It's late. This a good place for unburdening. I need to do that. Timeline:

[bertha katzenengel]

Dec 7: Mrs. V. breaks her arm.

Jan 6: Mrs. V. has heart attack scare. Her BP spiked, she stayed in hospital overnight, had tests in the morning, all okay except through-the-roof cholesterol. She's changed her ways.

Jan 10: My father is killed when his ultralight crashes in Southern California.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bertha%20katzenengel/120
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bertha%20katzenengel/118
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bertha%20katzenengel/119

Feb. 24: Mrs. V.'s cousin - like a brother - commits suicide by cop in TN.

Since Mrs. V.'s physical therapy for her arm has progressed, she is frustrated w/ her lack of progress. Therapy kills, and she said she's not getting back the proper range of motion.

Two weeks ago: Mrs. V. comes down w/ shingles (gone now thanks to valtrex)

Ten hours ago: I'm laid off.

When will it end? When? I have hope, I truly do. But we are both so sick of blow after blow after blow after blow.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear bertha...

Wow, you two have really been through it...

I wish I could say when it'll be gone, but I can't...

Hang on to each other, sweetie...

Wish I could offer more in the way of concrete help...:hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

2. no concrete please, Peggy

it just falls on our heads. lol

:hug: thank you, dear one

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. ....

You're welcome, sweetie...:hug:

[Swede]

4. Surely your luck will change.

This is an extraordinary burden. Good luck Bertha.

[bertha katzenengel]

10. It will! I have hope.

But this is a damned rough morning.

thank you, Swede

[Connonym]

5. A very rough time indeed

:hugs: I think it's helpful to talk about it and I hope that you are able to find some comfort in being able to do that here. Here's to happier times ahead.

Also, shingles can be triggered by stress so Mrs.V may be vulnerable to a recurrence in stressful times. I hope she has no long lasting pain from it. The otc supplement l-lysine taken daily really can make a difference in reducing outbreaks, just fyi.

[bertha katzenengel]

11. talking about it is key

and stress? yeah. i fear another outbreak now.

:hug: and thanks, Connonym.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. Bertha, Not going into details but, last year was craptacular on

my edge of the world. I am the stupidest human going and the Queen of Nothing and I dislocated my elbow on Nov 15. Please give Mrs. V my best for a speedy and full recovery. :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

12. LOL Craptacular

great word

how's the elbow? may i just say OW on your behalf?

[murielm99]

7. Oh, no.

I hope things get better for you and your family soon. That is too much in too short a time.

[bertha katzenengel]

13. thank you, muriel

i appreciate your wishes

[Flaxbee]

8. It will get better. I have to believe that, too, because

we've been going through our share of sh*t lately. It's as if you just feel like you're surfacing, and another wave swamps you.

I understand, and I'm sorry you're struggling, too. :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

14. yes - it feels like walking into the ocean, not expecting the rough surf

and it first pounds you hard into the coarse sand, and as you finally get your bearings and can get a breath another wave pounds you, and another.

i'm sorry for your sh*tty times, Flaxbee. Couldn't'a happened to nicer people, eh? :hug:

[grace0418]

9. Oh, geez, when it rains it pours, doesn't it? I'm so sorry Bertha.

I really, really hope something good comes your way very soon. :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

15. i believe it will. i believe in karma. we will land on our feet in a big

way. i mean big.

thank you :hug:

[malta blue]

16. Bertha, I am so sorry you are going through this

rough time. :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

29. thank you, Malta

:hug:

[Richardo]

17. What an ordeal

:hug:

I hope things turn around for you both - soon and for a long long while.

[bertha katzenengel]

28. Thank you, Richardo.

Didn't know you were a fan of Roberto Clemente. Somtimes it feels like he is the poster boy for tragedy.

:hug:

[LynzM]

18. Many hugs to you, Bertha....

:hug: I hope the universe starts being more kind to you, and soon. :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

27. Lynz, i love hearing from you.

thank you :hug:

[CottonBear]

19. Oh Bertha! I'm so sorry you've had a such an awful past four months.

:hug:

These bad things tend to happen all at once. Be strong, cry when you need to and let your frineds and family comfort you. It will get better.

Take care. CB :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

26. your advice is exactly what i've been doing. i wonder:

were you and I each other in a former life? ;)

:hug:

[Dr. Strange]

20. I hate that.

It's not just bad things happening, but one right after the other. I hate when it piles up.

:hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

25. yeah, dogpile on the rabbit, eh?

Sux. :hug:

[Zuiderelle]

21. Sorry that you're going through all that.

And especially sorry that you've lost your job. What the hell. :hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

24. Heh, yeah. What the hell.

It ought to get better - at least i'll have a bit of a reprieve in the dull life of a job seeker - in the 2nd week in April.

:hug:

[terrya]

22. Oh, Bertha...I'm sorry.

You are one of my favorite people here. This is so much to deal with in such a short time.

I do hope all gets better for you and Mrs. V very soon.

:hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

23. thank you, Terry

It will get better. It has to. Not to sound like a pharisee, flaunting good works, but we must be getting some good karma back from paying it forward as often as we do. Please god, let it get better.

:hug: