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It can be hard to talk - Just joined Connect, thank you
Good Morning. I have just joined this portion of what the Mayo Group offers. I have some of your books and have found them to be immensely helpful - they have the added benefit of being publications which are respected by my doctors. I am looking forward to having somewhere to come when things are particularly "bad". While I have friends and family (especially my daughter) for support, I was raised to offer up my pains and mental darkness to God, and not seek help. Even now, in my seventieth decade, I find writing this little anonymous paragraph to be very difficult. Thank you all for being here, and for the patience I am afraid you will be called upon to extend to me as we go along........
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Hi @citylady, and welcome to Connect. I’m happy you joined the community. People sharing their health experiences, asking and answering questions can serve as a great support system for patients, as well as for family and friends. Having personal health issues can be overwhelming at times, but it helps to be able to speak with others who are traveling the same path.
Connect is a welcoming, safe place for members to talk with, and provide support to, each other.
What would you like to share today? I'll seek out others to connect you with.
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2 ReactionsThank you for asking me to elaborate on my initial comment as I joined the groupToday is Friday - the weather outside is gorgeous - almost a picturebook spring day. I am enjoying it from my livingroom window.I have a triple whammy: COPD, a badly-healed broken back (from osteoporosis) and IBS. I have been told that I CANNOT fall down. As a result, I am a prisoner in my home, except for trips to various medical appointments. I have not been anywhere for 3 years. I can barely struggle to the beauty parlor for an occasional haircut'.Even as I write all of this, part of me is scolding me for self-pity. It is very difficult to overcome one's early training in stoic behavior, where one is conditioned to "offer it up" as a penance for one's sins. This is why it has taken me three years to talk to anyone.Thank you for reading this. Have a great weekend!<br />
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1 ReactionThanks for sharing @citylady. I'd like to introduce you to a few different places on Mayo Clinic Connect where you can meet other people managing similar conditions. At the moment, the groups are formed around conditions. But as your message underlines, we are not are diseases and we rarely are only managing one thing. Many people share in multiple groups.
In the Lung Health group, meet @miarosa who only recently found out that she has COPD. I bet she would like to hear from someone who has been there. Simple click this link https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-everyone-i-just-joined-my-name-is-cindi-im-65-with/
There are quite a few members talking about osteoporosis in the Bones, Joints & Muscles group. Here is a very active thread: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hi-im-new-to-the-site-and-am-interested-in-treating-osteoperosis/
In the Digestive Health group, there are several discussions about IBS.
I invite you to explore any and all of the groups that might interest you. You can find them all here along with the recently active threads on all topics. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/groups
@citylady, I read no self pity in your message. In fact, I read strength. Here on Connect, there is no need to be stoic. It is a welcoming community where you can also talk about the tough stuff. Sometimes you'll find yourself in a place ready to help others, at other moments it may be you who needs the virtual shoulder to lean on. Welcome!
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2 ReactionsThank you once again - I really was hesitant about opening up to so many people but I creid afterward, which is unusual for me, and I feel better today emotionally for having tried to be frank. I can't open the connections which you so kindly offered - I CAN go to the people's essays, but cannot respond. If you have time, could you elaborate on how to join the discussions?Thank you in advance!<br />
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@citylady, that's amazing! Thanks for letting us know about the healing power of sharing for you.
You should be able to join the discussions in the links I sent, if you are logged in. When you click on a link, check the top right corner. Do you see the buttons LOGIN and JOIN?
1. Click LOGIN
2. Enter your email or username and your password.
3. Tick the box "Keep me signed in"
4. Click Login.
Now when you go to the discussions you should see a message box to type a reply. Let me know whether this works or not.