The FNSD Sisterhood

[nuttychemist]

I don't know where to start... I suppose the hardest thing to see after a long time away from the boards, was to see the one thread here that was my happy place, my home... was the Fickle Nasty Sneaky Disease thread started by my best friend and soul sister Emily. I feel like a part of me is missing since her passing... when I started chemo and was super freaked out... she held my hand and through the good times and bad... that thread was out hangout and those of us who spent time there know how special it was.... not because of who started it, but because it became our little corner of the forum where we could speak our minds without getting PM'd by a now ex-moderator who pretty much had alienated me to the brink of leaving... it was the FNSD thread that kept me coming back...

I will say my heart broke twice yesterday... first to read the news that Gwen had passed away ... I was kicking myself for not logging in and coming in to say hi... I'll admit that after Emily died... I had a hard time coming here... and then RL kept me away and I lost touch... I had joined an Ostomy group on FB... but it wasn't the same... and so I logged in yesterday and the 2nd thing that broke my heart was to see that the FNSD thread was closed... I remember that when Emily passed it was decided to keep it going in her memory... I guess losing 2 members was too much...

I started writing this yesterday because my heart was hurting... I finish it today with the hopes that from the ashes and in memory of Emily and Gwen... that we celebrate them and our friendships that were forged through the good times and the bad... with the highs and lows ... because I refuse to let go of them and my friendships with all the FNSD family!

I call it a sisterhood mainly because I think all the founding members are/were female, but this thread is for everyone! A safe venting zone... a place to just check in and see how things are going... and most of all a place to remember what made that thread special... love and laughter! If I can only hope to make this thread even a shadow of its former self...

[Jimbob]

Hello Nuttychemist

Good to see you again. The fickle nasty disease thread was locked as. Result of many of the posters suggesting that as a tribute to both Emily and Gwen that the thread be retired. I did this in response to the requests nd s a tribute to these two fin ladies.

I ws frankly hoping that another thread would rise up and the the place of the Fickle Nasty thread but nothing has seemed to gain the traction. Maybe this thread will do that. I hope so as I know the locked thread was a good place for many people.

Jimbob

[To Good Health]

((((((((Gen)))))))))))))) Thanks for posting, nuttychemist. I miss the FNSD thread too as a warm supportive place to go to. I will admit that since the closing of the FNSD thread, I've logged onto the UOAA discussion forum much less often.

Emily and Gwen - two very special people - in our hearts forever.

Thanks, Jimbob, for your blessing on this new thread.

To Good Health

[smashms]

Gen so happy to see you again hes gwen and emily are missed by all they were 2 of my very best friends on here i think about gwen granddaughter often! She has to be getting so big by now. Things here are going pretty well even though i somehow have contracted the shingles. The nerve pain is absolutely horrible and unbearable most days. I went today to the doctor because the rash i noticed last night and sure enough that's what it was.

[To Good Health]

Shingles - oh smashms, that's horrible. I heard that it's very painful. I get my vaccination for it next week.
TGH

[smashms]

Yes it's horrible! Went back to the urgent care place again to get stronger pain meds and come to find out i'm allergic to the anti-viral so i can't take that anymore. Calling my regular doctor on monday to find out what else i can take.

[smashms]

Well i am a bit better this week. Went to my primary on monday and he gave me some neurontin for the pain and it has worked great. The rash is all scabbed over now and actually itches like crazy now. Think i am on the down swing of getting over this thing. Thank god.

[nuttychemist]

I first have to give out a HUUUUUUUUUUGE (((((((((((((((GROUP HUG!!!!!)))))))))))

I am really hoping that this can become even a fraction of the awesome that the original thread was! I miss having a place to go where it feels like home

I'm going to come here everyday in the hopes that this becomes like home

[To Good Health]

(((((((((((((((((((((((( Gen ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

How are you doing, Gen?
My cousin is on vacation down in Florida while I look out on the last of the melting snow. We had an extreme amount of snow this winter. Pretty but it got a bit tiresome and inconvenient. I was lucky to spent several weeks in the Southern hemisphere where it was summer. My ostomy behaved while away but since being home I've had lots of problems with irritation, leakage and longevity. I am happy though that I've had no obstructions for several months. I especially didn't want one on the long flights. That's enough from me for now. Just wanted to say hello.
smashms, how is the shingles thing going? Hope the worst is past.
TGH

[smashms]

Well the shingles are healed up but i am in the hospital yet again this time for chest pain afib and an abscess that just won't close i have been dealing with the abscess for about 3 months now with no success at home getting it to heal up and close. Figured while i was here i would have someone take a look at it. Been under alot of stress at home taking care of my hgrandmother and it all exploded last week and this week. Therefore the afib started and would not give up. Man i need another vacation! So i guess i am here for my yearly tune up so to speak! Gen me as well i think about everyone daily. Glad to see your back here.

[Sophies Girl]

Just wanted to say hi.

I miss Emily and Gwen. I miss our thread, the good times and bad.

Warmest hugs and best wishes to you all.

[Button]

To my Best Favorite Friends:

Wonderful to "see" the gang together again . . . I hope Emily and Gwen are attending in spirit.

May this thread evolve in its own way as we share in friendship and support.

Spring time has brought thunderstorms to Portland today, so Molly (my tea-cup Maltese) and I are set to watch a DVD of "Mad Men." Anyone watching the final episodes on television?

I am doing A-OK. A recent recurrence of a pelvic abscess required placement of a JP-drain (I had a like abscess about a year ago) and IV antibiotics. My strength is returning. My endocrine status remains in flux and is the more challenging of my health constraints.

I am volunteering at my church, delivering Meals-on-Wheels to the elderly/shut-ins. It is a nice feeling to bring a simple meal to someone who genuinely needs and appreciates it. Molly usually goes with me and loves the visits.

Anyone looking for a good book? I recommend highly "The Art of Hearing Heartbeats" (Jan-Phillip Sendker).

My best to everyone,
- Karen -

[susan f]

Button!

Its so good to "see" you again!

[sharon]

I second that....Button, good to see you!!

I'm happy to hear that you're getting out and about, if I remember, for a while you weren't getting out so much.

[smashms]

Karen great to see you posting again i have wondered how you have been doing. Glad to hear you are again volunteering and back feeling better. Only wish i could say the same. I should be getting out of the hospital in the next day or so. They did not find anything seriously wrong and the chest pain was not cardiac in nature. However i am still severely short of breath i am going to request a chest xray tomorrow. And they hopefully will come to look at a sore i have had for about 3 months. We tried to ween the oxygen down today again with no luck.