Hi Freedom Fans...

[cmdrkoenig67]

Hi Freedom Fam,

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up on why I hadn't been very active here over the past few months (although I did pop in a couple times).

As I mentioned in the thread about Randy's passing (may he R.I.P.)... I've had a really rough year.

my physical health hasn't been great, as usual. My spine/neck issues have been very painful and ongoing (like always), and I've thrown my lower back out twice this year. The Botox has still been working pretty well for my migraines, but I do still get headaches nearly every day (they just aren't killer migraines with the vomiting, etc... Thankfully). I've also passed several kidney stones this year... Ouch! Not fun.

My dad, sister, and myself had to finally make the decision back in May, to place my mother in a care facility (due to her Alzheimer's and failing physical health). So, that was one of several hits this year.

In August, my grandmother (my dad's mom) passed away (at 101 and 6 months). She was an amazing lady, who I miss every day. She was nutty, hilarious, very sweet, and had her wits and memories right up to the end (everybody at her nursing home loved her). She was only there, because she had trouble walking and none of us had the money or the room to take her in, I really, really wish she could have been with us at home.

Another incredibly sad thing was a family friend committed suicide due to depression. It was just heartbreaking, because she was such a sweet person (my sister was pretty close to her, more so than the rest of us... But she lived just down the street and we'd see her every so often and she'd always be smiling. She came to my grandmother's graveside service (and she was just bawling). She met my Grammy a few times and thought the world of her, plus Grammy knew her parents. She left behind her husband, two grown children (a daughter and son), a son-in-law, a grandchild, and many friends who all miss her.

If you're depressed or sad and thinking of harming yourself, please don't. There are people who care about you (whether they are family or friends, even your pet family, etc..). Please consider calling the Suicide and Crisis Help Line at number 988 (or text HOME to 741741) and ask for help. Deaf/ASL users may use 1-(844)-432-2275 for video calls.
Best,

Dana

[Randomdays]

Sorry for all that's been going on Dana. I know and I've been there, and other people here also know what you're going through. Our group here has been aging along and few of us are young that hang around here.

I'll say one thing that might help you though. I started getting kidney stones in my thirties and had to go through 3 surgeries at different times to have them removed. Mine were the common type from calcium build up, not being absorbed into the body due to weakened enzymes with age. I had to give up dairy products for awhile to avoid them.

One of my work friends told me about an herb called "Chanca Piedra", which basically means "stone breaker" I did a lot of research on it and found that it was good for general kidney health, had almost no side effects, and I could get it at herb shops, Amazon and other places ground up in gelcaps or as a tea. I read that some of the bigger drug companies tried looking at it, but the molecule chains are very complex and they couldn't replicate it in a lab.

It seems it doesn't stop them from forming, but turns them into a soft sludge that passes easily. Since I started using it years ago now (at least 20 years now), that problem seems to have been fixed. I don't take it all the time, but usually when I'm having something cheesy or dairy that might form a stone.

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-441/chanca-piedra#overview

Hope things improve in your life.

RD

[Epimethee]

Hi Dana, thanks for sharing. Yeah, that definitively sounds a like it was a rough year, a &*#%$! rough year. It's to your honour that you used this post to provide resources to people who might need support.

I don't have anything useful like that (or like Randomdays' stone breaker tip), but please accept a sincere virtual hug.

[cranlox]

Best wishes to you! It's clear you're a kind and good person. I hope something we do in this community brings a smile to your face. "Better times are always coming," as a local song says, and I think sometimes all we can do is look to the future with that hope, even when things are so tough. I appreciate the forum's strong human touch, and as you know, for anything you need or want to share, I think I speak for everyone who's happy to support and listen!

[cmdrkoenig67]

Thank you, guys for the nice responses and support.

Thank you RD for the advice on the Chanca Piedra (and yes, I've had to cut way back on my dairy intake and the urologist advised me to add lemon juice to my water to help break up kidney stones). Thanks Epimethee for the virtual hug, I needed it LOL. Thank you Cranlox for the support and kind words (and yes, Freedom Reborn, and the & games do make me happy).

I've been on depression medication for many years too, I just wanted to mention that... LOL! So, that DOES help me through some of my bad times. Plus, I have my kitty/daughter, Chloe (my little girl is getting old, though... She's 19) and my best friend, Sue (I've known her since we were both 5 yo). I also still collect and customize action figures, as well as collect comics on occasion.

Best,

Dana

[deanjo2000]

I know it's hard sometimes but you have to focus on the good things in life. Do what makes you happy and enjoy the little things. This forum and working on skins/skopes has massively helped me over the years.

[bearded]

Hey.

[BentonGrey]

Dana, my friend, I'm glad to hear from you and see you around the community, but I'm so sorry for all the sorrow and suffering you've experienced.  As others have said, thank you for sharing with us some of what you've been going through.  I hope and pray (you remain in my prayers every day, my friend), that things will get easier for you and that you will experience some joy to help balance the scales.  Give your kitty a hug from us.  Remember, you are loved and appreciated.