Chronnies Chatter

1 January 2002

Happy January Birthday to:

16 – Jean a.k.a. youngjohnnie

18 – Laura a.k.a. LittleMissPumpkin

24 – Kathy A

Because we respect the privacy of our friends we do not give out e-mail addresses unless specifically asked to do so. Please stop by our message board to post your birthday wishes! And a note to you birthday people! Don't forget to check the message board to get all your well-wishes soon - birthday posts are removed after one month in order to conserve space!

It is my hope that for all of you that we have a healthy and happy new year. Hopefully the people that I have spoken to will be sending the information that I requested, it is GREAT to have all of you involved in the newsletter. Everyone has a different talent and I have been especially grateful to those of you who in the past have contributed to the newsletter. What wonderful information from you! I have seen incredible growth in some people who it is my pleasure to have them send me what is going on in their life, or how they feel about things. I know it is a big blow for all of us to lose Denise, even though some have not met her, but once again you have ALL risen to the challenge of supporting someone you do not know, but feel compassion for. I am proud to be in this group. - Debbie

Insurance Talk from Lee Ann a.k.a. Gruppy

You've all seen the commercials..."Mary's husband died and all she had to bury him was a shovel and a small check from Social Security (which she used to replenish her checking account from buying the shovel.)" Friend across the table says "My husband and I took out insurance with Crooks Are Us Insurance Company. We didn't even have to take a medical exam!!"

Ok, so maybe I changed the words a bit...Anyway, these companies place great emphasis on the "NO MEDICAL EXAM NECESSARY" part of these commercials, second only to "your rates will never increase." There is a tiny disclaimer at the end, usually not spoken, but written so small at the bottom of the screen you can't read it, that tells you application does not guarantee coverage. So, if you don't have to submit to an exam, how can they turn you down?

Very easy! Some slimeball insurance salesman (I apologize in advance if any of you are insurance salesmen. This is not directed at you, unless of course, you are also a slimeball) rushes you through the application, not giving you time to completely read through all of the fine print. They "summarize" for you all that's important, then ask you to sign. Bam! Gotcha! What you just signed was not only a piece of paper saying that you want coverage with them; you also gave permission for them to send your signature to all of your docs to get complete copies of your medical records. Voila! All the preexisting condition information you ever wanted. How fast can you say "Application Denied?"

Yes, most of them ask you for the names and addresses of docs you've seen. Beware: be truthful. If you lie, they will find out (trust me, they will...there is always the mention in one doc's notes about your trip to that other doc...), and you may, thanks to the magic of computers, have trouble from then on when applying for insurance, if you are known to have attempted insurance fraud. So, even though they deserve a good (reminding myself to be nice in the event sensitive persons or children are reading this) sticking, and the temptation may be great, combined with even greater desperation, be honest. It's not worth the trouble that takes place in the event the whitewash wears off.

A word, though, about ways around things...I used to get the newsletter from the Ostomy Association from my state right after my surgery. There was one wacky suggestion for those who have undergone the knife when navigating insurance questionnaires. The suggestion was made that you not list "ileostomy" as what you had done. That would invite all kinds of questions about your history. They actually suggested using the term "intestinal amputation" instead. Sounds strange (looks strange on the screen here, too)

I know; I never tried this, but if there is another term available for problems (I think saying "chronic diarrhea" instead of "Crohn's" would be stretching things a wee bit too far) it's worth a try. It's not a lie, it's just an unexpected word arrangement that might not raise the same number of flags.

Christmas Greeting to All My Chronnies
From Diane_USA

Hello everyone, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Best Wishes for a Healthy 2002.

Living with an incurable illness, or illnesses, is certainly very challenging, and many of us will be happy to see 2001 go. Count me in on that one. I just wanted to tell all of you what a difference you have made in my life since I found you guys. I never would have believed it possible to become so close to people I've never met. Well, I have met Barb and Terry, and I've spoken to Caz. Anyway, that doesn't matter, and that's what is so great about this cyber community we live in. I like to think of it as a development where we all live, maybe we could call it Crohn's Cove. Sounds lovely, doesn't it?

I have had a really miserable year, as many of you have. And you guys have been there for me. Again and again and again. There are not many people in my life I can say that about. I'm closer to you guys than almost any of my friends that are physically present in my life. It's amazing. It's a blessing. It's one good thing about this disease.

I just wanted you all to know that you make a difference. All of you. I don't know where I'd be without all of you to share sorrows and triumphs, pride and humility, to listen to my anger or my joy. I love you all.

Happy holidays to you all. I wish you nothing but the best in the coming year.

Love, Diane

Tom's Recommended Links:

TIME MAGAZINE, 2001, The YEAR IN PICTURES

http://www.time.com/time/yip2001

Information about the Seven Wonders of the World

http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders

Amusement - The Official Dilbert website.<

http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/dilbert

Everything you always wanted to know about everything!

http://www.digital-librarian.com

Crohn's and IBD info - guess we can never get too much of that!

http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/features/ResourceCenter/IBD/public/RC-index-IBD.html

Headline stories for the Year 2035
(Thanks to Lee Ann a.k.a. Gruppy)

1. Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.

2. Spotted Owl plague threatens Western North America crops & livestock.

3. Last remaining Fundamentalist Muslim dies in the American Territory of the Middle East (formerly known as Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon).

4. Afghanistan still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least ten more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.

5. George Z. Bush says he will run for President in 2036.

6. 35 year study: diet and exercise is the key to weight loss.

7. Nursing home event... Bill Clinton denies allegations of affair with candy striper.

8. Texas executes last remaining citizen.

9. Upcoming NFL draft likely to focus on use of mutants.

10. Baby conceived naturally.....scientists stumped.

11. Authentic year 2000 "chad" sells at Sotheby's for $4.6 million.

12. Ozone created by electric cars now killing thousands in Los Angeles.

13. Average height of NBA players now nine foot seven inches.

14. Microsoft announces it has perfected its newest version of Windows so it crashes BEFORE installation is completed.

15. New California law requires that all nail clippers, screwdrivers, and baseball bats be registered by January 2036.

Auld Lang Syne Trivia

The song, "Auld Lang Syne," playing in the background, is sung at the
stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to
bring in the new year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the
1700's, it was first published in 1796 after Burns' death. Early variations
of the song were sung prior to 1700 and inspired Burns to produce the modern rendition. An old Scotch tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

BIG FANFARE!!!

Chronnies Chatter of the Month

Kathy a.k.a. VOGKAT

It is with pleasure that we announce that Vogkat is our chatter of the month. I have so much to say about her, she has touched all of our lives. She is a constant at the chats, a welcoming presence at any event we schedule and if you write her she will find the time to write back.

Kathy is a special person; she has a gift of making you feel that you have her full attention while at a chat where 17 people are vying for attention. She also is a constant contributor to the boards particularly the food forum for which I am grateful. She also finds the time to contribute to her community in the area that she lives. It is my privilege and so many others that we call "vogkat" friend.