Why I have not been around lately
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: Why I have not been around lately
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Archive through October 21, 2002 25   10/22 04:22am

Babyruth

Monday, October 21, 2002 - 12:31 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
((((((AussieDeb))))))

Curious1

Monday, October 21, 2002 - 12:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
AussiDeb, I too am a veteran who suffers from PTSD. I see what my husband goes through when I am unable to function due to symptoms of the depression/PTSD. I know it is incredible hard on you, not just the added responsiblity of taking care of things but the pain associated with watching your loved one in so much hurt and not being able to help him. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Where do you live exactly? Sometimes making the phone calls to all the agencies for help can be overwhelming. If you wouldn't mind, I would be happy to contact some agencies for you and have THEM contact YOU. There is help out there, it is just so difficult to find it with so much else on your plate right now.

Please do consider the PAYPAL thing, just a few dollars out of each of our pockets could really help you. I would rather spend that few dollars on someone in need than on that Big Mac that I really could do without! :)

Vixeninvegas

Monday, October 21, 2002 - 03:49 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi AussiDeb!! You don't know me - I am fairly new to the board but your postings tugged at my heart strings. I am adding you & your family to my prayers.

I am going to echo the "consider the Paypal thing" above - I think all of us could use a little help sometimes & there are tons of us here who care & would like to assist in anyway we can.

::::looks @ her hips:::::::: Yep I also could skip a couple Big Macs!

Bookworm

Monday, October 21, 2002 - 06:06 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thinking of you today Aussie. Does your community have a food pantry? I could be wrong, but I don't think you need to prove anything to receive from a food pantry. Something to think about... I know you are having trouble trying to find enough hours in the day to do everything you must do. Hope that you do take care of yourself.

Tess

Monday, October 21, 2002 - 06:27 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
{{{{{Deb}}}}} My heart goes out to you and your husband. Hang in there, consider the advice given above and please let us know how you both are doing.

Curiouscat

Monday, October 21, 2002 - 06:39 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussiedeb, this is my favourite words of wisdom I hope you will like too. My thoughts are with you and your husband. Hold strong!

------------------------

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran - Chapter 8

Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."

And he answered:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.

Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

Ducky

Monday, October 21, 2002 - 09:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussiedeb, Hoping that I can be of some help to you. There is this web site that was featured on The Today Show awhile back the person who started it was on and try's to help people that are in need. Here is the link if you would like to go and check it out.
My Prayers to you and your husband.

Modest Needs

Aussiedeb

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 02:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow, you lot here are so wonderful, reading the replies is helping me out so much knowing that there really are caring people around.

I don't have paypal, but I couldnt accept any money. I just checked out account this morning and my little left over money from the student loan went in. We only have a half day of college today so we are going to our local VA office again for some help.

I was at college yesterday till 9pm last night and was so tired when I came home I didnt get to check in here, so here I am at 5am our time up and getting ready to head off to college.

I told hubby what a wonderful bunch the gang is here already, so when I tell him the messages I just all read he will be happy. He knows I love this site due to the people who post here.

I am feeling a little better since I had so many hours at college yesterday and saw friends, but also got asked by my psych instructor from last quarter to give a big presentation to her current class. That boosted me up heaps.

Those prayers and thoughts everyone is saying/sending must be working, and I thank everyone for their generosity from the bottom of my heart.

Will update later today when I actually have some spare time.

Thank you so much everyone, you are family to me.


Deb

Abby7

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 03:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussiedeb: I don't know you but will say a prayer for you. I hope all this passes very soon and your health and life become good again.

Hillbilly

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 04:22 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussie

Please contact the 'patient representative' at your local VA hospital and tell them you are in need of transportation assistance. Just call the main switchboard or the Director's office and they will transfer you to a 'patient representative'. These positions were created to answer questions about patient care, take complaints, and to help connect you to the people who can help you.

Also, make sure you are in contact with the Veterans Benefits office. It sounds like you may be entitled to disability through the VA system.

http://www.va.gov/

Hillbilly

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 04:24 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Also, contact the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). This is a separate organization from the VA that can be of great help to you.

http://www.dav.org/

Car54

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 04:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hillbilly that is excellent advice. My Dad had a service connected disability and the DAV was a lifesaver for my parents.

Deb, if you have the time, give them a call..they are really good people and can probably help your husband a lot.

Aussiedeb

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 06:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
We have already filed a claim with VA for the disability but it takes between 6 and 12 months apparently. We got our student loan excess today but it wasnt much since I go full time and hubby almost full time. We did get a $40 food voucher from the local VA office. I have never bought so much food for that amount. The only thing was we could only go to my ex employer supermarket in the next town, but hey we got a lot for it and only had to pay $1.

We also shopped around for other items, hitting sales in walmart, going to aldi's etc..

I am waiting to hear back from my doc about my back since I am so worried about how its caving in where the surgery was.

I got the results of exams from last week, I hit the class average for my psychology exam which was only a C and got 1 point off an A- for Therapeutic Recreation, keeping in mind I did these in extreme pain, on vicodin and all the stuff with hubby going on. My professors were pleased and amazed. I also got papers done, and one handed back already with an A.

I am exhausted, after being at college at 7.40am this morning and in class till noon, then a meeting, then off to organise food etc, shop around for bargains, then home. Unpacked it all, did dishes, cleaned out old stuff from fridge, did 2 loads of laundry, and here I am :)

I thought I would check in here and once again say a huge thanks for all the kindness, and update on whats going on today. I am off to bed now.

Deb

Halfunit

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 06:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Deb,

As a fellow Buckeye, I did some searching around the State of Ohio page and found this:

ONE-ON-ONE HELP by Customer Service
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program


Click on the second link and it opens up a pdf (Adobe) file of contacts who deal with one on one help for Veterans. I noticed one in Dayton and one in Cincinnati - I'm not sure exactly where you're at, but there are a bunch.

Perhaps this might be a more personal approach with someone who knows the "system".

Also, if you click on the link at the top that says OUR SERVICES, and then SERVICES FOR OHIO FAMILIES - FAMILIES, they have links for clothes, food, financial, and transportation assistance.

Sia

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 07:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Still praying that you get good news about your back, Aussiedeb. Where do you get the strength and energy to do so much after a difficult surgery like that? {{{{Aussiedeb}}}}

Pamy

Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 08:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
{{{{Aussiedeb)))) You and your hubby are in my prayers

Bob2112

Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 12:41 am EditMoveDeleteIP
bob {{{Aussiedeb}}}

Aussiedeb

Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 02:23 am EditMoveDeleteIP
THanks Halfunit, found one on that site in Lima, which is where we go to college. We live in Coldwater, near Celina.

Sia, I have no idea where the energy is from, I can tell you its draining me though. I am like my mum, very driven, and doesnt rest even when she is supposed to.

Theowl

Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 06:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussie, I don't know how you do it. I would probably just sit and cry. You are so strong and brave. Please take care of your back!! That is the most important situation now, because you need it!! That is some great advice ^^!! I hope it helps you. Please stay strong and take care of Yourself, too. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Bookworm

Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 08:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Just checking in on you Deb...

Sia

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 08:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thinking about you and your hubby, Deb. huggingcats

Cricket

Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 07:22 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Cute picture, Sia. Deb, just wanted you to know that I've been praying for you and your husband and am so glad you are on road going forward.

There is help out there and the people on this board have been very kind in helping you find it. Please remember to take care of yourself and get some rest.

I hope your visit to the doctor will show positive results from the back surgery.

Take care,

Cricket

Misslibra

Wednesday, October 30, 2002 - 08:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
(((Aussiedeb))) good luck to you and your husband.

Aussiedeb

Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 03:45 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thank you so much everyone, I am hoping things are starting to look up for us.

Dave starts back at work tonite and hopefully will last the nite. I see my surgeon in the morning and will probably get a lecture..

VA has been helping us out, pointing us in the right direction etc. I am at work at the moment at college but have no students to tutor so I just had to come here and let you all know what is happening this week.

Dave is still not feeling safe but it will take a long time for him to be able to cope with these feelings.

I started catholic class this week. I am anglican/episcopal and grew up a catholic. I went to catholic schools etc..so to renew my faith I finally am doing the classes to become one. We have been both praying a lot and it seems he might just be starting to listen.

Thank you once again everyone for your prayers, kind words, help. We appreciated it so much.


I will keep you posted on how we are doing.

Bookworm

Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 07:14 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hugs and good thoughts to you AussieDeb.

Suitsmefine

Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 07:43 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Aussiedeb, HUGS,PRAYERS AND POSITIVE VIBES HEADED YOUR WAY!!!!!! I hope everything works out!!!With God, all things are possible. According to MANY Doctors I am not supposed to be sitting here breathing right now...But with lots of prayers, I'm still standing!! Hang in there!