Happy Holidays in advance to my MC Family

hoosier1 · Post by **hoosier1** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:14 am

To my extended family of MC'ers:

In case I get too busy this week to remember, I just wanted to wish you all a happy, pain and symptom free, holiday season. I simply pray for peace for all of us. It seems like such a simple prayer, and it truly is, but without peace in our minds and inside our bodies, nothing else seems to matter. That is a lesson I continue to learn.

I joined this board in September when my seemingly incompetent doctors finally diagnosed me. Though I feel more may be going on inside me than LC (kind of like Joe... Joe, you are also an inspiration to me), I feel blessed to have discovered this board and all of you because I know I can "throw it all out there" to you and you can handle it. The wonders of our digital age. Tex, nice job, sir. You are one of a kind. How would we have ever been able to round up such an informed, intelligent, thoughtful, and compassionate group of people who share a common bond without your insight to create, manage, and contribute to this forum. I think I am going to take up a collection to send you, Tex, to medical school because I want you and Polly as my physicians!!!!!!!!!! I would love to see both of you speak at AMA/GI related seminars. The medical community needs to hear the collective learnings of this board.

And even though I am still struggling more than I would like, I do get comfort hammering away on my keyboard getting to know all of you. When I am alone in my hotel room at night, as I am so many nights, I find comfort in knowing you are all just a key-click away. I also want to take this opportunity to apologize for whining a little too much at times. My new year's resolution is to try to keep that in check better, but I sincerely appreciated all of your receptive ears. I also strive to be a better listener for all of you in 2011, especially for those who are new to this forum. And any of you who have active travel careers, feel free to use me as your sounding block for survival tactics while on the road. I can at least offer this level of advice.

I don't know what the future holds for me (do any of us?), but I do know that whatever comes along (even outside of MC), I can share it with all of you without fear of judgement or personal embarrassment. I have a very supportive family (I am so fortunate for them), but I have learned that even though they are deeply concerned about me, they simply cannot relate to me as this disease waxes and wanes. I have also learned that my problem can also literally wear them out both physically and emotionally. So in the end, I turn to all of you. And I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart (and from the bottom of my funky colon) :)

I love you all. Peace be with you. And please get the rest you deserve over the holidays to embrace 2011 with a renewed optimism and commitment to heal.

Regards,

Rich (Melodee, and William - my 9 toed German Shepherd :)

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:34 pm

Hi Rich and thanks for the note. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. I too wish all here peace. This is a great place; the people here are amazing and have made dealing with MC so much easier. I too wish the best to Tex for all of his hard work.

This has been a year of changes challenges and learning. I cannot thank this group enough for all of the unconditional support and the caring nature that has been found here.

Thanks to all here for your help this year it has meant the world to me.

Merry Christmas

--Joe

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 5:17 pm

Though I am a fairly recent member, I would also like to thank this board for the help and kindness you've shown.
I've frequented quite a few forums and this one is the best I've ever seen. When you can comfortably discuss the
sights and sounds of your latest bowel movement, well, you know you're in good hands.

Though I've had excellent medical care all my life (Mayo Clinic) I've learned that no one understands my body as
well as I do. I don't want the latest pill.....I want to correct what is causing the problem and that seems to be the goal
here.
Thank you. May God bless you all. Love, Deb

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:08 pm

Rich
All the best for 2011 and getting the mind and body balance of work, home, and MC.

Ditto to the statements about the amazing people in this family and for the likes of Tex who keep it all tickity boo.

take care

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 11:23 pm

Dear Rich,

I have not been able to check posts all weekend because of a very busy schedule, and I know you are busy too, so I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write that wonderful message. And especially for giving ex the recognition that he so deserves for all his hard work and dedication to this forum and all it's members. Here! Here!

( And just for the record, I don't think you whine too much.

)

I hope your reaching the end of your work travels and are home, or are soon to be, for the holidays. I was glad to hear you were going to be getting some "home" time.

Wishing a wonderful Christmas to your and your family, and of, course, Will.
Hope he isn't missing his toe too much.

Best regards,

Linda

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:14 am

Thanks so much for the Christmas and Holiday wishes Rich. The same to you and your family and hope that 2011 is one of peace and good health for you too. Isn't our family just the best!!!!

Love, Maggie

Post by **tex** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:41 am

Thanks Rich,

I sincerely hope that you and yours, and all of us here, can find the peace and tranquility that we need, and so deserve, during the holidays.

May your week go smoothly,
Tex

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:29 pm

Rich,

What a lovely, heartfelt note!!! You are so good at opening up and sharing your feelings. I hope it works out that we can get together next time you're visiting Colorado. I have found the perfect venue for us where we can get an awesome, gluten free meal in a nice atmosphere :).

Wish you, Melodee (what a nice name) and William a wonderful, peaceful holiday season, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that 2011 will bring the three of you much needed health and happiness.

Love,
Kari

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:16 pm

Rich,

My first thought after reading your post was about how much you've changed since you first found the board. You seem to have come to peace with having MC. I guess we all have to reach that stage, the final stage of dealing with an illness.

I think we've learned a great deal from you, too. You're the first person that I'm aware of who has had to deal not only with MC, but also the stress from travelling extensively with it. I'm always amazed that you can do it. We're all learning from each other, and you have done your share by teaching us how to deal with MC while on an exhaustive travel schedule.

Here's hoping that the new year will bring remission for all of us. If not remission, then the ability to accept the condition and live peacefully with it.

Gloria

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:36 pm

Hi Gloria, I'm not sure if you meant to address your post to Rich, He certainly has been an inspiration in dealing with MC and all of his travel.

I cheated and only had to go to Australia work 1 day and then get a chance to say hi to Gabes... Rich however certainly has to travel for work almost all of the time, Rich I am amazed that you can manage all of your travel and MC.

I have come to peace with MC and Crohns, and for me that has been a large part of my pathway to wellness. We cannot begin to heal until we accept that there is a wound to heal from. In my case that wound is MC and Crohns. I think I have stated before, that while I do not like dealing with MC and Crohns, I would not trade the friendships I have made here for anything.

It seems such a strange path in life, but it is the one put before me to travel at this time. I cannot think of a better group of fellow travelers than the kind folks that I have found here.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Best Wishes

--Joe

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:09 pm

Joe,

Yes, I did mean it for Rich. Thanks for pointing out my typo. I've corrected it, but what I wrote certainly applies to you also. You are both an inspiration to me.

Gloria

hoosier1 · Post by **hoosier1** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:22 pm

Joe and All:

I'm sitting in the Delta room at the Detroit airport waiting to catch my final flight home for the year, watching everyone eat gluten-full snacks. Wish I could say I was truly "managing my MC and travel." I think it is managing me at the moment and may be winning. Perhaps I am actually managing it, because I am still upright and kicking :) But I have a long way to go. By the way, I got nailed gluten-wise in Charlotte, NC. Ate at a local diner with friends, told them what I wanted (and what I couldn't have), and the following morning was pure torture. Not too happy with that town right now. I can see how sensitive one's system becomes after being gluten free for several months and then being exposed to massive doses of it.

I'm planning to see my doctor soon to discuss where I am with all this. I really think I am, or have evolved, to another form of IBD (early stages of UC). I have a lot of lower end and left quadrant pain/pressure/dysfunction. Joe, you deal with both MC and Chron's. What are/were your Chron's symptoms that are different from MC? I am also seeing a specialist at IU in March. Seems like a long way away.

So I'm thinking, and I would like all of your opinions on this... I am thinking that Mesalamine or Cortifoam enemas coupled with Asacol pills may be a good, double-pronged approach. Keeping the diet up of course. I hope my doc will appreciate this approach.

Kari, I will definitely look you up when I am back in your area. That should be sometime at the end of January. Looking forward to it. You know, I typically don't wear my emotions on my sleeve (is that the expression?), except for with this group. I find that others really can't understand me and grow weary listening to me regarding MC and how I am trying to figure it out. Not so with you wonderful people. Regarding my wife's name, I think her mom may have been smoking something when she named her children. But I also think it is a beautiful name and she is such a special woman, who has endured so much more than I could ever, ever imagine. I also am so excited to come home to see her. It's like dating all over again every time we see one another.

Gloria, I am glad you have seen me mature over the last several months. That much is good. Like I told Gabes previously, I am trying hard to appreciate the good things and the good people along the way, and am trying to "pay it forward" to help others in my life even more so. It is healing for me emotionally. Was one of the lessons in the book Gabes recommended. This is the season for that. There is lady who flies me when I charter airplanes on closer jobs. Her name is Linda and I have really grown to appreciate her. She is my "in the air" psychologist. I always sit up front with her and we talk the entire flight, about everything. She has had a tough life and has some family problems, etc. So I bought her a nice gift, one that she didn't expect but had mentioned needing on our last trip. I dropped it off at the charter airport on my way out this week. She got it yesterday and left me a beautiful voice mail about how appropriate the gift was. She was laughing with excitement and joy. It truly is better to give than to receive. I knew with her family issues, she was going to have a crummy Christmas and I wanted to brighten her holiday by surprising her. Apparently it worked. I saved that message because it is so healing to me to be able to help someone else, even when I (we) are the ones who need help too, or even more so (but that is relative I know).

Maggie, I wish you also peace and good health, dear. I always enjoy and appreciate your notes. Your are a special person.

Linda, maybe I should try red wine instead of whining :) Probably not a good idea. But thanks for the thoughtful comment. You are an inspiration and my wife is making me your Blueberry pie recipe this week. I can't wait!!!!!

Deb, Welcome. You are correct. You know your body best and you are your own best advocate. You must be your own "Dr. House". Very astute assessment.

Tex, keep up the good work. I am looking forward to my next Texas project because you are on the top on my list to visit. I could use that right now because it is freakin' cold up north.

Peace everyone.

Rich

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:37 pm

Rich
keeping elements of our pre-MC life and personality is important. The trick is blending the pre MC elements and the post MC elements and trying to feel like you havent changed - does that make sense?

really pleased that you got something from the book, it reminded me of some important basics (the perfectionism chapter was what i needed) and has helped me be lessed stressed about MC.

All the very best for the new year, enjoy the break

take care

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 1:36 pm

Rich, you are a hero to me. I just mentioned to someone this morning that I know a man who flies all over the country for his job while managing this *cough* wonderful disease, and how thankful I am that I don't have to work outside the home let alone do what you do.

Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas!!

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:57 pm

Rich,

Merry Christmas!

Let me just add that you are an inspiration to me, too, managing MC with the traveling that you do. My husband travels to Asia a lot, and wanted me to go with him this past summer, and I told him there was no way I would dare do that. It really brought home the reality of the disease, to realize that there are things I just don't dare do. Hopefully, someday, the time will come when it is possible.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.