meeting others in real life too...

[LeahM]

Hey All

Just wondering how many people on these forums met others from here? Since we can add our home towns under our avatar pics we all know if we are going somewhere that another one of us is.

I would love to hear stories about who you met and how.

I met NEDenise because she only lived about an hour south of me.

I met ember102 (Paula) and carlatta7 (Carla) last summer in Pittsburg and we are meeting there again in about a month for a long Dirty Girl Mud Run weekend.

I will soon be traveling to Europa's home city so we have plans for brunch.

We are a large community of friends from all over and I am feeling the need after reading Barbs update to hear the stories of the connections made from here.

Best
Leah

[suzan w]

I met Alaska Angel and Full of Beans in Seattle in 2007. FOB was here from England because she was in a trial. I keep in touch through this forum. It was wonderful to meet in person. Sadly...Full of Beans was doing very poorly about a year ago and has since disappeared from the site. I fear the worst.
I have also met Pat B who spends the winter in Naples.

[tricia keegan]

Hi Leah, I was put in touch with another member here who lived in Scotland and the lady who put us in touch lived in the U.S...Carol was stage iv and wanted to live to forty but was refused Herceptin in Scotland so wanted to know if anyone knew if Herceptin was available in Ireland. Chrissy knew I lived here so I contacted Carol and began chatting. As her hubby was from Ireland they wanted to buy a house here so their two young children would have some family to help care for them, I was happy to confirm to Carol that I'd had Herceptin myself and managed to set her up with a medical card (for free care) plus her first iv of herceptin the day after she arrived here and she was thrilled.

We met a few times after that and Carol did well and lived another two years and was blessed with a very peaceful passing, the letters she had written to her children, family and friends were read at her service and her husband made sure to point out to me she had chosen her plot beside a tree overlooking a beautiful lake and visable from her home.

Looking back now a few years later it all seems bittersweet rather than sad, Carol was happy and ready for her death more than anyone I've ever known, she was content knowing her children and husband were with family and would be cared for which is all she wanted, naughty girl that she was, she enjoyed a ciggie after her lunch and simply went to sleep and didn't wake up which I and her family were so pleased for her. I know this all may sound quite sad but it wasn't and it was a positive experience in my life and also in Carols according to her husband and this site made it all possible as otherwise she may never have taken that leap to move to Ireland. I'm so pleased she did and it goes to show how Christine and Joe setting up this website really did create ripples all over the world.

If anyone is interested they can read Carols story on the Profiles in courage forum entitled "wishing to live to age forty".

[KDR]

I am very good friends with lk1 and we talk everyday. We used to see each other a lot, but our schedules have changed. But not a day goes by that we don't speak. I met Kim (Radiant) in California and in New York. I was supposed to meet with jkl in Pittsburgh as I am there often on real estate business, but she had a last-minute meeting that Friday. I am very friendly with AndiBB (love her) and Eileen (em...), who I see often. I was friendly with Donna Charpeid, who we just lost. She lived not far from me. Her husband and I keep up contact. I met Jay (Courtney's husband) in California. I absolute love Mamacze (Hey, angel) and we speak and share notes. Andi and Kim are my go-to's. Was also friendly with Kris (Krisvell) until we lost her.

JoanM is another of my favorite telephone check-in people. She is very much on top of breast cancer news. I love Michelle (Michka).

Fern (Waterdreamer) is a special friend on the West coast. We share experiences, possibilities and stories and lives.

I had many conversations with Denise, but never met her in person. I will never forget how she chilled me with the story that she was the third elementary teacher in the same classroom with breast cancer. I found her obit on the Internet when it was just an hour old and called her number, hoping it wasn't her, but her husband, Ted, said it was. Couldn't believe it. Asked him if he wanted me to post it or not. He said yes.

I am a big fan of Phil McCartin and his wife Lorraine and we confer often. Their tenacity will benefit us all, and already has.
I also have a deep respect for Rolepaul and the work he is doing, making strides for all of us. These are more go-to's.

I am Facebook friends with many here, the beautiful Adriana and Steph. I receive quite a lot of PMs and got one very special one a few months back that really blew me away. Sender, you know who you are. Sometimes a special message in the PM box just radiates right through you; there was one I remember from a man, and it was very special. People really watch and really care here. It is truly a bit of a family affair.

So, Leah, since I travel to PGH often, perhaps we will catch up one day. I haven't listed all my contacts and friends here. There are too many!

Like Sonali and the group from Genentech, etc.

In life, I have a lot of friends in general. I love it! I'd like to think that we are all friends. How did that old saying go? "In the world, there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet."

There are bound to be people I've missed; I still love you, I am just very tired. It's 11PM and I've been up since 530AM.

[michka]

I live in France and was so happy to meet StephN and JoanM when they passed by Paris! These two women are nor only exceptional survivors but they are positive and intelligent fighters with big hearts. I try to follow their example. One day I hope I will meet Sarah down in the south of France.

[LeahM]

Wow! Thanks, I love these stories. We are all friends and it is so great that at times we can meet each other. Thank You for sharing, I hope to hear more.
Karen, I am going to Pittsburg just to see those two ladies. One lives in Ohio and the other in Indiana. Its a 5.5 hr drive away. BUT....I could be in NYC in about an hour. We should plan it. I would love that.
Best
Leah

[KDR]

Leah,
That would be fantastic. I pass by Lehigh Valley medical centers when I'm en route to Pittsburgh.
We could make a date to spend a day and night in NYC if you'd like.
PM for my number,
Karen

[Saygoon]

I haven't gotten to meet anyone yet, but if anyone plans on vacationing in the Black Hills of South Dakota (Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse etc) Let me know before you come. I''ll be your personal real life Native American tour guide!

[Pamelamary]

And some of us live a LONG way away!
Mind you, I was lucky enough to be in New York last September, but trips like that are few and far between. If any of you come to Australia.....
Pam