Lyme, which that doctor sees frequently. That doctor was correct. The bullseye pattern only appears in about 50% of Lyme cases. Linda never did see a tick on her, although we see them frequently on dogs and visitors. Lyme also presents with a huge list of symptoms, mimicing many other conditions. Hope you don't have it, but can determine whatever it is. Praying.

Maybe you have that illusive, "Too much time on Naznet syndrome." Most doctors are familiar with it, however.

See you check visitors and dogs for ticks. I'll keep that in mind should I ever entertain the idea of another New England trip. Have a happy Fourth..

[Dennis M. Scott]

See you check visitors and dogs for ticks. I'll keep that in mind should I ever entertain the idea of another New England trip. Have a happy Fourth..

We are preparing a batch just for you!

[John Kennedy]

For me? Oh, you shouldn't have...You really shouldn't have!!!!

[John Kennedy]

We are preparing a batch just for you!

For me? Oh, you shouldn't have.........you really shouldn't have!!!!!!

[Marsha Lynn]

Thanks for your input, everyone. I took your suggestion of Lyme disease to my doctor. You know, "So I was reading on the internet ..." Doctors love that sort of thing. Anyway, another poke did away with that possibility. No Lyme disease.

Yesterday was another trip to the neurologist. I now have an official diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The good news, however, is that 1) the doctor used the word "mild;" and 2) all the symptoms from this last round (not counting the optic neuritis that was a warning 15 years ago) have cleared up completely. The only debilitation I have at this point is a mild loss of vision (contrast and gray/brown colors) in my left eye. I've dealt with that for years now with few difficulties.

The next step is to decide how to treat it. Various drugs have been shown to slow down the progress of the disease. They are expensive, involve a needle, and bring with them side effects that are not insignificant. Fortunately, we have excellent health insurance through my husband's work so the cost is a factor only for the insurance company and all the other subscribers who share the expense of all this. But the other considerations certainly are enough to give me pause. I have a month to do research and think about it before my next appointment.

I went to my family doctor in June with the symptoms that prompted all the testing. He sent me on for blood work and an MRI. Twice during that day I heard Laura Story's song "Blessings" on the radio. Yesterday, just as I pulled out of the neurologist's office, the song came on again. Sure, it's just coincidence. It's a popular song being given a lot of play by that station. But it wouldn't have had to be played during the exact time I was on the road (rather than in some medical facility) and listening to the appropriate station. I love the way "coincidences" so frequently look like messages of divine love.

Blessings:

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?

And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can't satisfy?

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?

[Hans Deventer]

Marsha! This is serious. I'm so sorry to hear this...... So wish it were different .........