polarbear

Morning everyone

I start school today and logged onto the online course stuff - I printed everything I need for my online history class and several other small things and it took 1 hr to print and an entire package of paper But at least I was using work resources and printed directly to the printer sitting behind my desk

I'm debating on making up a BS excuse of needing to see my advisor or something to leave work early and go to the other campus (about 30 min drive) to get the books they don't have at mine. It's for my online course and I have assignments due this week and about 1-2 hrs reading before I start the essays..... trying to decided if it's worth it to try to make it there and back in 1 hr before class tonight.

Said is scheduled to arrive at Portland airport at 11:20pm tonight and these last few hours are driving me crazy!He stops at JFK and he doesnt have his cell phone and my phone is not hooked up yet cuz I just moved into a new apartment. I tried to call him while he still had his phone at the airport in Morocco but I ran out of minutes on my pre paid cell. So now Im just going nuts until its time to go to the airport. Im trying to keep my self busy today. I couldnt sleep good last night at all.

Is there any way you can take an understanding friend with you to the airport to keep you company while you wait?

I was freaking out a little bit the day my SO arrived as well, so I had a friend with me with the understanding that she would kinda fade out of the picture when he arrived. She was cool with it and gave us space when he came out of the terminal and just waited long enough to make sure we were okay and took her own car home (she came to meet me at the airport after a stressed out phone call when his plane was delayed ). It really helped alot and she was such a saint about it.

I just found out a friend of mine needs some prayers and good vibes...

She's not a VJ member, but I figured you girls (and guys) could relate. She is pregnant again after giving birth in January. She was supposed to take her daughter back to Egypt to meet the family and it was going to be the father's first trip back in almost 2 yrs, but they are no longer able to go. The father is very distraught and not happy at all. When she first got pregnant they were newlyweds and he had just arrived and was not working - it has been a hard road for them.

Please keep her in your prayers and I hope they come to terms with it and find joy in the new blessing.

PS - Sorry for putting this in the daily thread, but didn't want to start a whole new one

Platypus - It's a culture shock for those that come here, and in many instances for the americans waiting for the loved ones.

Both sides are dealing with things, and really I think it's easier for those who have spouses from Europe or countries where things are a little more familiar. My husband is from the ME, but lived in France for 10 yrs and thought it was going to be just like France.... but it is still very different so I'm not saying it's not hard for everyone.

Nutty -

I remember telling my friend that I feel like I have a teenager at home bc he couldn't drive, didn't speak English, very computer illiterate, needed me for everything, and when I got home at the end of the day wanted me to go places with him so he could get out of the house and constantly expecting/asking for things - I felt like I never had a break and I was either at work or expected to be all about him and give him every spare moment I had.... trust me, I got into plenty of fights the first 6 months. I think I was going through culture shock as well and look back on the way I acted and can't believe his was so good to me and understanding Actually, I used to tell myself it was preperation for having children - If I couldn't handle someone needing my time like that then I would never be able to have children

Hang in there and try to cut him some slack. Be understanding and try to talk things out with him instead of fuming about them - work together.

It's only after my husband went back for awhile and came home that we learned to appriciate eachother a little more and communicate better and I feel like I'm on the honeymoon I never had but that may be just because I'm on a school vacation that ends tomorrow, so check in with me next week

Thanks Nagi Haven't seen you in a while and hope life's been good for you as well.

Life's been good here - I'm happy the hubby is finally home and feeling okay.

I've found out that the multi-vitamin pills just don't digest right in my stomach (like alot of things) and I've started taking liquid vitamins. Wow can I feel the difference! I found a liquid mulit-vitamin that also has added stuff to help with digestion and matabolism - it's working really well

Good Morning MENA! I'm back at work today

I had quite an eventfull weekend... we drove basically a full circle around Florida in one day The darn hubby refused to stop - wouldn't even spend the night at my dad's house half way through and drove back home in the middle of the night friday I know there is no place like home, but I really could have enjoyed my dad's private, screened off pool a little longer

We left Miami at 6am, came up the east side of Florida, skirted Orlando for some tiny town to buy some bulldozers, headed to the west coast to eat dinner with my dad in Tampa, then left about 9 pm down the west coast back to Miami - got home at 1am Saturday morning I am NOT doing this again

Yesterday we were too exhausted to do anything but stay at home to clean the apartment and watch some movies

I was just wondering the best way to 'ease into' Ramadan for someone who is new to it. I am waiting a little later each day to eat to get my body used to it, but someone told me it might not make things easier, but actually harder - I'm making myself weaker for the start of Ramadan.

Does anyone have any tips on how to help adjust to this for someone new to it? I asked my husband, but he's been doing it since he was a child.

Thanks!

I too need the same advice. I was gonna just type about this myself. I am new to Ramadan and want to so make my husband proud of me. I just don't know how i can go without eating all day, when thats all they ever do in my office. And when i get bored at home, well that refrig, has such good stuff in it. I know self discpline is needed and i'm not good with that. so if anyone has any suggestions, they would be appreciated.

You need to just take it one day at a time - I don't know how to do more than that. The first week was the hardest for me, after that it's almost habit.

Last year was my first year and I just made sure I drank lots of water the day before and had a game plan, then got really stuborn and told myself I was going to make it through at least one day and it wasn't going to kill me!.... Then I told myself if I did it the day before I could do it again.... ect... I work in a kitchen and really, it just took me being stubborn about it and digging in my heals like the bull-head I am

I need to call my sis-in-law who's a doctor and works in a hospital up in Philly. She's the one who told me to not accept the third diagnosis of Mono in three years, and that it was totally ridculous and just a reason to get me out of the office with an enlarged splean, liver damage, critically low platlets, and high ana levels which of course can all be caused by a sever case of mono (and there is a derivative as well), but you just don't get that illness repeatedly like that and it can also cause permanent damage and kill you if you don't rest and take care of yourself (which of course I asked my doc. about and he said it was completely not nessicary)

Hmm... maby I should check out that message board for my ranting

Polar, have you been tested yet for Hepatitis?

I would have to look at my hospital records again.

I have the immunization for Hepatitis B from work and they ran tests for diabetes, HIV, CMV, several immune diseases that have defining tests, thyroid levels, you name it they tested me for it.

The hard part is that alot of the test results came back after I was discharged from the hospital for mono (since I those anit-bodies, and have had since I was 13 ) and the hematologist had to be nagged to even reconsider the possibility of mis-diagnosis after 3 months when I had not improved. That's the most I got out of him.

All I know at this point is my ana levels are high, my splean is now at the borderline of enlarged so they have checked that off the list, and my platlet levels are still below normal but at least they are not critical anymore, and I have a diagnosis of autoimune disease and possible "chronic low platlets" - that was my diagnosis in full and was told there is no treatment nessisary and should live my life like normal (but call them if I randomly start bleading again and won't stop) The least he could have done was tell me to see a nutritionist and make some lifestyle changes to help my splean and digestive system.

Am I crazy for wanting more information and possibly :gasp: a treatment plan?

Polarbear, I have the opposite, chronically high platelets, a myeloproliferative disorder. Had the autoimmune tests a few years back, finally a bone marrow biopsy to confirm, took months before they figured it out, so I can relate to your frustration. Someone has probably suggested this, but could you possibly get a referral to another hematologist for a second opinion? The enlarged spleen can be a concern, especially with certain bone marrow disorders, and I see that it worries you. People sometimes have accidents and have the spleen removed like it's not a critical organ, but for some people it is. Often the best treatment plan is watch and wait, and that may be the case for you, as frustrating as that is, but I also believe in trusting your gut with regard to your medical care. And a doctor in your family is siding with you, which means something. Some -- some -- hematologists/oncologists are focused more on the oncology side of things. Keep educating yourself, and trust your instincts. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for the info!

My bone marrow is the one thing I think they didn't check. Normally they do for platelet and blood problems, which I knew, but the hematologist cancelled all further tests to get me discharged from the hospital.

I might try to see another hematologist - I had a doctor acquaintence a few months ago who was concerned about me and gave me the number for a hematologist friend of his. He did also say most were only concerned with the oncology and see alot of platlet problems daily and don't take them very seriously.

I'm on the wait and watch plan right now but I want to at least find a regular doctor and maby see the nutritionist at the hematologist's office.

BTW...for those interested in my Scorpion drama. I'm going scorpion hunting tonight with a black light...EWWW! I'm praying we hardly find any...which would mean our problem is not a big as my mind imagines at this point!

they will usually kill each other off, so odds are you won't find many.

reduce places outside close to the house they can hide under. that will be a major help.

Good idea! Thats a good plan for tonight...hunt and clean up anything that would be a "scorpion home".

Ick! Good Luck with that

PB your story sounds very much like whats going on with my best girlfriend, including the multiple mono diagnoses. The few people I know who have autoimmune disorders have all described a very similar incredibly frustrating path to diagnosis let alone treatment.

I dont think you are crazy to want more and in the end if YOU dont push for some help then who will?

Keep at it until you get somewhere! good luck and hang in there

Thank you, and thanks Staashi - I'm going to try another doctor and see if they are willing to take this on and have my records transfered. I'm lucky the hospital did so many tests and I have so much information - I've also maxed out my payments on insurance and pay minimal amounts now

Happy Thursday! Badr just got on a plane and I'm a ball of nerves. He lands in San Fran tomorrow and I can't wait to see him. I hope everyone is having a great day.

YAY!!! What a great ending

I need to call my sis-in-law who's a doctor and works in a hospital up in Philly. She's the one who told me to not accept the third diagnosis of Mono in three years, and that it was totally ridculous and just a reason to get me out of the office with an enlarged splean, liver damage, critically low platlets, and high ana levels which of course can all be caused by a sever case of mono (and there is a derivative as well), but you just don't get that illness repeatedly like that and it can also cause permanent damage and kill you if you don't rest and take care of yourself (which of course I asked my doc. about and he said it was completely not nessicary)

Hmm... maby I should check out that message board for my ranting

Polar, have you been tested yet for Hepatitis?

I would have to look at my hospital records again.

I have the immunization for Hepatitis B from work and they ran tests for diabetes, HIV, CMV, several immune diseases that have defining tests, thyroid levels, you name it they tested me for it.

The hard part is that alot of the test results came back after I was discharged from the hospital for mono (since I those anit-bodies, and have had since I was 13 ) and the hematologist had to be nagged to even reconsider the possibility of mis-diagnosis after 3 months when I had not improved. That's the most I got out of him.

All I know at this point is my ana levels are high, my splean is now at the borderline of enlarged so they have checked that off the list, and my platlet levels are still below normal but at least they are not critical anymore, and I have a diagnosis of autoimune disease and possible "chronic low platlets" - that was my diagnosis in full and was told there is no treatment nessisary and should live my life like normal (but call them if I randomly start bleading again and won't stop) The least he could have done was tell me to see a nutritionist and make some lifestyle changes to help my splean and digestive system.

Am I crazy for wanting more information and possibly :gasp: a treatment plan?

Yeah, in Cairo they tell everyone 2 weeks. They don't tell you about the name checks that they do on everyone or that it could take longer than the 2 weeks. They don't even give you a reciept (except the DHL), and don't always keep the passport and will then tell you they will call you bring it in. They don't give the 221g either like they do for AP in Casablanca.

DOS is where I found out the most info as well - the embassies just have standard reply emails. For awhile there you couldn't even call Cairo, they shut down their phone number they had been giving out

This is really the hardest part because there is soooo much uncertainty. You just have to have patience and trust that everything will work out, but I feel for you angie (((hugs)))

It was my impression that 99.9% of Arab males go through post interview name checks....?

I agree... I was under the impression that it was pretty standard.

My husband didn't have a single name hit and it only took 1 day for everything to clear according to DOS, and it still took almost 2 weeks for them to process the visa in Cairo. I figure a month is pretty standard

quaker oatmeal squares cereal is sooo good...(in case anyone cared...lol

It's my all time favorite

Any Suggestions on how to find a doctor for autoimmune diseases? I've been diagnosed, but the hematologiest who diagnosed me told me I would have to find another doctor to treat me and he had no suggestions The hematologist (kinda a jerk in the first place) is the specialist I've been seeing since ending up in the hospital, but I'm not really sure where to go from here since I don't even have a regular doctor... Is there some sort of specialist for this? Or do I just look up one of the 200+ doctors on my medical plan and randomly choose

I have an autoimmune disorder and I see the Rheumatologist every three months. They are the ones who usually deal with these diseases. Originally my pcp is the one that caught on that my ana levels were high so she immediately referred me to a rheumatologist. It's very hard to find a good one though to be honest I've been through three of them!!! So far I have three diagnosises (sp?) that I can't even pronounce, one of which is a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis and the other is Lupus, but just the skin type so far knock on wood. They're now testing me for hashimoto disease because my thyroid levels are off. Seriously this is like a really frustrating thing to go through because some people don't get a deifinitive diagnosis for years to come and meanwhile you're tired, your joints ache, you feel like you have the flu sometimes during a flare up and all the while you look perfectly fine. There's actually a wonderful supportive message board in www.butyoudontlooksick.com . I haven't been there in a while but the people there have been through it all and offer a lot of compassion and insight. Good luck on your journey!

Thanks Bridget! I'll look into the Rheumatologist

Good luck with the tests Bridget

I spent 4 days in the hospital so they could run every single blood tests they could think of for the cause of my internal bleeding and it cost more the hospital stay itself

I need to call my sis-in-law who's a doctor and works in a hospital up in Philly. She's the one who told me to not accept the third diagnosis of Mono in three years, and that it was totally ridculous and just a reason to get me out of the office with an enlarged splean, liver damage, critically low platlets, and high ana levels which of course can all be caused by a sever case of mono (and there is a derivative as well), but you just don't get that illness repeatedly like that and it can also cause permanent damage and kill you if you don't rest and take care of yourself (which of course I asked my doc. about and he said it was completely not nessicary)

Hmm... maby I should check out that message board for my ranting

Any Suggestions on how to find a doctor for autoimmune diseases? I've been diagnosed, but the hematologiest who diagnosed me told me I would have to find another doctor to treat me and he had no suggestions The hematologist (kinda a jerk in the first place) is the specialist I've been seeing since ending up in the hospital, but I'm not really sure where to go from here since I don't even have a regular doctor... Is there some sort of specialist for this? Or do I just look up one of the 200+ doctors on my medical plan and randomly choose

They only offer EAD in NY JFK as Jenn! said. But you could ask for EAD once you get your AOS out ... buut in all reality you would probably get the AOS same time if not before the EAD ... so really in my opinion waste of money! Better now to get him "ready" for life in the US, and ready for working like taking coarses, et. Good luck and wish you both happy happy happiness!

The EAD application is free now (as well as AP application) with the AOS application. You just send all three in together, so why not? I just seperated the three with acco clips and put them in the same envelope. You still have to send all the info for the AOS and it's really just a few extra photocopies.

If you decide to do it later it costs money, so why not cover all your bases and do it when it's free?

hahaha... oops!

Wish there was a way to get EADs expedited.

It's really too bad they no longer issue the interim EAD's. They used to allow you to make an infopass 90 days after the NOA1 to get your EAD until the real one was approved. It enabled almost no gap in work authorization as long as you married and sent of your petition immediately after entry.

Some people still get lucky and are issued their EAD as soon as the file is looked at.

When we were applying just about everyone sent to Cali. w/out interview got their EAD within 3 months of applying. I haven't been to the AOS forum since, so I don't know what's going on now. We got married the day he arrived (end of Dec. 2007) and I sent in the application as soon as he had a SSN - all-in-all about 3 weeks after arrival. He recieved the EAD the week his temp EAD on his I-94 expired. ::shrug:: I guess it depends on security checks or something bc he also got his GC that week.

Good Morning MENA!

Today's my Friday

Hi everyone, sorry Jacky but I'm right now in Spain with my husband, going back to Florida in Sep. 3.

Yes from zarqa, Albatrawy st, you been there?

so2008 where in tampa? I have a friend in Temple Terrace, I will be inshallah in Tampa in 2 moths with my family, planing to go Bush Gardens keep in touch...

PM me when you get back to Florida Zarqa - I live in Miami and my dad lives in Tampa. My husband is from Egypt, not Jordan, but my arabic teacher is from Jordan.

I've been wanting to go to bush gardens still haven't made it though. I've only been to seaworld in Orlando - kinda silly with all the opportunities around here.

The new baby pics are sooooo adorable Nawal!!!!

I swear you read my mind! I can not believe I live in Arizona. I keep telling my family that..."what the hell am I doing here?"

Monsoons, HELL heat, Scorpions and crazy A$$ people (sorry to anyone who is a native Arizonian..just watch our news)...

I miss the EAST coast with ALL my 'wittle' heart.

Thank you for telling her that lol Yes Nawal you can all move in with me, I'm preparing the spare bedroom now .. No other way you are ever going to sleep at night :lol:

Where there is one scorpion there is usually two.

Doing the mating dance.

I miss the southwest... I'll switch with you if your willing to brave Miami's humidity, bugs, and storms

OKAY!!!

I grew up in NYC and cockroaches were a way of life/humidty in summer and storms too...LOL. So what if cockroaches there are a bit larger and fly in Miami (LMAO)...I'm fine with that...I just don't want scorpions!! They love to climb walls and ceilings and they bite and I'm shaking over it!

Come back to the southwest!

I want a pic of the nasty scorpion!

Sending your way Noura! Tell me when you get it!

Didn't you know Miami is THE place where you will find just about any reptile or bug or insect.... there is/was a large import ring for exotic and outlawed reptiles, ect.... the tropical enviroment and the fact that we are encroaching on the everglades means that we have things here scarier than scoripions - and we have scorpions too!

There is a reason they have "Animal Cops: Miami" on Animal Planet

Yuck!

I swear you read my mind! I can not believe I live in Arizona. I keep telling my family that..."what the hell am I doing here?"

Monsoons, HELL heat, Scorpions and crazy A$$ people (sorry to anyone who is a native Arizonian..just watch our news)...

I miss the EAST coast with ALL my 'wittle' heart.

Thank you for telling her that lol Yes Nawal you can all move in with me, I'm preparing the spare bedroom now .. No other way you are ever going to sleep at night :lol:

Where there is one scorpion there is usually two.

Doing the mating dance.

I miss the southwest... I'll switch with you if your willing to brave Miami's humidity, bugs, and storms