POLL: How long have you been on this board @ MedHelp? What has been most helpful for you & at what point since you've been on-board has this happened (can be more than once!) ...How did you find this board?

[ChitChatNine]

Been on-board since October '07

Found it by a Google Search: Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer

After my ultrasound and before my surgery and shortly thereafter there were members on-board in like-situations who held my hand, educated me, shared their own personal experiences, calmed my nerves, and stood by me thru thick and thin before and after my cancer diagnosis.  

The best part is that people on this board understand and never judge each other.  Nobody ever judged me for not having the other side out even though the one side contained small cancer .... I had 4 professional opinions and oodles more on the board and nobody judged me for taking the "road less taken" (even though 3 of my 4 opinons thru docs said to keep the other side intact for now).  For that I say thank you friends!

I have met people on this board who *may* remain lifelong friends.  It is amazing.  Truly amazing to me a whole year later.

Cheryl

Cheryl (partial thyroidectomy 1/07)

[DLA]

ChitChatNIne has been on here since October 2006!  And she has been our driving force behind keeping this board of friends together.

I've been on here since April 2007, I think.  I was so alone in the world, no friends, nobody who understood anything about me.  Then I found this place.  For a while I answered some of the questions that people asked b/c I knew so much having 7 years of experience and felt needed and intelligent, like I hadn't in too many years to count.  Finally I posted and suddenly I had so many people understanding everything I had been going through for 7 years and when I complained and whined they really cared and were there for me every step of the way.  After all those years I finally found some place I belonged.  That is completely priceless.  I was ready to give up on everything, but they made me hang in there, encouraged me, prayed for me, cried and laughed with me.

We have been through a lot on this board together.  And I can't imagine my life without any of these wonderful friends I have made on here.  A lot of you know me better than anyone else in my life and understand me better.  Some of you have become such good friends I can't imagine my life without you in it, ever.  

My life has gotten busier and I don't have all the time I'd like to be on here, but I make sure I check in every day and make sure my friends are alright and answer what I can.  If your question goes unanswered don't give up.  Some days I can go 3 pages for the posts in one day.  That's a lot of questions and not a lot of long-time experienced people to help all the time.  So hang in there and bump it back up, some one will come along who can help you.

Words cannot express my thankfulness and joy for having found all of you wonderful people, women and men.  I will love and cherish you all forever and I thank God every day for having sent you into my life.

Dac

[ellencoop]

I just started it.  My husband found it because of things I was feeling.  

[blksapphire]

I found this this site through Google.com...in October 2007

I had been to see my PCP for  a regular physical and then sent to an Endo dr who were throwing words at me and I had no idea what they meant.  I came online searching.  I found a couple of sites but this is the site that seems to have the most info.  

I came online for about 2 weeks reading what eveyone was saying and gathering my own bits of information before I ever wrote anything.  Once I asked my question,  I was given all kinds of help and encouragement.  I have been here every since.

What great big family..... Terri

[stella5349]

I have been here since December 07. But it feels like I have been here forever in good way.  I visited med help many times in 6 years - but never saw the forum page - nor was I at all familiar with "chatting"  AT ALL.  ( had a few lessons taught to me here lately ) :)

Then one snowy morning ( I work at a school and they close on bad days!) I stumbled across the forum. I sat and bawled my head off the whole morning. - Reading these posts and threads. (Did I say that right? )  "There were people out there -- I am NOT crazy.:!!

Then I posted my first question - the rest is history. All I can say - is there are people here - who know me better than some of my friends I've had for 25 years. I can't imagine life without you guys anymore.

I always strive to keep a positive outlook to any new/old members and give them every piece of research I have learned.-AND try to save them from some of the mistakes I made!! When I was alone in this fight to stay alive. Some of you are closer to me than my own family and I feel I am a part of a very caring pack of people.

My heart aches for everyone here that is/was as miserable and scared as I was. I try my hardest to never let anyone here feel like I did. When I am scared - I know I have people that "got my back" now.

...... and I like to get feedback on some of the goofy things I do (or say)  to make you all laugh. It feels good to just hear cyber laughter and know someone is happy for that moment :)

Big hugs to my buddies --- Stella.

[MJ13]

Good point.....good point!!!! Thanks for the laugh!!!
MJ

[ChitChatNine]

OOPS ...... I look at it this way ... at least you weren't looking for a job and your employer found out thru the board ::: snicker snicker::::  C~

[MJ13]

I have to be careful what I put on here now because my sister ras48 comes on here.  She found out I lost my job thru this website.  I had a family member and told her to spread the word because I was tired of talking about it. OOPS, had a case of brain fog!!!!

[scarlet37]

I've been here since November 2006. I too found it by googling.

Had it not been for the kindness of all these "once" strangers I would still not have a clue how involved the thyroid is in the body.I learned more about my thyroid here than anywhere on the net.The experiences of other people is what really brought the majority of my knowledge to light.

I also remember when Mrs.PotatoHead came about!!! Cheryl's questions were what brought me out of lurkdom and when she didn't post anything the board came to  halt. I would not have hung around if not for her. There are so many special things about all of you that keep us coming back. I wish i had room to post about all of you.

I don't post as often as I would like since being dx'd with Narcolepsy, my brain fog prevents most of it but I think about all of you often and it brings a smile to my face, life is sweeter knowing that I can divulge (sp) anything here and you'll have an answer or at least a " I dunno but hang in there" or " i'll pray for you".

This place is like Momma Gump's saying " like a box of chocolates - never know what you will get" ( but hey it's chocolate so who can complain!!!))

[MJ13]

I've been on this board since about October 2006.  I too found it through googling. The support and knowledge I've gained the the last year and half have been immeasurable and priceless. I've gone from not knowing where the thyroid was located, to surviving thyca, hypohe//, hyperhe//, menopause, and all other sorts of maladies...all with the help of my good friends here at Medhelp.  I truly would have lossed my sanity if it had not been for you all.  

[worriedinmd]

Been here about a month. Another google girl. It's been an invaluable tool to be armed with information before I head into a doctor's appointment or procedure. The docs look at me a little differently when they realize I have at least an inkling of what's going on. Thanks to everyone for giving me that ... it's a tiny bit of control in my life that otherwise feels like it's beyond control. I want to say you have no idea how much that's meant to me. But that's the real beauty of this forum - everyone here understands.

Thanks!

- Viv

[Applecore]

I have been here since May, 07.  I found it by google.  I read for a long time before I found out how to post.  I have found that it was my one communication about how I felt and could get encouragement to continue on and still I get encouragement to continue on.  I am still having problems and still look to this forum to help me to stay looking forward along with the Lord.   Thanks all of you on this forum. (: linda

[a_rodriguez_04]

I found this forum by using google.  I believe I joined back in October of 2007, when I had my first ultrasound done.  I was so unsure as to what to expect with issues relating to my thyroid.  By posting questions and reading responses, I have been able to learn a lot about what to expect, how to cope etc...  I had a hemithyroidectomy on the 27th of February.  I am glad I found this forum and appreciate all the help and support :)

[Rite760]

I have only been here for 2 weeks and I have found all the responses very good. The most helpful time for me, however, was when I first joined and was very scared and confused as to what was happening to me as Doctors were not really helping me much to say the least. At this time, I had great responses from experienced members whose advice was brilliant and which armed me with confidence to confront the stupid doctors.

[CatieC]

I have been here since February 08 when my doctor found a mass on my right lobe. I stumbled onto this forum simply by google-ing for information. Since the mass was found I have been reading everything I can on thyroid diseases.

As I started reading all the posts, I realized just how much information I needed to learn and I continue to read and read.  I also realized how much compassion and strength goes out from everybody. Compassion and Strength that I desperately need right now.

A huge thank you to all.

[AR-10]

The "back room" is my euphemism for Internal Messaging, or IMing friends to share good news and bad.

Call_me_MN, don't take it personally. Sometimes we don't know the answer. Sometimes topics get pushed to page two before the right person to answer the question comes along.

I remember the first time I posted here. I didn't get an answer in a day, and I posted a "thanks for nothing" comment and left in a huff. LOL!!

But I came back. I remember that still, and sometimes go to page two and look for posts that didn't get an answer.

One good way to deal with that is to "bump" your question back up to the top be posting in your own thread with a "Anybody Know?" or "still seeking an answer". The members don't want you to feel ignored. Some days the board moves fast and the unanswered posts pile up.

[krss60]

     I have been here only sense Feb. 2008.  I have learned a lot reading what other people are going thru.  This site has been a blessing to me.  I still have a lot to learn.  But the info continues to come in.
PS  AR-10, what is The Back Room?
     Thanks for all the support
God bless
Karen

[Call_me_MN]

I've been here since December '07. I rarely get responses to my posts, which is disappointing and sometimes disheartening. But it's helpful to see what other people have experienced, so at least I have vicarious experiences to give me a sense of what I might be in for next.

[AR-10]

I think it's been about a year and a half now that I've been annoying people. LOL! Found it by Googling for information.

I sort of figured on being all better by now. :(

The things I've learned about the thyroid have been indispensible, and a huge help in "guiding" my doctors. (If only I could start over.)

What has been of most help is the people I have met. Hearing their stories. Finding people (girls!, no less) who had it worse than I and coping with it. Forming friendships with others who understand what my home town friends don't, and can't, understand. Talking to others that have recovered, and are getting back to their normal lives.

There were times I thought I would die. There were times I wanted to die. My friends here pushed, pulled, prayed, and drug me through the hard times, and still do, more often than they know.

That's been the biggest help to me. That, and "The back room", where I can talk to so many of you about what is bothering me today, privately. Friends who have never met me, but understand and care. That's what has kept me alive.

How do you say thank you for that?
Words are insufficient.