Been a while...

[dawn]

To all my buddies and pals,

Wanted to share something fun with you. Almost 17 years ago, I nearly got taken out by UC.
I was in the kind of place that had me writing letters to leave to my young children, in case I died.

A pretty no-nonsense surgeon said "You can wait a week, and you will die. Or we can do surgery, and see what happens."

From surgery day, I had a straightforward recovery and got back to a solid, good quality of life. I've been a long term member of this forum.
But somewhere between there and today, I decided to become a park ranger. I worked part time for the park service and trained for 7 years, working multiple jobs and not taking no for an answer. Three years ago, the real deal dream came true, and two years ago, I landed the job I never really knew that I wanted.

I've done it all with a permanent ileostomy. It sure hasn't slowed me down.

I think that it's important to see that sometimes, dreams do come true.

http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/our-m ... eaver.aspx

[ot dave]

Congrats Dawn! Good to see you back on the boards. I may have to make my way out there one summer....you can show me where the deer are hiding !!

David

[Mara]

Hi Dawn,
Nice to see an oldtimer...lol...back.
Glad all goes well for you!

[Sinfulsot]

Congrats on a dream come true

[susan f]

You look AWESOME in that ranger hat! Its like it was designed just for you

Congratulations!

[cdogtom]

a long road comes to fruition, and well deserved congrats, I am over the top happy for you

cdog

[To Dream a Dream]

Am so happy for you, Dawn! A real triumph of the human spirit. Enjoy! Hopefully, I, too, am back on board after a hectic couple of years. Many aging related changes. Also the transition from a little Acer using Microsoft XP to a notebook with Windows 10. It's been a real learning experience fraught with almost daily adventures into the cyber world. Maybe someday I'll have a 'smart phone' & really be with the program! So good to be back reading posts from old & potentially new friends.

[To Good Health]

Dawn, wonderful to see your lavender washline again (mine - with a white wash- blew down in the wind yesterday but dh fixed it). Great to read the link - congratulations on ALL you have accomplished.

To Dream, wonderful to hear from you too. I had been wondering about you too. Good to hear that your health is maybe a bit better?

Greetings to all,
TGH

[To Dream a Dream]

Hello to all: Hopefully, I am back on the board. Am still coping with health issues--primarily old age related & the 'joys' of this ole gal learning the basics of Microsoft 10 to be able to correspond. So glad to see many familiar board members but miss others. 'Am still not Facebook or Twitter savvy & wonder if folks have gravitated to those forms of social media. Happy to read of all of you who plan to attend the UOAA Conference & wish you the very best it will have to offer. Someday I shall make one! (And yes, we still have our three cats.) In the meanwhile, may we all be well & keep dreaming!!!