Hello my dawlinks! It's your Yenta. My apologies for taking so long to write; three khevre (friends) have been struck with cancer and it's wounded me to the neshome (soul). One very young lady is now in remission, I'm glad to report but weakened from her treatment of poisons. Another is a fellow writer and supporter of Lumigrate and is on the path of healing; while still one more is our khaver Gary King, from ITC Pharmacy, who is now receiving advise and care from the philosophy and guidance of a hospice and palliative care team. My heart will not heal for quite a long time.
Last weekend, a couple of very gut (good) khevre took your Yenta to the local air show during Veterans' Day weekend. The husband, a handsome gentleman, is an active duty Army Officer and pilot; his wife is a brilliant, beautiful woman and Ellen's best khaverte, and their daughter is a charming, vivacious angel with an incredibly adept brain. He's just returned from Afghanistan about a month ago; thank you Sir, for your service protecting us, with all my heart and neshome.
Anyway, walking around the grounds with other people, their kinderlah, retired military, fellow hippies, looking at the set-ups of camp sites from WWII and Vietnam, listening to snippets of geshikhte (stories), watching reenactments, shmekn (smelling) the fuel of airplane engines and exhaust, and listening to the engines rev.... Liblings, it was as though I was a kinder (child) again.
We sat and watched the acrobatics of the planes. Astounding what they do, the timing, the stunts themselves, and listened to the zoger (announcer) as he called out each move and explained it. It was as though the planes were kissing the sky, brushing the cheeks of clouds just to say "hello", and then ducking away as a child would in a game of hide and seek.
A couple of days later, I attended the Veteran's Day Parade. A small march of the Armed Forces down the Main Street of the town, the "old guard" as it were, and the new R.O.T.C., the Scouts and more, with each high school marching band in attendance. There were local politicians, including Patrick Murphy (such a nice man), a few car clubs (why, is beyond me), and other supportive organizations. I had quite a few friends in this parade.
One thing I noticed was consistent throughout the weekend. Survival. Not survival of the fittest. Just survival. Stories from POWs about torture, camaraderie, companionship, dismay and bravery. From soldiers, the essence wasn't very different. Prayers were said, as were curses of course, plenty of curses, and a few more curses. OK, one more for good measure, and then a tear or more for release of the stress from emotion of it all, but at this point you're probably asking yourself 'Yenta, Bubbie, what does this have to do with Gary from ITC, or us for that matter?' I'll tell you, be patient. Oy!
Everyone has a battle, a war if you would, that we each fight every day. Our soldiers not only fight their own battles, they fight OURS as well. They deserve our respect and thanks, plus perhaps a kiss on the cheek now and again ... those who have fought in past wars and those supporting us now and in times of peace. Without them, we wouldn't exist as we are. It couldn't hurt!
On a personal note -- October 1, the month we raise awareness about cancer here and everywhere, came word that 'the fight' Gary King was having using chemotherapy was not working and hospice was winged in to provide their gentle touch and support to his family, as well as Gary himself.
Just before that, Mardy had let us all know in her blog about Alice, my Christian counterpart's breast cancer diagnosis, and it warmed my heart to see the support she got from our friends and writers on Lumigrate. We also banded together and sent gifts.
Bubbelehs, your Yenta's hands are only up to crafting my beloved hand-made gifts when the weather cooperates, so I am grateful for the timing with Alice, as it was before the cold set in here in Florida, and my heart rests a little easier thinking that I've done something from afar which is aiding in her comforts.
I'm afraid Alice has had some complications and was ordered to stay in her room (no, she wasn't a bad girl) and not wandering about getting a cup of coffee, cleaning, doing laundry (I see you Alice, back to bed young lady!) or sit down to meals. She's to be treated like the Queen she is... at least for a little while.
How did I know a blanket and a big, soft pillow was going to be so helpful, you ask? Your Yenta's been through this cancer stuff and the hospice stuff with my... rather, with Ellen's mamele (dear sweet mother). Oy vey, three times that woman had breast cancer and three times brighter than the sun she smiled, laughed, sang, lost her hair (only twice), celebrated, and moved on with life literally and figuratively.
To our wonderful Gary King, I dedicate this one to you, Sir:
There is no greater love than the acceptance of the battle well fought and conceded. You have given yourself and your family a gift, your friends, and professional colleagues through your tenacious work in your career leading up to your work transformative work so well done at your ITC Pharmacy there with Allan, who I am sure is running the ship missing you a great deal.
And also for taking the time to share some of what you know with us at Lumigrate, which is where I came to think of you as a friend as we worked on discussions for those wanting to read at Lumigrate almost three years ago now. I will cherish our articles more today more than ever, and the photo, above, of you Allan and Mardy with the Peace Fleece!
Your dog, the world of comfort I am so grateful is inevitably by your side, my Libling. Chicken soup and air kisses to you, Gary. Rest well dear friend. It won't hurt.
Always yours
Yenta
Scooter the Wonder Dog, Mardy's therapy dog, age 16 (lived to 18), three months before this photo she overnight went totally deaf the day after all immunizations were given. A caring, 'outside the box' veterinarian found an antidote online, emailed us the printout, and it worked! Here's to all those pushing on the box to get out, peering outside the box, knowing the grass is greener on the other side of the box wall. Gary King being one of the Kings of that! Yes, he did compounding for veterinarians!
Yenta Tellabenta is truly a 'creation' for outreach and education with Lumigrate.com through storytelling and reinforcement of key concepts related to body, mind, spirit. Written by a very talented and somewhat mysterious younger wise woman who found her way to Lumigrate the summer of 2009, we hope you enjoy having your own Yenta with us at Lumigrate! Yenta (meaning 'town gossip' or 'connector') has a dedicated Forum at Lumigrate at http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/health-issuesdis-eases/fibro... [1] and can also be found on facebook.
Links:
[1] http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/health-issuesdis-eases/fibromyalgia-chronic-pain-and-chronic-fatigueexhaustion/it-cant-hurt-o
[2] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2438
[3] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/kvetching-about-fibromyalgia-and-making-memories-new-doctors
[4] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/douglas-firs-were-our-sanctuary-0
[5] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/katrina-remembered-âyes-my-love-how-it-goesâ
[6] http://twitter.com/lumigrate
[7] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#top
[8] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/login?destination=node/2013%23comment-form
[9] http://www.lumigrate.com/user/register?destination=node/2013%23comment-form
[10] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2441
[11] http://www.renewedvitalitymd.com/
[12] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/my-vitae-wm-marcus-spurlock-md
[13] http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/health-issuesdis-eases/fibromyalgia-chronic-pain-and-chronic-fatigue/exhaustion
[14] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2442
[15] http://www.dentocranial.net
[16] http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/health-issuesdis-eases/head/mental-conditions-headache
[17] http://www.cranialacademy.com/
[18] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2443
[19] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/meet-robin-thomas
[20] http://facebook.com/robinthomas.usana
[21] http://linkedin.com/rpthomas
[22] http://twitter.com/robinthomas1
[23] http://robinthomas.biz
[24] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2444
[25] http://www.TheTakeChargePatient.com
[26] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2447
[27] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2450
[28] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2452
[29] http://www.endfatigue.com
[30] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2453
[31] http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/air-kisses#comment-2454
Comments
Oh Yenta, thank you for this contribution. I admit to having been challenged emotionally with the events of this fall, and this has brought more than a few tears to my eyes. I've even gone back and re-read it after taking a break to reflect, and it had the same effect on me the second time. I really enjoyed hearing about your air show experience (I went to one here in Grand Junction in September too, what a coincidence!), your military veteran and spouse friends getting you out of the house and helping fill the time so your idle hands don't get you into some trouble...
, and the parade. It sounded like a GRATE one!
Serving our country has many forms, and I hope that we have all now come to know how to appreciate our military active duty and veterans and not just saying it, showing it! And I wish that sentiment will ripple out to others who are serving our country otherwise. The first Veteran's Day holiday Lumigrate was on the Internet, I happened to be out on the Interstate over the Continental Divide later than normal and I was surrounded for 100 miles by semis hauling things for us to use and consume directly or indirectly. The gas rigs were lit up with workers who work round the clock sometimes weeks on end away from their families.
I returned to my home with renewed gratitude for the water heated with gas that came through pipes that were once hauled on trains and trucks. We're in this together, and appreciating all people do is important. And at the top of that list, in my book are our military veterans.
Gary King, on the day we 'met' by phone, took my call, and entertained learning about what Lumigrate was about from me after I was flat out blown away by their customer service and speed of delivery by UPS when my new specialist physician sent my prescription there after my first visit. Located in Caste Rock, Colorado, a small city south of Denver that I had driven through sometimes twice a day for years a decade before, I never knew it was there! And a doctor from Dallas, Texas is how I found out about it, through my work with Lumigrate, indirectly if you follow the thread back to the start. Another medical provider who has taken risks to bring the truth as we know it and believe in it to people.
It was not Gary's greatest "joy" to spend time educating by typing/writing, but he loved educating people, so it was a means to an end to reach new people or teach the existing customers something new perhaps. He was "an old pharmacist at heart", preferring to talk to as many of the patients as he could when they called or came in and out. Naturally, his partner Allan did the same and then there are the dedicated pharmacists who were in their very professionally run 'lab'. I saw their setup, including the four quality assurance steps they have just related to the right thing going to the right person. It was quite impressive, and a good sized business space (9,000 ft). These 'boys' had come far from their old days in Texas. They went to great efforts to come into our podcast studio in 2011 and they are 'timeless keepsakes' and explain their history from Texas to Colorado and are still pertinent today, so I hope 'y'all listen' if you're interested. (Find our podcasts here or at iTunes).
I had no way of knowing in February of this year, as he wove a piece together about hypothyroid testing and treatment with Dr Wm. Marc Spurlock/MD of Dallas, Texas, and Jim Kennedy, holistic DDS of Grand Junction, Colorado, that it would be his last words of wisdom with us. I had come out of a conventional medical educational training for related to hypothyroidism and felt 'our team' could offer up something to correct what I felt was inadequate information related to patients with adrenal fatigue and related illnesses. I hope I always remember the tone of his voice when he responded to my concerns about the education that physicians are getting today which seems antiquated. Suffice it to say he was aware long before I was of how difficult it is to progress information "outside the box" with the conventionals 'inside the box". I got the sense that he understood how the information on Lumigrate would translate into helping that shift occur, as well as helping people directly find out about ITC.
As his absences at ITC went from intermittent to a long stretch away, I grew concerned; my experience as an occupational therapist for a dozen or so years pays off in such situations. I emailed him something light and funny about the silly project I had been working on modifying a baby stroller for Amber the SpoildeyCat, telling him it was so I could get her outside as she so enjoyed, sniffing and seeing the 'great outdoors' with her, but I'd get more exercise than going her pace on a leash. I've never been laid up with my health for longer than a short stretch of time, and figured hearing something fun might lighten his day.
Clearly, this was a great opening to tease me for being a 'cat woman' with a spoiled cat, if he wanted, which wouldn't have surprised me as that was his style. Instead, he asked for photos and told me that his family did something similar with his previous dog when it got older and had mobility difficulties. Hmmm, the soft side of Gary showing, that might indicate how his illness is going.
So it was not a shock, but a disappointment, when his email came on October 1, relating the status of things and decisions being made, including 'my oncologist agreed with me that...."; he was clearly being the take-charge, proactive patient.
About the photo with us and the PeaceFleece Yenta used, above, this was taken at the time they agreed to see what this type of education we were doing at Lumigrate was about, and invited me to come to their facility/offices to meet in person before deciding to go forward. I asked to take a photo with the Peace Fleece tie blanket Yenta had sent me over the holiday season, suggesting I do something with it to "raise fibromyalgia awareness". Yenta, your generosity has always been, from the time I met you through Facebook and fibromyalgia 'circles', and is so appreciated. I figured the best way to use the blanket for awareness is to have it get wrapped around a lot of interesting people and places and we'd show it on Lumigrate!
To his credit, Gary saw the blanket, immediately understood what it was 'about' and despite recovering from knee surgery, popped up like popcorn and was out the door, jokingly complaining about being an old man -- such a "fireball", and cajoling his 'other half' business partner, the mellower Allan, into taking the photo in front of their building. They appeared to me to have a wonderful diversity plus overlap as partners, and since I heard from Gary about his 'home family', and got to know his ITC family fairly well, my thoughts have been with you ALL during this transition time.
Yenta's innovative blanket that day helped him 'get in touch' with the concept of our Yenta, and it turned out that she wrote a new piece about going to a new doctor for her fibromyalgia, which led to a 'follower' asking about supplements and fibromyalgia, and Yenta, Gary and Allen, and I had a really fun and educational discussion which you can find here at Lumigrate, naturally. HOW HANDY, we have a pharmacist or two we can ask for an answer. So that is how Gary and Yenta got to feel, as Yenta says, like he was a friend.
So the already-special blanket's 'historical and sentimental value' went up for me even more when Gary let us know what page he was on so we could get on it with him for this 'home stretch of life' as I like to call it. And today it did-so again, reading about Yenta's intermittent difficulties with her hands. We'll have to figure out how to keep you 'occupied' with things your hands can do. Yenta, you, like Gary and Allen, are also one of our 'treasured veterans', at Lumigrate, and I THANK YOU for this beautiful tribute to out veterans, military and otherwise, and naturally, Gary.
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [6] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Dear Yenta,
Thank you for your article.
I, too, send my best thoughts, wishes and "air kisses" to Gary for the wonderful human being I know him to be. Life is hard. We need to cherish each moment we have with those we love.
Marc Spurlock, MD
"There is no one to blame. There is simply taking action!"........Wm. Marcus Spurlock, MD Dr. Spurlock presently works in Dallas, TX treating people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Bio-Identical Hormone Deficiences and Environmental Illnesses. He has been doing this work exclusively for the last 9 years. In the fall of 2011 he opened a new health center; please visit his website, which is where he posts education beyond what is sprinkled at Lumigrate. http://www.renewedvitalitymd.com/ [11] Through a total body approach, the treatments he and his team provide are 85-90% successful in returning patients to their previous health potential. You can see his complete vitae in Lumigrate's forum "About Our Writers" (link: http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/my-vitae-wm-marcus-spurlock-m... [12]), and the majority of his contributions on Lumigrate are in the FMS/CFS/CPain section, where you'll see a forum which includes his name: http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/health-issuesdis-eases/fibro... [13].
Dr Kennedy moved to Grand Junction in 2003 with his wife, Liz, a registered nurse. Previously, he had practices in Detroit and Denver. He has limited his dental practice to the treatment of TMJ dysfunction, dental orthopedics and orthodontics, and the fabrication of dental appliances for snoring and sleep apnea. Office phone: 970/242-1900; Website: www.dentocranial.net [15]
His pieces on Lumigrate can be found in the forum related to things of the head in the section related to chronic pain, fatigue and fibromyalgia at http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/health-issuesdis-eases/head/... [16]. Please also refer to The Cranial Academy for providers in your area who have similar treatment approaches at: http://www.cranialacademy.com/ [17]
Thank you for writing this beautiful tribute, Yenta.
I am sending loving thoughts to Gary and to all who have had the wonderful opportunity to work with him and learn from his great knowledge and love of humanity. I never had the chance to talk with him directly.. mostly through reading his articles and hearing anecdotes from Mardy. That is surely my own loss.
The struggles of life, be it through cancer or other illnesses, touch each of us in different ways. Focus turns to the important aspects of life- the friends and family we love, the beauty of a sunrise, the chosen spiritual focus in our life.
Thank you, Gary, for the gift of living with purpose and with caring love. Blessings to you and the ones you love.
Robin
Robin started contributing to Lumigrate in August 2010. "Meet Robin Thomas", a topic in our biographies/vitae forum is at http://www.lumigrate.com/forum/meet-robin-thomas [19] to read all about her journey, which was greatly influenced by the need to help solve her youngest son's significant health challenges. For those who want just the overview here: After working over 22 years in medical research at the University of North Carolina on chronic inflammatory diseases she switched her focus to preventive health in 2004 when she was introduced to USANA Health Sciences. Robin is passionate about helping others improve their health, have more energy, manage their weight, and improve their skin.
I love meeting new friends !
LIKE me on Facebook [20] Connect on LinkedIn [21]
Follow me on Twitter [22] Learn more at my BLOG [23]
"I dream of a world free from pain and suffering. I dream of a world free from disease. The USANA family will be the healthiest family on earth. Share my vision. Love life and live it to its fullest in happiness and health."
-Dr. Myron Wentz, Founder and Chairman, USANA Health Sciences
Thanks for a wonderful tribute, Yenta.
Although I haven't had the pleasure of knowing Gary as well as others here, I've known of him through Lumigrate. His great articles on thyroid treatment and contributions on supplements and other things he had expertise in are enlightening and eye-opening.
From what I've heard from Mardy and around the block on Lumigrate, he is a very special, unique human being who contributed a lot to those around him. Apparently, he is quite the take-charge patient!
I am grateful to have found out about Gary through Lumigrate and about so many other insightful, interesting contributors.
Blessings,
Martine Ehrenclou.
I'm an author, patient advocate and speaker. My new book, The Take-Charge Patient: How You Can Get The Best Medical Care, was released 5/2012 www.TheTakeChargePatient.com [25] I lecture, write and publish articles on the issues of patient safety, patient advocacy, the collaborative relationship between patients and medical professionals, effective communication strategies to interact with medical professionals and other health/medical related issues. I hope you benefit and enjoy my being part of things at Lumigrate as much as I do! Also, I am a member of: -HHS, Partnership for Patients -The Society of Participatory Medicine -The National Patient Advocate Foundation -National Healthcare Advocacy Consultants
Oy! I'm so farklemt (choked up) with nakhes (pride) at the moment, Liblings. Such mensches here, it was gut (good) I was able to take a break from the cooking this Thanksgiving feast, to gibn un nemen (give and receive) the special dank (thanks) here today.
So I give dank to you for allowing this alter kaker (old geezer) to be your Hippie Bubbie and I'm prost (humbled) by your responses. Now it's your turn, dawlinks. Tell someone what you're thankful for. It couldn't hurt!
Your
Yenta
Yenta Tellabenta is truly a 'creation' for outreach and education with Lumigrate.com through storytelling and reinforcement of key concepts related to body, mind, spirit. Written by a very talented and somewhat mysterious younger wise woman who found her way to Lumigrate the summer of 2009, we hope you enjoy having your own Yenta with us at Lumigrate! Yenta (meaning 'town gossip' or 'connector') has a dedicated Forum at Lumigrate at http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/health-issuesdis-eases/fibro... [1] and can also be found on facebook.
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [6] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Gary is an amazing, loving and caring individual who has taught me a lot over the years. He has done this while, over and over, putting the well-being of people ahead of anything else. It has been an honor working with him!
Jacob Teitelbaum, MD is a board certified internist and former Medical Director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers. He is an Integrative Medicine physician, researcher and best-selling author specializing in chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders and pain. He is the author of the best-selling book From Fatigued to Fantastic! (Avery Penguin), Pain Free 1-2-3 (McGraw-Hill), and his latest Beat Sugar Addiction NOW! (Fair Winds). He is also the author of landmark published research on effective treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. You can find him on social media as well as at his website. http://www.endfatigue.com [29]
Naturally, I'm sorry for the circumstances that brought you here to write, but what a perspective you have added, Dr T. I agree with you about Gary King's priorities, as I saw it when he was going out of his way to provide written information here, which was not his preferred way of educating -- Gary 'cut his teeth', to use one of his sayings, as a pharmacist talking to people about the medications he was filling for them, I'd imagined. He loved talking to people!
But I saw that he sincerely wanted to get the information he believed/knew out to the people that Lumigrate reaches who had not yet been turned onto this kind of approach, or hadn't yet embraced and 'used it', that he made it a priority right under helping his existing patients and customers. (I noticed and wrote in 2009 that Dr Teitelbaum stayed after at the pain conference we both spoke at in 2009 until the last person was finished with their last question and thoroughly understood what he was saying, which was about shoe inserts, and I thought "this hormone system and nurition guru doctor knows more about it than a lot of PTs and DCs that I've known over the years." When you don't sell shoe inserts but you take the time in the evening after a long flight before retiring to a hotel in order to do a complete training on leg-length discrepancies .... that's true caring for that person having the opportunity to talk with a top expert.)
As for Gary, unless he had a golf game planned, I had something back to me before he went home for the day, and if it was a golf day, then it would typicallyarrive early the next day.
A consummate professional and 'get it done guy!'
Again, I'm so appreciative of your contribution here. And EVERY ONEs, and now that I'm letting the ITC people, including Gary know about this tribute, I'm looking forward to the reception ~~ Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate [6] and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!
Yenta,
What a loving tribute to “our” Gary. So nice of you to write this.
I only know Gary through Lumigrate, but I know he holds high esteem with his peers. His articles were read by me with a special interest as I have had a thyroid disorder all my life.
I hold Gary near and dear to my heart as he lives with cancer. I have not started chemo yet, so I do not fully understand what he has been through but I talk to enough people on a breast cancer support page to have a mental picture of how difficult it is. I wish Gary all the best.
I hope Gary will be surrounded and supported by those people in his life that he cherishes. May he have peace and comfort and much, much love.
Thank you for encouraging people to support our Military. As we approach the holidays let us remember them. So many will be away from their families so we can be home with ours.
Yenta, thank you so much for the wonderful blanket you sent me before my surgery this fall. I snuggle under it every time I have company for the day. I have pillows and my beautiful blanket on the sofa so I can rest there instead of the bed and enjoy my visit with those I love.
Everyone comments on how pretty it is, and then I tell them about the wonderful lady who made it. The pillow was great right after surgery when I could not cough without holding it close to take away the jarring and pain of coughing. Thanks.
I just want to let everyone know I am improving, but still in bed most of the time so I can heal. I am doing well. I have enjoyed, as always, keeping up with things at Lumigrate. This included, what a blessing.
Thanks, Yenta, for spreading your goodness far and wide as if you were sprinkling fairy dust upon all those you touch with your words.
Alice
Alice Franklin was raised on a sandy beach in Point Clear, AL and lived along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Alabama in her youth, graduating from Fairhope High School on Mobile Bay. Prior to becoming disabled due to severe spine problems, she worked her way into management and purchasing positions in industrial manufacturing and art industries. She worked her way into Lumigrate unknowingly by impressively writing at Lent 2010 about utilizing her religious and spiritual beliefs with chronic pain/disease management (she has had fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain for decades); it turns out she holds the priesthood office of elder in her church and became active again in this office in May 2010 and has been pastor or copastor in previous churches. We are so very proud to have her words and thoughts gracing our 'pages' of this website and look forward to what the future holds for her.