halloweenbaby - new member

Chronic illness can make a person sad and depressed at times, but never psychopatic. I speak from experience on this.
We morn our old life and the things we used to be able to do and eat. But the wonderful thing about the surgery is you can have your life back. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Don't let one bad apple spoil the whole barrel, Halloweenbaby.

Thanks, Bill, I really appreciate your input. It's easy to get sidetracked I suppose by the sheer volume of posts and replies on a forum - I supposed especially on a medical forum like this one.

I should look at the date a person joined the forum as well before taking their comments too seriously but I read the ones that were so offensive to me this morning after throwing up everything I ate the day before and it kind of colors your own response I guess.

I'm so sorry you are having to wait just as I am because waiting when you're as sick as some people become with the ravishes of GERD/HH etc, it isn't always very easy to wait or to be patient.

I have to admit that I'd probably be more comfortable IN the hospital but I've been there so many times - especially to the ER - that, had I gone when I really should have, I'd probably have been there for the last three months at least and that just wouldn't have been practical.

I hope the tests come back and say that they are going to be able to fix you with or without surgery. I know I need the surgery but in all honesty I don't look forward to having it. I'm trying my best to be positive as I can sense you are as well but it just isn't always easy when the problems have gone on for such a very long period of time

You've been honest and fair about the information you've shared and you haven't judged me at all and I appreciate it.

I just never thought anyone would throw the "depression" tag at me or follow it up with a demeaning psychological term to boot. I read the post from this person to me (a new member as well) to my husband. He was also offended and said that the person who made the comment had to be pretty young/inexperienced with real GERD or just didn't realize what they were saying. We have to be so very careful with words especially when people are ill.

I know what depression is. I think everyone experiences it from time to time. Depression doesn't cause a HH or give you esophageal strictures. It doesn't make your gall bladder become diseased or cause bile reflux for over 20 years.

My posts are long and verbose and I realize that fact. I'm now a retired newspaper columnist but still a writer and that's how I express myself. I prefer it to crying or taking medication that doesn't work anymore.

Thanks for being there. I will keep you and your docs in my prayers.

Rita

Post Edited (halloweenbaby) : 7/24/2011 2:07:14 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Halloweenbaby,

It might be helpful for you to have your own thread, and if you have a specific question, post a new thread, rather than commenting on random threads throughout the forum. As you said, there are people coming at this from all directions and levels of understanding.

The moderators and long time members here try to help keep conversations positive and productive. This forum certainly isn't for everyone. (Thankfully! Otherwise those of us who try to keep a watch on threads and welcome people would do nothing else!)

It might not meet your needs. However, I do hope that you found it welcoming and informative. With all its shortcomings, it never lacks caring members who are trying to help and support each other.

I hope you find an answer to your problems very soon. I know you are suffering.
I hope you'll stop back from time to time to let us know how you are doing.
Best wishes,
Denise

Hi Halloweenbaby,

I noticed your new post...good idea! I know you're hurting and at the end of your rope. However please understand that I've been on this forum for two and a half years and only have seen one person post with ill-intent. If you're hearing things that bother you, try to just let it pass you by. Thankfully you're having the testing and moving toward a place where you will find relief.

Many have suffered greatly for years before having surgery, and like me, they wish they hadn't waited so long. In many cases members of the medical field weren't all that helpful, and got in the way of recovery rather than facilitating.

I had atypical symptoms, and my most severe problem was how the GERD was damaging my lungs. It took me four long years to get my GI doc to realize that the surgery was something I had to try. Fortunately it did help.

This is a GERD/Heartburn forum, so there will be people by who are looking for help at the beginning stages of this disease. Perhaps they will never progress to where you and I have been. That does not make their problems any less important, and we try to respond to all types of reflux issues without making anyone feel that their reflux issues aren't important.

I can tell you're very stressed and frustrated, so it is not in your best interest to try and respond to all those other posts. I think you will feel much more comfortable just hanging out here, in your own thread.

Hang in there. Things WILL get better.
Denise

Hmmm. :) I'm exhausted from all the well-intended posts and I'm sure they're just that - well-intended.

I do understand that everyone is at a different point in their life as well as in their situation with however acid reflux to whatever degree might be impacting them.

I may not have understood some of the threads I read - exactly where the people were coming from etc but I've lived a long time and been a lot of places and I've just never had anyone use the word psychopath in a conversation. It caught me off-guard and ill prepared with a reply to say the least

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. Not just you or me or our elderly grandmother. Everyone deserves it. I've lived my life dealing with people in many circumstances - many of those professional settings. I'm familiar with managing people and the confusion that can ensue when things go beyond the norm. That's what I understand you four are here for and it's logical.

I do very much appreciate the fact that several of you also seem to understand that certain things should never be said or insinuated. Among those things might be suggesting to someone that they're depressed when they already know they are not. He/she may have been trying to be helpful but it was not their place to diagnose me or anyone else and maybe that concept should be one that more attention could be paid to in future.

I'm just trying to get to Wednesday. I'm so very, very tired at this moment in time. If the elephant wearing a GERD suit would just get off my chest my whole live would be a lot easier.

Right now I'm not living. I'm a walking case of out of control acid and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

A reply is not necessary.
Thanks.

halloweenbaby

I am glad to know you are going to stick with us and I like your new thread.  As you move ahead toward surgery we are here to support and help you in anyway we can.

I think it is time to lock this thread and concentrate on your initiation into the wrapped club of which I am not a member myself.  You are joining some of our elite members.  Good Luck.

Kindly,

Kitt