I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: rfranzi on June 25, 2011, 06:52:09 PM

Title: Seattle Meetup
Post by: rfranzi on June 25, 2011, 06:52:09 PM
I would like to take the reigns and see if we can arrange a meet-up for folks around Seattle. Please let me know if you would be interested and if you have any suggestions for best times/places to meet. I have been doing some writing lately about support systems/groups and a lack thereof. The people here are fantastic, I think it would be great to meet some of you in person. Thank you.

Best,
Robin


EDITED, MOVED TOPIC - Rerun, Moderator
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Rerun on June 27, 2011, 11:10:04 AM
That would be great.  I bet some people from Portland would attend too.

       :waving;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: rfranzi on June 27, 2011, 11:53:20 AM
Thanks, yes! Maybe a monthly Sunday brunch or something, I don't know, whatever people want. It would be especially nice to meet people who might even be going to Vegas beforehand, but most of all, I find it lacking in the medical community that there are no formal support groups through hospitals, etc. I think there are enough of us in the area to meet and I am sure we can be of great benefit to one another. The people I've met online have been a lifeline, but there is no substitute for a real hug. I would be willing to go to Portland as well (with some advance planning of course), so the world is our oyster!

That would be great.  I bet some people from Portland would attend too.

       :waving;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Bill Peckham on June 27, 2011, 05:59:47 PM
There was some talk of meeting at the Garage (a pool/bowling place on Broadway about three blocks north of Swedish) but no one pulled the trigger. These days, for me the main issue is the work/energy balance, but I would want to attend.

I think the key is picking a date/time.
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: rfranzi on June 27, 2011, 07:34:38 PM
Hi and thanks!  I am pretty open as long as it is not god awful early in the morning. Also, I'm coming from the Eastside so I'd like to avoid the bridges between 5-7 M-F if possible. The garage sounds fine to me....What would be the best day(s) time(s) for you? Maybe we can get a few folks together intially at least....


There was some talk of meeting at the Garage (a pool/bowling place on Broadway about three blocks north of Swedish) but no one pulled the trigger. These days, for me the main issue is the work/energy balance, but I would want to attend.

I think the key is picking a date/time.
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: RichardMEL on June 27, 2011, 08:22:05 PM
I may well be in the Seattle area around the first/second week of September, so if anyone plans something around then perhaps you could have an out of town visitor :)
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Bill Peckham on June 27, 2011, 08:45:46 PM
I may well be in the Seattle area around the first/second week of September, so if anyone plans something around then perhaps you could have an out of town visitor :)


Wow a celebrity guest!  That would get a good turn out - what day is good for you RM?
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: KarenInWA on June 27, 2011, 08:54:19 PM
I may well be in the Seattle area around the first/second week of September, so if anyone plans something around then perhaps you could have an out of town visitor :)


Wow a celebrity guest!  That would get a good turn out - what day is good for you RM?

I'd like to put my vote in for a Sunday - that way there is no dialysis-schedule conflicts.  Also, if we do the Garage, street parking is still free on Sundays!

And, if we're going to have our out-of-town celebrity as a guest, might I suggest Sunday, Sept 11? :)

KarenInWA
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: RichardMEL on June 27, 2011, 09:07:10 PM
Good grief I am no celebrity!!!

 :shy; :shy; :shy;

but yes Sep 11 could well work :)

Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Jie on June 27, 2011, 09:19:31 PM
I travel to Seattle several times a year and if date is fitting into my schedule, I will attend too.
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Rerun on June 27, 2011, 10:45:40 PM
It is a 4 hour drive and I have no idea where the Garage is but I could try..... or did you say the Gorage at George?  I know where that is.

        :flower;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: jazzin11 on June 28, 2011, 01:28:50 PM
 :waving; I would love a Seattle meet n greet! I'm in Bellingham, 2 hrs north, so not a huge drive.  I am, however getting a transplant tomorrow morning at the UW, so I'll be out of circulation for a month or so.  Keep us posted!
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Jie on June 28, 2011, 08:30:32 PM
:waving; I would love a Seattle meet n greet! I'm in Bellingham, 2 hrs north, so not a huge drive.  I am, however getting a transplant tomorrow morning at the UW, so I'll be out of circulation for a month or so.  Keep us posted!

Best wishes for your pending transplant. How long do you need to stay close to UW after transplant? 
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: rfranzi on June 28, 2011, 10:50:45 PM
Wow, that is great news! I'll be keeping you in my prayers...

:waving; I would love a Seattle meet n greet! I'm in Bellingham, 2 hrs north, so not a huge drive.  I am, however getting a transplant tomorrow morning at the UW, so I'll be out of circulation for a month or so.  Keep us posted!
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: jazzin11 on July 08, 2011, 01:35:12 AM
I am home now, actually went home on Sunday the 3rd. But was readmitted Tuesday for dehydration...discharged today. Hard to get used to drinking 2-3 liters a day after the limits of dialysis! Kidney is working fine, however! :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: RichardMEL on July 08, 2011, 02:00:34 AM
I am home now, actually went home on Sunday the 3rd. But was readmitted Tuesday for dehydration...discharged today. Hard to get used to drinking 2-3 liters a day after the limits of dialysis! Kidney is working fine, however! :2thumbsup;

I think all of us lucky enough to have such a wonderful gift understand this. Somedays now I find myself forgetting to drink, then feel guilty, so grab a 500ml bottle of water and chug it down, and then some just to keep myself hydrated. Those hold habits are VERY hard to break, specially when you've worked so hard to be so good with the restrictions!!! It just had become second nature to me to not drink - I'd pretty much retrained my mind... so retraining again takes time.

Hang in there and try to not get dehydrated again!!!

remember.. you CAN have that drink now.. and them some!!!

 :bow; :beer1; :2thumbsup; :beer1; :grouphug;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Jie on July 08, 2011, 08:41:53 PM
For some patients, it is not easy for not getting dehydration: more water and more urine. Hope that it has settled down and the body can retain some water. I am surprised that UW allows patients to go home with 2-hr distance. 
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: rfranzi on July 10, 2011, 01:51:30 PM
Congratulations on a successful transplant! I get so much hope for the future knowing you have gone before me. Stay hydrated, and be well! Really glad to hear that you are home!
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: jazzin11 on July 25, 2011, 12:59:06 AM
 :grouphug; HI!!  Just bringing this to the top again.  Have we made any progress toward a date?  I'm looking forward to meeting all of you!

John :waving;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: KarenInWA on August 05, 2011, 11:24:11 PM
I'm bringing this topic up again to see if we can drum up interest!  RichardMEL will be in Seattle on Sunday, September 11th.  Do we want to do this meetup then?  At The Garage on Broadway?  Can I see a show of hands?

KarenInWA
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: silverhead on August 06, 2011, 07:23:50 AM
Count me in, some health issues might prevent it, but I intend to be there......
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Rerun on August 06, 2011, 08:07:04 AM
I'm going to Seattle at the end of August so probably won't turn around and go again.  Sorry.  Do Have Fun!  And Take Pictures.

       :pics;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Bill Peckham on August 06, 2011, 04:15:31 PM
I'll plan to attend. Sundays are the safest day to plan things, it's the least likely day I'd have to work.
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: RichardMEL on August 06, 2011, 09:36:27 PM
Just confirming that yes, I will be there one way or another. my ticket is booked, my seats selected and i'm ready to rock and roll - would be great to see anyone who can show up for a catch up!!!  :)
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Ang on August 06, 2011, 09:49:00 PM
Just confirming that yes, I will be there one way or another. my ticket is booked, my seats selected and i'm ready to rock and roll - would be great to see anyone who can show up for a catch up!!!  :)

when you travel to foreign lands richy, remember the VEGEMITE
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: RichardMEL on August 06, 2011, 10:16:33 PM
lol!! probably get confiscated by the TSA!!  :rofl;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: KarenInWA on August 07, 2011, 10:20:21 AM
Just wanted to plant an idea here -  I was at The Garage in Feb of this year.  They have one of those "old fashioned" (I put that in quotes because the thing takes debit/credit cards) photo booths!  It''s near the new bathrooms (I highly recommend them over the old ones).  Takes B&W pics.  Can't pass up one of those!

 :pics;

KarenInWA
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Bill Peckham on August 07, 2011, 12:03:04 PM
Just wanted to plant an idea here -  I was at The Garage in Feb of this year.  They have one of those "old fashioned" (I put that in quotes because the thing takes debit/credit cards) photo booths!  It''s near the new bathrooms (I highly recommend them over the old ones).  Takes B&W pics.  Can't pass up one of those!

 :pics;

KarenInWA


Thanks for the heads up - otherwise only people with transplants would have found it
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: jazzin11 on August 10, 2011, 04:29:06 AM
I'll be at the Kelso Highlander Festival on Saturday, barring any problems, I can attend (planning on it) on Sunday!  Looking forward to it!! :thx;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Bill Peckham on August 10, 2011, 08:57:05 PM
So what time will be this little shindig? Or will it be a soiree?


Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: KarenInWA on August 14, 2011, 05:15:53 PM
Hmmm, good question, Bill.  I know Richard and I are planning on going to brunch at the Space Needle that day.  I wonder what time The Garage opens?

KarenInWA
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Bill Peckham on August 24, 2011, 09:10:24 PM
3Pm at the Garage on Broadway in Seattle, Sunday September 11.


Who's in?
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: jazzin11 on August 25, 2011, 08:00:00 PM
I'll be there!!   :beer1;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: RichardMEL on September 05, 2011, 08:49:46 AM
Well less than a week now. I intend to be there with my chauffeur KarenInWA, and I know she knows the way :) LOoking forward to meeting everyone and proving I am real and not some kind of computer generated weirdo.

I'll be the one with the fistula.....  :rofl; :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Bill Peckham on September 05, 2011, 10:03:28 AM
Well less than a week now. I intend to be there with my chauffeur KarenInWA, and I know she knows the way :) LOoking forward to meeting everyone and proving I am real and not some kind of computer generated weirdo.

I'll be the one with the fistula.....  :rofl; :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;


There'll be at least four of us if work doesn't rear up and bite me and suspect there will be attendees who haven't posted to this thread yet (coughcoughwallyzcough).
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: okarol on September 05, 2011, 10:05:22 AM
Oh boy - please post some photos when you can!  :pics;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: jazzin11 on September 11, 2011, 01:08:45 AM
The Garage, 1130 Broadway, Seattle.  I shall be there...3pm!
 :waving;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Bill Peckham on September 11, 2011, 09:57:23 PM
I made it up to the Garage to have a beer with Richard. I had to take an extra hour and half lunch break from work but it was well worth it although after having a beer I really didn't want to work for another five hours. Even with the beer break I've clocked 19 hours this weekend, but enough complaining. It was great to see IHD's Oz mainstay and now I can put a person with jazzin11 though I didn't stay long enough to talk much. I hope there will be a next time.


Front row Left to Right that's KarenInWA, RichardMEL, Me
Back Row WallyZ and jazzin11


WallyZ's better half is behind the camera.
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: Wattle on September 11, 2011, 11:32:44 PM
 :clap;

Yay I am glad you were able to have a mini beer filled meet! It's wonderful how we have made so many friends on here.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: okarol on September 12, 2011, 12:39:36 AM
 :yahoo; I love the photo - it's so cool that you got together! It makes me so happy!  :waving;
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: monrein on September 12, 2011, 01:50:01 AM
 :clap;  Great that this happened.
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: KarenInWA on September 12, 2011, 04:05:46 PM
Thank you for posting the picture, Bill!  It was very nice catching up with Wallyz and his better half, you, and meeting jazzin11, who just recently had a transplant at the same place I will be having mine.  Always good to meet those who have "been there, done that" in the same place!  Yes, we do need to do more of these :)

KarenInWA
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: paris on September 12, 2011, 05:05:53 PM
Wonderful picture!  Epoman would be so proud.  Meeting in person is such a great experience.   But I am jealous --- lunch with Richard AND Bill?   One can always dream.     :rofl; 
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: natnnnat on September 12, 2011, 06:50:13 PM
great photo which put a smile on my dial.  thanks Bill. 
Title: Re: Seattle Meetup
Post by: RichardMEL on September 21, 2011, 04:47:55 AM
Hi all :)

just catching up on things finally. It has been crazy at work and stuff since I got back home :)

It was so wonderful to meet everyone in Seattle just over a week ago.

Bill - thank you SO much for *making* the time to come and see us, if even for the length of a beer (and thanks for the Mac & Jac's ale too!!! champion!). Incidently my mate *was* at that conference/show thing you were working so hard on.

It was such a pleasure to meet wallyz & wife, and Jazzin11 who I had the pleasure to talk to for a bit. Everyone's stories and experiences were very interesting and it was just so great to meet some fellow IHDers!!!

And the bonus - everyone seemed to understand my accent!!!!

 :bow; :beer1; :2thumbsup; :yahoo;