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Posted 11/19/2011 6:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Just a couple of random thoughts. I realized the other day that I've been on the forum for over three years now. I can't believe that. I came to the forum, right as I was about to have my pain pump trial. I was nervous and needed input and encouragement - and I found it immediately. Many of those wonderful people who originally greeted me haven't been around in a long while, except for Susie (Straydog). She welcomed me; gave me invaluable input on the pump; and just calmed my nerves. Chutz also welcomed me and made me immediately feel at home.

People come and go from HW for a variety of reasons. But, I am SO glad that I found my way here 3+ years ago. I have been supported during my MANY health issues.... a very difficult pregnancy and birth of the twins.... I also hope I've helped some by sharing my own experiences and by reaching out to support others when I could.

I get on here as often as I can w/ having a big family and health issues. But checking the board is as natural to me now as checking my e-mail, Facebook, etc. I've made some wonderful friendships... and I hope to meet others along the way.

So - I just wanted to express my gratitude for this forum.... And to the members..... Thank you to all of you that have supported me over the years. To those that I don't know yet - I hope to get to know you better, too.

Something I've noticed over the years - the forum is at it's best when we are all actively sharing our own issues AND reaching out to support others, too. I will try to be better at reaching out to others. It's just hard because I normally have at least one (sometimes two) 14 month old in my lap - who thinks it's funny to try to type w/ mommy. :) But I will do my best.

Hope you are all having a low pain weekend..... and I'm thankful for all of you!

With love - Tina
Posted 11/19/2011 9:19 AM (GMT 0)
Tina!...Thank you for your post here! I guess we were in the same sort of mood tonight, but I hope everyone knows that we had no idea what each other was going to write.

I spent almost 2hrs writing a reply on a post of mine, and when I came to take a peek at the rest of the forum, I was shocked to see this post! shocked I swear we think alike! wink

Again good post, and I hope others follow your example. When it comes to a place to seek support, we do have a lot to be thankful for.

Take care,

SE
Posted 11/19/2011 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I was lurking this morning and thought I'd pop in and say hi!  It seems I've been around HW forever, but I come and go a little more often now.  Most of the time, life just creeps up and takes over for a while.

I love that HW is always there for me to come back to...like an old friend in and of itself, with kind words of support when times are too hard alone. 

I come here to lurk and check on my friends (old and new) from time to time, but just don't log on as much as I used to.  Sometimes it's because I have nothing to add and sometimes it's because I have too much going on in my own world.  Also, since I got my new phone :-) I don't have to open the computer as much and don't risk it falling off of my lap shocked .  I do that when I go to sleep in the chair.   I'm sure most of you understand.

So for all of my HW Family and Friends, I just wanted to join in and say Hi and that you are all still a part of my life and are still watched over and thought about.  If I don't post too often...or even log on for that matter, please be gentle on these painful hands.

All my best to each and every one here who posts or just lurks for the insight of others. smilewinkgrin

Posted 11/19/2011 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
SE - We WERE on the same page - I just read your post. lol. Obviously I had no idea you were writing that.... but we sure were thinking alike, huh? :) Anyway, I like what you posted on your thread.... and agree 100%.

Retired Mom - Good to hear from you!

** One more thing I wanted to add to my original post. There were several other members that welcomed me when I first joined.... and obviously many more that I've become very dear friends w/ over the years. I wasn't trying to exclude anyone! I just remember specifically that Stray and Chutz welcomed me that first week on the board - and made me feel "at home".

I'm very thankful for this forum.

--Tina
Posted 11/19/2011 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Tina…you are like me, in that you don't want to leave anyone out, and you are correct…we are indebted a great deal to so many that made a comfortable place for us here on the forum. We were quickly drawn into the family….and we would certainly return the favor if we could. We do that by practicing the same,... as was selflessly given to us, by supporting new and existing members.

It was a joy and quite a surprise at the timing of our post last night. I'm never surprised by your giving, because your heart shines through in your post.

There are a couple of members who quickly come to my mind…in that, I don't know how in the world you do it each and every day with all the health problems you have. Laura, is the other one that comes to mind, and I'm awe struck at the perseverance with which you two show.

I think Chutz was the very first moderator here, and she set the tone and stage early on for a very successful forum. Then of course, others followed, and were well chosen…all of them having their own unique blend of talents to offer to the mix as a team. We also have seen many of the veteran members step forward and offer their talents as well. The forums remind me of a hedge row, one may plant around their property. It serves more than one purpose, and does that well….but it takes someone to keep it trimmed and groomed. In our case here on the CP forum, we have several who willingly and cheerfully take part in that.

Whether they are moderators, or veteran members…it is appreciated! It truly is a debt that does not exists because of the free will of the giver! Again, I'm like you, and understand what was given to us. wink

SE
Posted 11/19/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, what a delight to plug in this morning and finding Tina posting and SE. Are we all feeling a little on the melancholy side this morning or what. We all seem to be on the same wave length.

Tina you are so right, there has been so many different people that have come & gone (some have stayed as well) here at the forum. I know many of us learned a great deal from these people, whether it was CP related or just living lifein general every day life.

I first came to HW back in 2003, that seems like such a long time, well I guess it is 8 yrs ago, lol. Excuse the mush for a brain this morning. Chutz was not here then, someone named Jan I believe was her name, there has been a few others in between. On a good day you might see three posts and there was just a handfull of people here, lol. Names I am just terrible with. Chutz was not the first CP mod, but she is the one that built the forum up to what it is today. Back then there was few members and the activity level was pretty much nothing. I was running back & forth between the crohns forum & here. So, yes I have great gratitude towards Chutz because she really did work hard to get the CP forum up & running to where it is today.

When people stop posting here I like to think they are doing well and they just don't have the needs any longer that they once had when they were coming here. I take that as a good sign. But I still do not like to see people leave regardless because we need to have people doing well come here and tell us they are doing well. It gives others hope for some light at the end of the tunnel.

SE I hope you feeling better with your back and getting somewhat better.Good to a post from you too. You have been missed.

I am sitting here drinking a fresh cup of coffee eating white chocolate covered pretzels, lol. is that the breakfast of champions or what, lol. Yesterday after having my pump refilled I went to the nut store and stocked up on pecans & walnuts. This place is incredible, they have every kind of nut a person would imagine. I had to get a bag of Amaretta flavored chocolate covered pecans, taffy, of the pretzels, chocolate covered peanuts along with a couple of bags of cajun mix, quite spicey but very good. They also have dried fruits that are out of this world. I love going to that store every year during the holidays.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Take care.
Posted 11/19/2011 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Nice to see you post Michael. I am glad that things are looking a little bit better for you, even if it is just a little. And you are right in taking all the time you need to get yourself back on track. I miss you so much and I know everyone else here does as well. I have much respect for you young man.

Tina it is so nice to see you doing better as well. I know it has been a very difficult journey for you.

Myself, I too having been laying quite low. The pain is often very difficult to bare. As well, last week I had gum grafting surgery and this really sent me for a huge loop. The pain from that was horrible and it set the headache pain into another dimension, and then all of that led to another dark hole of depression. It's difficult to get back on track again. It takes all your energy just to get thru the day. I know many of you can understand this.

I'll take this moment to say thank you to all the mods, Chutz, Stray, Whitebeard and Michael, for the awesome job you all do. i know it can't be easy with your own health problems, but you are still always there for everyone and give so freely of yourselves.

Thank you for you, thank you understanding and helping all us here.

 It is sad to see people leave, because i for one seem to get easily attached to those that understand exactly what we feel and what we go through, and then i get so disappointed when they are gone. But still I am thankful for the time together.

I often don't have many suggestions but I do tell those here that my thoughts and prayers are with you and taking it one day at a time you can get thru your day.

So thank you to everyone for making this a wonderful and welcoming place to come to share, to vent, to laugh, to cry. You are my only friends that really understand what i go thru.

With great respect,

Suzane

Post Edited (tmjpain) : 11/19/2011 6:00:24 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/20/2011 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Tina,

I well understand and appreciate yoru sentiments about HW in general. I recently passed the three year mark and just over 13,000 posts. It helps me tremendously to be part of the Prostate Cancer and the Chronic Pain communities here.

Best wishes,

David in Sc
Posted 11/20/2011 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Tina,
Hope thru all this that you and everyone here gets low pain days, and even zero pain days...
My heart goes out to everyone here and I totally wish this chronic pain forum was not ever needed.
But to just keep hope....
Many well wishes to you and everyone...
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