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Positive Story Time . . . keep this going

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
A couple new members mentioned the shock and sadness brought on by Crohn's diagnosis. A comment from Mike, reminded me that for our new ones, it's important to mention the love of life and the great things we Crohnies still get to experience and offer in life.

Thus . . . I post this thread and I hope you all will keep it going . . . I would like those of us who have been hanging round the block for a while to post some of the great things in our lives. Births, graduations, travel, love . . . whatever is great in our lives . . .
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
Me first! My husband just got his pilot's license renewed after 15 years of not flying. Last night we flew around the Central Valley of California for about an hour and flew to the foothills where our home is located. It was beautiful and fascinating.

And I have two new baby kittens. Zeus and Apollo were meant to go outside and eat gophers, but I fell in love with them and now they are to be safely housed inside and loved for their lives.

I am going to school right now for Medical Transcription and soon should get to eavesdrop on others' illnesses while managing mine successfully.

The last of my lambs left for their new homes a couple weeks ago. I got to keep one cute, cute baby lamb this year.

The 4th of July is coming and we are gonna spend it with our friends and their children after making another flight with my pilot husband.

I tutor kids two days a week and I watch these kids with learning difficulties improve their math and reading skills and it's really rewarding.

OK -- who's next? POSITIVE THINGS IN LIFE! YAY! We live, we love, we build our lives and we adapt. It isn't SOOOOO bad, in comparison to all the horrible illnesses out there that actually rob you of mobility or your mental capacity or of life itself.
 
My wife and I celebrated our 24th anniversary recently. That is not as common as it used to be.

I also have a son and a daughter getting married in the next few months.

I also finally got diagnosed after suffering for two years.

We have a new Kitten. (OK I am not thrilled with this one).

I am happy about all of these things. Even the diagnosis, since stomach cancer was
a possibility also.

I can fight an enemy I can identify. But not an unknown one.

It is going to be a good year for me, come what may. Sick or not.

D Bergy
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
That's the spirit, says the thread initiator (and I bet the kitten just ADORES you anyway!). Congrat's on the anniversary!

I hope this post stays on top with the amount of great things we have happening in our lives!

I laughed yesterday, one of those absolute true laughs that expresses true joy and humor. Sometimes the little things are enough. What caused the laugh? My husband, moved by my support of him flying again (and the $$$$ it entails) told me that flying again is almost as signifant to him as the day we got married. Shocked, I looked at him and told him I figured it would be more significant. He put his head on my shoulder and said, "I was being nice, you're right." I still chuckle upon relating the story . . . ha, ha, ha.
 
About a month ago I got into the university of my choice!

In a few weeks i'll be traveling all over Europe and Israel and that will be exciting.


Not much else going on haha....
 
I just graduated high school. I got out of the military because of Crohn's and they will never call me or if a draft comes up will never use me. I have written many poems and when I get a few more will try to publish a book with them in it.
 

Kev

Senior Member
I love this idea. Way to go Cara. Ok, short list, in no particular order. Both my sons are coming to visit next week. My treatment is working, and my flare is going away.
I finished the 1st draft of the script for the movie, filming slated to start in August. On my birthday, the group went out and celebrated.. we closed the joint, everyone had a great time. And today, the sun came out, and it looks like it's going to be a nice day....
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
COOL! I hope everyone joins in on this thread. We need to show all the members who are new and all the members who don't chime in because the illness scares them that there is more to our lives than Crohn's. Keep it going!
 
Gimme Some Positivity

So, something positive…

Crohn’s Disease: Not the end of the world. There are worse things.

I’ve lived with Crohn’s for somewhere along 20 years now and I’ve had some ups and downs. The analogy of the roller-coaster ride is kinda right. Though it has taught me many important lessons as well. Ofttimes, adversity breeds wisdom and strength through perseverance.

Anyhoo, aside from those two things, having my own personal trials with Crohn’s has taught me to be more open and outgoing and to go for what I want in life instead of just wishing for it. I’ve always had an indelible will and living with Crohn’s has only strengthened it.

Right now, though I live with Crohn’s disease, I strive to better myself and do the things I’ve dreamed of doing. It is a challenge at times, but I persevere and continue to reach for my goals. I slow down when I need to take a breather, but once I’m ready again I still push forward.

I have a wonderful wife who supports my endeavors and an equally wonderful 11 month old daughter who I strongly believe will grow up to be something great. I’m attempting to follow my dream of becoming a full time writer and, though I haven’t had anything big published yet, have had some minor publications, and many people who I’ve teased with little vignettes of my stories wait with bated breath for me to finish my novel(s). I’m working on special effects for an independent horror film that I hope will land me even more FX work in the future. Both of these are things that I’ve wanted to do since I was young and I look forward to the future where I can look back and say, “I did that.”

The only thing left now is to sing in a band and I’ll have achieved all of the things that I’ve always dreamed of doing. Well…except for visiting Ireland, but if I can succeed in my other goals, can that one be far behind?
 
I jist had a funny experience. While I was going home from my college today I stopped at a rest stop because I had to go so badly. So I went and sat down and right as some dude walked past me I made a fart so loud, so long that the walls reverberated, even the water in the bowl was rumbling. It was funny because the guy just said ""WOW" that was a big one." I kept to my business and when I left I walked proudly while trying to prevent myself from laughing from the whole event. So yeah, one more for Crohn's one down for the rest of the humans. Bwahahahahahahahaha
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
COLLEGE -- Jeff -- WOO HOO! No more little high school drama. Now, COLLEGE drama! Oh college, the best years of your life. Learn, love it, have fun, meet girls . . . What we fail to remember is that the after-college work life is LOOOONNNNGGGGG and so college is F-U-N! Don't let it stress you, and drink in the experience. I loved roaming the halls of knowledge and learning so much so fast. I have life-long college friends (including my husband). College is GOOD!
 
I think the social aspect is great but in learning I don't think I will learn too much. Everything you learn I believe comes from high school and college is just a way to apply what you know to conformist ideas.
 
trust me jeff, there is plenty to learn in college.. not just in the classroom but learn about yourself and about others as well.

A couple friends and I started a band. We are actually pretty good too. My buddy and I switch off between singing and lead/rythym guitar.

I've also been able to weight train again because I'm feeling much better. I'm also actively involved in a few sports again. Nothing feels better than being able to do what you love :)
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
Well Jeff, it depends on your major. My husband learned many processes and procedures and legal details and skills to apply to his career of surveying. Very hands on and skill based.

I, on the other hand, was an English major and became a teacher. They didn't teach me anything about teaching, that was merely doing time and listening to people blather. The English major part was actually thought-provoking and I learned to read between the lines in text and with people. I learned the thoughts and neuroses of some of the finest writers of all time. I learned philosophy and art and music of places and times I had had no exposure to. I learned to truly think for myself and to understand the thoughts, motives, and biases of people.

Most of all, college gives you the papers you need to go out and get the best income for life. And money makes life so much better.
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
Back to the thread -- positive story time --

I have these two kittens. One afternoon, I found one sleeping in the dog's food bowl. I took a photo. A few minutes later, I found the other sleeping in the dog's food bowl. Don't know why they want to lounge in the dog's food bowl, but it was pretty funny. It's the little things in life to appreciate.
 

Kev

Senior Member
Welll, the sun is shining, there's a gentle breeze keeping the temperature just right & making my windchimes sing a peacefull tune.. and I see my boys in just 12 hours.

could life be any better?
 
Just checked my garden and it's doing super despite the heat and lack of rain. I don't think there's any better smell than the smell of a growing tomato plant (and I've got 21 of them!).

Just tested a special effect for the movie and it went amazingly well. I think we've got this first scene pegged, even with the low budget. I am so pumped for this!
 
It sounds like there are a lot of really creative type personalities here. I've enjoyed reading the positives those of you are enjoying in it and other things.

A positive thing that could come out of my recent flare and hospitalization is that my parents have offered to pay for my college tuition. I'm 37 years old and never finished, but only have about 45 credits remaining. I could go to school full time and work part time. I've already talked to the University transportation dept. and I could possibly get a job there driving shuttle buses. They said they offer full medical benefits to those who work at least 20 hours.

But I wouldn't be able to afford an apartment on 20 hours a week, so I would have to live with my parents. I really enjoy my independence, having been a cross-country truck driver for awhile now, so living with my parents would be a challenge. It would also feel strange living at home at this age. I don't know. But it's positive that I have this option.
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
Morning America just did a bit on this very thing and mentioned that if it is meant to be a limited time, it gives college & post college people a chance to get established and save money. Enjoy your options and make the most of them.
 
H

Heathcroft

Guest
Great idea this Cara! OK I went fishing today but misjudged the tide and got very wet. But I CAN go fishing now 'n then when I feel OK so that's good. And I've been happily married for 34 years so THAT'S good! Yes - I like this thread!
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
Last night, my husband and I watched Das Boot (dubbed into English thankfully). It's a Wolfgang Petersen film and I met him personally like 10+ years ago so that was cool. It's a gritty and grim film, but it was nice to sit with my husband, watch a movie, I worked on needlepoint for a friend's upcoming baby-shower, and our two little kittens laid one on my husband and one next to me. It was really nice.
 
S

Stuffette

Guest
positive stories

Today is the first day in weeks that my husband, my two year old daughter and myself have the whole day together at home. We have been taking turns sleeping and eating all day. Lazy days at home with the family are the best.

My husband has finished recording an album with his band, my busy time at work (I work on weekends) has just ended and I have vacation coming. The hard work has paid off and we can now relax.

My husband and I just took a mini vacation at Mohegan Sun casino near us. It was nice to eat out at restaurants and spend time with my husband, father and friends. I paid for it a little but it didn't stop me.

We are taking a family vacation at the New Jersey shore in a few weeks. I love the beach and I can't wait. I always feel great after a day at the ocean in the sun. My intestines LOVE the beach.

BTW Jeff, College was the best four years of my life. It was tough on me physically because it was stressful at times but I have the best memories from college. I went to school for music so I did learn a lot. The connections I made those four years have continued until now. Friends, my husband, band mates, my job. Enjoy every minute of it!
 
my positive is that because i have had so much time off college (6/7 months), ive been able to do things that ive always had an interest in, but dont require a lot of energy.My latest project is designing and creating a dolls house, which should keep me going for a lot of the summer.

Theres only so much daytime tv i can take.
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
I just spent a good couple hours at Wally-World (a Super Wal-Mart). Where else can you buy undies, a plasma TV, goldfish, your prescription, AND a week's worth of groceries? Overwhelming . . .

Hey! UK peeps. I just got to watch the first episode of season 3 of Dr. Who. Ya, that scrawny Dr. and Martha -- but I think Torchwood is the best! Friend got copies from the UK and I got to see them. Gotta see the Torchwood gang snog anything that moves (human, non-human, male, female, whatever!).

Great fun!
 
Wow Stuffette you don't live too far from me. What band does your husband play for because I know a bunch of bands in the New York area. I'm hopefully going to see The Go Station at the end of August.

Kind of bad thing happened at the beach though. I chaffed my butt area by jumping off a pile of rocks and landing on one in the water that I didn't check for right in the wrong spot. So now I basically have fissure and am healing it now with tons of ointments. Apparently I couldn't really feel it earlier because my sunburn was that bad.

But now I am doing better. Playing guitar maybe recording a bit tomorrow or I may go rollerblading or something.
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
My husband and I decided to ditch the heat and drove up to this awesome lookout point at nearly 10,000 feet. For those in California (it's called the White Bark Lookout and is up the 168 past Huntington on the way to Edison & Florence Lakes & Mono Hot Springs). From there, the breeze is fabulous and you get a panoramic view of the high Sierras even wrapping around and looking up towards Yosemite. It was amazing, 72 degrees instead of the over 100 at home, and I stood and let the wind blow in my face.

Downsides: Dogs got pine-needles and I ended up washing and trimming their long hair -- who knew pine needles were THAT bad . . . it's a mile up a 4 X 4 drive and my SUV needed a good washing and vacuuming . . . but hey that all was a good thing . . . and there is no loo up there so I had to get creative behind a rock (that's why one stocks TP in EVERY vehicle) when lunch hit the system. . . but even that made me ponder why nudist camps are often in cool wooded areas and it's probably kinda neat to run around au-natural. So I suppose there really wasn't any downsides at all.

Glorious day outing!
 

Kev

Senior Member
My allergic reaction to imuran has passed, and I'm feeling my old self again. upside? I don't have to worry about the long term nasty side effects of imuran. see? there is a positive side to things, you just have to look for them. It's another gorgeous day in the making... My son's visit has come to an end, but that means I have ready access to the bathrooms again... sort of forgot how long young males in their dating prime spend in the bathroom.. The theatre is dark on mondays, so the lil woman & I will be spending the nite out together... doing something called Marguerita Mondays @ Mexacali Rosa's. So what if I can't drink any margueritas...
 
E

ElaineH

Guest
What a great thread! It's so nice to read so many positive things :)

I've been very busy setting up my own small business, which is doing good.. I'm tired but satisfied :smile:

I'm having a molar pulled tomorrow :eek2: but afterwards the pain will be gone..ahhhh bliss!

On Sunday I fly out alone (sans kids!) to Florida to spend a week with a special fellow crohnie :ycool: just chilling and getting my breath back lol, and the day before I leave to come home we'll be having dinner or a cook out with another fellow crohnie who's very dear to me.. so.. here's to the good times! :ybiggrin:
 
YAY!!!!!!!!!

Finished first day of film shooting last Sunday after 12+ hours, but it was great! The effects weren't bad overall, but I had wished one or two had gone a little better. Oh well. Learning experiences for next time. Now the Writer/Producer wants to film the next 20 minutes of the film over the next several weeks and will be giving us some money to get more makeup and supplies. WOOT!

If anyone wants to see the grossness, check my photobucket folder, BotD Official Shoot. It was a hectic, tiring, and fun day. There's video and pics in that folder. I can't wait to see the finished scene once it's edited and put together. The director and camera crew were impressed and if they liked it then hopefully the cameras did too.
 

soupdragon69

ele mental leprechaun
Okay here I come!!

I went strawberry picking today for the first time in years and it took me back to my childhood!!! Was there about an hour and got 4 punnets so am a VERY happy soupdragon!

I put my honours degree on hold last year at research module level as I just couldnt concentrate. Picked it up again in April and oh look flare and hospital grrr. Am still plugging away at it though as I just have the research to finish and then the dissertation in the autumn.

My plan is to start my PGCE (post grad cert in medical and healthcare education) next January which my work has agreed to fund and also to fund a finish to masters level.

They have also asked me to become a trainer in advanced life support which will mean lots of extra courses so am looking forward to that starting in the autumn too.

Am planning a little trip home to Northern Ireland - if my GP agrees I might go in August and just fly home for about a week. Otherwise will do the drive home and car ferry later in the year. Missing family alot of late so need the trip to visit them and walk the north coast beaches with the atlantic coming in and visit the glens of antrim with waterfalls etc. Its my unwind time... havent been home since march 06.

Jan :)
 
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gabtug

Guest
Am now 21, diagnosed with Chrons in 03.
This year alone been in hospital twice - just to show the severity of my Chrons. Lots of pain, etc. some medications not working, etc.
However, even when I was in hospital I never felt depressed, but felt happy.
Remember: happiness is a state of mind, dependent on your thoughts. One can always be happy even in the worst of times (a happy poor man is richer than a depressed rich man).

How to avoid depression, and even better, be and keep happy (even when rolling on the floor in pain)?
Simple: be thankful for all what you have, and realize the good things you have in your life.
1. Realize that there are other people currently in worse condition than you (be thankful that it is not life-threatening)
2. The fact that you are alive is enough to celebrate
3. Every problem brings its benefits. Think what Chron's has given you (for me, it has made me more sensitive to other people's feelings, and has made me appreciate and treasure friendship and support)
4. Focus on what you can control (your state of mind), and not what you can't.

I am viewing Chron's as a positive thing in my life rather than negative, and I have come to realize that when I view it in a positive way, it acts in a positive way and can be a source of strength.
Hope this helps.
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
My husband and I had our anniversary yesterday. It's hard to believe it was a mere 4 years ago that we stood on the deck of the Coral Princess cruise ship and said, "I do." It seems like we have been together forever. We have. I met Dave Aug. 14, 1989 when he moved into the apartments I lived in. He immediately became like a big brother. The day I met him, I knew that I was the best person to share his life. I think, somewhere, unspoken, we had a pact that if we didn't find anyone in 10 years, we would come back together. He dated some people, I dated some people, but July 17, 1999 we began dating. July 18, 2003 we were married. We don't have a silly, giddy, giggly passion, but a deep friendship and an odd way of completing each other. What I can't handle, he can. What he can't handle, I can. Trauma of any kind immediately unifies us. The last few weeks have been tough. He has been very stressed out over many things and I have been there to back him up. And for me there have been some things that made me realize how deeply we belong and how over time we only grow closer.

And then a day comes along like today, with it's nice weather and grand breeze and I stand on our deck and look at the two baby kittens lounging in the window and overlook the sheep below in pasture, and see the awesome view, and feel the wind in my face, and I know how perfect it is and how lucky we are. And that it is all because of our dream to live on our own bit of land and out of the rat race of town, because of our devotion to a solid education and daily hard work to earn a good living and our passion for music and the many friends we have through that media.

And of course you will ask . . . what about the anniversary gifting? When we got married, I didn't get Dave a wedding ring. I got him a killer snare drum. He did too many things that would require the removal of a ring. Well, the time is right and I bought him a nice wedding ring. It really honors me to see him wearing a symbol of our unity. As for me? Well, for my birthday, I got the OK for one of the new kittens to be a housecat (they were intended to be outside hunters but one doesn't have the instinct and then I fell in love with the other's great personality). For my anniversary, it's the other. Since there is no such thing as a free kitten -- that means their neutering and declawing (I hate declawing, but I hate replacing couches more). Thus all the anniversary gifting was really for me . . . it was a good day.

And thus . . . is my 4th anniversary and the postive story of the week.
 
You certainly do have a lot to be thankful for. It's refreshing to hear of a flourishing marriage as opposed to the bad stories that we're all too familiar with. However, I didn't hear anything about dogs. No dogs? With all those sheep you could probably use a good sheep dog. Really, though, I like both dogs and cats.
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
Yes, I have two Australian Shepherds -- one is my husband's girl and my boy is my soulmate and love of my life. They get all the best in the universe including sleeping on the bed, cookies constantly, and trips to fun-filled destinations like this weekend when we go to Monterey for the day.

We share our home and property with 7 sheep, three fish tanks (bala sharks, tiger barbs, a betta and misc. sucker fish), 2 rats, 1 outdoors cat we inherited from a neighbor lady who moved back to Denmark, a 15 year old cat who was my first baby, a 14 year old retired show Himalayan, my husband's 10 year old black and white brat cat, and now our two baby spotted tabbies. It's certainly a full house . . .

I love all animals and am truly glad I can offer many of them a good home with great food, lots of love, and solid vet care when needed.
 
I

Ilysha

Guest
My Positive

My husband and I are going to Paris at the end of the summer!!! He is a comedy magician and got a gig on a Paris TV show, and convinced them they needed to fly me out too to help as a "prop mistress." Usually he gets to travel while I stay at home, so I'm incredibly excited.

My other overall "life positive" from Crohn's, is that I was diagnosed right after I got engaged. My husband was incredibly supportive during the whole diagnosis/initial treatment process--a great indication of what a great husband he would be, and has been.

This is a really nice thread, Cara. Thanks for starting it!
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
The two dogs and I had the chance to spend about an hour walking on the beach at Monterey, CA while Daddy went to a place to hear his old band play (and the dogs couldn't go in). We walked in the edge of the surf and one of the dogs decided to drink the ocean (didn't barf, but she sure was thirsty later on!). We had a nice time and the sunset was beautiful. It was the nicest, most peaceful time anyone could want.
 
O

old hat

Guest
I often go to that area of the coast for vacation and spend a day or two in Monterey seeing the sights and going to the aquarium again. I love that place.
http://www.mbayaq.org/
 

Cara Fusinato

Sarcastic Forum Comedian
Ahhh, I instantly recognized THAT photo! Gotta love the Monterey Aquarium. There was this time a couple years ago when I went there where I sat in front of the deep sea tank on the floor for over an hour just watching and listening to the soothing music. I used to know someone who worked there and she gave me a private behind-the-scenes tour. She used to feed the large octopus and one day it tried to pull her into the tank. Someone had to free her or she would have been swimming with the fishies!
 
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