2010

[YLGuy]

As this year comes to an end I reflect on what has happened.  This site is such a blessing.  I often talk about the information it provides.  To say it is a great source of information would be an understatement.  IHD is so much more than a website to me.  Reading your posts I have laughed and I have cried.  Losing members deeply impacts my life.  It bring my own mortality into question but more importantly I feel that I have lost friends.  There are members who have passed that I miss so much. Then there are the triumphs that I get to share.  The 2010 list shows 35 transplants this year! Not just the transplants but the victories in your lives dialysis related or not.  You have offered advice, support and friendship.  We have joked and jabbed.  We have waved and hugged.  We have scolded and prayed for each other.  Sometimes it was a page, sometimes just a smiley.  Thank you all but mostly...thank you epoman.  I know you passed before I joined but you know I still talk to you once and awhile.  Here is to wishing you all a happy, healthy holiday and a great 2011 with more happy news than sad.
God bless you all,
Marc

[Jean]

AMEN Marc, and all the same wishes back to you.

[galvo]

Onya buddy!

[okarol]

  That's a great post. I feel the loss too. Some people have passed away, like Epoman and Goofynina, and I can only say that in the short time I knew them, I came to love them. It really hurt when they died, but I would never trade the time we had. And much of that time is through reading their posts, which live on. How cool is that? Thanks Bassman, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and many more happy years! And LONG LIVE IHD!
 

[thegrammalady]

to each and every one of you, all, who mean so much to me.

[Rerun]

We don't know what 2011 will bring.  I hope more good days than bad for all of us.  Hang in there and stay tough.

Rerun               

[rsudock]

This site means so much to me too! Love my IHD family! RIP Epoman!!

xo,
R

[kitkatz]

Love to Goofynina and to Epoman, our founder.  Your voices are missed in this current season, yet they have not been stilled. 

2010 has been a fairly rough year around here with graft problems and fistula surgeries.  I am glad 2011 looks better.

[boswife]

I'm behind ya on that YLGUY, and with tearfilled eyes, i say, MERRY CHRISTMAS, and Blessings for this next year to all.  This place is still blessed with those who have passed, and left their hearts their knowledge and their drive to carry on with us.. Much love to all here at IHD 

[Slywalker]

YLguy - nicely said.  Even though I've gone pretty much back into lurker mode - this site, over the last few years, has helped keep me going.

Long live IHD.    

[Wattle]

Merry Christmas IHD 

Love to Goofynina and to Epoman, our founder.  Your voices are missed in this current season, yet they have not been stilled. 

I can't ever imagine their voices stilled!

[Red from Canada]

I agree with all the sentiments expressed. while I don't write often, I read every day and laugh and cry with all the family. this site is truly a blessing!  A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you, my friends.

[jbeany]

 

This site and its members are a huge source of strength for me.  Here's hoping for even more transplants next year, and for more people to join here as we all fight our uphill battles. 

[Poppylicious]

Hear, hear! (to everything that's been said above.)

You lovely people have helped me through the tough times (whether you knew it or not) so often and I'm incredibly thankful that this place exists.

*mwah*

[looneytunes]

IHD is so much more than just a forum for people affected by renal disease.  It is a source of knowledge, experience, support, friendship and of course fun.  It has truly been a lifeline to me and I am so grateful for it.  (thank you Epoman) Bless all of you for your willingness to contribute to the greatest kidney site on the web and I am wishing all of you good health and prosperity in 2011.   

[cariad]

I feel somewhat guilty to say it, but 2010 has shaped up to be one of the best years of my life. I know myself much better, know who I am for what I've been through. I am sorry to see the year come to a close.

Let's see - Gwyn and I went through a clinical trial, injected each other with Neupogen, underwent surgery together, climbed into each others' hospital beds on the recovery floor, survived being separated from our kids for almost a month, slowly recovered, celebrated our tenth anniversary, settled a law suit, took a 4-day dream holiday, made new friends, took on volunteer positions, finally showed Wales to our kids, and both accepted new jobs. Our older son continues to sail through life with his magnetic personality, our younger son is putting everything he has into learning to control his emotions and talk about his feelings. And I got to share all this and more on IHD with the many lovely, encouraging people that I've met along the way.

It's been a wild year, like they all seem to be, but I would happily relive it all over again, yes, even the medical parts. How much more I appreciate where I am today for where I was on New Years Day 2010. New Years is an anniversary for us - Gwyn proposed on New Years. We have the champagne chilled and ready. We'll drink a toast to all of you and to your good health and good fortune this New Years Day. 

[MooseMom]

I am so glad to see the back end of this year!  This has been one of the worst, if not THE worst, year of my life, and I wince when I think there's still a week left of it!  Two things got me through 2010...my supportive husband and my supportive friends on IHD.  I am very grateful to everyone who spent even a nanosecond reading my thrashing ramblings.  This website and everyone who participates do so much good for so many people, and I trust you all feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.  To all of you who have given me and other bewildered members a pat on the back and a word of encouragement, thank you so very much.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2011.

[Bajanne]

Through my tears (can't help them when I think of how much I miss Epoman and my girlfriend Goofynina), I am so gratified when I hear the testimonies of those who have been helped by this IHD family.
I thank God for this place and my prayer is that it will go from strength to even more strength in 2011, and each one of us can be an answer to that prayer!


You did good, Epoman!

[kellyt]

Nicely put, YL.

My wish for all of us at IHD is that we all have more tomorrows than yesterdays.

Love you all!   

[paris]

Thanks for the post Marc.  Your words brought tears.   I was a newbie when Epoman died, but I saved his pm's to me. I was already amazed that the admin would personally write to me.  And dear Goofynina.  There was something in me that made me fly from N.C. to California for her funeral.  I couldn't believe she was gone. It was not surprising to see hundreds of people at the funeral. Everyone loved her and she made each person feel so special.  And I got to spend time with Okarol and Vandie--what an emotional time.    But, the members are what makes this forum so special.  The honesty we share, secrets we may never tell another soul, that's is what makes this place special.   

It ended up a great year for me. The good overshadows the bad many times over.  I do love thinking ahead and wondering what the new year will bring.  I know there will be some very hard days, but I also know I will have great times with the grandkids and the family.   And I want to go to Vegas sooooo much this year.  We need to start planning!!   

Good wishes and much love to all of you.    KellyT,  I love your wish!  More tomorrows!!