Hello Group Members,

I like to share an email I recently received from one of our group members named Maria, I'm sure you've all read the continuing saga with the "Dog Kennel Dude" who keeps harassing her over some crap?!?

Well besides that mess Maria is dealing with, she is also dealing with some serious health issues as well.  I'm sharing this email not to solicit any sympathy for Maria, but to ask all of us to keep her in our prayers.

Her email reads as follows...

" Dear friends,

Last year, I was diagnosed with severe degenerative osteoarthritis. I spent the better part of 2006 in ever-increasing pain and in the fall I reached the point where I was forced to resort to using a cane to assist in walking.

My doctor has filled out the paperwork for me to obtain a handicapped parking permit, which I will be submitting to the Department of Licensing next week. I have undergone cortisone injections, synthetic joint fluid injections, various anti inflammatories, knee braces, all without success.

Even though I'm only 42, I am left with no alternative than to undergo a total knee replacement. I will be hospitalized for 3-5 days and will be out of work for a full two months, and when I return to work, the first month (at least) will be limited duty.

My surgery is scheduled for March 5, a week from Monday.

I'm not sure how often I will be on line during this time; I do know that for a minimum of a week, and quite likely two, I will not be on line at all.

When I am able to get back on line, it will probably be sporadic, depending on how quickly I recover. I hope you will refrain from emailing me at all between March 5 and 20.

I would love to hear from you during my recovery, so feel free to call. If you don't have my number, email me before March 5 and I'll gladly send it to you. If I can get to the phone I'll answer it, and if I'm napping or resting, I'll have the ringer turned off anyway.

I have a week to go before I'm sidelined, though, and I'm sure we will all have a lot to say before then!

Please excuse the mass email... I'm not one to send out form letters
normally, but under the circumstances, this is the most effective way to get the information out. If you receive this more than once, I apologize.

Maria "

Well as I stated, I'm passing along this email so that we, Maria's fellow group members will take a moment and say a prayer, that her procedure and recovery will be as quick and painless as possible.

Good Luck Maria, our best wishes are with you!!