Keeping up with posts

[ant]

Dear Friends,

I am not doing well keeping up with all the posts these days. Since I joined PP less then two years ago the number of members has more than doubled and the average number of posts per day has, I think, increased even more. How Tex and others juggle their time leaves me in awe.

Sooooo..... apologies to all newbies I may have missed. (I well remember the first time I posted and the wave of emotion I felt when I got so many replies). The emotion we all go through with MC, especially the lack of understanding from the outside world, makes the PP such a special place, a true haven.....my favourite children's story - Rudyard Kipling's "White Seal" - comes to mind......

So and to all newbies.

I am at some sort of equilibrium with my life at present......relying on one entocort a day + diet to get me to a new "normalcy" - what a cliche the words "new normalcy" have become these days!!! But it seems the right phrase for the change in life I must get used too.

I am trying to put a bit more effort into career. The truth is that I have more or less been in neutral since MC dx and I must step up the pace for financial reasons. I am aware that I get tired more easily then before, but urgent D is pretty much at bay, which allows me to contemplate real work again. This may, on occasions, give me a little less time for the board - especially if I am focused on some new client presentation or workshops. These things are a bit like stage performances and they take it out of me. Also, when I go to the UK to look after my mother I tend to go into radio silence. So I will be coming in and out depending on commitments and work load. Hopefully I will still be posting pretty often. I am emotionally involved with PP and also fascinated with the intellectual debate we have here.

Just thought I would let you all know where I am "at" and why I have not been such a regular poster in the last few months.

Best, ant

[starfire]

A great post, , and I just wanted to say that I agree with you. It's difficult keeping up with the posts and I'm not doing such a good job of it either (with less excuse than you). Also, I'm amazed with the number of new members. I wonder if MC is off the "rare" list yet as far as doctors are concerned.

I wish you great success in your push careerwise (and in your personal life).

I know you will "visit" as often as possible and will always be glad to see a post and update from you.

Love, Shirley

[Peggyanns1955]

No need for apologies as far as I am concerned. I well understand the pull from different directions people have. I am taking care of my 92 year old father who is bed-ridden and dying. It does indeed take a lot of time and energy. So, don't worry, I am learning that worry hurts us in very painful ways.

peggyanns1955

[TooManyHats]

I totally understand about being able to keep up with posts. When I'm not feeling well I tend to read, but not post. Good luck with your work, I hope it goes well for you.

[Polly]

Hi Ant!

Always good to hear from you. I hear you........I am also working more lately so have not been able to post as much. But I do try to lurk as much as possible. Yes, we seem to be growing logarithmically here now.

Ahhh, finances......a necessary headache for sure. And even more of a problem in a difficult economy. How are you finding the economy in Hong Kong/Asia? Between your stressful job and worrying about your mom, I hope you are finding some time to "smell the roses". I know how difficult it can be to find that time for yourself.

Glad to hear you have achieved an MC equilibrium!

Love,

Polly

[Joefnh]

Hi Ant its great to hear from you. Your right its been busy on the board lately, apparently MC is not that rare after all

Finding that balance of health, energy and work is a tough one. Certainly this economy can't be helping much. That's great that such a small dose of Entocort is helping you and that you have been able to find a balance between diet and meds.

I am going to have to find a way to 'swing thru' Hong Kong on my way back form Brisbane.

Best wishes Ant

Take Care

--Joe

[Linda in BC]

Dear Ant, and everyone:

Your post has really hit a chord with me. I am in a similar situation as you.. as I 'm sure many of us are. I am emotionally committed to the board, and feel very strongly that I want to give back to our new members what was given, and was so precious, to me, yet am struggling to find the time to do so. I feel an obligation to share the work of keeping help available to all the others out there who are struggling and suffering as I did. I know that Tex and other founding members do the bulk of this important work, (and have for years, bless them! ) but I hope in some small way, that every supportive comment I can offer, even if I don't have a lot of wisdom to share, is hopefully lightening their burden. It would be easy to just fade away and lurk, but when I found the help that I so desperately needed 10 months ago on here I made a commitment to pay it forward.

I wasn't aware that the board is a lot busier than it used to be. I thought it was always like this and have often wondered how you "oldbies" have managed the time commitment for so long! I just want to say Thank You, Thank You , thankyou! to all of you for the countless hours you have all put in helping others, especially Tex. And to apologize in advance if I am not always able to do my share, but to say I am going to give it my best shot.
Grateful but a bit overwhelmed,
Linda

[Gloria]

Hi Ant,

The board is busier than it used to be. When I miss a few days while on vacation, I have several hundred messages to read. I don't like to pick and choose the messages because sometimes some real gems are buried within general topic headings.

We are all in this together and we all understand that circumstances don't always allow for frequent postings.

Some of the veteran members have stopped posting, and I'm so appreciative of the ones who still answer questions, share experiences and give support. My hats are off to all of you, including the newbies who have taken up the torch of helping out.

Gloria

[tex]

Ant,

A very timely post, indeed, because like you, I find myself suddenly putting in long hours, in order to "make hay while the sun shines", and hopefully, pay a few bills. It seems that in order to live in the fashion to which we're accustomed, it's necessary to hit a lick or two at work, now and then, and I haven't done much all winter, because the work wasn't available, (and the weather wasn't suitable for doing it, anyway).

Suddenly, I have wall-to-wall work, but I'm fortunate in that from time to time, if I'm not loading or unloading trucks, when things are working smoothly, I can occasionally take some time to use a laptop to check on the board, while keeping one eye on the machinery, to make sure that everything is working correctly. Tonight, a truck that was scheduled to pick up a load, didn't show up, so now my loadout tanks are both full, and I had to shut down. Anyway, that will give me a chance to catch up on the board, again, and maybe get to bed earlier, tonight.

And as Gloria pointed out, it's very gratifying to see new members quickly "learning the ropes", and helping other new members to find their way to remission. Of course, I am in awe of other founding members, and so many members who have joined in the past, and who so generously continue to give of themselves and their time, to help countless victims of this disease, all over the world, (many of whom, read the posts here, and apply what they learn, but never even join, in addition to many who join, but never post). We are truly a beautiful community, in stark contrast to the fact that MC is such an ugly disease.

There were a few times, a couple of years ago, when posting became pretty slow, especially during the summer months, and I really wondered if this board was going to be able to remain viable, or if it were going to fall by the wayside, as so many boards do, after doing well for several years, but then "burning out". Not long after that, though, activity picked up again, and since then, it has never looked back. GI specialists are finally beginning to learn that they need to take biopsies during colonoscopies, and they are discovering that the disease is not so rare, after all, (as Shirley mentioned). Now that they are doing much better at diagnosing it, hopefully, some day soon, they will also learn how to do a much better job of treating it.

Yes, reading all the posts here, (and responding to as many of them as we have time for), can be a very time-consuming project, and none of us has unlimited time, of course. However, I find that few things in life are more gratifying, than being able to bring hope back into someone's life, when, for the moment, at least, their situation seems to be hopeless. And I must admit, many's the time when a tear or two has clouded my vision, as I've read the thoughtful and supportive posts that so many of you have written in response to others' pleas for help. I find that to be even more gratifying, because it shows how well this support board is working. It seems almost amazing how such an oppressive disease, can bring out the best in us, both as victims of the disease, and as very caring, sharing, and knowledgeable sources of support, for others with the disease.

I'm truly humbled by how far this board has come, and how well this family is working together. I can't help but feel that together, we are making a huge difference in the lives of so many people who are unable to get the help they need from their doctors. And none of us should feel guilty, just because we don't always have the time to post, because everything that we have posted in the past, is preserved in our database, and available for viewing by anyone, anywhere in the world, whenever they wish. Of course, in order to use the search option, they have to join, and log on, but where else in the world would they find such extensive information, (information that is actually valid), free of charge, (and better yet, free of ads)?

Love,
Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

Ant
so great to hear from you, in response to your post, it falls into my category of there is no right way or wrong way there is your way

the MC management decisions we make are linked to the elements and responsibilities of our lives, we do what we can that fits into budget, lifestyle and other obligations such as work.

I think there is agreeance amongst the group that manging MC while working full time is not simple, for you in your type of work there are many variances to accomodate depending on your client.

Stay well and every happiness for your work life.

[ant]

Dear Tex,

This board is the best!!! and you are such an inspiration. As you say a great success is that others, including newer members, take up some of the slack, driven by their innate humanity and your example. Thanks for continuing to lead us so well.


Dear Joe,

Do let me know if you find a way to 'swing thru' Hong Kong. It would be great to meet.

Best, ant

[Joefnh]

Ant, Queensland University is purchasing the tickets for this trip, but I do have a lot of frequent flier miles to use for flight changes etc... I will look into that possibility this week. They have me booked on Delta for all of the flights except Virgin Australia between Sydney and Brisbane. I'll let you know if I can make a stop over in HK, that would be fun. I haven't been to HK since just before the handover (1 month).

--Joe

[MaggieRedwings]

HI Ant,

I, too, totally understand where you are coming from. Time just seems to get past me and working 10-hour days I just can't get it in me to post at nights and read incoming posts. I do early in the a.m. and again at my eat-at-desk lunch. We have such a strong group and nice to see so many newbies you help others.

Finances are a definite must in this world. In May my husband retired and it has been a hard road going down 2/3 of his pay to just social security. We all understand where you are.

Love, Maggie

[ant]

Dear Joe

It would be great to meet you. Just let me know if it is a possibility and the dates so I can confirm/juggle my trips to the rest of Asia.

Best, ant

[JoAnn]

Hi Ant and everyone else, I just want to add my love and support to all the other posts here. I too am experiencing the challenge of wanting to support the board more, but having limited time due to work and family demands. The lovely paradox however, is that it is because of this board that I don't have the time to post as I would like because it gave me back my life. It is the reason I am healthy enough to work and enjoy my family. I hope to retire in about 3 years and then maybe I can be more of a regular. Meanwhile, I try to pop in when I can and when a post touches me in a way that I feel my experience can help, I make the time to respond. Sometimes, I just need to check in and remember I'm not alone. Thank you for always being here. Tex, you are a hero to us and everyone elses contributions always help someone in someway.
Love you all, JoAnn