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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / March 2005Not Such Good Times
Well, what started out as bronchitis, has now become a major thing in my life. Last week, I was feeling better and went back to work...then a few days later the cough came back with a vengeance. I went back to the doctor yesterday after work. He did a chest x-ray yesterday and it turns out that I have an enlarged heart. After he saw my x-ray, he came in and was asking me if I had swollen ankles, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness? My answer to all of the above was yes. So now I have to go to a cardiologist next Friday. In the meantime, I'm on all kinds of meds....and I still haven't gotten to the rheumy yet!! But I guess it's first things first. I just haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do about work since the attendance policy at this place is very strict. Say a prayer :) Carole Prayers have already been said!!! Dear, take care ok? ((((((((Carole)))))))))))))) > Well, what started out as bronchitis, has now become a major thing in my > life. Last week, I was feeling better and went back to work...then a few [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Say a prayer :) > Carole ((((Carole)))) Praying for a clear diagnosis, an effective solution and a job to go back to. Keep us posted, Janet N. > Well, what started out as bronchitis, has now become a major thing in my > life. Last week, I was feeling better and went back to work...then a few [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Say a prayer :) > Carole Ditto to what Janet said. Gwen > ((((Carole)))) > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Say a prayer :) > > Carole Thanks, everyone. I just got back from having an EKG (wish I knew how to read those things!), so now I have to wait until Monday to hear from my doctor as to what he thinks. I also just applied for a medical leave from work and for short term disability. Hopefully I can at least get some compensation from that. Hugs and Love, Carole :) > Ditto to what Janet said. > Gwen [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >>>Say a prayer :) >>>Carole ((((((((((((Carole))))))))))))) I hope they get this figured out ASAP and it's not anything serious!! Feel better soon, Carole!! Carol (((((((((((((((((Carole))))))))))))))) I'm so sorry about the set back. I'm glad that they found there might be a problem so they can take care of it. I don't have any good advice about work. debbie m. http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/angels1/ > Well, what started out as bronchitis, has now become a major thing in my > life. Last week, I was feeling better and went back to work...then a few [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Say a prayer :) > Carole ((((Carole)))) Prayers being said. Hugs, Kelly C.;o) i'm sorry carole. i can imagine how discouraging and stressful this is. i hope they find some easy-to-fix answers for you. diane ((((Carole))))))..... I'm with ya sistah! Janet R > Well, what started out as bronchitis, has now become a major thing in my > life. Last week, I was feeling better and went back to work...then a few [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Say a prayer :) > Carole Prayers continue... Duckie > Well, what started out as bronchitis, has now become a major thing in my > life. Last week, I was feeling better and went back to work...then a few [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Say a prayer :) > Carole  Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) Carole honey-Prayers on the way. Char "Remember, I'm pulling for ya'. We're all in this together." Red Green > Say a prayer :) I'm saying several............. Hang in there, I'm praying it's just all part of some infection that can be cleared up quickly. Can you trade shifts with someone? SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare >>Say a prayer :) > > I'm saying several............. Hang in there, I'm praying it's just all > part of some infection that can be cleared up quickly. > > Can you trade shifts with someone? Thanks, Nann. Actually I applied for a medical leave of absence and short term disability. There is no way I can work right now between having no energy and coughing every few minutes. I'm also going from chills to a fever and back and forth all day. My leave was approved so at least I don't have to worry about that now and can concentrate on whatever is coming down the road when I see the cardiologist. Hugs and Love, Carole > Thanks, Nann. Actually I applied for a medical leave of absence and > short term disability. There is no way I can work right now between [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Hugs and Love, > Carole That is such good news. Now that you finally have a benefits, it'd be awful if the job went away. Not having that stress contributing to everything should help some. Now rest and recover and leave the doctors puzzled because they didn't ahve time to figure it all out. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Carole, I am so sorry to hear this...Sending hugs and prayers. At least you got your STD... Cindy > Well, what started out as bronchitis, has now become a major thing in my > life. Last week, I was feeling better and went back to work...then a few [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Say a prayer :) > Carole >Carole, >I am so sorry to hear this...Sending hugs and prayers. >At least you got your STD... I was sitting here wondering, as I only know one meaning for STD. Luckily I read another post of Carole's where she wrote out short term disability. Whew! --- Joan >>Carole, >>I am so sorry to hear this...Sending hugs and prayers. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > --- > Joan LOL, thanks for the laugh, Joan! One thing I don't have at this point is an STD!! Actually, there is also another meaning for those initials. When I was doing my degree in theology I had a professor who had an STD which stood for Doctor of Sacred Theology which is a Pontifical degree. I always thought is was amusing to see her listed on the faculty list as Sister Josephine Cavanaugh, STD. :-))) She was a great teacher! Carole :) >LOL, thanks for the laugh, Joan! One thing I don't have at this point >is an STD!! Actually, there is also another meaning for those initials. >When I was doing my degree in theology I had a professor who had an STD >which stood for Doctor of Sacred Theology which is a Pontifical degree. >I always thought is was amusing to see her listed on the faculty list as >Sister Josephine Cavanaugh, STD. :-))) She was a great teacher! Oh, I love it! <grin> I always tend to think in medical terms. To me SOB means short of breath. Not to everyone I guess. :-) I had a light flash on my car dashboard the other day O/D. I figured it didn't mean once a day, or right eye, or overdose, by process of elimination I got overdrive. Acronyms and initials can be dangerous. --- Joan > Oh, I love it! <grin> I always tend to think in medical terms. To me SOB means > short of breath. Not to everyone I guess. :-) A couple of years ago I had an allergic reaction while in Calgary. By the time the ambulance got there, my breathing was much better and I refused the trip. I had to fill out paperwork to state I had refused transport, and when I saw her write "SOB" on the forms, I asked what I had done to offend her! Hey, who knew? Janet N. > Oh, I love it! <grin> I always tend to think in medical terms. To me SOB means > short of breath. Not to everyone I guess. :-) [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > --- > Joan I guess everything is relative to our backgrounds :) I wouldn't know what to think if my car said O/D, but I'd probably figure it was out of something that started with a "D" :-))) Carole >> Carole, >> I am so sorry to hear this...Sending hugs and prayers. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > --- > Joan LOL We used to get that reaction from newbies at work all the time. They thought it rather inconsiderate to have STD beside someone's name on the schedule! LOL we had to explain about short term disability a lot...... SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare >After he saw my x-ray, he came >in and was asking me if I had swollen ankles, shortness of breath, >difficulty breathing, lightheadedness? My answer to all of the above >was yes. So now I have to go to a cardiologist next Friday. Well this is really crappy news. I sure hope they find the source of this probalem and correct it. It must be scary. thoughts and prayers headed north. -- MZ Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com Carole, this is identical to what my wife is dealing with along with major pain in the wrists which may or may not be carpal tunnel. So far the pulmonologist has come up with no answers. Please keep us up to date with whatever the cardiologist tells you. Cooly > Well, what started out as bronchitis, has now become a major thing in my > life. Last week, I was feeling better and went back to work...then a few [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Say a prayer :) > Carole Will do. Thus far I have gotten back the results of the EKG which showed that the right side of my heart is doing fine, but the left side is not performing up to par. At least my doctor's office has a sense of humor as I said "Great, so I have an enlarged heart which means I have a big heart (I've always been told that), however part of it's not working, so I'm doing it all in a half hearted way". I'm trying to stay positive and my way of dealing with things is with humor. I do find the the water pills are helping as my ankles no longer look like they swallowed a hamburger in one piece and are almost back to normal. The coughing is still with me, but I'm not coughing as often as I was, which means that the fluids are not as backed up as they were. My medical leave was approved, so now I'm just waiting to hear from the insurance company on the disability. They called my doctor yesterday, and they called me this morning, and she said they'd be calling the cardiologist after my visit on Friday. I'll be sure to post what he says, Cooly, as soon as I get back home from the visit. My doctor did say that he would probably want a treadmill test and another test but I can't remember the name of the other one. BTW, I'm also being told by a number of people to take up yoga for this, so we shall see :) Carole > Carole, this is identical to what my wife is dealing with along with > major pain in the wrists which may or may not be carpal tunnel. So far [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >> Say a prayer :) >> Carole Thanks Carole for the update, I've never tried yoga but I have friends who swear by it. Cooly > Will do. Thus far I have gotten back the results of the EKG which showed > that the right side of my heart is doing fine, but the left side is not [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] >>> Say a prayer :) >>> Carole Wow, skinny ankles are a good sign.. Hang in there. Duckie > Will do. Thus far I have gotten back the results of the EKG which showed > that the right side of my heart is doing fine, but the left side is not [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] >>> Say a prayer :) >>> Carole Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) I got news today that my STD has been approved :) And that is Short Term Disability :) So at least I'll have some money coming in. I go to the cardiologist on Friday, so will have more to report then. Hugsies, Carole :) > I got news today that my STD has been approved :) And that is Short Term > Disability :) So at least I'll have some money coming in. I go to the > cardiologist on Friday, so will have more to report then. > > Hugsies, > Carole :) That's good to know. One less stressor to deal with through all of this. Focussing on a favorable cardiologist report now.......... SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Well, I went to the cardiologist last Friday and I had to go back today for an echocardiogram. The results were not good. I have to go into the hospital on Thursday for a cardiac catheterization. My heart is VERY weak and he said this is serious. He wants to find out exactly where the damage is and then figure out a course of action. He has me on Digitek and Altace. They are two medications that do the following (and don't ask me which one does which) - they will lower my blood pressure and stimulate my heart to contract more often and pump more. They will also alleviate fluids, along with the Lasix. He said I'm not going back to work next week, and at this point he can't predict when I can go back. So I'm just praying that I can make bills on the disability payments. Right now I'm a total mess and feeling very alone. Not having family really sucks at times. And this is one of them. The one thing he did say that made me feel better was that this has nothing to do with my weight. It's genetic. It felt so good to actually have a doctor tell me that something that was wrong with me was not due to my weight. He said this is a totally separate issue and one has nothing to do with the other. So now I just have to sit and wait until Thursday . . . . Hugsies, Carole Sorry you didn't get better news Carole, we'll be keeping you in thoughts and prayers. Cooly > Well, I went to the cardiologist last Friday and I had to go back today > for an echocardiogram. The results were not good. I have to go into the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole ((((Carole)))) Wish I still lived in Woodinville so I could be physically there to help you out right now. SignatureRebecca Ford > Well, I went to the cardiologist last Friday and I had to go back today > for an echocardiogram. The results were not good. I have to go into the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole (((((((((((((((Carole)))))))))))) Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Now that you have to stay home maybe you can join the group more often to keep your mind busy. I hope the meds help you feel better soon. debbie m. http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/angels1/ > Well, I went to the cardiologist last Friday and I had to go back today > for an echocardiogram. The results were not good. I have to go into the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole Carole, the altace is for blood pressure. I take it too. Gwen > Well, I went to the cardiologist last Friday and I had to go back today > for an echocardiogram. The results were not good. I have to go into the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole Carole - Hang in there, Honey. The prayer machine is in force! DeeTee ________________________________ DeeTee and Bob Taggart http://www.marykay.com/dtaggart3 http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8fwov/ ________________________________ > Carole, the altace is for blood pressure. I take it too. > Gwen [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] >> Hugsies, >> Carole Thanks everyone for all the prayers. It really helps to know that you are all there for me. Hugs, Carole I am still praying for you and sending healing thoughts. Just take it easy and let them untangle this situation... Janet R > Well, I went to the cardiologist last Friday and I had to go back today > for an echocardiogram. The results were not good. I have to go into the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole Carole, feel my arms wrapping around you, holding you in a big bear hug, from the front when you need a shoulder to bury your face into, from the side when you need someone holding onto you as you face the world and, especially, the doctors. It sounds like you have a good cardiologist and that will help. This sounds like something that must have been affecting your overall health for some time. Hopefully when this is dealt with, you will feel better overall. Once you find out more about the diagnosis and prognosis, start asking around about available assistance. Sometimes there are programs for folks who are out on disability due to medical issues and you live in one of the more socially progressive states. Now that you've been working out there for several months, you might qualify for programs you couldn't avail yourself of previously. Hang in there, girl, you'll be fine. I'll email you my phone number should you want to talk - just remember I'm in the Eastern time zone! LOL SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare Thanks, Nann :) I've just NEVER been in a hospital before, so to say that I'm scared stiff is an understatement. I did manage to sleep last night, I think it was more from exhaustion than anything else. I still don't know how much I'll be getting from disability. I wish they would at least give you an idea. And then, of course, there is the 7 day waiting period before you start to get any money at all. I tried to get them to tack on the 5 days I was out in January when I thought I had bronchitis, but they wouldn't. I guess it's the uncertainty of it that has me stressed at this point. I do have a good cardiologist, that's for sure. He's also a nice man, and he took a lot of time with me yesterday - didn't rush me out of there at all. And I was grateful that he sat and explained everything to me and in terms that I could understand. I'm hanging in, don't worry :) I don't have much of a choice at this point :) Hugsies, Carole :) > Carole, feel my arms wrapping around you, holding you in a big bear hug, from > the front when you need a shoulder to bury your face into, from the side when [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Hang in there, girl, you'll be fine. I'll email you my phone number should > you want to talk - just remember I'm in the Eastern time zone! LOL {{{{{{{{Carole}}}}}}}} Hope the medications help you breathe better. Very scary. Keep us posted. Duckie > Well, I went to the cardiologist last Friday and I had to go back today > for an echocardiogram. The results were not good. I have to go into the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) Prayers heading your way, Carole! Carole, I hope things are going better for you. I have been thinking about you alot. Have you found out any more of what is going on yet. I hope things work out well for you and that it is all treatable by pill or the easiest way possible. I hope also that your financial situation will do ok with all this. Keep us posted to how you are doing and what is happening. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > Well, I went to the cardiologist last Friday and I had to go back today > for an echocardiogram. The results were not good. I have to go into the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole I'm hanging in here. I am on a LOT of meds now. I've never taken this many pills in my whole life! I have to take 6 in the morning with brekkie and 2 with dinner. The cardiologist is hoping that he can control it with meds. I asked him about exercising (as I had started Dr. Phil's Weight Loss Challenge in January). He said no way for now, but once he gives me the go ahead, he's going to send me to a cardiac rehabiliation center so that they can monitor my heart while I'm exercising. Hopefully that will also strengthen my heart. The good news is that I have wonderful arteries, it's the pump that needs a jump. Actually what they have to do is slow it down as it's trying to make up for the failure part of it by working harder, and that in turn makes it enlarged. I am no longer retaining fluids, and my ankles look like ankles again :) And the other good news is that I've dropped 30 pounds since January 11th :-)))) I had to let go of the whole financial aspect of this. When I see the doctor, it's a $15 copay which isn't bad, except that I've been there more than 10 times in the past couple of weeks. And then there are the prescriptions. My cardiologist is good about giving me samples if he has them, so that helps. I am racking up charges in lab tests, xrays, etc. and I have no idea what the bill will be from the hospital, but I've decided that they will just have to accept monthly payments because there is nothing else I can do. I don't make a huge salary (that's for sure), and now on disability I'm only getting 70% of my salary. So cie la vie. At this point, I'm grateful when I wake up and I'm still here :))))) Hugs and Love, Carole :) > Carole, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Keep us posted to how you are doing and what is happening. I sure hope things start looking up for you Carole, you sure have had it rough. It is time you get a break and things go well for you for quite some time. Whoa, that is alot of weight to drop. I am proud of you. I hope it is doing you some good. Yeah you need to be as calm and stressfree as you can be. Sometimes it is not worth it to worry about financial and let it all in someone elses hands. It is good to see in your other post that you have such a wonderful sense of humor. It will help you make it thru all this I am sure. It sure sounds good that your ankles have gone down some and that must mean you are getting rid of the water that was retained. That is a good sign. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > I'm hanging in here. I am on a LOT of meds now. I've never taken this many > pills in my whole life! I have to take 6 in the morning with brekkie and 2 [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] >> >> Keep us posted to how you are doing and what is happening. Well, SJ, I was doing very good at not stressing until this morning. I went on to the website for my health insurance and got a look at the hospital bill and the portion that I have to pay. I went into the hospital at 6am, and was out by 12noon. The bill came to $13195.19!!!!! For that amount of money they should have put me on a cruise on the QE2 and done the heart catheterization on board! YIKES!!!! I am responsible for 90% of that bill. The doctor's bill was another $1090, they haven't posted how much I have to pay of that. I'm really trying not to stress over this, but right now I think I'm going to go lay down and go back to sleep. The doctor wanted me to stay on disability for another couple of weeks, but I'm not going to be able to do that. You're right, SJ, I do need a break..but I'm not getting it now, that's for sure. There is no way I'll be able to go back to NYC for my niece's college graduation in May either...these bills are really starting to pile up now. Hugs & Love, Carole > I sure hope things start looking up for you Carole, you sure have had it > rough. It is time you get a break and things go well for you for quite some [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > It sure sounds good that your ankles have gone down some and that must mean > you are getting rid of the water that was retained. That is a good sign. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{Carole}}}}}}}}}}}}} luv&stuff, Denise > Well, SJ, I was doing very good at not stressing until this morning. I > went on to the website for my health insurance and got a look at the [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >> mean you are getting rid of the water that was retained. That is a >> good sign. > Well, SJ, I was doing very good at not stressing until this morning. I > went on to the website for my health insurance and got a look at the > hospital bill and the portion that I have to pay. I went into the > hospital at 6am, and was out by 12noon. The bill came to $13195.19!!!!! Is that AFTER any deductions associated with your insurance? I mean, when I had my hyst. the original bill was around 25K but the BCBS agreed on price cut that by 2/3-3/4. > For that amount of money they should have put me on a cruise on the > QE2 and done the heart catheterization on board! YIKES!!!! I am > responsible for 90% of that bill. YOU are respnsible for 09% of a medically necessary heart cath??!?!?!?!? If that's true, it's time for a revolt in the ranks. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare > Is that AFTER any deductions associated with your insurance? I mean, when I > had my hyst. the original bill was around 25K but the BCBS agreed on price > cut that by 2/3-3/4. Yup that's the total. > YOU are respnsible for 90% of a medically necessary heart cath??!?!?!?!? If > that's true, it's time for a revolt in the ranks. Oops, I was so upset this morning that I did a typo. I am responsible for 10% of the bill, the insurance covers 90%. But 10% of over $13,000 is a lot more money than I have in my savings account. Maybe I could have a cake sale on my street corner? I thought about selling my body but no one would buy this old thing :))))) Hugsies, Carole :) Ouch. Well, hospitals at least are quite accustomed to working out payment plans and most doctors will also. As long as you pay something each month most of them will work with you. Next time you see the doctor, you might let it drop that paying your share is a worry/stressor right now, especially with being out on disability. Sometimes they'll give you a deal on your co-pay. Hopefully the meds will help a lot and you'll be able to go back to work soon so you'll have more income. Take it as it comes and try not to stress out too much over it. I know it's hard when you're sitting at home with too little to do except worry about things, but try, please try. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare >> Is that AFTER any deductions associated with your insurance? I mean, when >> I [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole :) Thanks, Nann. Unfortunately, my hospital is not one of those. They make it perfectly clear in a form they give you when you are admitted that all charges are due when billed. They take Mastercard, VISA, or you can make loan arrangements with a financial institution of your choosing, but they do not extend credit. So they are not going to let me pay this off little by little. I am going to say something to the doctor when I talk to him this week, don't worry. With all the money I owe for tests and the hospital, I'm now up to almost $1400! I am trying not to worry, but you are right. I don't have a lot to do here. I need to clean my apartment as I let everything go once I got sick, so maybe I'll start working on that as I can only do a little at a time now. Hugs, Carole > Ouch. Well, hospitals at least are quite accustomed to working out payment > plans and most doctors will also. As long as you pay something each month [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > too much over it. I know it's hard when you're sitting at home with too > little to do except worry about things, but try, please try. That does it. I am sending you some of this web site stuff via email. That will keep your mind busy for a bit. You hang in there. Duckie > Thanks, Nann. Unfortunately, my hospital is not one of those. They make > it perfectly clear in a form they give you when you are admitted that [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >> at home with too little to do except worry about things, but try, >> please try. Signature_('> (_<_) _ _('< -quack (_<_) _ __('< *QUACK!* <_{__) _('< "|,,|_" (_<_) _('< "AFLAC!" (_<_) I'm hanging in, Duckie. I guess I'm just feeling like when I take three steps forward, I am taking four back. I do feel a bit better and I'm trying to see if I can get up and stay awake for the time I'd have to in order to go back to work. The meds make me sleepy, and my other problem is having to go to the bathroom so often. At my job (in a call center), they keep stats on everything you do. You are only "supposed" to go to the bathroom on your break or at lunch. So that means I'd have to go into work at 9:30, wait until 11:30 for break, then 1:45 for lunch, then 4:30 for break. And there is NO WAY I can do that right now. So I'm going to call the return to work office and see what they say. Hugsies, Carole :) > That does it. I am sending you some of this web site stuff via email. > That will keep your mind busy for a bit. [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] >>> sitting at home with too little to do except worry about things, but >>> try, please try. Whew...I was so upset when I thought you had to pay 90%.... Not that 10% is chump change.....but its a little easier to swallow. Janet R : > Is that AFTER any deductions associated with your insurance? I mean, when I : > had my hyst. the original bill was around 25K but the BCBS agreed on price [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] : Hugsies, : Carole :) Can you set up some sort of downpayment and then a monthly amount? That way it would not be quite so painful and you could take the necessary time to heal. There's gotta be a way for that. DeeTee ________________________________ DeeTee and Bob Taggart http://www.marykay.com/dtaggart3 http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8fwov/ ________________________________ >> Is that AFTER any deductions associated with your insurance? I mean, >> when I had my hyst. the original bill was around 25K but the BCBS agreed [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Hugsies, > Carole :) Not at this hospital, DeeTee. They give you a form when you are admitted that says that all charges are due when billed. They take Mastercard, VISA, or you can make loan arrangements with a financial institution of your choosing, but they do not extend credit. So that's not an option. I am just glad that I recently got a new credit card. Unfortunately, it's going to be maxed out before all this is over. Carole > Can you set up some sort of downpayment and then a monthly amount? That way > it would not be quite so painful and you could take the necessary time to [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >>Hugsies, >>Carole :) Carole, I am sorry this is happening to you. You don't need this added stress. You are in a catch 22 if you ask me. I know you need financial assistance. But your health is really important too. I wish there was some way you could get help with the drs and hospital bills. I am sorry this will make it so you can't go back to NYC. You are in my heart and thoughts and prayers. Thinking of you all the time. SignatureLove and hugs to all Good thoughts coming your way too. Squirrely Jo > Well, SJ, I was doing very good at not stressing until this morning. I > went on to the website for my health insurance and got a look at the [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >> mean you are getting rid of the water that was retained. That is a good >> sign. With all it's warts and flaws, I'm really glad I have the Canadian health care system to deal with. Bruce SignatureI believe in the separation of Church and Hate > Carole, > [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] >>> mean you are getting rid of the water that was retained. That is a good >>> sign. > With all it's warts and flaws, I'm really glad I have the Canadian health > care system to deal with. > Bruce Thats good that you feel that way because your the one that has to deal with it. None of us get to choose what our health care system does or does not do but we all have to deal with what is..... Harv Maybe I should move 150 miles north :) Carole > With all it's warts and flaws, I'm really glad I have the Canadian health > care system to deal with. > Bruce If you do, make it NW and onto the island! We have family there. Brett and I have talked about living there when Rachel's grown. Kelly C. > Maybe I should move 150 miles north :) > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > care system to deal with. > > Bruce > Maybe I should move 150 miles north :) that gets me wondering, do you still have UK citizenship? If so, would that mean you immediately qualify for the benefits of Canadian citizens? Just curious, especially with some friends who have been fantasizing about moving north since the last election. Seems to me the fella we know who is the son of a war bride says he has dual citizenship and would qualify for everything in Canada right away. But he blows a lot of hot air on just about every subject, so it's hard to know what's true with him! LOL SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare > > Maybe I should move 150 miles north :) > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > blows a lot of hot air on just about every subject, so it's hard to know > what's true with him! LOL I am trying hard to remember how this worked for Brett. He had dual citizenship until he was 18 or 21, can't remember which, and then he had to do some paperwork to declare his preference. Since we were living here and working here he decided to be American. It would still be fairly easy to live in Canada because his father has been there for 30 years and he and his wife would sponsor us. Kelly C.;o) > I am trying hard to remember how this worked for Brett. He had dual > citizenship until he was 18 or 21, can't remember which, and then he had to > do some paperwork to declare his preference. Since we were living here and > working here he decided to be American. It would still be fairly easy to > live in Canada because his father has been there for 30 years and he and his > wife would sponsor us. Hmm. When was this? The reason I'm asking is that the US has no requirement for dual citizens to "choose" only one citizenship, and Canada has also allowed dual citizenship for at least 28 years. There is however, an ongoing belief, that the US requires dual citizens to choose only one citizenship when they reach a certain age, and it's simply not true. So, I'd be interesting in finding out when this "choice" was made and what was done to make the choice. Some people may think that they simply made the choice by not renewing their passport. In many cases, people will find out that they are citizens of a country without knowing it. Stephen Gallagher > > I am trying hard to remember how this worked for Brett. He had dual > > citizenship until he was 18 or 21, can't remember which, and then he [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Stephen Gallagher Well, Brett's never had a passport and his dad is not a Canadian citizen, he is the equivalent of a legal immigrant, I believe. He retains his American citizenship. I only know that I remember Brett getting paperwork in the mail that essentially asked him if he intended to pursue Canadian citizenship and if so that he had to make that claim by a certain time. I am incredibly foggy on the details because it was so early in our relationship and that was 20 years ago or so. It is entirely possible that I am mistaken on this. Brett and his father were both born in America. Brett's only claim to any kind of citizenship in Canada was that he lived there with his Dad for a couple of years while he was a child and therefore was enrolled in school, used the health services, etc., and ended up being recognized by the 'system' in one or both countries as someone who may have a future claim in either country. I should ask Brett if he remembers exactly what he signed and what it meant. Kelly C. That situation generally follows if a party was born to parents who are citizens of another country. Wile born American they have the right to declare which citizenship they will adopt; or choose to hold both. This is the case in US and CAN. My cousin Jock was born in NY and came back to Canada to study a few years ago and I remember they went through that hassle when The University was requiring a Student Visa. It took forever, even with immigrations help to get it through to the twits at the school that he held dual citizenship and that because he was born and raised in NY he was still exempt from the foreign student charge because he was Canadian. Bruce SignatureI believe in the separation of Church and Hate > >> > I am trying hard to remember how this worked for Brett. He had dual [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > > Kelly C. > That situation generally follows if a party was born to parents who are > citizens of another country. Wile born American they have the right to > declare which citizenship they will adopt; or choose to hold both. This is > the case in US and CAN. It's just that many people mistakenly believe that the US requires a person in that situtation MUST choose only one citizenship, and that's not true. They can renounce one of their citizenships, if the country in question allows it, but the US doesn't require it. A person can be both a US citIzen and a Canadian citizen because the laws of both countries do not prohibit dual citizenship. >>That situation generally follows if a party was born to parents who > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > both a US citIzen and a Canadian citizen because the laws of both > countries do not prohibit dual citizenship. That's a more recent change to US law than most people realise (in the last 15-20 years IIRC). Cheers, Ari Signaturespammage trappage: replace fishies_ with yahoo I'm going to die rather sooner than I'd like. I tried to protect my neighbours from crime, and became the victim of it. Complications in hospital following this resulted in a serious illness. I now need a bone marrow transplant. Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant, too. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/ > >>That situation generally follows if a party was born to parents who > > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > That's a more recent change to US law than most people realise (in the > last 15-20 years IIRC). Actually no. The US at one time, had a requirement that a person born outside the US and who received US citizenship through a parent, had a return to the US to live, by age 25 if he wished to keep his US citizenship, otherwise his US citizenship would be lost. But, he didn't have to specifically give up the other citizenship, he just had to return to the US to keep the US citizenship. Again, this only applied to people who were born outside the US to US citizen parents. Persons born in the US who may have received US citizenship through foreign parents had no such requirement. That law, by the way, was rendered void in 1967, as a result of the Supreme Court case of Afroyim v. Rusk. It remained on the books until 1978, but it was not enforceable between 1967 and 1978 Still, for some reason, people have the mistaken belief that dual citizens must make a choice of one citizenship. Some other countries do require that a choice be made, but the US does not. Stephen Gallagher My dad is a Canadian/American Citizen. Hmmmm, it might be an easier drive to Toronto from Houston...instead of driving THROUGH Houston for a doc visit! LOL I wonder if I would qualify? Janet R : > Maybe I should move 150 miles north :) : [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] : blows a lot of hot air on just about every subject, so it's hard to know : what's true with him! LOL > that gets me wondering, do you still have UK citizenship? If so, would that > mean you immediately qualify for the benefits of Canadian citizens? Just [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > blows a lot of hot air on just about every subject, so it's hard to know > what's true with him! LOL No, I don't have dual citizenship. I wish I did. For me to have gotten that, my Mom would have had to register my birth with the UK consulate before I was 16. Of course, she knew nothing about that, so never did it. I tried to get permission to move to the UK when she died, as I was the only one left on this side of the pond, but the UK said No. They said if it had been my father who was born there, I might have had a chance..since it was my Mom, it was no. I don't know how the Canadian govt feels about all of this as my father was Canadian. But, as for me, I'm stuck here all by myself. And it majorly sucks when things happen, like my current situation. When I had to go into the hospital, I felt so absolutely alone. Carole My kids are US born with a US mother and a duel British/Candian. My kids have Candian as well as US, and we're in process of registering their births in the UK. As the wife of a Candian-born citizen, it didn't take me long to get my permanent residency here. I'm considering getting citizenship here when I'm eligible. SignatureRebecca Ford > >> that gets me wondering, do you still have UK citizenship? If so, would [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > Carole Make that duel British/Canadian father. Geesh, I should really read what I post before hitting send. > My kids are US born with a US mother and a duel British/Candian. My kids > have Candian as well as US, and we're in process of registering their [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] >> >> Carole > > that gets me wondering, do you still have UK citizenship? If so, would that > > mean you immediately qualify for the benefits of Canadian citizens? Just > > curious, especially with some friends who have been fantasizing about moving > > north since the last election. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > that, my Mom would have had to register my birth with the UK consulate > before I was 16. Of course, she knew nothing about that, so never did > it. I tried to get permission to move to the UK when she died, as I was > the only one left on this side of the pond, but the UK said No. They > said if it had been my father who was born there, I might have had a > chance..since it was my Mom, it was no. What year were you born? The reason I ask is that you might want to check with a British consulate again. Depending on when you were born a new option for citizenship may have opened up in the past two years. Prior to 1983, British women generally could not automatically pass their citizenship to their foreign born children. British men, on the other hand, did have that right. As you mentioned, British women did have an option to register their foreign born children as British citizens, but they had to know to do so, and if they didn't do it by the time that the child was eighteen years old, the option expired. This law was changed in 1983, but it only applied to children born in 1983 or later. BUT........ About 2 years ago, the UK passed a new law allowing people born outside the UK to British mothers to apply for registration even after they become adults. A person is now eligible to apply to be registered if they were born between 7 February 1961 and 1 January 1983. So, if you were born between those dates, and your mother was from the UK, then you should be able to be registered as a British citizen, if you wish. Contact the nearest British consulate to enquire about Guide UK(M): Registration of certain persons born before 1983 to Britsh mothers. Stephen Gallagher P.S. I applied and received British citizenship by registration under this new entitlement in 2003. > A person is now eligible to apply to be registered if they > were born between 7 February 1961 and 1 January 1983. Thanks, Stephen, but that still lets me out. I am a 1951 baby. So I guess I'll have to wait until I retire, then I can go live there since I won't have to have a job. I'll hopefully have my social security and pensions to live on. Carole argh, bureacracy and paperwork can be the downfall of us all! Well, since your parents have died, could you get a relative in the UK to adopt you? LOL I guess it's a little too late for that. as long as you're at home looking for things to keep yourself occupied and out of trouble, you might research how the Canadian government would see things. With a Canadian father, they might consider you to have dual citizenship. Don't know how that would translate over to UK citizenship. Might not go anywhere and you might not really want to move, but if you, like me, resemble that cat that was killed by curiousity, you'll want the satisfaction that brings you back to life! SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare > No, I don't have dual citizenship. I wish I did. For me to have gotten > that, my Mom would have had to register my birth with the UK consulate [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Carole That's for sure, Nann. And what really annoys me is that anyone in Europe can move to the UK even with no blood relatives. And those of us who do have blood relatives there who were born on this side of the pond are not welcome. Well, actually, I should rephrase that...they said I could move there, I just can't work there. And since my aunt is older than I am, I'm sure she doesn't want to support me for the rest of my life :-) Every time I go to visit I look for a rich man to marry me, LOL :))) I just might get into doing some research while I'm home. The doctor yesterday said I can't go back to work until possibly the 12th (our work week starts on Saturdays). My only problem at this point is staying awake. My doctor changed my meds and until my body gets used to the new ones, I'm mega sleepy. Yesterday I almost fell asleep at my computer as I was trying to so hard to stay awake. I finally gave in and just went and laid down. Hugsies, Carole > argh, bureacracy and paperwork can be the downfall of us all! Well, since > your parents have died, could you get a relative in the UK to adopt you? LOL [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > me, resemble that cat that was killed by curiousity, you'll want the > satisfaction that brings you back to life! > > Maybe I should move 150 miles north :) > > that gets me wondering, do you still have UK citizenship? If so, would that > mean you immediately qualify for the benefits of Canadian citizens? Just > curious, especially with some friends who have been fantasizing about moving > north since the last election. British citizenship doesn't provide any quicker route to Canadian citzenship, or even residency, than any other citizenship, unfortunately. > Seems to me the fella we know who is the son of a war bride says he has dual > citizenship and would qualify for everything in Canada right away. But he > blows a lot of hot air on just about every subject, so it's hard to know > what's true with him! LOL Dual citizenship is often possible. It is even possible for US citizens to move to Canada. My job took me to Canada in 1996, and I've lived there since then. In 2000, I decided to become a Canadian citizen, so that I could vote here. Prior to doing that, I verified with the US consulate that I would keep my US citizenship, and they confirmed that I would keep it. Acquisition of another citizenship will only cause loss of US citizenship when it is done with the intention of giving up US citizenship. No intention, no loss. Here's a good website that discusses the US policies on dual citizenship for those who are interested. http://www.richw.org/dualcit/ Sincerely, Stephen Gallagher |
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