disgruntled

[strobelite]

im 30, making minimum wage, yet you made me feel like i have it good!

hang in there and it should work itself out.

[FoShizzle]

dude, always remember...no matter how bad it gets, you will never be Burner

[Wrecker]

mom's week-to-week with the cancer fight. some weeks good, others her counts are up- what does that exactly mean? I'm sure as hell not being told.

Sounds like she's on Chemo, which attacks fast growing cells indiscriminately (things like WBCs); in this case, the "counts are up" means that her once low WBC count is climbing from the lows. WBCs are white blood cells, an integral part of your immune system. If they get too low, she'd have to be put into a type of isolation that would protect her from the normal germs of the outside world because she is more vunerable to ANY germ (including some that wouldn't affect a WBC normie


Sorry about your job
If it's any consolation, I can relate.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by Wrecker

mom's week-to-week with the cancer fight. some weeks good, others her counts are up- what does that exactly mean? I'm sure as hell not being told.

Sounds like she's on Chemo, which attacks fast growing cells indiscriminately (things like WBCs); in this case, the "counts are up" means that her once low WBC count is climbing from the lows. WBCs are white blood cells, an integral part of your immune system. If they get too low, she'd have to be put into a type of isolation that would protect her from the normal germs of the outside world because she is more vunerable to ANY germ (including some that wouldn't affect a WBC normie


Sorry about your job
If it's any consolation, I can relate.

thanks for the elaboration- she's not on chemo but some other stuff. something that begins with a "X".

so, what does a count of 8 mean?

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

dude, always remember...no matter how bad it gets, you will never be Burner

yes, but i still can't wheelie my 29er.

[Burner]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

so, what does a count of 8 mean?

if the doctor's not telling you what you want to know or explaining anything... ASK them

[Wrecker]

If it's related to WBC, the regular count is usually between 4.5 - 11, but you should clarify with the docs what they are talking about. 8 is high for RBC, low for platelets (which help to clot bleeds), and I don't work oncology so I'm really not sure what else it could be....there is also a formula to figure out the absolute neutrophil count (a type of WBC), but 8 doesn't seem to figure into that unless she's REALLY low on WBCs

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by Wrecker

If it's related to WBC, the regular count is usually between 4.5 - 11, but you should clarify with the docs what they are talking about. 8 is high for RBC, low for platelets (which help to clot bleeds), and I don't work oncology so I'm really not sure what else it could be....there is also a formula to figure out the absolute neutrophil count (a type of WBC), but 8 doesn't seem to figure into that unless she's REALLY low on WBCs

apparently WBC and RBC are fine- the docs did screw up a while ago and get the WBC to zero, but it's been rebuilt. the "8" had something to do with floating cell count. i think they're referring to infected cells?

also, the test results this week stated that the liver and lungs are fine, but the bone cancer is the current issue leading to the higher occasional counts.

Originally Posted by Burner

if the doctor's not telling you what you want to know or explaining anything... ASK them

patient/doctor confidentiality- mom doesn't want us to know- doesn't want us to worry.

Originally Posted by Elisheva

SlowSSer,

How brave of you to share where you are at in life. Few people have the courage to be that real/honest, let alone pinpoint specific areas of stress. I'm sorry for your circumstances, but you seem to have made a pretty clear list or assessment of your life situation. Most people don't have the emotional or mental maturity to do that. For alot of folks remaining in denial about pain in their lives is easier than "growing up", so they stay stuck. I think you are on the right path towards making some positive changes in your life. It's perfectly healthy to vent. The problem is, most people aren't comfortable when someone else does it. Do what you need to do to take care of you

Elisheva:

I've been sitting here thinking of how to reply, and all i can say is thanks for the support. I'm not sure what the next step is other than to "keep on keepin' on", but at least the issues are clear.

[duke777]

Hang in there buddy! Like Ohyeah said, harder the struggle sweeter the victory!

Sounds like you have a good expertise/skill set, economy is slow but good helps are always hard to find. Keep looking and don't give up.

Only YOU hold the key to YOUR happiness and success!

[OldDogDan]

Two more thoughts:

On your mom's cancer, if you find out the exact diagnosis (type & stage), you can find out a wealth of information on line to help you understand it. However, you should respect her desire if she has chosen to put her faith in her doctors rather than researching it herself. Try Lance Armstrong's website for starters.

One of your overpriced health benefits may include a helpline number for confidential counseling. They can connect you with help for stress, emotional, medical, financial problems. Consider it. Could help, won't hurt.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by Wrecker

If it's related to WBC, the regular count is usually between 4.5 - 11, but you should clarify with the docs what they are talking about. 8 is high for RBC, low for platelets (which help to clot bleeds), and I don't work oncology so I'm really not sure what else it could be....there is also a formula to figure out the absolute neutrophil count (a type of WBC), but 8 doesn't seem to figure into that unless she's REALLY low on WBCs

no offense wrecker, but SS, dont take advice from people on STR about medicine; go to a pro, seriously, its the only thing I take serious in fact

[Wrecker]

No offense taken, I wasn't aware that I had given any advice other than to ask the doctor and given typical results--which is not advice, or am I confused? I am not attempting to guide any actions

ad·vice Audio Help/ædˈvaɪs/Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ad-vahys]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1.an opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action, conduct, etc.:
ad·vice Audio Help (ād-vīs') Pronunciation Key
n.

1. <LI minmax_bound="true">Opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem; counsel.
2. Information communicated; news. Often used in the plural: advices from an ambassador.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by Wrecker

No offense taken, I wasn't aware that I had given any advice other than to ask the doctor and given typical results--which is not advice, or am I confused? I am not attempting to guide any actions

ad·vice Audio Help/ædˈvaɪs/Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ad-vahys]Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1.an opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action, conduct, etc.:
ad·vice Audio Help (ād-vīs') Pronunciation Key





n.

1. <LI minmax_bound="true">Opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem; counsel.
2. Information communicated; news. Often used in the plural: advices from an ambassador.

EDIT: Sorry Wrecker...you are right. I told you I needed a "reading for dummies" I read too fast and when I saw your reference to RBC my eyes read that as Hgb, contained in RBCs, as opposed to red cell count which is what you are referring to.

[emfc]

So I feel your pain, I was venting to my 5 year old daughter(she was the only one around and she is a great listener) about my job and she had some advice. After I was done she said with complete seriousness "Just live with it." So there you go words to live by.

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

...was simply reacting to some of the points you were making which while not intended as advice necessarily, were not accurate medically is all.

??? so i'm guessing you stayed at a holiday inn last night maybe its time FoReadle

[Jersey]

I feel you pain/anger/frustration on so many levels. You are definitely not alone in your feelings. Unfortunately, life is hard for most, if not all us. I've found that it's friend & family are the best things in my life not, money or materials. I'd also like to think that the trials we're all put thru from time to time make us better people in the end. So, hang in there, it can't possibly rain all the time, can it?

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by Kid A

??? so i'm guessing you stayed at a holiday inn last night maybe its time FoReadle

that is great...but first i need a "Reading for Dummies" before I can read that book silly

[mntbiker12]

Hang in there, we all have our ups and downs, you're on the down cycle. It'll get better - it has to right?!

On the job front, things are tough all over. As you already know, and some have suggested, you have to ditch your current job. Easier said than done, right? One thing job seekers rarely consider is not just a job-change, but a career change entirely. Reinvent yourself. Not the easiest thing in the short-term, especially with a family, but consider the long-term implications. I know folks that hate their employer, switch, and it doesn't get any better. Turns out they hate their career. Consider it.

good luck.

[bighit8]

I have the same thing to say basically.A few months I was going through al ot of crap with child support,car impounded, license suspend ( thanks to child support mistake),little work.Well eventually it all worked out and now things are good.Everything happens for a reason,and maybe better job Opps will come out of it all.Hope everything turns out well with your mom.Hang in there,were here to help, thats what makes this a community and not just a bike club.