Secret Santa 2024 Official Discussion Thread

[Reinholt1]

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

[packratfamily]

So, so sorry to hear about this bad year. It seemed like you were real friends with your Mom. I really hope you get better and stay healthy. Chris

[Reinholt1]

9 minutes ago, packratfamily said:

So, so sorry to hear about this bad year. It seemed like you were real friends with your Mom. I really hope you get better and stay healthy. Chris

Thanks Chris.   Hopefully next year will be better and I can rejoin the fun.  Maybe I can convince Wittenlover to come over and eat some of my favorite holiday foods with me. 

[Bopeep]

18 hours ago, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

I'm so sorry it's been so rough. We understand though, and just want what's best for you. If there's anything I can do from half a country away, let me know. You'll definitely be in my prayers.

[sunni0913]

21 hours ago, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

So sorry you are going through so many health issues. Also so very sorry to hear about your mom. You are in our thoughts and hope you recover quickly.

[jesusluvu]

On 10/27/2024 at 5:52 PM, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

I am so sorry. I always loved to see how fast your mom would eat her cakes each year. I am praying for you and here if I can help in any way. 

[Bopeep]

One more week to get your info in. 

Come play with us. You know you want to. 

[tracy0504]

On 10/27/2024 at 5:52 PM, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

 

So sorry to hear you have been going through all of this for most of this year. I pray it gets better for you and you are able to gain enough strength and independence to be in your own home for the holidays!!

[HanShotFirst]

On 10/27/2024 at 4:52 PM, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

I'm so very sorry you have been through so much this year.  I know how you feel to an extent.  In May, I was hospitalized with suspected sepsis, ended up with critically low potassium levels so was in-house for 4 days receiving IV antibiotics and IV potassium.  Doctors never could figure out the cause.  All was well for 2 months and then at the end of July I took ill again with a severe headache with stabbing pain in my left temple and eventual vision loss in one eye.  Again, I was admitted to the hospital and had multiple MRI's and CT scans.  The "migraine cocktail" the ER gave me helped the headache but not the vision.  Had neurology consult and he diagnosed me with optic neuritis and nerve palsy of the eye that had no vision.  I was eventually discharged but ended up having a lumbar puncture to test for Multiple Sclerosis and a temporal artery biopsy to test for giant cell arteritis.  Both were negative.  That was the good news, but the bad news is that neither the neurologist nor the neuro-ophthalmologist I was referred to have a name for what happened to me other than an "unnamed inflammatory event".  I was re-admitted to the hospital to start an intensive IV steroid treatment to attempt to restore my vision and preserve the other eye's vision.  So, I spent another 4 days in house for that.   After I was discharged, I spent 7 weeks on a tapering dose of Prednisone.  During all of this I was obviously on medical leave from my job and near the end of my leave I learned my employer decided to shut down the lab I worked in completely so while I am on medical leave, I lose my job.  I can't make this stuff up.   The newest battle I'm facing now is a pulmonary embolism, for which I am taking blood thinners.   You are definitely not alone with your health struggles this year.  I will pray for you and that you make a full recovery and that you are able to go home sooner rather than later.  

[BFAddict716]

On 11/1/2024 at 10:40 AM, Bopeep said:

One more week to get your info in. 

Come play with us. You know you want to. 

 

I am running behind this year but just sent my information in!  We have been battling various illnesses in our house for the last month and it's been a blur but finally I think we are all on the upswing and I am looking forward to going into full holiday mode.  I can't wait to start my shopping for my Secret Santa and my OE exchange person!     

On 10/27/2024 at 5:52 PM, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

 

I am so sorry to hear that and hope continue to recover.  

[jendeere]

Sending my info this evening 

On 10/27/2024 at 2:52 PM, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

I am so sorry to hear about your mom huge hugs to you. I lost my husband in March as well  

[Reinholt1]

On 11/1/2024 at 10:25 AM, jesusluvu said:

I am so sorry. I always loved to see how fast your mom would eat her cakes each year. I am praying for you and here if I can help in any way. 

Thanks Jesusluvu.    Yes she loved her sweets!  I have a tons of pictures of her eating too.  I used to send them to her aide, almost daily, when I took mom out to eat.   Her aide used to get a kick out of it.  She could never get over seeing a 92 year old woman who could eat as much as my mother did.  

[Reinholt1]

Thank you to everyone for your understanding, and support.   I hope you all have fun this year.  Hopefully I can rejoin you all next year with a gift exchange and the cards.   

[Reinholt1]

Oh my HanShotFirst!  Your year has been as bad as mine!   The only thing separating the two of us seems to be that we're not in the same rehab center together!   Yeah I had those IV potassium, IV  magnesium and all the steroids as well just like you.  It was absolutely no fun.   Especially that potassium.  Had to do both oral and IV  at the same time.  Nasty nasty nasty!  

 

Praying the 2025 is a better year for you as well! 

[jesusluvu]

On 11/1/2024 at 9:29 PM, HanShotFirst said:

I'm so very sorry you have been through so much this year.  I know how you feel to an extent.  In May, I was hospitalized with suspected sepsis, ended up with critically low potassium levels so was in-house for 4 days receiving IV antibiotics and IV potassium.  Doctors never could figure out the cause.  All was well for 2 months and then at the end of July I took ill again with a severe headache with stabbing pain in my left temple and eventual vision loss in one eye.  Again, I was admitted to the hospital and had multiple MRI's and CT scans.  The "migraine cocktail" the ER gave me helped the headache but not the vision.  Had neurology consult and he diagnosed me with optic neuritis and nerve palsy of the eye that had no vision.  I was eventually discharged but ended up having a lumbar puncture to test for Multiple Sclerosis and a temporal artery biopsy to test for giant cell arteritis.  Both were negative.  That was the good news, but the bad news is that neither the neurologist nor the neuro-ophthalmologist I was referred to have a name for what happened to me other than an "unnamed inflammatory event".  I was re-admitted to the hospital to start an intensive IV steroid treatment to attempt to restore my vision and preserve the other eye's vision.  So, I spent another 4 days in house for that.   After I was discharged, I spent 7 weeks on a tapering dose of Prednisone.  During all of this I was obviously on medical leave from my job and near the end of my leave I learned my employer decided to shut down the lab I worked in completely so while I am on medical leave, I lose my job.  I can't make this stuff up.   The newest battle I'm facing now is a pulmonary embolism, for which I am taking blood thinners.   You are definitely not alone with your health struggles this year.  I will pray for you and that you make a full recovery and that you are able to go home sooner rather than later.  

Oh my. Praying for you. What a year it seems like for many of us. 

[Bopeep]

2 more days to sign up! Come out and play. 

We're missing a few regulars. We understand though, if you just can't do it this year.

[ilikefree]

This exchange is one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season!

[wittenlover]

Seeing as this is usually the only package I have to open on Christmas morning, this is one of my favorite parts as well. (I also enjoy shopping for my SS, since I only have a couple other folks to shop for these days.)

[HanShotFirst]

1 hour ago, ilikefree said:

This exchange is one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season!

Mine too!  I actually bought something today before we even get our SS name and list!

[msyves]

On 10/27/2024 at 4:52 PM, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

Sorry to hear this news. I pray you have God speed healing and recovery.

[msyves]

I really like participating in this. It’s a great way to connect with people from all over. Shopping for someone you have never met but know that the items will put a smile on their face. Receiving cards from across the states and placing them around our Christmas tree next to the cards we receive from family. Just know that I appreciate this group and I wish the best to all.

Edited November 7 by msyves

[Bopeep]

Tomorrow is the final day to sign up.  

 

If you've said you want to sign up but haven't turned in your list, please don't forget.

 

[Kash]

On 10/27/2024 at 5:52 PM, Reinholt1 said:

Hello everyone.  

 

This has been a super rough year for me.  I can't participate this year cuz I'm still in bad shape.  (Probably wouldn't have been allowed to participate this year since I messed up last year.)   As you know my mother took ill with afib early in December last year and then she died in January.  I ended up getting a UTI at her funeral dinner that was drug resistant.  Been fighting with this dumb UTI for the for 6 months of this year.  Medical staff would say it was gone and a week later It'd be back again.  It finally took its toll in July,  I collapsed with sepsis and had to be taken to the hospital.  Once again it was a UTI, now with kidney stones,  thanks to the sepsis.  While being put under to put stents in to hold the kidney stones, I went into respiratory distress and had to be vented.  Bottom line is I was 5 weeks in the hospital,  two separate 10-day rounds of IV antibiotics because the UTI still wasn't gone after the first 10-day round!  In August I was shipped to a nursing home / rehab to get my strength back and to learn how to walk again.  I've been here for 2 months now.  I don't know where the last 3 months went.  . 

 

Anyways I am in no position to look for gifts to put cards together etc etc to participate this year.  I will be around to watch the boards though, it's always fun to see what everybody sends one another.   I will be lucky if I can go back home by the holidays.  If I was married or had children I could go home at this stage because I would have help.  Since I live by myself I have to be pretty independent by the time I get home.  

 

I'm sorry I didn't let anyone know earlier.  I have just been feeling so yucky for most of this year because of this UTI issue.  I hope all are doing well and I hope all of you are getting excited about the holidays! 

 

5 hours ago, Bopeep said:

Tomorrow is the final day to sign up.  

 

If you've said you want to sign up but haven't turned in your list, please don't forget.

 

Reinholt- I am so sorry you have been through so much this year!  
 

BoPeep - can I make a suggestion you put Reinholts name in the drawing for a SS to send her a gift. And then either give me the name she would’ve bought for (I’ll shop for 2 people). Or take mine out of the receiving. It would bring me more joy to know she got something than me!  

Edited November 7 by Kash

[Kash]

Reinholt please send your info/questionare to Bopeep. My Christmas list got shorter/easier this year. So it would be my pleasure to send 2 people gifts so you can participate. 

[Bopeep]

1 hour ago, Kash said:

 

Reinholt- I am so sorry you have been through so much this year!  
 

BoPeep - can I make a suggestion you put Reinholts name in the drawing for a SS to send her a gift. And then either give me the name she would’ve bought for (I’ll shop for 2 people). Or take mine out of the receiving. It would bring me more joy to know she got something than me!  

I love this community.  Thank you, and if she does send me her list I'll be sure to let you know.

 

I've had a couple other people ask about adding her info to the cards list. Since she is currently staying in a rehab center and I'm not sure what her mail situation is, I've reached out to her to ger her okay on that.

[packratfamily]

I would certainly ad her to my card list

[Bopeep]

This is it. Today's the day. Please get your info in. 

On 10/25/2024 at 8:38 PM, Pepper_Mint_Tea said:

Sign me up for SS & OE please !  

Don't forget to turn in your list

 

[carheel]

Is it too late to do Christmas cards. Will send information 

[stevierocks]

I came on here not only as I know I’ll get great deals on here , pre peek at the ads , but remembered the ss and card exchange so I had to come check in , before I’d miss it ! 

[Bopeep]

16 hours ago, carheel said:

Is it too late to do Christmas cards. Will send information 

Not too late!  I haven't drawn names yet for the SS or OE either, if you still want to get in on either of those :).