Thank You All

[sllowe]

I personally want to take this morning to send thanks out to those forum members both new and veteran, who contribute selflessly their precious time, share their knowledge, and extend support and advice without ill motives.
It keeps us healthly.

When we are down in the outs, faced with confrontation, limitated or in pain, or simply sharing good times and new info, you are all here in one way or another.

This speaks to your genuine character and nature and real passion for the health of our forum family and each other. I'm proud to be apart of your lives.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you today and always,
-Shell

[jensequitur]

There's a lot of benefit in a forum like this - shared knowledge helps all of us.  I've learned a lot about the disease right here, from this bunch of wonderful people.

[Csativa]

Hi Shell,

This is very well said.  I could comment at length (but lucky everyone, I really am exhausted today LOL).  Along with the other supports in my life, this Forum has come to play a significant positive role in helping me to deal with the medical issues that plague us all (at times more-so than others).  

In my opinion, communication in a Forum such as this is not always easy.  There is obviously a lot to say about the absence of direct communication.  But this is not to say it can't be done or there is no value in it.  Take a Forum such as this, throw in people with broken bodies, broken minds, pain & suffering, anxiety, stress and the 1000 other poopy things we have to deal with (my wife says I have an anal obsession LOL), and, well, it takes “some doing”at times, to  “listen” to what people are saying.  

I think we are all in a grieving process, and I am not sure if it really ever ends.  Along with it are the  obvious good and bad days which influence our thoughts and feelings and the manner in which we say, write and interpret things.   It's hard to articulate, but I try to focus on and try to understand what I am thinking and feeling when I write, and visa versa.  In the short time I have been here I personally have not experienced/felt anything but acceptance and good will.

In short, I have come to value the support, understanding and compassion, etc., that this community offers in what to me, sometimes feels like a rotten, miserable, stinking, existence (thank God those days are few and far between LOL).

Okay! Enough rambling for now.
Frank

[Zacksmomi]

I'll drink to that...though it is a protein smoothie... but cheers!

I have said it more than once now, I actually blame this forum for the fact that I have not yet been qualified for Social Security.  Without this forum I would be certifiably insane :)  
There is no where I have found such compasionate, understanding, and knowledgable people.  I always find someone here with the same problem or fear.  It helps so much to connect with others.

Thank you Shell for posting this
Giant group cyber hug

[Guitar_grrrl]

Big hugs and blessings to all here.  You all have been a tremendous help, even when I just lurk for a few minutes at a time.  The Health Pages are fabulous, and I refer back to them often.  But it's your own stories/rants/questions that I identify with.  I may not say much, but you're all wonderful.  What a family we have!

[Ginosmommy]

I also want to thank all of you, without you I would be uneducated and feel all alone with this MiSerable disease. I can always find just what I am looking for on here and if I am not in the mood to ask the question it seems that someone else has just had the same problem and the "family" has come to the rescue and answered it perfectly 10x over.

The cyber hugs are the best also :) Thanks for starting this Shell - it put a smile on my face, even though I don't often contribute this is my one and only forum and I don't know where I would be without it!

MeLissa

[jujuminx]

I feel exactly the same Shell.  Don't know where I would be without this wondeful forum and incredible group of new friends

The amount of time and energy some people devote to all of us is touching and speaks volumes about where they place their priorities.  We all benefit and grow from the knowledge and friendship.

Julie