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1. 

   LostInEternity99

   17722 Kudos

   06/12/09

   
   

2. 

   odinsman

   740 Kudos

   04/19/09

   
   

3. 

   Sher3

   1133 Kudos

   04/15/09

   

   Kudos to you Jack :)
   

   
   

4. 

   granma3xnow

   103 Kudos

   12/08/08

   Jack,
   Boy is it true!! Like a dream, someone said the person bathing me was wasting their time....cause I was going to die. I didn't care, I was so tired.
   But only the good die young, so I survived. In my mind I can still see that I used to be able to work. I was a really terrible "work aholic", all the kids were grown and gone, and it sure beats hanging out in an empty house. I used to be able to drive faster than 35, super highways are out. (If I travel to the next town...back roads all the way) I remember "striding" places, now faster than an amble and I'm off balance. I still read alot, the doctors tell me it may help my eye. (thank goodness I can read) I used be able to use my head, without it causing extreme pain...and of course my son-i-law says, mom just quit thinking!!! Every day, just moving is painful. (am I just supposed to sit around?) I have an Assoc. in Accounting, and some times it takes a long time to do math..even with a calculator.
   I was pretty much happy with who I was, and proud of the fact that I got there on my own. I don't know if I'll ever "find" myself again, but is it really that important? Probably not.
   Today again, I'm bitten by the work bug. If I can gain some stamina back, I'd like to try working again. I just can't see hanging around without something constructive to do.
   It sure is bizzare, but perhaps my time isn't done. So I have to figure out how best to use my time. Living in the past isn't the way to go. So I could do some things before that I can't do now, big deal.....Onward and upward.
   Funny, the doctors told me there were other folks out there with the same kind of problems I was having. I didn't believe it until I started reading the posts.
   Fran
   Original comment »

   12/09/08

   Reply from jack raney:

   It's hard to believe that in the mist of all the hectic, chaotic things West Nile has put me through, there is a reason. Sure I wish things were like before, hell who wouldn't? It has taken some time to get to the point I feel comfortable in my new shoes, I kind of feel like I wore the old ones out.
   
   I didn't get to where I am over night, there wasn't any revelation, no writing on the wall, no road map with a marker your here and need to be here. I was a hit and miss, fly by wire type of adventure. If it wasn't for the love of my family and friends and those who I've met because of West Nile, I'm not sure where I'd be today.
   
   I don't live in the past, it's about what I use to do or what I accomplished in the past!!!!! It's about what I can do now, where I'm going and what I'll do where I get there.
   
   Be good to yourself, it gets better, it does.
   
   Jack

5. 

   granma3xnow

   103 Kudos

   12/07/08

   Yes, there were so many bruises on me, my own mother did not want to look at me. I spent several days in a coma, and don't remember much of my hospital stay. When I woke up, just befor transfer to a nursing home, I couldn't even sit up. My brain was working, not well, and I have been very frustrated ever since. I couldn't walk right because my left side was affected. My brain "said" this is nuts!!! You were just on your feet in August 2007. I couldn't verbalize, because it caused great pain, just to think.
   But, I was fighting for my freedom!!!!
   I most likely started walking at age 1, I wanted some of that back. So I kept wiggling everything I could. And practicing talking!! (mostly cursing) ha-ha. I told the nursing home folks to let me out, they said "how are you going to leave" and I said "through the front door, same way I came in".
   The walker, the cane, and then free standing. Several months of physical therapy and I had gone as far as I could. Every day I am still surprised by some form of vertigo. My walk is just a shuffle, as I cannot "speed" up. But I am still on my feet!!!! (only one who has "kissed the floor" can know what it is like)
   Many months later, my first time behind the wheel of my car.....whew!! I can only drive about slow and I feel nauseous doing that. But this is a small town, so I don't have to go fast. A couple of chores a day is all I'm good for. Then it takes several days to recover.
   While I wake up some mornings with a feeling of OH WOW YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT!! I'm glad I made it. However I do still wonder where the "rest" of me is. She is in my head, she just hasn't found her way out yet.
   Original comment »

   12/08/08

   Reply from jack raney:

   Fran I'm not sure if we ever find the "REAL" me or us after what happened to us, maybe after the dust settles and our path becomes clearer we might find the pieces of our past life and begin to rebuild it all over again. Your right about the knowing part, how can someone know what you went through if they never experienced it 1st hand? We have to remember where we've been in order to know where were going, it took West Nile taking me to point of death to make me wake up and change my life. People find it hard to believe that I'm thankful for West Nile, when they have just had a mild case, it took death to wake me, to slow me down enough to listen to reason.
   
   I believe West Nile can either make me or break me, I had to make the choice's I made in order to surpass what the doctors told me I would be.
   
   I spent much of my early recovery fighting to be the man I use to be, battled with a myth more than a man. I'm a little over 4 years out, I'm still reminded of who I was prior to West Nile, still see the things I did, told about my triumphs, I'm not sure when it happened but the need to be that man slipped away. I'm satisified of who I've become, even though it's nice to have been thought of the way I use to be.

6. 

   pastorjohn

   103 Kudos

   07/21/08

   Hello there I would like to share how west nile can take away your life. I was 35 years when I was infected. I have been disabled over 4 years now and for the two of my birthdays and fathers day in the hospital as resent as june 08 back in hospital for two more weeks. I still after four years vommit daily and have peralisis and sezjers. I am still in so much pain and this very important, this wnv takes lives in so many ways. I lost my job I worked my whole life to get, my cars and credit and now maybe my home. I would like to speak or get in contact with those people who are writing a book the wife of the guy who also has been going through what i have for years, the real problem is my condition has got worse over the years and now am almost worse than the begening. Long term problems must be talked about, i am now 39 going on 40 and i have been getting worse over time. So many people not just myself are having a bad time dealing with this. doctor just keep giving more pills and then you cant even afford them. I need and would luv to hook up with that womens book on peoples ordeals. i have not reached out to others due to heath but i must let people know how important it is to protect themselves from this. please give my number to anyone and eveyone you think would need it. i understand how hard to deal with this i was at the top of my life on my Job and Pastoring a Church. there is so much more but not east to type left arm does not work very good and memory. sorry for miss spelled words. May God Bless u for hooking me up with others.
   Pastor John R Braaten Jr
   1130 S Lawson Dr
   Apache Junction, AZ 85220
   480 370 9441

7. 

   simple333

   14 Kudos

   07/15/08

   Hi Jack. I just wanted to say thanks for all you do. It took me a while to get comfy with the site, but now that I have, it's been really helpful. I hope you are doing well and this message finds you happy.
   
   *how'd you get your page so spiffy? i am an artist and have to have everything in my world colorful, your page is super duper cool!
   
   :)thanks again:)

8. 

   Shirley WNG

   5 Kudos

   03/10/08

   Hi! Not sure what a kudo is but thanks!! Was fun to chat - we'll do it again!
   Original comment »

   03/11/08

   Reply from jack raney:

   Back at ya, I'm not much for the keyboard, I'd rather talk on the phone. Then I don't have to wonder if I spell the word right or if it's in the right order. My wife looks at my phone bill and thinks I have this gab thing I need to address, I tell her that I wait till it's after 9pm during the week and then on the week-end I get my monies worth. I remember when friends would bet me that I couldn't keep my mouth shut for 30 seconds, I'd loose every time.

9. 

   duck19

   5 Kudos

   03/04/08

   Hey, nice profile, Jack. How are ya doin' today?
   

10. 

    Jclauson

    28 Kudos

    03/01/08

    Glad to hear you have good weather and you have been doing well. Let's chat soon if you have time. I'm pretty available.
    Original comment »

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