Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I have contemplated doing this ever since I returned to forum staff. If nothing else as a way to share my life with others. Right now have been enjoying the visit of my in-laws. I adore both of them, but have really noticed a change in my father-in-law after everything he has been through over the last year.

Between knew replacement, heart valve replacement and even an infection that resulted in his being in the hospital a long time, It has know doubt been a strain on him. Do to my health I often have to pace myself, but this is the first time where he has done the same and really has firm boundaries which I totally believe is a good thing. This visit with them is different than any other we have had with them so far.

We had a wonderful visit to the Desert Botanical Garden yesterday. It really was the most relaxed all of us have been during the visit. Anyways I still enjoyed the visit so far. It's cold out at night for here right now, but still is nice and comfortable around middle of the day. We have been getting down close to freezing in the mornings at night. So much so I had to tern the temperature up on the thermostat last night. anyways. Hugs
Mariah

Mariah,

You have always been a positive influence here.  I look forward to reading your blog over time.
I am glad you are having a good time with your visiting in-laws.

I went to a desert botanical garden in Arizona.  It was interesting.


Chrissy

@Mariah
Dear Mariah:
I am thrilled that you have started your new Blog Thread here on the Forum.

Your readers and followers will now have a place that that they easily can find you...
which will allow others to leave their reply comments and thoughts for you.

Your Blog Thread is the place that you can call HOME here on
the Forum and where can continue to tell your "story."

I wish you well as you are dealing with your FIL's health issues and those of
your partner and of your own.

THANK YOU for sharing with all of us over the many years that you
have been a valuable Staff member here on the Forum and a registered
member since 2014          ---> 11 years!
      Presently you are a Forum Global Moderator, a Discord Chat Moderator,
      and are a Retired NEWS Administrator.  Thank you for your willingness
      to contribute your time to Susan's Place... and you have helped make this
      a better place..... you are very much appreciated.

Many HUGS, and more to come your way... ❤️❤️❤️
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator
                        cc: @Devlyn  @Jessica_Rose  @Lori Dee  @Sarah B

I agree with Chrissy,

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 12, 2025, 01:56:39 PMYou have always been a positive influence here. 

Your knowledge, experience, and mentorship have helped me tremendously. Thank you for all you do here.

Good luck with your health and that of your family too.

Quote from: Mariah on January 12, 2025, 01:08:57 PMI have contemplated doing this ever since I returned to forum staff. If nothing else as a way to share my life with others.

Thank you for sharing your story. It's always refreshing to read a new blog and gain insight into someone else's perspective.

QuoteRight now have been enjoying the visit of my in-laws. I adore both of them, but have really noticed a change in my father-in-law after everything he has been through over the last year.

Between knew replacement, heart valve replacement and even an infection that resulted in his being in the hospital a long time, It has know doubt been a strain on him. Do to my health I often have to pace myself, but this is the first time where he has done the same and really has firm boundaries which I totally believe is a good thing. This visit with them is different than any other we have had with them so far.

Sorry to hear about your in-laws. It sounds like your father-in-law is going through a lot. Sending you virtual hugs.

Welcome to the put anything down spot that clears your head!!

We visited the botanical garden this time with my in-laws and then went to the restaurant Gertrudes for a late lunch. Less flowers blooming this time. I can't help, but think that is a result of how dry it is here right now. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on January 12, 2025, 01:56:39 PMMariah,

You have always been a positive influence here.  I look forward to reading your blog over time.
I am glad you are having a good time with your visiting in-laws.

I went to a desert botanical garden in Arizona.  It was interesting.


Chrissy

Danielle,
You are welcome. In many ways this just allows me to my thoughts, feelings and experiences down these days. A way to share my life more widely with others. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Northern Star Girl on January 12, 2025, 02:03:13 PM@Mariah
Dear Mariah:
I am thrilled that you have started your new Blog Thread here on the Forum.

Your readers and followers will now have a place that that they easily can find you...
which will allow others to leave their reply comments and thoughts for you.

Your Blog Thread is the place that you can call HOME here on
the Forum and where can continue to tell your "story."

I wish you well as you are dealing with your FIL's health issues and those of
your partner and of your own.

THANK YOU for sharing with all of us over the many years that you
have been a valuable Staff member here on the Forum and a registered
member since 2014          ---> 11 years!
      Presently you are a Forum Global Moderator, a Discord Chat Moderator,
      and are a Retired NEWS Administrator.  Thank you for your willingness
      to contribute your time to Susan's Place... and you have helped make this
      a better place..... you are very much appreciated.

Many HUGS, and more to come your way... ❤️❤️❤️
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator
                        cc: @Devlyn  @Jessica_Rose  @Lori Dee  @Sarah B

Lori,

I am glad I was able to help. My life really has been about helping others. I often over the years have put myself second to helping others of which I was chewed out for doing after landing in the hospital in 2012. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Lori Dee on January 12, 2025, 02:20:29 PMI agree with Chrissy,

Your knowledge, experience, and mentorship have helped me tremendously. Thank you for all you do here.

Good luck with your health and that of your family too.

My father-in-law is still going through a lot. You get to a point in life where you have two choices. To do or not do something. It seems like he is at that point which I will share more about shortly. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Lilis on January 12, 2025, 02:51:09 PMThank you for sharing your story. It's always refreshing to read a new blog and gain insight into someone else's perspective.
Sorry to hear about your in-laws. It sounds like your father-in-law is going through a lot. Sending you virtual hugs.

Yeah it is good for the mental and physical well being to do so. Over the years I have tended to be very stoic which probably wasn't good for my health. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: davina61 on January 13, 2025, 03:27:44 AMWelcome to the put anything down spot that clears your head!!

During my in-laws visit we had the chance to play games, watch the Packers lose a football game, visit the Desert Botanical Garden and have some good food together. This visit both good for us, but also stressful.

The one thing that I really had to was play mediator between my spouse and her parents or most specifically her father. Her father even used her dead name this time which generally never happens. Pronouns he has always messed up on for my spouse, but overall still respectful regardless. I firmly believe this visit wasn't the place to take a stand about those things and it wasn't. My father-in-law has a lot on his plate.


Before, I had mentioned his health and everything he has a been through which has resulted in some changes to my father-in-law. Facial hair, which I have never seen on him before and actually looks good on him. He also, like myself, had to pace himself. He clearly doesn't have the energy and needs more downtime than in the past. I suppose how busy they used to make things is where my spouse got into doing the same. The pacing of things is important even when I'm not willing to admit it.

The first day my mother-in-law took me to my infusion at a location that I hadn't been to before. Needless to say I'm used to the location I go to in Scottsdale which is much nicer, but no slots were open that day which was why I scheduled it for a different location. This was done to free up Saturday. This allowed us the chance to visit the Desert Botanical Garden which really was the highlight of their visit.

I have always enjoyed the botanical garden, but much less was blooming that many trips we have made to the garden although not surprising. After all, it is a Desert Botanical Garden. Sunday we went to our church with my mother-in-law and then that afternoon went over to a cousins house to watch the Packers game. Close game for a long while, but they lost which we were all not surprised by considering they were facing the Eagles. We also played clue with them Monday night. I won the game, but just barely since my spouse was going to get it right on her next turn right after me. I had hid the Lounge from her just long enough to allow me to win. Monday night we played some 20 questions after dinner. Then they left Tuesday, but of course our work week started on Monday.

I always dread Mondays because every Monday has OT. I would prefer to not have to do OT, but I also know that it is part of what is expected of us. Wednesday being a 9 and half hour work day plus our half our lunch. The couple of days I was thankful for largely a break from the inbound calls to work the outbound delinquent mortgage accounts. By now most know how this works and either they pick up or do everything in there power to avoid taking the call.

It's true though accounts hurt my metrics, but just the breathing room sometimes from the other calls is nice. It really gives you a chance to decompress from those inbound calls. It's only 46 here after 9:30an in the morning which is cold for here.

Today is more relaxed day, but we still have to go to my mammogram and shop for groceries. Not sure I will get to working on the budget today because tonight we are playing Mariokart with some friends in Virginia, but before all that I have to dilate this morning. It is not something I do very often these days at all. We regularly do these games online now that we both have the game. Anyway time to get started for the day. It's been a stressful week, but glad to be able to have a slower pace this 3 day weekend. Hugs
Mariah

Welcome to Blogville Mariah and... many thanks to you for all your wonderful efforts over the years to keep this place humming along!!!

Hugs!

Ashley 💕

Found out today that a friend that I have known for several years, who used to be staff on here a good long while ago is in the area. I been waiting for her to return to the area so we had a chance to spend time with her. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Mariah on January 18, 2025, 05:39:04 PMFound out today that a friend that I have known for several years, who used to be staff on here a good long while ago is in the area. I been waiting for her to return to the area so we had a chance to spend time with her. Hugs
Mariah

That is great!

Chrissy

So we had a good visit with her.It has made for an interesting begining to the year. I finally got all my tax forms. I plan on giving my taxes another look over before I submit them. I have been spending time this month getting through my taxes and now working on the budget. I had really put time in the budget last year after the company change. So many unknowns coming in that it just wasn't prudent.

However, It is time for me to put that effort in now and smooth things out. One of the reasons why is we have started to plan a trip. This trip will result in my spouse and I meeting several people who over the years have been on Susans. Jamie and I are looking forward to this trip that should happen in May. Hugs

Mariah

That sounds like fun! Not the taxes, the trip.  ;D

The trip will be. Taxes can be so much fun though.

Quote from: Lori Dee on February 05, 2025, 08:42:21 PMThat sounds like fun! Not the taxes, the trip.  ;D

Quote from: Mariah on February 06, 2025, 06:58:08 AMThe trip will be. Taxes can be so much fun though.

I worked for a friend at his accounting firm, doing tax returns for a few years. After pulling my hair out over a complex tax problem, he would ask me, "Are we having fun yet?"

I would ask him the same thing when I would see him in a similar situation. He would say that it is always fun "sticking it to the government".  ;D

I know it has been a long time, but I just feel like now is as any good time to start posting in my blog again. It's been a rough year this year from my kidney function getting down to 17 eGFR to having an infection that my body hasn't been able to fight off which played a huge role in my ending up in the hospital twice between March 31st and now.

Now I'm still on IV antibiotics due to it being very antibiotic resistant. I'm just thankful that the line they put in allows me to have the IV antibiotics at home now. I'm still getting used it, but my spouse has been a huge help. I'm hoping that I am now able to work without this getting in the way of my working anymore. Hugs

Mariah

I hope you do continually improve until everything is better than normal.

It is good that you are posting again.  Please keep coming back.


Chrissy

Quote from: Mariah on May 10, 2026, 06:10:36 PMI know it has been a long time, but I just feel like now is as any good time to start posting in my blog again. It's been a rough year this year from my kidney function getting down to 17 eGFR to having an infection that my body hasn't been able to fight off which played a huge role in my ending up in the hospital twice between March 31st and now.

Now I'm still on IV antibiotics due to it being very antibiotic resistant. I'm just thankful that the line they put in allows me to have the IV antibiotics at home now. I'm still getting used it, but my spouse has been a huge help. I'm hoping that I am now able to work without this getting in the way of my working anymore. Hugs

Mariah

I am glad to see you back, Mariah. You were always there for me. I am so, so sorry you are going through a rough spell. I am sending you what healing energy I can, sweetie.

Hang in there, honey. <3

Chrissy, Thank you. I hope I do too. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 10, 2026, 06:24:36 PMI hope you do continually improve until everything is better than normal.

It is good that you are posting again.  Please keep coming back.


Chrissy

Lauren, It's greatly appreciated. I always try to be here for everyone, but lately the hard part has been just trying to take credit for of myself. Always know regardless, I'm always here for you and everyone else. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Sephirah on May 10, 2026, 06:30:42 PMI am glad to see you back, Mariah. You were always there for me. I am so, so sorry you are going through a rough spell. I am sending you what healing energy I can, sweetie.

Hang in there, honey. <3

Glad to have you back on the forums again. Even through the rough stuff, you still managed to pop in now and then. We appreciate that. I bet it sure feels better to be home.

Take good care of yourself.

My spouse is making sure of that. She helps with getting me hooked up to the IV and the hoops required tp get to work. Hugs
Mariah

Quote from: Lori Dee on May 10, 2026, 08:20:53 PMGlad to have you back on the forums again. Even through the rough stuff, you still managed to pop in now and then. We appreciate that. I bet it sure feels better to be home.

Take good care of yourself.

I hope you get over it soon, sending hugs XX

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Mariah! 

Davina and Dances with trees, Thank You. I was hoping to return to work today, but my body is still in full recovery mode plus the IV antibiotics It's going to be one of those weeks where I have to listen to my body. More rest on the menu for the day. Hugs
Mariah

The nurse came out today to change out the dressing and draw blood. I was hoping the line that is in would let her draw the blood in that way, but it wasn't working so she had to draw blood the regular way. If all goes well, then the line can come out next Tuesday. Hugs
Mariah

That is great news!

Hoping the labs show the kidneys functioning and the infection is gone.

Mariah,



I wish you the best of results.


Chrissy

The function improved a little, but that was without the stress of work in the mix. I expect it to go down again once work is back in full time. I had started the prep for my normal infusions, but had to stop due to the fact the infection is starting to build back in again. It's looking like the infectious disease referral is finally going to the right office that can handle this infection. Now we just need their fax machine to work so they can receive the referral Now waiting on the most recent culture results which will be referred to infectious disease doctor. Hugs
Mariah

So sorry this is still ongoing.

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Big Hugs!

Kidney function has dipped again and it is clear that an infection is very active again. I'm doing what I can to control it tell Infectious disease decides on what to do next. I had my first appointment on Wednesday and we are waiting on the culture to return so we know what is next. I'm just pushing through and hoping for the best at this point. Hugs
Mariah

Mariah,


I hope the infection goes away.


Chrissy

Wishing you all the best.

Love and hugs!

    @Mariah
Dear Mariah:
You are continually in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏
Get well soon....
            (https://i.imgur.com/dhPiguZl.jpg)       
Follow your doctor's orders and get lots of sleep and rest,
that is when your body can heal.
Lots of warm HUGS,
      🩷
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
  Forum Admin  Direct Email: alaskandanielle@yahoo.com

Quote from: Mariah on May 31, 2026, 08:26:47 PMKidney function has dipped again and it is clear that an infection is very active again. I'm doing what I can to control it tell Infectious disease decides on what to do next. I had my first appointment on Wednesday and we are waiting on the culture to return so we know what is next. I'm just pushing through and hoping for the best at this point. Hugs
Mariah

Sending the best healing thoughts and prayers sister!!! 💕🙏💕👋👩🌻💕

Get well soon, Mariah! Sending love

Hugs my dear, hope they find what it is and can treat it.

Thank you all. This Thursday and a week from Wednesday should bring in to clarity what the medical team plans on doing. I suppose waiting has never been an easy thing for me. Hugs
Mariah

Progress is being made despite the infection returning again. Slightly different bacteria this time, which allowed them to hope oral antibiotics would work. They haven't so I to the hospital Friday to have a new line put in and then will be transitioned to IV antibiotics at home. It's progress of a sort At least I don't spend a lot of time in the hospital this go around. Time will tell. Hugs
Mariah.

I hope this all works out.  Did you find out anything today?


Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on June 11, 2026, 04:45:14 PMI hope this all works out.  Did you find out anything today?


Chrissy

Me too. I preregistered for the procedure with the hospital and yesterday we got the procedure scheduled. Friday morning I get the line put in, which is less than 12 hours away. Hugs
Mariah

The line is in and I attempted to work the shift I was scheduled for, but I was too sore to complete it. Hugs
Mariah

Thanks for keeping us updated.

Thoughts and prayers as always.

Hugs!