Hello new thread! Top 100, go me.

Today has been a day of minor frustrations and headaches galore. When does mercury get the hell out of retrograde again?

That's a hard decision, Ginger. You may have more information over the next few hours that will help you know what to do. Can you make some preparations for leaving that won't mess you up for staying home a little bit longer?

Under 100?

eta: Yeah! I think the numberslut thing may be catching, javachik, although you have much more cause to celebrate with a 1.

I think -t is wise, Ginger. Congestive heart failure (what this sounds like) can be pretty treatable with Lasix. I wondered about this the other day, when you were posting about her breathing troubles. There didn't seem to be any way to bring it up without sounding alarmist. The term is often scarier sounding than the condition ends up being.

My f-i-l has been treated for it multiple times. My father was treated for it (it had nothing to do with his death). My grandparents were treated for it. I believe Betsy's dad has been, as well. They may well be able to stabilize her in a day or so, and send her home with a prescription, and some nutritional suggestions. This is my hope for her.

Oh, Ginger. All kinds of ~ma for your mom, and decision-making vibes for you.

Cash, I'm so sorry about the shingled. I hope the urgent care is quick and painless, and the anti-viral kicks in right away.

{{{GC}}} It is Friday. There's that.

beth, I'm glad Matt made a decision about the job situation. I hope this one works out the way he wants to. Matt needs a job that treats him like the wonderful guy he is.

Also? I love Cindy. (And I wish I knew how to make the heart symbol.)

100?

Suzi, here's what I know:

PT = a master's degree. You used to be able to get it with a bachelor's, but the regulations changed about 2 years ago. A friend with a PT said her advice is to go to medical school instead; it's nearly as rigorous. (An MD would probably disagree, but, that's what she said.)

An occupational therapy degree can be had as a BS (BA? whichever) and San Jose State has a good program. A friend just a little younger than I went back to college after her oldest kids were in college and got this degree. She's in her first job and *loves* the work. She started out, not intentionally gunning for the OT yet, but because she could do it while her 3 kids were in middle and high school at home, getting a massage cert, which, I think, was helpful, in that you have to learn the muscles, nerves, bones, body, really well. There's a good school in Emeryville.

Suzi, I think my friend would be thrilled to talk to someone about her job if K-Bug wanted to ask Qs about OT.

Cash, yup, sHingles are bad, listen to Cindy. Signed, elder relative had awful complications from shingles.

I hope Matt's once and future employers reform their asshat ways.

I know that people live for years with congestive heart failure, and it was pretty inevitable with her atrial fibrillation. I just hate for her to be so miserable and not be able to do all the stuff she used to.

~ma for your mom, Ginger. ~antivirals for Cash.

I just tried to start my car for half an hour.

Ginger, I hope things work out as simply as possible for your mother and the rest of you.