Welcome New Friends

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the one of the best support groups on the net! We are glad to

have you with us although sad about the reasons that brought you to find us.

Our moderators are wonderful supportive people who have tons of knowledge at

their fingertips and share willingly. All you have you to do is ask a

question and they will usually have a link that has all the latest up to date

information. If on some strange occasion they don't, that is where the rest

of us come in. Remember, that you no longer alone in your fight against this

disease. We understand how " wonderful " you look and still claim to be sick.

We understand how well meaning family only adds to your already long list of

problems! We also understand when doctors throw their arms up in the air and

say they don't understand why you are not responding to their course of

treatment! Most if not all of us have worn these shoes at one point in time

or another and ONLY someone who has worn these shoes can truly understand.

Please know that this is your safe place to vent, cry, laugh, share a joke,

share a recipe or just find good friendship. Our members are in various

stages of this disease and some even come to find out that they might not

have Rheumatoid Arthritis, but one of it's relatives. Don't worry, you are

always welcome here! Also keep in mind that no two patients behave identical

with this disease, so no question is EVER silly or unimportant. We want you

to know that you are no longer alone in your quest to find some relief from

this disease and we are all as close as an e-mail away.

Oh yes, one other thing.....we serve Whine and Cheese every evening on this

board, with no limit on Whine!

It saddens us to see our family grow and that the medical field still is

lacking so much in our care, but are very glad that you have found us. We

are here 24/7 and you will always have a cyber shoulder to lean on and a

cyber ear to listen. We look forward to learning more about you as you get

to know a little more about us. We tend to be a bit of a crazy bunch from

time to time, so be forewarned! But we have found that humor is the best

treatment for this disease!

Oh, BTW, I am Debs in South FL, I have been a little quiet here lately as I

am in the midst of a sepsis crisis perhaps due to Remicade treatment. I will

be undergoing surgery shortly to have my original total knee replacement

removed in an effort to stop the spread of the sepsis. So even if you don't

see a post from one of us for a while, don't worry, we all do resurface

eventually and bring you up to date. Personally, the friends that I have

made on this board, have given me hope on a day when I thought that there was

none and brought a smile to my face and a prayer to my heart as to how truly

blessed I really am.

Gentle, tender, getting to know you angel hugs,

Debs in FL