Connect
TERESA: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?
@linda82: I was searching many sites to find other people to connect with who live with the same condition I have — diverticulitis. I also wanted to find out if surgery for diverticulitis helped other patients and how it changed their lives.
I finally found Mayo Clinic Connect and liked that it was monitored. It was awesome to find a place where you could get so much information from people who live with the same health issue.
TERESA: What motivates you to take part in Mayo Clinic Connect?
@linda82: Everyday, people share experiences, insights, actual results, and more. I enjoy offering help and support where I can.
TERESA: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?
@linda82: On Mayo Clinic Connect, you can control how much you share. With not having your personal information “out there" you are free to be truly honest. It is awesome how kind everyone is and how open they are with their willingness to share.
TERESA: What support groups do you participate in?
@linda82: I take part in the discussions in the Digestive Health support group.
TERESA: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.
@linda82: After the surgery, it was helpful hearing from other members about their recovery experiences. I shared my questions and concerns. When they replied, saying they went through the same healing process, it was a relief!
With digestive issues, some concerns or issues are embarrassing. I posted about feeling pain when sitting down after surgery. It felt like I had a broom up the rectum. A member replied that he understood and reassured me not to worry because that feeling will go away. And it did!
Everyone is so understanding. It is also satisfying when someone comments that I helped them.
TERESA: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?
@linda82: While we may have different health issues at different stages, real connections are made when we share our experiences and discover our similarities. I really like that the discussions are monitored and moderated.
TERESA: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?
@linda82: I have always enjoyed working out and really depend on physical activity for its mental and health benefits.
Before I retired, I was on call 24/7 in a very stressful world of logistics. Many times, I would have to drive back to the office in the middle of the night, stay on site for over 12 hours and deal with endless phone calls from customers all over the world. It was hard to take time to eat right and keep moving. There were many times I just wanted to throw my phones out the door!
I had to find some form of balance to survive. I think that is why, now that I am retired, I like gardening in the silence of nature without interruptions. I have created so many different gardens on my land. I enjoy saving seeds from my plants and giving them away to friends and family. I also love to give plants from my gardens to bee keepers who in turn give me honey.
TERESA: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.
@linda82: I am a military brat and have lived in many places abroad and in the US. I loved to travel and to go to events with friends. With my stomach issues, all of that went away. I hope to resume traveling again. At the moment, I’m still struggling mentally with the fear and anxiety of another episode happening. It hasn’t, so I’m working on accepting that I might be able to travel again.
TERESA: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?
@linda82: "If you are going through hell, keep going." ~ unknown, sometimes attributed to General Patten or Sir Winston Churchill
TERESA: What food can you simply not resist?
@linda82: Anything Italian or Mediterranean.
TERESA: What do you love about where you live or vacation?
@linda82: I live in a rural area and enjoy the simple quiet life. I look forward to visiting National Parks again.
Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow Mayo Clinic Connect members. Learn more about members you’ve connected with and some you haven’t met yet. Nominate a member you think should share the spotlight.
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@linda82, Thank you for participating in this spotlight interview. I have enjoyed this opportunity to meet you and to feel inspiration from your kindness and sharing with others. I really enjoyed reading aboutyour gargen and love of nature and as soon as I am a bit further along in my hip replacement recovery, I plan to tend to my small gardens.
I hope that you will be able to make that first step toward travel with a shour night or two adventure.
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4 ReactionsThank you, Rosemary
Hope your therapy is going well. Once you get through that. your gardens will help you maintain. You will be so happy you had it done!
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3 ReactionsHello @zeedee1,
If you would like to meet others who have discussed rectal prolapse, here is a link to posts where this health issue has been mentioned: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=rectal+prolapse
I would encourage you to join these discussions and see how other members have approached this issue with their medical team.
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1 ReactionThis is very intersting! I am hoping to meet other people who have share my experiences.
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2 ReactionsGlad to be here
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3 Reactions@linda82: We have diverticulitis in common, I recently had my first bout, due to my diet. I recognized the specific painful symptoms and realized I had made a regrettable mistake in eating nuts. I was lucky and rectified the problem in two days of deliberate diet of yogurt, mashed potatoes and pudding - plus Metamucil. I don’t think seeds and nuts will pass my pallet again!
Linda, it was so great to learn of your life with its struggles and challenges. You have an admirable view of life’s ups and downs and decision to take the high road to help our fellow humans raise beyond their troubles.
Thank you for sharing yourself with Mayo Connect patients.
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4 ReactionsHi @julianachristian, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You have found a new community to share with, ask questions, find answers, give and get support.
In case you haven’t found it already, I am including a link from the Help Center to help navigate.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/#how-to-use-mayo-clinic-connect
Happy exploring!
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4 ReactionsHello @tasray269gmail. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
I checked out your profile and must say, having a complex medical situation and looking for answers sounds familiar. Living your best self involves making choices focusing on what adds value to your life. I look forward to crossing paths with you on Connect as you meet others and do just that.
Glad you are here!
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3 ReactionsThank you jlharsh. By way of introduction, I live in Omaha, Nebraska. I was a social worker for 20 years. Im also a published author. I'm married to a great guy. On March 12th, I had a total knee replacement on my right knee, the result of being hit by a car crossing the street.
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5 ReactionsYou know something interesting about the "nuts" thing.... I remember my Dr. telling me It's not just the nuts that get stuck in the pockets. It is because the pockets are in the damaged area of the colon that will never "heal" and must be removed. (My Dr. said my sigmoid colon looked like an old, rotted sausage!
I make sure now to have a small number of nuts for the excellent source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals now. And I do not have to worry.
I had to change my mindset instead of eliminating all these vital foods and fuel for my body that the surgery was my last option.
It is interesting that I had lost weight before the surgery from being "sick" all the time that now I still weigh the same as I did after surgery and I am not starving myself.
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4 Reactions