Re: First Impressions from the New Guy

[Guest guest]

Hi...

I always wanted to be a member of an elite group, but the truth be told, a few

months ago if someone told me about this group I never would have picked it. Now

I feel like there isn't a better group anywhere and somehow I just got lucky for

a change!

Stan

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " fullwave2 " <kg2bc@...>

In my 59 years I've had some experience with support groups. Probably

more than I'd like to admit. Some, I had been an active contributor

and many, just a lurker. I have to say though that this group is

pretty special. I have not experienced such a vast group of non-

judgmental, well informed and compassionate people as there are

assembled here. You have found the right formula of intelligent

sharing and compassion tempered with the sometimes needed gentle

nudge. This along with the sheer volume of data that is available here

makes this forum stand out above the rest. Thank you for this and

thank you for being there for each other. You should all be proud and

appreciative of what you have here. I know I am. I suspect I'll hang

around for a while.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Bob,

You better stick around a long time here! I have been here for about

four years, and even though I don't post often, I do try to read the

posts. I have made so many friends here, and we write email often, to

see how were doing. We all stick together around here, we need that.

It's so hard to have a chronic disease, and not have someone to talk

to. I have RA, and it's a devastating disease, sometimes it is still

a little too much to deal with. Without the support of this group, I

would be totally lost. I have my family, but they just don't

understand me anymore. Sometimes, I feel so alien, and I feel so

sad. But with my RA family, they know how to help me. You just know,

I'm always here if you need someone to talk to, take care, Tawny

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob!

Welcome to the group! I am late in welcoming you as I have been away from my

computer for a few days and have over 600 supportive emails to sort through

now:) This is an amazing group of supportive, caring, beautiful individuals. 

The amount of support and knowledge I gain here is incredible! You have

definitely come to the right place!!

From: fullwave2 <kg2bc@...>

Subject: [ ] First Impressions from the " New Guy "

Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 12:24 PM

In my 59 years I've had some experience with support groups. Probably

more than I'd like to admit. Some, I had been an active contributor

and many, just a lurker. I have to say though that this group is

pretty special. I have not experienced such a vast group of non-

judgmental, well informed and compassionate people as there are

assembled here. You have found the right formula of intelligent

sharing and compassion tempered with the sometimes needed gentle

nudge. This along with the sheer volume of data that is available here

makes this forum stand out above the rest. Thank you for this and

thank you for being there for each other. You should all be proud and

appreciative of what you have here. I know I am. I suspect I'll hang

around for a while.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Well, yes, I second that.... such a warm supportive group. the smiles come, it

is so wonderful....I remember my 'off topic posting'  can a group have a

'personality' and I do believe  the answer is 'yes''.

I didn't quite explain where I came from with that query, but it did come from

working as part of a wonderful team, in my professional life, some would come

and some would go , but the newcomers so surely added their unique but different

input, often their refreshing youth....I just loved to be part of it and this

group seems to carry the same sustaining feel. Wow!

UK,

retired doc, friend of ra sufferer ,no computer

From: stanpfister@... <stanpfister@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] First Impressions from the " New Guy "

Date: Wednesday, 27 August, 2008, 7:22 PM

Hi...

I always wanted to be a member of an elite group, but the truth be told, a few

months ago if someone told me about this group I never would have picked it. Now

I feel like there isn't a better group anywhere and somehow I just got lucky for

a change!

Stan

------------ -- Original message ------------ --

From: " fullwave2 " <kg2bchotmail (DOT) com>

In my 59 years I've had some experience with support groups. Probably

more than I'd like to admit. Some, I had been an active contributor

and many, just a lurker. I have to say though that this group is

pretty special. I have not experienced such a vast group of non-

judgmental, well informed and compassionate people as there are

assembled here. You have found the right formula of intelligent

sharing and compassion tempered with the sometimes needed gentle

nudge. This along with the sheer volume of data that is available here

makes this forum stand out above the rest. Thank you for this and

thank you for being there for each other. You should all be proud and

appreciative of what you have here. I know I am. I suspect I'll hang

around for a while.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Group,

Have I told you lately that I love you? It is great to be counted

among your numbers.

Shirley

>

> From: stanpfister@... <stanpfister@...>

> Subject: Re: [ ] First Impressions from the " New Guy "

>

> Date: Wednesday, 27 August, 2008, 7:22 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi...

>

> I always wanted to be a member of an elite group, but the truth be

told, a few months ago if someone told me about this group I never

would have picked it. Now I feel like there isn't a better group

anywhere and somehow I just got lucky for a change!

>

> Stan

>

> ------------ -- Original message ------------ --

> From: " fullwave2 " <kg2bchotmail (DOT) com>

> In my 59 years I've had some experience with support groups.

Probably

> more than I'd like to admit. Some, I had been an active

contributor

> and many, just a lurker. I have to say though that this group is

> pretty special. I have not experienced such a vast group of non-

> judgmental, well informed and compassionate people as there are

> assembled here. You have found the right formula of intelligent

> sharing and compassion tempered with the sometimes needed gentle

> nudge. This along with the sheer volume of data that is available

here

> makes this forum stand out above the rest. Thank you for this and

> thank you for being there for each other. You should all be proud

and

> appreciative of what you have here. I know I am. I suspect I'll

hang

> around for a while.

> Bob

>

>

[Guest guest]

Bod and Group;

Thanks Bob, THis is my first and only support group. I lucked out

lol. I don't know what other groups were like. I didn't even care

for support groups for myself, but I was desperate. I didnt know

how to deal with RA and some one said try this group. Woo hoo I am

so glad I did.

They have been so nice to me. I learned a lot in my short time

here. I think about 3 months or so. I can deal with RA just a might

better thanks to our humble little group here. I have a better

understanding about RA also now. Welcome to our group.

I have 105 post to read. I missed just one day lol. I will read

every post. I feel a connection to every one in our group. Glad you

can join us. I am sorry for your RA but it's nice to know we have a

good bunch here that cares.

Gentle hugs

Clora

[Guest guest]

and group;

OMG 600 post. If your like me you will want to post a lot haaaaaa. I

feel so close to everyone here.

hugs

Clora

> Hi Bob!

> Welcome to the group! I am late in welcoming you as I have been

away from my computer for a few days and have over 600 supportive

emails to sort through now:) This is an amazing group of supportive,

caring, beautiful individuals.  The amount of support and knowledge

I gain here is incredible! You have definitely come to the right

place!!

>

>

>

> From: fullwave2 <kg2bc@...>

> Subject: [ ] First Impressions from the " New Guy "

>

> Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 12:24 PM

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Bob and Group;

> Glad you can join us. I am sorry for your RA but it's nice to know we

have a good bunch here that cares.

>

> Gentle hugs

> Clora

>

Thanks Clora and everyone else who responded here. I'm afraid my

bubble is bursting a bit this morning. After having some days of

relief being on the 5 day run with 60MG of Prednisone, things have been

coming back to reality. I told my wife I felt it was a bit like the

movie Awakening with DiNiro and Robin where the people

in a catatonic state get some treatment that brings them out of it but

knowing all alone it was only going to be temporary. While the pain

and stiffness hasn't returned to the levels prior to the Prednisone, my

hips this morning were screaming " Remember us? " My shoulders have also

decided to sing in harmony and of course the constant visual reminder

of what I read someone referring to as " sausage finger? " . The nodule

on my right index finger has developed a personality all it's own. LOL!

The 200MG of Celebrex isn't helping much. Mentally ticking off the

days until the first appt. with the Rheumy.

Still just putting one painful foot in front of the other. To think,

last fall I was walking 40-50 miles a month. Damn... I guess

my " normal " has changed. Thanks again.

Bob

" Life is a series of challanges and adjustments. "

[Guest guest]

Hang in there, guy. Praying better days ahead for all of us. Maybe

when fall comes and the heat isn't quite so brutal your pain will

ease up a bit. We're pulling for you!

Jane in Dallas

> >

> > Bob and Group;

> > Glad you can join us. I am sorry for your RA but it's nice to

know we

> have a good bunch here that cares.

> >

> > Gentle hugs

> > Clora

> >

>

> Thanks Clora and everyone else who responded here. I'm afraid my

> bubble is bursting a bit this morning. After having some days of

> relief being on the 5 day run with 60MG of Prednisone, things have

been

> coming back to reality. I told my wife I felt it was a bit like

the

> movie Awakening with DiNiro and Robin where the

people

> in a catatonic state get some treatment that brings them out of it

but

> knowing all alone it was only going to be temporary. While the

pain

> and stiffness hasn't returned to the levels prior to the

Prednisone, my

> hips this morning were screaming " Remember us? " My shoulders have

also

> decided to sing in harmony and of course the constant visual

reminder

> of what I read someone referring to as " sausage finger? " . The

nodule

> on my right index finger has developed a personality all it's own.

LOL!

> The 200MG of Celebrex isn't helping much. Mentally ticking off the

> days until the first appt. with the Rheumy.

> Still just putting one painful foot in front of the other. To

think,

> last fall I was walking 40-50 miles a month. Damn... I guess

> my " normal " has changed. Thanks again.

> Bob

>

> " Life is a series of challanges and adjustments. "

>