My history of Healingwell

First and foremost, I need to thank everyone who has helped me in the past - you know who you are. I feel so blessed to have have found all of you and HW.

I've been a member here since 2004. I started out like many of you, lost, confused and feeling very alone. When I joined HW, I already had UC for 12 years but I felt like I was just diagnosed. I knew of no one who had this and at the time I had no computer - so I had no way of really researching UC...my docs weren't much help. When I got my first computer, the first thing I did was look for a forum that was active with people like myself. It took a while, but one day I stumbled across an obscure forum called Healingwell.

I thought cool! FINALLY! I realized that I've stumbled across a gem of a website. Not only were the people understanding but compassionate for they have been there as well. I immediately felt a sense of peace...just knowing I was not alone. These people have helped me be the person that I am today. I'm no longer in denial and I have taken charge of my health. They have let me learn the ropes so to speak.

I've "met" hundreds if not thousands of people since joining but I can say that there are still a few long time members who still help me and others. Quincy and PB4 to name a few. There are sooo many people that I couldn't possibly name all of them, but know you have my heartfelt thanks.

I'm now at a place where I feel comfortable and in control of my health. Yeah sure, who knows what tomorrow will bring but as of now I am living my life to the fullest. And truthfully, I don't know if I wouldn't have been able to do that without the help and guidance from everyone here. You all pushed me and prodded me to try things, way back when.

This has become my second home. A home where I can talk freely about my bathroom troubles to dealing with the events that have happened in my life. Many of you may not know, but I have shared a house fire, my Gma moving in with me, my Gma developing cancer, than Alzheimer's and eventually passing away, many things in between to my dad developing throat cancer with the great people of this forum.

I'm so pleased to know that this little obscure forum of ages past has bloomed into a great success. I'm so very proud to be a part of this Healingwell family. But I can honestly say, there has been a few times I thought about quitting the moderator job due to some people causing troubles. But I'm glad I stuck with it. It's not easy being a moderator but the main reason I do it is because I love to help people. If I can offer just a small fraction of comfort to a newly diagnosed person, I feel it is worth it. We all need understanding and help finding that light at the end of the tunnel.

I wish you all a happy and HEALTHY 2013....may you find your light, freedom and happiness.......and especially for some of you; that ever elusive remission! :)

What a nice writing. Thanks for your welcome and help to me. I wish you continued good health!

I value your contributions

Most helpful to me when I first joined Sherry. I hope to return the favor. Happy 2013, kill your liver not your colon! :)

You are an amazing woman Sherry, and have been my rock so many times! Thanks for all of your hard work being a moderator, and keeping everything working smoothly for Healingwell. I'm so glad to hear that your health has improved so much. I keep coming back "home" to HW because of people like you. xoxo Carol

A sincere thank you to you from me, Sherry. As a person that has had a tremendously difficult time finding the right treatments for my body, I have to say that this forum has been my greatest resource in finding methods that work. The site is a resource not only of information to treat our bodies, but a well of love among most of its members that has at many points been the light in otherwise very dark moments of pain. It's a great place to share with others, support others, and be able to give of ourselves when we can.

Thank you very much for the time you've put in on this site.

You guys are way too kind, but I wasn't fishing for compliments lol I felt the need to express how much Healingwell and all of you meant to me. And to thank you all for being there not only for me but others as well. I feel as we are a great big family....sometimes a little dysfunctional at times, but we always overcome our issues :)

Sherry, I remember how much you helped me when I was so sick, and I see you doing the same for others every day. You've truly learned how to find the positives in your health issues and use them for others benefit.

You're a great moderator and a strong woman. This forum is so busy and so intense, it does indeed chew moderators up and spit them out, yet you soldier on. It's inspiring to me, and I thank you for all you do.

Thank you for your service! You are very appreciated!

Well said Sherry. I want to thank you for all you do as a moderater and for being a friend. There are many times where we were down and you were always there for us. Wishing you and your family a happy New Year.

Thank you Sherry for your service. I have gotten so much benefit from Healingwell and the atmosphere in this forum is due to it's moderators who allow open discussion without authoritarian obstruction.

Free exchange of ideas and experiences with respect and tolerance is such a valuable resource. Long may it exist.

Great post; thanks for writing it and for all you do around here. I do feel that you are one of the cornerstones of this forum.