Ok , bit of a strange question here.....

[Swee_tone]

Hi guys, I haven't been here in a while, but recently had a corespondence with a wonderful member here.

As i'm not currently on dialysis, I figured I would try to put it away from my thoughts for a while.

Anyhow, in thinking about our friends here, and this forum friend, I became really consumed by the thought of wishing I could be more of a comfort to others.
I've read the stories of those who are single, alone, and single parents, and feel deeply for all of your situations.

Do you ever feel you wish you could offer more to others?

Imagine how those in the health care field must feel...

 I'm trying to look for the good things in every day .

I'm really tired, I think my brain is 3/4 asleep, i'll re-read this tomorrow and it will sound silly! 

Keep your chin up , and take things 1 day at a time , ok?!

[okarol]

I wish I could find kidneys or optimal dialysis for everyone here - that would be so great...

[Rerun]

I see how those in the health care feel!  "I want to get off by 5:00 and I can't wait to party this weekend."

    Wahhhooooooo!

Must be nice to be healthy so you can destroy your body.           

Other than that..... I wish I could help more people.

[Ken Shelmerdine]

I do sometimes experience a feeling of helplessness when I read post from members who are feeling crap for most of the time. Unfortunately we are a comunity in cyberspace and all we can do is type out words to each other.

But heartfelt words are still very powerful and hopefully give some comfort to the suffering. We  also give lots of useful advice to each other based on our experiences which for me has been invaluable. Just about everything I know about kidney disease and it's problems is from this forum. So when I get feelings of 'I wish I could be of more comfort' I think of the way I have benefited from the kind words and advice of people on IHD. and then try to do the same. I've noticed that just a few kind words can be just as powerful as a longer thought out post and both kinds are just as valuable. 

Many able bodied people have sympathy for the afflicted but only the similarly afflicted can have empathy and we have bucketfuls of it on IHD. 

[Swee_tone]

Thanks Ken, that makes good sense.

Well , i'm more awake now, and had a little chuckle at my post! I do feel for all here though, as Ken mentioned probably because I can relate more than a healthy person would.

Imagine the days not so long ago, when they never had communication such as online forums? It would have been a much more solitary battle.
We better see the blessings as well as the problems , I feel.

[paris]

Swee_tone,  My life would be so different right now without internet and IHD.  I have learned more here than from any of my doctors. I credit how well I am doing to he knowledge and support I have found here.  I, too, feel compeled to reach out to others while I have the time and energy.   I volunteer with the Aids Alliance and the Kidney Foundation, but my time at IHD is probably the most rewarding.  If I can help one person for just one day, my time is well spent.     We miss  you -- come back and post more!     

[Swee_tone]

....my time at IHD is probably the most rewarding.  If I can help one person for just one day, my time is well spent.     We miss  you -- come back and post more!     

Thank-you for your kind words. That helped me today!

[Bub]

Many able bodied people have sympathy for the afflicted but only the similarly afflicted can have empathy and we have bucketfuls of it on IHD.

Well put Ken.  I am not interested in sympathy from any one.  But I appreaciate empathy from everyone and especially from my friends here at IHD.

[monrein]

Very well said Sir Ken.   

[paris]

I agree with Ken, too.  He said it all so well.