We all need a little help from our friends

My brain is doing its usual bounce this evening. Was going to say 2 things about me and then I thought maybe I should make a list of the things you probably don't know about me. But hey! Where's the fun in that? It's better when you find these things out on your own....

Last July I entered a new world. I have a rare disease that pretty much defies all medical learning and makes our body do weird things. There's no cure for it and treatments mainly are to limit pain. As I learned more and more I began to panic. How fast does this grow? What happens next and when? Is there anything I can do about it??? My poor doc had to experience me in a close as he'll see to hysterical state. I felt better when he said he'd be my partner in this but I still didn't have anybody to talk to who would truly understand. That night I googled Dercum's and found a few support groups. I read some entries and it became apparent that one had a very kind and supportive group of people. This group is on www.mdjunction.com . I signed on and sent my first message. I had a response the next day! From several people reassuring me that my feelings were normal. As were my physical symptoms! That group has become my family. We chat, we answer and ask questions and we send hugs. Wow!

I became so attached to this group and mdjunction that I offered to be a group leader. A few months later I started a second related group. When I'm down they lift me up. When I'm worried, they help calm me. We laugh! And we probably cry sometimes. But I know my DD family is there for me always. I would not be doing as well without them!

Mdjunction has over 700 groups. They are mainly for medical conditions. I've checked the ones for depression, lipomas, fibromyalgia and more. It seems ther are people all over the world who are like you! Who are willing to talk things over with you.

Four years ago I started a knee replacement support group. Our web site is www.tippecaknees.org. Well, we now have a group on mdjunction!!! This way we can all see questions and tips and talk to each other instead of one to one. (Though I can still get private messages.) This is something I've wanted to do for years and now Roy and mdjunction have made that possible. I'm excited!

Have I said how much I like the site? ;-) check it out. www.mdjunction.com

Take care!
Diane