Happy Birthday To Us

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:34 am

Tex - Happy Anniversary and thank you for creating and maintaining this "safe haven" for us. Also, a big thank you to all of you who post on the board, sharing your experiences and giving encouragement and support.

Love,
Kari

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:39 am

Thanks, Tex. I'm pretty sure it was during 2002 that my Mom first got sick. There was almost no other information available about MC at that time. When my mother got the positive gliadin results from Enterolab, she said she couldn't give up gluten, it was too difficult. She was in her 80's and dealing with an ill husband. I don't think the response from Enterolab stressed the need to be gluten free strongly enough. Her GI doc certainly had no clue about diet and MC and neither did I. He is my doctor now and when I got CC, he still didn't have a clue. He does now!!!

Thanks, again.
Sheila W

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:03 am

Wow, does this ever bring back memories! I also found Judy Malinoski's newsletters when I was first diagnosed....... a lifesaver! I even chatted with her by phone once. I'll never forget her telling me about her worst MC "accident". She was snorkeling (or scuba diving?) in a wet suit when the D hit. It was the kind of wetsuit where water was pumped through it. Can you imagine how awful it must have been to peel off that wet suit in the hot sun in front of others?

Then I moved on to Sally's Board (the ancestor of our current Board) where I met the other old-timers - Maggie, Alice, etc. They told me about Dr. Fine, which put me on the path to health. I later met Tex there, too - "self-diagnosed" he called himself.

Sally's Board helped so many.....at least until 2 of the members became obnoxious and hostile. They did not believe in the gluten connection and began unmercifully attacking those who did. What was so ironic was that while everyone else was getting better by eliminating gluten and other foods, these 2 were becoming sicker and sicker! Anyway, when they became unbearable, Tex and I decided to start this site. I fondly recall many emails and phone calls with Tex as we developed this site.

Yes, Tex has devoted incredible time and energy here and is truly a hero!!!! Happy Birthday to us INDEED!!!

Love,

Polly

Chrisdat · Post by **Chrisdat** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:16 am

Fun, to hear your recollections - Polly. Hard to believe you've been here so many years, and all those who proceeded.

Again, I am so thankful for this board, Tex's book and all that went before sharing ups and downs, tips, and encouragement.

Thanks - and Happy Birthday!

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:16 am

Polly - thank you for that bit of history - I didn't realize that you were part of creating this board with Tex. As I've said many times before, finding this board has been a life saver for me - the knowledge and support here is unequaled!!!

A million thanks for your efforts and lots of love,
Kari

Post by **tex** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 9:42 am

Sheila wrote:He is my doctor now and when I got CC, he still didn't have a clue. He does now!!!

Polly and all,

I appreciate the kind words, but I'm certainly not hero material. Like everyone else who comes here, the main reason why I'm here is to learn more about the disease. You, along with other members who worked together to build this site, and everyone who continues to come here to offer support and information for those who are in desperate need of support and reliable information, are the true heroines/heroes.

All of us have many other demands on our time, and time is the one commodity that once used, can never be replaced. But you're willing to spend much of your precious time helping others, sharing the gift of improved health, and what could be more heroic than helping others to improve their health and their lifestyle. IMO, that's a form of unconditional love that truly does represent heroism at its best.

To me, one of the most rewarding aspects of this discussion board is observing how quickly most new members pick up on that, and realize that this is the real deal.

Love,
Tex

Camie · Post by **Camie** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 11:50 am

Great job! I don't know what I would do without this forum!

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 1:48 pm

Happy Birthday to the forum!!

Like others have said, this forum and the wonderful Potty People, have been a lifesaver for me. It's such an encouragement to get support and advice from all of you.

And Tex, a special thank-you to you for managing the forum, and for not allowing it to be one of those boards where people say horrible things to each other.

Love,
Martha

JamesEcuador · Post by **JamesEcuador** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:19 pm

Happy late birthday! And here's to many more years of the best advice around

carolm · Post by **carolm** » Fri Jun 06, 2014 9:42 pm

I've said many times that I'm sure I'd still be sick without this board and the guidance of Tex, Polly, and all our PP friends. Yet, I'm headed for the 3 year anniversary of my diagnosis (in August) feeling almost 'back to normal'. I wasn't sure I'd ever feel that way again.

Thanks to everyone for your time and thoughtful consideration in a time of need. 9 years is an impressive run. :goteam:

Carol

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:10 pm

Late, but SO appreciative!

Thanks Tex, and thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences.