When we started this community, each of us faced important health issues in our lives. Some of us have family members with medical conditions. Many of us have medical conditions of our own. All of us realize that while our doctors play a crucial role, we also need to connect with others like us for emotional support.
This community helps in a number of ways. Sometimes, it's enough just to know that we're not alone. There are other times when we're looking for a bit of practical advice. When we've had a particularly bad day, we need a sympathetic ear. When we feel strong, we lend support to others. And finally, at times when we have good news, we want to share it.
We participate in this community for all these reasons, and being part of a supportive group really helps us feel better.
This community will thrive because of people like you. Whether you're here for yourself or a loved one, please read, participate, contribute, and enjoy. We care deeply about this place, and making sure that it continues to be valuable to you.
If you have thoughts or ideas, please share them with me, either by writing a comment in this journal, or by sending me a note directly. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Brian
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Welcome to Inspire!
What - Inspire is a place where you can connect with people who share your health concerns and find information and advice in groups sponsored by organizations you know and trust.
Why - As a member you can use Inspire to let friends and family know how you're doing, contact others who share your health concerns, receive personalized updates and information about participating in surveys and clinical trials, and more.
How - Joining Inspire is completely free and usually takes less than a minute. Join now!
Why are we here?
- By Brian
- Posted April 11, 2008 at 1:56 pm · 135 replies
- Shared with the public
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135 replies
- Oldest first
- Newest first
- By 1spudcat
- Posted April 11, 2008 at 6:02 pm
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Same here Brian, there is no way I can say it better than Kristen. Ruth
- By mary_randall
- Posted April 11, 2008 at 6:15 pm
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I,too, would like to thank all those who have made this site possible, it has been a great support and a source of comfort for me
mary
- By brokenheartmama
- Posted April 11, 2008 at 10:23 pm
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This place is what gets me going in the morning and gives me peace at night. I have all my heart sisters and you to thank for my well being mentally and stress free, which helps my condition from getting worse. God bless you and my sisters. K
- By smokefreeme
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 12:10 am
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Brian, There is no way to express what this site means to so many of us. Each day is a challenge. Often we feel alone, scared, and beaten. Not just by our illnesses, but by society, family, and faith. This site allows us to communicate with others who have been there, are headed there, and have gone past the places we are now. I don't know where you got the inspiration or widsom to know what so many of us needed but this site is a virtual life line for many. I wonder sometimes if you yourself have a story because your insight comes from a heartfelt knowledge of what many of us are going through. If there is ever anything we can do to help you please don't hesitate to ask. You have my grattitude for a job well done. Diane
- By Nola
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 1:44 am
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Thank you Brian, this website is the only one I log onto every day. I had bladder cancer and I am now willing to offer any support or a shoulder to cry on for anyone else. I have also made two new friends through your site and we also chat regularly. Keep up the good work and thank you very much for offering this life line.
Nola
- By mamafrog33
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 1:56 am
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Hi Brian,
I am new here. It is nice to meet you. I am a 6 year suvivor. I have a support group I started three ago, but lately I have need the support in grieving for my grandpa. I feel lost without him, because he is my best friend! I hung out with him for hours everyday! Anyway, I am having trouble dealing with his death last year.
Thank for the site,
Crystal
- By manda-chavez73
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 2:30 am
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I had a discussion I posted on our preemie forum on one suggestion that a bunch of moms agreed with. We were wondering if it would be possible to put up multiple photos instead of just one. It would be great to be able to see how small they started and how big they are now. It is very inspiring to see how everyone elses little ones are growing. I didn;t know if it was possible or not though...just a thought. I appreciate everything you guys do!
- By arizona1
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 4:42 am
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This is the most wonderful place to find out information and learn about others. My chronic fatigue and heart prblems isolate me from the world. I just can't get out. This brings people to my doorstep.
I learn and I feel for others who are experiencing problems. I just can't begin to tell you what this place means to me.
- By Peggypeg
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 4:58 am
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Hi!
Thanks for ths site and the support and cyber friendships too!
Some people may not want the contact and don't feel so "friendly" but that might be because they are facing other issues in their lifes and we are all different even if we have the same condition/s! It would be a very odd world if we were all the same!!!
What I would say is if you have joined here there must be a reason and so join in and start to gain the care and support which is here for you too! I always think it is helpful if a few words are shared in our profiles and then we have a starting ground for a chat!
Thanks for everything here!
Chris
www.mypeggypeg.blogspot.com
- By Brian
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 7:51 am
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Thank you for all the support! It means a lot to us.
That's a good suggestion about multiple photos. Others have mentioned it in the past as well, and it's a feature we're working on. Please keep the ideas coming.
Brian
- By MichelleN
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 8:07 am
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Brain I also thank you, Wendy, & Ingrid about this site. I thought I was the only one with my problems until I found these sites for E. I thought my life was terrible and I wished it was over and now I see how good it is. A big part of that is these sites. I have problems, but so do everyone here and the support from everyone is astounding. Again I thank everyone for helping me to find the good things!
- By finallywell
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 8:11 am
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I am here because after years of thinking I was the only person in the world with my problem a favorite cousin called and said "hey I have the same stuff going on!?" Then she started telling me about this group that was helping her get through it!! I joined to tell others that there was hope and wound up learning so much and finding that so many people are living through what I went through!! It is a wonderful place
Thank you.
- By mamasmurf
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 8:36 am
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Thank you, thank you, thank you. I was feeling very lost and alone in a new world before I found this site and my heart sisters have helped me to get to where I am. I can't thank you enough.
Tina
- By NanM
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 11:48 am
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This site has been a wonderful comfort to me.
It has helped immensely to know the all my 'weird' symptoms are not so weird after all because other people with sarc have them too. Knowing this has helped me hold onto my sanity and peace of mind.
Heartfelt thanks to all of you -
- By katmine
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 11:54 am
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I am new to this site. Every Saturday morning I get and read the many stories like mine. I already feel a strong bond with the many people who describe their trials and tribulations. I had brain surgery two years ago. I was in and out of the hospital for four months. The tumor and cyst were in the middle of the nausea center of the brain so I couldn't stop vomitting. Finally
someone came up with some drugs that seem to work. Right now I'm dealing with cysts and tumors on my kidneys. I am able to continue working and for that I'm extremely grateful. Thank you for this website.
- By MMB
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 12:59 pm
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Hi Brian
Thank you for the site, I have to say I was really confused when it first started because I was with the BCAN and it took me some time to figure out inspire also. I think I'm getting the hang of it and navigating around on it. When I found out about my bladder cancer I had a hard time finding information about neo-bladder. I do wish the BCAN and this was available then, but glad it is up and running.
Mariann
- By Charlene1
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 2:43 pm
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Hi Brian, Great letter and this site is wonderful. It has helped me and my husband a lot. I have nsclc stage iv, mets to the liver, diagnosed Aug. 07. When talking about nsclc I feel I should be better informed. What are the statistics on nscle in the U.S. Is there a web-site that can give me some stats on funding $$, non-smoking vs smoking stats, etc.? I talk with many people about lung cancer and feel stats tell a compelling story. Thanks for any help you can give. Hugs, Charlene
- By Michele5
- Posted April 12, 2008 at 3:32 pm
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Hi Brian,
I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago and was so happy to find your website. It's wonderful - so much support from others who share this ailment, care about others and truly want to help. I felt alone and scared at first but feel so much better now with all the information and support you have on this board. Thank you!!!
Michele
Sorry, this journal entry is closed to replies.
Brian,
THANK YOU! This site has been a Godsend to me, and the women have come to mean so much to me in such a sort time. They are part of my family. Every morning I come here to see how they're doing, to be part of thier lives, and to find community. There have been days I couldn't have made it through if it wasn't for a kind word and cyber hug from my heart sisters. On the good days we celebrate together. Any illness can be so isolating, family and friends want to help, love us deeply, but just want us to be "normal" again. We want to be normal again. Through this experince, we learn we're still strong, that we are survivors, and that there are blessings even in the strangest places. I can't thank you enough. The experience of being able to encourage someone else is powerful when you're struggling yourself, the tag line "together we are better" is definitely so true here! Thank you for the gift you've given us all, and for allowing us to pass our gifts on to others as we walk this road.
Kristen