As some of you may know, I spend Tuesday with my friend Carolyn. First we go to our Weight Watchers meeting, then meet up with about 6 more from the meeting for lunch at Craker Barrel.
Now keep in mind I have been doing this for over a year. Meeting, lunch just about every week. (Yes, I've lost some of this flab 51 lbs.)
Anyway, I was looking for a picture of my gr. grandson to show one of girls and my "Permission Card" to carry water with me at all times dropped on the table. Toni picked it up and as she was handing it to me, she says "Don't tell me you have Sjogren's TOO!"
Yep, she's had it for over 8 yrs. ::) Fortunately, she only has the dry eyes and dry mouth, with dry skin. We were both so surpised to meet someone else with this disease.
I can't believe we have had lunch together for all this time and never knew. She said she couldn't understand why I was ill, when "You look so good!" I told her, "Well, so do you". Then we both laughed like a couple of nuts. :D
Pooh
Hi Pooh
That's an amazing story! It shows what fun you've been having every Tuesday for this past year - neither of you ever felt the need to talk about your health!
The 'you look so good' exchange is fine when it's with another Sjoggie, isn't it? I didn't enjoy it so much today when my rheumy and the rheumy nurse both told me how good I looked, when I was feeling pretty awful. I'd made an effort with make-up, including a 'Beauty Flash Balm' that's supposed to make your skin glow. The rheumy kept repeating how great I looked so in the end I offered to send him some of the balm! To cap it all he also said how much my weight loss suited me - weight loss caused by 4 months of gastroparesis, severe pain and inability to eat. Definitely not the Weight Watchers method of weight loss!
Keep enjoying your Tuesdays!
Take care - Chickpea
Pooh,
What a great "small world" story! :)
Cheryl
Hi pooh,
That's great....Not that you both have this funky sjogrens thing...but that you both know about each other now...someone to talk to if and when you need it! Its a small small world...isn't it...and to think you have been with this woman over lunches for over a year...too funny!
That's great!
Wouldn't it be something if she too is a member of Sjogrens World?? Did you think to ask her??
Bernice
There is a card that allows you to carry water?? I have never heard of this. I carry water all the time.
What's a permission card to carry water??? I need one!!! As for your friend, I've spoken about my neurologist friend a lot on this site - - she has connective tissue disease, lung disease, fibro, etc - - and yes, even sjogrens!!! I just think it's much more common than people realize.
Voiceteacher
Joe, I have had this card ever since I joined the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. It was in a Welcome package I received from them. I don't think they send anymore but you could ask.
I will try to find the extra one I had and scan it. That way some of you can copy it.
I hope I can find it. If I can't I will white out my information and scan this one. I'm sure a lot of our members would like one. It's a shame the SSF doesn't supply them anymore, they sure come in handy when I go to the theaters or art gallery's where there is security checks.
Pooh
That's too funny Pooh. It is really great that you could talk at lunch for a year and not learn that about each other. Sounds like a good crowd to be with.
Chickpea: So sorry you don't feel good. It doesn't help to have a doctor and nurse lacking in sensitivity, either. My rheumy gets forgiven for a lot of things because once during a flare he read carefully through the notes I gave him on what was going on with me, took both my hands in his, looked me in the eye, and said, "I'm so sorry you are feeling so poorly." And only then did he start to talk about my options. He's still got money in the bank with me. Let us know how you are doing.
Genko