Thanks to Everyone

[Val]

I just wanted to tell everyone on the site that I am so happy that I found this awesome forum with the most caring and helpful people.
Everyone has their own discomforts but each of you still takes the time to care for anyone in need who posts on the site.  I am fairly new to the site and don't post all that often, but I try to get on the site a couple of times a week and read for hours if I can.  I always am in awe of each and every one of you.  You are each so helpful and compassionate, maybe it is because you can feel each other pain dealing with all these crazy symptoms or maybe   it is because you are all AMAZING.  I just wanted to let everyone know that I am so grateful that you are each out there sharing and caring for each other.  This sight has such a wealth of information.  It is also a place where we can express ourselves and know that someone is always out there who wants to hold our hand, wipe our tears, laugh with us, and let us each know that is all gonna be OK. 

YOU ARE ALL THE BEST!!!!

Val

[irish]

Val, Glad to hear that you come and read for hours. I do that on occasion also.

You are so right about the people on this site. So many health issues we all have and we all learn from each other. The good thing is that people are so understanding plus we all have a sense of humor in spite of it all.

Spring and Care, the two gals that started this site quite a few years ago now, are to be commended for making this such a great place to come. They run a tight ship and I think that is what keeps everything more positive and helpful.

Hope that your sjogrens is behaving itself so that you are able to enjoy life to the best of your ability. Irish

[Reenie]

I wholeheartedly second Val's sentiment!  The support, advice, caring, and hugs here are genuine.  I feel very blessed to have found you all here.  Actually, a friend told me about this site; I lurked for a few months....and my only regret, is that I wish I had joined sooner rather than lurking so long.

A BIG thank you to everyone!

HUGS all around,
Reenie

[Reenie]

Oh, and another thing!   A hearfelt thank you to the gals who created the site, and big kudos for making the site extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate in.  It's the best!

Reenie

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

What a lovely thing to say. I feel the same way. The site wouldn't be what it is without its users so give yourselves a big pat on the back too because you are a part of it all.
I remember how lost I felt before I found this place.

Take care - Scottie 

[JannaLee]

Because I have NO ONE to talk to about this... and it all still feels new to me (diagnosed 9 months ago) I find this place to be a 24 hour therapy session.

In case you haven't noticed I talk a lot....I NEED to talk a lot about scary things and I need to learn a lot to advocate for myself at the doctor's office.

I will NEVER FORGET how absolutely HORRIFIED I was when I got the news I didn't expect (diagnosis)...I was more than devastated and terrified and so lost.

When I googled 'Sjogren's Syndrome' this site was right at the top.  I came here and just fell apart.  Everyone ran to me and put me back together.  (I am crying as I'm typing this)

Words cannot express my gratitude for the relationships I have found here. 

"Care" "Spring-s" eternal here and I thank you all so much!

[Linda196]

I'm thankful every day for Spring and Care, and their amazing site. I'm also thankful for the members who have found a retreat here, and are generously sharing their experiences and journey with all of us.

This site is the number ONE result when you Google "Sjogren's Support" and I think that says volumes! Maintaining this site requires a lot of effort, attentiveness, perseverance and financial resource from our founders, and yet they continue to do it, selflessly, in order to provide education, awareness and support. The wonderful members contribute so much, with such a wide variety of experience, perspective and insights, that, if it ever became possible, the medical education mainframe could use us as a textbook! Contributions of a financial nature also help immensely, and are so very much appreciated.

[pudmott]

I have to agree with all the sentiments expressed here. I will be forever greatful to this site and to Care and Spring for setting it up. To all the wonderful staff who volunteer their time and to the members who share and care with everyone.

I stumbled across this place last year when the term Sjogren's was first thrown at me as a possible explaination for all the bizarre things that were happening to my body and the love support and acceptance i have received from everyone here has been amazing.

I have just submitted information to my local support group for an article they are doing on Sjogren's Syndrome. One of the questions they asked me was 'What has been your greatest support?" My only response was Sjogren's World at www.sjogrensworld.org

This site is awesome and everyone here is the best.

Thank you to everyone for being your beautiful wonderful selves

Pud

[lynnmarie219]

I also am so thankful for this site and for Care and Spring who started Sjogrens World and continue it out of necessity and love, and to everyone here who plays a huge part making this work.

All of the staff and members who contribute every day make Sjogrens World the kind and comforting place I have grown to know and love. 


Thank you all so much....love and hugs to everyone!

[Pooh]

I can't say I found this site on my own.  In fact if not for my daughter who wasn't going to let me spend my whole computer existence playing games and getting more depressed by the day, I would never have been here. 

So to my daughter "Thanks kiddo, you did good.  I love you."  To Care and Spring "Thanks girls, you did great!" and to everyone, moderators, chat hosts, staff and members "Thank you, I love you all".

This is the greatest support group going, not just because of the staff but the fact is, we have the greatest members in all the world.  You all are there for each other and the staff when we need you.  This is far beyond anything money can buy. 

Big HUGS, and APPRECIATION to all,

Pooh

[eyeamdry]

I, too, agree with the above sentiments!  What oh what do you do when you have this strange word thrown at you?  Actually, it's probably worse when they won't throw the word at you.  I came here to find friendship, information and great support when I was dx with Sjogrens two years ago.  Six months later, I also incurred friendship and support when I had the diagnosis of breast cancer, which is way more scary than Sjogrens.  I think somehow that dealing with Sjogrens made dealing with cancer a little easier.  It's like I had not moved from one diagnosis yet to find myself with another.

I still come here almost every day.  I still have a lot to say--mostly about dry eyes, my crowning "unglory."  I haunted dry eye boards and lasik boards for 7 years before I came here.  I may have found about this board from Billye--I'm not quite sure on one of the dry eye boards.  I likely had Sjogrens somewhere along that time, but we'll never know when.  Hurrah for Sjogrens World and all those who maintain it, the moderators and any other staff.  Thanks!  Lucy

[beverley]

I just wanted to join in the general hugging - I'm always up for a hug!  Seriously though, I beat myself up all the time that I can't cope with work and home like I used to.  It's very easy to feel that you are using SJS as an excuse for being lazy, inadequate ... you know ... and it is only coming to this site and seeing that others are suffering in exactly the same way, and that others have to put up with far more, that helps me rationalise what is happening to me emotionally, physically and psychologically.  The expertise here is second to none and I value the advice I am given here by my fellow sjoggies more than I do any other.

I have no idea how many hours you all have to spend to maintain the site in its efficient, pristine and accessible format, but every time I log on I am in awe of how much work everyone must put into it.  Thanks to you all and all the contributors, because without them this wouldn't feel like the warm family it is.
Love to you all

Beverley

[Patze]

Okay, I'm a big hugger and I gotta get into this one - ought to be large enough for record books!

My sincere thanks to Spring and Care, ladies, very well done!!!!   And let me also thank all of you, each and everyone, for helping make this such a great board, and a wonderful caring place to come to! 

Big hugs all around!!!!

Patze