Why are we here?

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

By Laura333
Posted December 16, 2008 at 10:49 pm
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This site has been the only thing that has gotten me through the most difficult time of my life. Without the women on this site sharing their knowledge and sympathizing with me I would have spun into a deep depression. I only hope this website will continue to inspire and touch others as it has me and help others get through their hard times as it has helped me get through mine.

By lovemybro63
Posted December 16, 2008 at 10:32 pm
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Hi Brian ~

I am new to this site.

I have been very "inspired" by your site.

My brother has had schizophrenia since he was 18 - he is now 45. I have never been involved in a support group ~ I have always thought that I can do this on my own. I am now 48 and I can say this is getting a little too much for me ~ alone. Especially, now that my mother has had a major stroke since February, 2008 and she lives with me. I guess I just need to be "inspired" now.

Your site seems to be safe.....Thank you.

By Rose2
Posted November 28, 2008 at 8:20 pm
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Brian...I wanted to take a moment and remind you that I am very thankful for this site . My husband is in late stages of cancer. And I am in stage IIIC OVC. God has used this site to encourage me and to give me information when I needed it. The ladies on the site who are battling Ovarian cancer are such troopers. My husband comes from a family of much cancer. In fact he is the 7th, I think, to have cancer We have seen a lot of cancer including our own lives. May God make us better and may we not become bitter as we travel this journey. There are so many walking the cancer journey. The battle is rough. God has been faithful in taking us through it. Just want you to know the Lord has used you and this site. I know that will be an encouragement to you and your staff. And I know that many others have expressed their thanks also. God Bless

By patticake430
Posted November 28, 2008 at 8:20 pm
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I go along with everyone else Brian, thank you so much for this sight. It has helped me more than anyone could every know. My husband fought for three years against overwhelming odds, he is my hero. He came within three months of being in the World Record Book as the longest living Quad. I have tried other sights but I chose this one because I am not very computer literate & it was the easiest one to navigate. Thank you again Brian, you have helped an enormous amount of people. Patticake

By dotdot
Posted November 27, 2008 at 6:04 pm
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Hello again,
I can't believe that I've spent most of my day in the ER. My blood pressure went up to 204/100. The good thing is that I am back at home taking it easy.

By Teresa56
Posted November 25, 2008 at 7:12 am
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Hey Brian,
I came here to learn as much as I could from others who had this terrible disease so I could be a well informed caregiver to my Mom. Mom has recently gone to heaven but I can not leave this site as it has become part of my daily life. I will stay here in hopes of helping others with the knowledge and experiences I have gained in the last 2 yrs. God Bless you Brian and all the families that use this site for any reason.
Huggs, Teresa

By D5493
Posted November 25, 2008 at 5:39 am
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hello stephanie ,
You are not alone when it comes to No Insurance I had no ins.at the time i was tols i had cancer all i could see was medical bills piled high I went on state funding and the hospital wrote off my medical check with your state medical and you should be able to get food assisants Use the system you paid into Good Luck God Bless
Leslie

By D5493
Posted November 25, 2008 at 5:32 am
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Hi Brian ,
I am here because I found a friends to help me get threw all my surgery and my chemo. She had cancer before me and lost parts of her lung she talked me threw my surgery and what they were going to do and what to expect if it was not for her I may not have been here so I am thankful I found her (Thank you LInda )this community is the best thing for me I look and read everyone blogs you learn a lot from everyone and know what may come next for you or someone like you .I would be lost with out this
Thank you everyone for being here '
God Bless And Have a Happy Thanksgiving

By careh
Posted November 25, 2008 at 2:33 am
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Brian...I agree with everyone here. Thankyou for making this possible! I really feel close to all of our heart sisters, and no longer feel so alone with this condition!! Thankyou!!!
Carolyn

By sooozym
Posted November 24, 2008 at 6:18 pm
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Hi brian
thank you for your kindness. I am lost at the moment it all seems like another life. i hope that some day i can be in aposition to offer hope / support to others
best wishes
sooozy

By patsybee
Posted November 16, 2008 at 2:33 pm
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Thank you Brian.

I have never participated in something like this before. This has been kind of a lonely journey for me and now I know that I need to communicate with others who are in the same shoes. Family and friends really just want all this to go away. I know how they feel, but it sure is hard to make it go away.

I'm looking forward to being a member of this group.

Patsy

By peace2u
Posted November 16, 2008 at 2:19 pm
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Hi Brian,
Your inspiring introduction drew me in. You know how to speak your heart and that is a gift. Thank you for sharing your gift.
I am a 67 year old newly wed. I am a newly wed and moved a year ago from the big city of my birth to a little village in the valley. Life is simple here and I love it. But, I miss my friends and family. It is quite isolated here but I am taking steps to stay active.
I hope to help others through this group. I have been blessed through my life with 4 great guys (my children). I was a single parent when they were 1, 3, 5 and 6. We are still the great team we were back then.
I love life. I have many diseases but have learned through the years to focus on the good things..all the blessings I have been given through life.
I need help getting started on an exercise program .. simple walking and running. I know it's lazy to not do it and it would even help my strength and emotional health. So, there is my need. Oh, please help.
Thanks and God Bless.

By aorticsteph
Posted November 1, 2008 at 1:19 pm
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Thank you, Brian. I am new to this site and appreciate the ability to read stories from others with similar issues. I had my aortic dissection in January of this year and suffered some nerve damage during my surgery. I am still on disability with no insurance now because my job could/would no longer hold my position for me and I can't afford inusrance now on my income. This is my first time writing but not my last.
Stephanie

By mom2six
Posted October 17, 2008 at 10:42 am
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I'm not sure if this site existed 7 years ago but if it did, I sure wish I had found it! That was the year my daughter was diagnosed and almost died from Wilson's Disease. I had, and still do at times, so many unanswered questions. I felt so alone. It would have been nice to hear about sucess stories to keep my spirits alive.
Thank you for this board!
Michelle

By EddieSD
Posted October 17, 2008 at 3:59 am
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Brian;

This community is a lifesaver for all the things you mentioned plus a chance to hear about clinical trials and new successes.

The only comment I have heard is someone was asking if the applet could be added that allows real-time chat as opposed to always posting an email.

Wonderful job... and God Bless

Chemo Boy

Eddie

By quiltmess
Posted October 14, 2008 at 10:23 am
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I am so grateful for this site!!!! I thought I was alone and now I have so many friends who suffer what I do. I am glad we can band together and work thru our issues. Thank you all for posting and being honest on how you feel. It helps me so much! Bless you all!

By singingwithsarc
Posted October 13, 2008 at 12:48 pm
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Brian,
Thank you so much for this site. I had never heard of sarcoidosis until I got diagnosed. I have met many peple since then who have it too. It is a bitter sweet feeling to have all of you to lean on and bond with, but what a terrible reason to have to bond. I'm glad that others understand this, just wish we didn't have to understand it. Thanks for thinking of a way to link us......I will contact you in the near future for an idea to get us physically together. Thanks again...and God bless you!

"This too shall pass!"
Kuipiio (Koo-we-pe-o)

Welcome to Inspire!

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