What a great group!

[Val Pfeiffer]

This week I received a private message from Rhonda (Sassy)... she had noticed that I hadn't posted in awhile and she wanted to know if I was OK. That is one of the truly amazing things about this group. In some ways I don't feel worthy--I am not here often enough to notice when people haven't posted, and even if I was, I don't know if I would have the organizational thinking skills to notice someone's absence. Rhonda--thank you for checking in with me. Part of my problem has been lack of time due to learning a new industry since I changed jobs on March 31. My other problem was that I have struggled the last couple times I visited. Lyn's death, Linda's death, and the huge struggles that everyone is facing were tough on me, as I am sure they were on all of us.

But Rhonda's message was a reminder about the outstanding nature of this board and the people who contribute to it. It's not a board where people spend too much time on chit-chat or useless info (although we get to know each other quite well anyway); it's one where we exchange information about trials, treatments, symptoms, etc. -- VERY useful stuff. My treatment course was radically different because of this site (and my oncologist's willingness to allow me to recommend my own treatments).

I know that I need to be on this board and stop being a baby (although I know where to go when I need a good cry :-). I have ideas and experiences that I should be contributing for the benefit of others, just as I have received information that helped me. And I still need to stay on top of everything for my own sake. With a stage 3b case, I was so close to stage 4, that my journey probably isn't finished.

So I am still here--sometimes lurking, sometimes posting when I have time. Thank you Rhonda, and thank you to the rest of you too!

Gotta go...more posting to do!!!