This is just a friendly reminder to check the meetings and gatherings board and look into the St Louis get-together in Jan.  This is an excellent opportunity to meet other clusterheads and talk in person.  A great time to ask questions and discuss issues, or just sit around with others who KNOW what you are dealing with.  You dont' have to be ashamed to be seen getting hit.  If you do there will be someone to get you ice, O2, Trex, Coffee, whatever you need, and then leave you alone until you are ready to rejoin the living.  I guarantee you will never forget the first clusterhead you meet!  Mine was Thomas.  He looked at me, and I looked at him, and we both knew each other even though we didn't have nametags or any other ID on us.  We just knew.  THAT was life-changing to me.  We didn't shake hands, we embraced, and then I counted ribs to be sure I still had them all!  I also met Woobie and Ramon, Jackie and Blake, Lady E, Bruce, Bill, Jean, Gina, and several others that I won't take time to name.  I can though, and it has been over 10 years.  Some of them I've never seen since and some aren't on the board anymore, but I treasure the short day I had with them.  BTW, Thomas met Gina that day also, and it wasn't long after that they got married!  You never know what you might find!

If you aren't the party type that is fine.  Some just sit around and talk quietly while others do some sightseeing and others hit the casino or party.  The big thing is to just have an opportunity to meet up with others who understand what is going on and especially are willing to take the time to help you get a handle on life and CH.  O2 will be readily available as well as energy drinks.  I rocked through a 30 min K6 that first time and didn't even leave the room because it was just so liberating to be with others who UNDERSTOOD and I didn't have to explain what was going on.  Until you experience it you have no idea how liberating it is. 

If you can possibly make it I strongly urge you to be there.  It is well worth the investment and the time.

Jerry

I put a BIG AGREE on this one. I've been meeting CHers since back in '99 and there just ain't nothing like it.

Back in '99 all we had was this board (and nothing like it is today) when Elaine decided to go to Rochester NY to meet Drummer. Three others of us decided it sounded like a good idea and flew to Rochester for the most wonderful thing to happen to any of us. We bonded in a way - well ya just have to experience it..

since that time I've never turned down an opportunity to meet with another CHer.

Last year I was in Los Angeles and when I got off the bus at the hotel someone yelled "Barb" and sure nuff, it was Lenny (a CHer I'd never laid eyes on before that minute) .. we were instantly hugging and already bonded.

Just this week, a CHer showed up at my back door and I was thrilled .. he's been one of my "kids" since the day I met him in  a parking lot in Atlanta TX years ago.

And there's been hundreds in between and everyone is special.

By my recollections, it takes about 5 seconds for one CHer to BOND with another CHer.. It's just something that happens.. and any newbie on here.. you can take that to the bank.. 

Guiseppi wrote on Dec 8^th, 2012 at 9:48am:


You have watch that Luinda.......

I agree about meeting a CH'er. Mine was totally unplanned. I had been at the ER with incredible stomach pain and other odd symptoms, I had seriously thought I had been drugged/poisoned. The ER wouldn't release me for regular duties at work until I did a follow-up and after my blood test results came back. I remember that day they released me, I went into work (basically killing time for my meds to get filled) I talked with my GM and regional manager while they ate lunch. I handed over the ER's papers and was asked to sit with them. As I emptied my pockets of keys, cigarettes, cell phone, and a big box of BC powders.....the regional manager said "my god Tim why do you carry so many of those?!". I simple told him "for my shadows" as I began to build my patience for the imminent idiotic questions to comes. Ever so loudly my GM cries "Man in know exactly wtf you mean!". The regional manager turned his attention to the GM and say "what does that mean?". My GM said " sorry man, even if I told you......you still wouldn't know". My GM basically turned to me and we started the typical cluster head conversation......you know " Chronic or Episodial? When are your cycles? Which side? Etc etc etv.

I was so relieved to what I was hear that I began to tear up.....infront of all my co-workers and employees.....I almost broke down.

Yes its an amazing feeling to get such a profound bond with someone in such short time......all because we share only one thing in common....CH's!

Not say that anyone here is or anything. But clusterheads see no color, age, economic standing, political views, handicap, mental health race, ethnic background, or sex......we all hate the same thing......The Beast!  I believe only a rare few groups in the world can claim such honest and sympathetic diversity.

Come on, Linda.  You know wimmens only get Migraines!

Luv ya!

O.k...I'm adding you to my list Callison.  Along with Bob Pahlow.   

Linda_Howell wrote on Dec 19^th, 2012 at 1:42pm:


I'm in good company!   

If you're on the fence about bringing your supporter along, please do - we supporters get together with the sufferers and we even have our own network of helpers.  We each need support in our own way.

I can say that I've never met finer, more fiercely loyal, loving, compassionate friends in my entire life.  If there is ONE good thing about CH it's that it has brought together geographically diverse people into one close knit family.

I can't wait for January.