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Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: aztecan on December 18, 2010, 02:12:23 pm

Title: Counting my blessings
Post by: aztecan on December 18, 2010, 02:12:23 pm
You know, sometimes I think I am such a whiner. Here I am bemoaning my little bout of pneumonia and the bills incurred thereto, and I get a holiday card from an old friend who lives in Washington state.

He writes, "I'll be glad when 2010 is over. Spent three months in the hospital. Had seven heart attacks and six strokes, three code blues, pneumonia, was in a coma for a week and, due to a blood clot, lost my right leg.
Have a new leg and am learning to walk again.
Have dialysis three days a week because my one working kidney failed. Jumping through the hoops to get on transplant list.
All in all, I'm lucky to be looking at the daisies, not pushing them up.
Have a good holiday."

Now, I have known Bill for a good 15 years. He isn't one to whine or complain. So, he is probably downplaying his status.

My little bout of pneumonia was nothing by comparison.

I guess this a good reminder that we should be thankful for how lucky we are.

Oh, and nobody better say "chronic and manageable" to me for a while.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Counting my blessings
Post by: pozniceguy on December 18, 2010, 02:31:32 pm
thanks for the reminder   .... AMEN   

Nick
Title: Re: Counting my blessings
Post by: Jeff G on December 18, 2010, 04:19:03 pm
I needed to hear that , thanks for the reminder . I am hoping for a better year ahead for you and your friend .
Title: Re: Counting my blessings
Post by: BT65 on December 18, 2010, 05:59:37 pm
Da-yam.  I hope your friend has a better year coming up, and you also Mark. :-*
Title: Re: Counting my blessings
Post by: Jeffreyj on December 19, 2010, 03:54:13 am
Great point Mark. I get asked allot how I've been able to deal with Having HIV for so long, and my mind goes immediately to the soldiers that come home without limbs.
"Those soldiers have it rough, not me."
Mark, you are so right. It can always be worse, and we need to be grateful for what we do have.
Title: Re: Counting my blessings
Post by: bear60 on December 19, 2010, 11:17:51 am
Mark
A little reality check never hurts. 
To add to your list:  My friend Bob ( who survived the liver transplant) is still very "disabled" and is going to need a kidney transplant as well.  Its almost too much to comprehend.


Joel
Title: Re: Counting my blessings
Post by: wolfter on December 19, 2010, 04:24:19 pm
Thanks for the timely reminder.  We sometimes forget the horrendous struggles others suffer while dealing with our own issues.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Counting my blessings
Post by: Theyer on December 20, 2010, 06:44:38 am
Visiting my Mother in  her new Nursing Home has been making that point for me. Let your friend know we salute him ,Mark .
Take care
mhtv
Title: Re: Counting my blessings
Post by: AlanBama on December 22, 2010, 12:59:36 am
Blessings on your friend honey, and you as well.

We are very fortunate, indeed. (and no you are not a whiner....)   Now I can do some SERIOUS whining when I set my mind to it...LOL