Connect
Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow 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.
JOHN: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect? What motivates you to take part in the community?
@becsbuddy: I found Mayo Clinic Connect when I was on the computer trying to find information on my newly-diagnosed autoimmune disease, chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS), which is very rare. I looked at the information members share through their posts and thought, “This is what I need.”
I felt I needed Mayo Clinic Connect just to hear from other people dealing with sudden changes in their lives. As a nurse, I’m also motivated because I know I can help others with my inside knowledge of hospitals and healthcare, and others can help me.
JOHN: What about Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?
@becsbuddy: I like that we’re all anonymous to begin with, but everyone feels comfortable enough to switch to their real name eventually. Everyone is so accepting, helpful, kind and supportive, and offers what they can.
JOHN: What groups do you participate in?
@becsbuddy: I participate in Autoimmune Diseases (not that I know very much!), Depression & Anxiety, the Gratitude discussion group and other discussions in the Just Want to Talk group. I also try to answer questions that may come across my email or show up in the Connect Daily Digest, if I think I have something helpful to contribute.
JOHN: Who has been a special connection for you on Connect?
@becsbuddy: A great moment for me in Mayo Clinic Connect was Jennifer Hunter’s story about art and healing. She really made an impact. She challenged me to get back to my art quilts and give myself a boost. It's been difficult because I lost so many of my skills. And some of the members are great at giving pep talks, which I really need.
JOHN: What surprised you the most about Connect?
@becsbuddy: Mayo Clinic Connect surprises me with the amount of love and support members provide one another, even when they are having a bad day.
JOHN: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?
@becsbuddy: I get energized by going outdoors when the weather is sunny, even if its cold. But sunny. If my friends are out in the park, we just walk and walk and visit — they’ve been so supportive. I find balance by only doing what I absolutely have to do and taking the time to do what I want to do!
JOHN: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.
@becsbuddy: My favorite hobby is contemporary quilting. These quilts can be either personal or political. @JenniferHunter challenged me to do something that would reflect the journey I’ve been on these past two years, so that’s what I’m working on now. I’m having to do a lot of relearning and practicing, but it’s worth it.
JOHN: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto, personal mantra?
@becsbuddy: My favorite quote: “Great opportunities are heavy burdens.”
We saw this on a billboard in Texas when we were faced with a big decision and also an opportunity. My husband, an army officer, was told that he would need to move to Boston to start work on his Ph.D., but I was still in nursing school. Great opportunity for him, but a heavy burden for me. But, we did it, and I came out stronger. Now, I see my participation on Mayo Clinic Connect as a real opportunity for me to use my nursing and psychosocial skills to help others.
JOHN: What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
@becsbuddy: I appreciate their company, having good talks, or just doing something interesting or important.
JOHN: What food can you simply not resist?
@becsbuddy: I simply cannot resist dark chocolate!
JOHN: What do you love about where you live or vacation?
@becsbuddy: We live in Boulder, Colorado, now for almost 25 years. I love it. The lifestyle is active but not formal like on the East Coast where we lived for five years. The sun is usually out, except when it rains or snows!
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@becsbuddy Thanks for your kind words..... I guess we never know how much we can influence each other and how much that might mean in someone's life. I always try to be that person who inspires others and shares the goodness of living and I look for ways to empower people to find their voice as an advocate through all of their challenges. I'll look forward to seeing your biographical quilt. I'm glad I could help and I'm glad we met here on Connect.
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7 Reactions@merpreb Thank you for your kind words. Yes, those are 2 of my quilts. The one you can’t really see is memories of a trip to Beijing when my husband had a conference there. The other one is a fabric “postcard” quilt of a walking trip to the Cotswolds and Cornwall. We love to travel so hope my autoimmune disease won’t get in the way
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4 ReactionsThanks Coleen I tried everything A hopeless case Too much mental illness ... my mom,dad, grandma . Its haunting me even in disturbing dreams . NO peace. I get low blood sugar ...My mind stops working. unable to move . None of my MD's help me and I am almost out of life savings. Pain & Heartache follows us. I so miss my sweet husband, grandson. My Daughter had a stroke at 38. struggling... I am worn out.... no energy. Scared how I will die . Must not be a burden I pray often but to no avail.
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3 Reactions@becsbuddy Very nice spotlight, Becky. I am always envious of people with creative talents, how wonderful to be able to make such beautiful things as your quilts.
I was interested to see that you lived around Boston for a while. Where were you, and I presume you worked at one of the hospitals "here" (in quotes because I still think of myself as a Bostonian even though I now live in southern NH). I am getting familiar with your current area since my son moved to Denver last summer. We have visited twice and toured the beautiful countryside. We will be there again at the end of August for his wedding and will probably spend a night in Boulder after the wedding weekend while we are sight-seeing.
So nice to have you aboard.
JK
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4 ReactionsLoved reading about you and your very interesting life.. Your quilts are gorgeous! I was drawn in to the quilting hobby by a wonderful friend a few years ago, and made numerous queen size ones as gifts before I started making doll size quilts.. Then my friend, who was in her 90's at the time, began making doll quilt tops and I quilted them for her (by machine!).. She sold them for a time on Etsy.. I have several that she made for me as gifts and treasure them now that's she's gone on.. Now that I spend most of my life with my feet propped up I don't quilt anymore, altho I miss it so much! But my life is full and busy.. My husband has provided me with so many electronic avenues of entertainment, so I'm in contact with many folks online, cellphone, videos, nature cams (presently watching a mother Robin who is nesting 4 tiny blue eggs in our breezeway!)... Since I can't get out much, he's brought so much inside to me! 45 years together and counting... He's wonderful and I love him so very much... Uh oh... This comment was suppose to be about you!! Thank you for being on MayoConnect and I will be following your posts from now on... Thank you!
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8 ReactionsNice reading about you. Thank you for all your help and advice.
Quilting, really? I saw a quilt some ladies made of my favorite mountain (MtShasta) it was being raffled off. I wanted it so bad. I bought 100 tickets, it was so gorgeous. I was so disappointed. One of the ladies offered to make me one but it never happened. Looks like I went off subject too.
Jake
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4 Reactions@contentandwell such a small world! Bostonians and Denver-ites! We lived in Arlington, MA. twice for 2 years each time. Arlington is on the same subway line as Cambridge. And now we’re in Boulder. Is your son being married in Denver? One of my sons lives in Denver and the other in Crested Butte. I think you’ll have a wonderful time visiting!
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4 Reactions@hotfooted Thank you for your nice comments about my quilts! I do small wall quilts. I’ve never gotten up the nerve to do queen size like you. Wow! For years I made twin bed size ones for Quilts of Valor, but stopped when I became ill. I love how you and your friend teamed up to make quilts—very special.
I love your positive outlook! The love between you and your husband is very evident in your comments—you’re both very lucky.
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5 ReactionsYes, @becsbuddy and @contentandwell - small world! We lived in Boston (in the Devonshire at the corner of State St. & Devonshire) for about 10 years before we retired. Now my son too is in Denver and my cousin lives in Boulder!
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4 Reactions@becsbuddy I grew up West Medford, close to the Arlington and Winchester borders. Arlington is a nice town, that and West Medford have become very desirable(and $$$) now because they are easy commutes to Boston on public transportation.
Our son will be getting married at a sort of rustic venue outside of Denver, in Pine. CO. It's in the mountains and I think it will be beautiful. He brought us up there when we visited in February. It only has functions in the better months, but we were able to be shown around and see it. At this point we have been around a lot considering we have only visited two times. I love Red Rocks, I would love to go to a concert there.
He lives in the Lowry area of Denver. We always do enjoy visiting him, and now that he has a big house we can stay with him. When he was in southern CA he had a one bedroom apartment so we stayed at a hotel. I think we may have been up around Crested Butte when we were driving around the countryside. We definitely went to Copper. He is an avid skier and his fiancee is a snowboarder so they had a great winter there. Of course now that summer is here they will be missing being two blocks from the beach.
JK
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