Hi guys! :)

[katiesue1506]

I just wanted to let you all know how happy this forum makes me... even though I've been here while... I just love coming here and chatting... and it makes me sad when I find out that no one has posted. I'm a weirdo. But anyways thanks to everyone!

 

[drew_wymore]

Awww well hi Katiesue

 

[Jeff D.]

Same here. It always makes my day to just read some of the stuff on here because even though we talk about a sad subject or a painful subject we all seem to be able to find humor in it and I love that. Thanks Katiesue for starting this thread.

 

[Kev]

Great thread, Katiesue. I feel the same way. Guess misery loves company. OK, I'm kidding, a little bit. Think one of the things I like about this site is that without it, it's like I'm fighting this disease all on my own, ... you know what I mean? The other thing I like about it... is that I not only get to share feelings, good N bad, or whatever... it's that sometimes I can help someone else out. Like, I may be having a day where I can't do anything to help myself at that particular place/point in time..., but I can do a little something to help someone else. And that makes me feel better, takes my mind off my own issues/hurts. Even if it's just saying hello to a new member, or listening to another member vent, or rant, or weep. Like, there may be absolutely nothing I can offer to be of big help to them, other than just acknowledge than I listened to what they had to say. It may not seem like much, but if the shoe were on the other foot, it certainly would help me to know someone who knew what it was like was in the mood to listen.. to acknowledge me, to let me have my say without guilt.

 

[drew_wymore]

I am incredibly grateful I found this site. Not only have I been able to rant/vent and talk about my problems and read those of others and respond as best I can. I've been able to meet people who know how I feel, I don't need to explain everything over and over again like I feel like I have to with friends and family. Its nice not having to "start all over again".

 

[Sojourn]

I remember when I first came here just before having to go into the hospital. It was a great help having no one to learn or talk to about this disease.

I can't imagine what it was like before the internet having to take a doctor at his word without being able to easily research and talk to others with the same problems. I've definitely learned more here, not to mention the support, than I have from medical professionals.

 

[katiesue1506]

Yeah it definitely helps that I don't have to start with "well Crohn's causes ____ ____ ____ and ____" each time... I still have to do that with my dad... ALL the time. Of course I feel awful about it becuase he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease... but I just hate having to relive the early days where everyone didn't know what it was or how I got it and stuff like that. I know the only people I can talk to are my bf, mom, and you guys... mostly because I just hate raining on other people's parades... I don't like to tell them I'm feeling like shit, I mean I don't think they should have to deal with that. But I KNOW I can come here and say it, because we all know how it is. Plus, it is just easier to get a grasp on the disease and be prepared for everything from drug side effects to possible resections when you know others have been through it before.

That's another thing... usually there's going to be someone here who has tried what you are about to or been there before, and they (I feel) can enlighten you a lot better than a medical professional who only knows textbook definitions of the disease.

Yeah... I HEART you guys!

 

[Kev]

now theres a tee shirt slogan for us. Instead of 'I HEART CROHNIES', it woud read ...ahhhh, you guys guessed it already. Hmmm, I wonder if they offer it in the 'Gift Shop'?

 

[jobengals]

even though i haven't met anyone here personally ... it is such a great effin feeling knowing there's so much support available for people with our condition, FROM people with our condition... aw maybe i'm just being emo. :lol:

 

[Creepy Lurker]

now theres a tee shirt slogan for us. Instead of 'I HEART CROHNIES', it woud read ...ahhhh, you guys guessed it already. Hmmm, I wonder if they offer it in the 'Gift Shop'?

The heart would have to be brown though

 

[katiesue1506]

BAHAHAHA!! EMO KITTY! HAHAHAHa... that made my day.

 

[Shane]

I can't imagine what it was like before the internet having to take a doctor at his word without being able to easily research and talk to others with the same problems. I've definitely learned more here, not to mention the support, than I have from medical professionals.

Couldn't have put it better myself. So glad I found this site.

 

[Wiles]

I'm glad I found this site. I know some of my posts are probably pretty gloomy, but it's nice to have a place to complain where people understand

 

[Kev]

Gloomy, upbeat, whatever way your mood takes you. gotta admit, its great to be able to say whatever is on your mind to folks who are in the same boat, isn't it..

 

[joetz]

I've gotten some really good advice from this forum. Some of the suggestions really help a lot.

 

[D Bergy]

That is the scariest Cat, I have ever seen. I am not even sure it is a Cat!

Dan Bergman

 

[TammySue62]

Hats off to you katisue1506 for starting this thread,and everyone else.
I feel like crying because you guys feel like my family.
I will leave it at that before I start to get mushy!!!!!!

Luv you guys Tammy

 

[rhapsody86]

hi guys, i haven't been here that long but i wanted to thank everyone here. the one and only thread I've started about helping my friend was very helpful but what i found even more helpful was just reading what you all post. it sheds some light on things i wondered about but never wanted to ask for whatever reason. now i know i can ask you guys any of my questions and it won't be awkward or make anyone uncomfortable.

Katie, I don't know your friends or anything but if i were in their shoes, I think I'd want to know if you felt awful. sometimes I wish the friend I talked about would just tell me instead of sugar-coating it so I won't worry. no i may not understand what he's going through completely and maybe I can't do anything for him but sometimes I feel like he's lying sometimes. maybe he's different than you all and just doesn't want to talk about it, I don't really know...

anyway, I won't hijack the thread...just wanted to thank you all for your advice to me and for posting away so I can read what you all write...sounds simple but it helps so much.

 

[Kev]

Hey rhapsody... I'm not speaking for katiesue, but I thought I'd pop in for 2 very good reasons. First, i wanna thank you for giving us insiders some insight on how this site benefits those who don't have crohns/ibd. Eye opening to see how one who isn't directly affected can still benefit, and in turn benefits someone with IBD.

second, sounds like your friend with IBD is a 'male'. Who sugar coats his IBD. It may be that he is trying to spare you the gross details, but it is also a common 'defense' strategy we males are prone to. Even if we think 'deeply' about it, and 'know' that we should be more 'forthcoming', it's a very deeply ingrained trait. something, not so much 'genetic', more an inherited trait from our ancient forebears who dragged their knuckles on the ground and hung out in caves. I mean, I'm not trying to 'excuse' the behaviour... just explain it. Like, if you were to take a group of kids, boys and girls, and showed them a live snake, I (and it's a gross generalization) expect you'd find that most of the girls wanted to run from it, while the boys on the whole wanted to capture it. Same thing.
A man who is ill will prefer to clam up, hole up (withdraw to his cave) RATHER than declare to the world ANY vulnerability. Rationalizing away this instinct is akin to telling the girls NOT to dread the snake. It works (to some extent) on a cognizent (sp?) level... but on the subconscious level, the instinct remains the same. just one of those foibles with males you either have to battle constantly or accept, and hope their 'trained' habits will overcome their 'ingrained' habits.

 

[jobengals]

oh man kev i agree with that 100%

when i was first dx'd and then shortly after dumped, i 'holed up' in my room or to my one buddy's apartment and just layed around on my laptop playing world of warcraft and smoking way too much of that lethargic inducing drug .. i was being a real life newby and hardly talked to ANYBODY i knew. I was so depressed with myself and my life that I didn't wanna deal with anyone or anything.

now i've obviously changed some since then, but kev you're right about a male's initial response, i remember a year ago i was a pretty tough guy to communicate with.

 

[katiesue1506]

I don't think this is just a male thing... I mean I get the same way. I hate to let anyone know I'm vulnerable. I'm a strong female who always voices her opinion... and being this, it doesn't do well for my rep. to be vulnerable. However, having said this, Crohn's Disease has made me realize that sometimes you just have to be emotional... sometimes you have to let other help you. I've always had a hard time crying... I don't cry... until I got Crohn's Disease. I also always wanted to do things for myself and be self sufficient, but can't always be that way in every situation. Plus... other people like to help!

 

[rhapsody86]

Thanks so much for your insight Kev, jobengals and Katie. yes, my friend is pretty independent (as am i) and he definitely is a "male" but I think Katie's statement sums it up...

...other people like to help!

...and they do. i know it's hard to open up to people and ask for help (I have that issue with other things) but we all gotta do it for whatever reason because it's good for us. it reminds me of international trade...countries who trade are certainly less self sufficient than others but those who do have stronger economies.

anyway, sorry for the mini lecture. thanks again for all your help around here.