Anyone still here from the "old days"?

[Brion L]

I haven't been on here in ages, and was just curious if anyone was still around from "way back then."

Brion L

[Mark N]

Brion, there are a few of us left but not many. The reoccurring shutdowns seem to take a toll each time and we just had another one a couple weeks ago. I hope Big Joe, Lee, Karen and some others that show up now and then stop in to say hi. I keep up with you on FB so I don't feel like I miss talking to you when you aren't on this site.

The past 4 months my pain has taken a turn for the worse as my thoracic spine -T4 area - has been acting up and now my cervical spine -C2-3 has decided to get in on the act. I am having much more pain and muscle spasms than previously despite suffering from chronic pain back then. I don't want to pursue any treatments so I am working on making this pain level the new normal.

[Big Joe]

Hey Brion... I certainly remember! It has been a long time. I try to check in from time to time. I have been out of town for about 8 days. My wife's youngest brother died quite unexpectedly and we were gone for the funeral and helping take care of issues with his estate for his kids. It was sure good to get back home! I hope you are doing well. I had another surgery (lumbar fusion and etc) last winter. I NEVER want to go through that again. Glad you found us!

[pain95]

I go back to 1995 when I hung out in the depression chat room for several years before things got crazy in the chats and moved over to the chronic pain and spinal boards.

[Brion L]

I first came here in 99, looking for information to help with a wrist injury from an auto accident. We had already been through round 1 with Greg's cancer in 95-96, and thought we were in the clear. Cancer had other plans, and hell followed with it.

I'm not really sure what brought me back here, and why I decided to share my life with complete strangers, but Braintalk became a refuge in the storm. I could open myself up to the people here, something I couldn't do anywhere else. I took a huge risk putting myself and my family online for all to see, but the love and support we received truly gave me renewed hope in humanity. Just like anyone with chronic pain/health issues, I continue to go through ups and downs, but the fact that I'm still alive and able to enjoy my children and grandchildren diminishes whatever problems I have to put up with.

Several people (including a couple of professional writers) have suggested I write a book about our experiences, using my Braintalk and email updates and posts as the basis. Somehow, I had the presence of mind to save all my posts and updates, so it would be possible. I think I have reached the point where I could deal with it emotionally. For the first time in over a decade, I looked at a few of those posts and emails. They are still very painful to read, but I didn't completely fall apart. I'll keep you posted.

Brion L

[Mark N]

Brion, you put into words what brought me to stay here. I started in 1998 looking for answers on thoracic spinal issues and options but found this place was much more than that. The book sounds interesting and your experiences could fill several volumes. It is good to see Pain95 and Big Joe come back to answer your call.

[Marmar]

OMG - I can't believe I'm back posting on MGH LOL

I just got an email that MGH was up and running, so it triggered me to check it out after all these years... Does anyone remember me? Marmar? Mar Squared? Double Mar? Or, Maryanne LOL. Unfortunately, I still need to be here... I'll do a separate post on my update, I just wanted to say HEY to all the old timers from the 90's. I used to live and breathe this forum, honestly! I signed on as soon as I got to work, and at home as soon as I got home. Well into the early morning hours, sometimes. Learned invaluable information, found unbelievable compassion and commiseration, and some laughs and fun along the way. Anyone else out there from the old days???? I am in touch with Harrier, and at least one other Spiney that used to post. Maybe we can start a mini reunion, right? Thanks for starting the post!

[Brion L]

I remember you and Harrier!

[Big Joe]

I remember me... and the rest of you. While I wish you did not need to be here, I am glad to see my old friends... always!!!

[ejbpesca]

I remember Mark N. I have not been here in years. I see the site has been cleaned out and simplified. I am now again a new member. It has been almost a decade since my surgery and I think I joined here in about 02.

I'm back again now that my lumbar spine is dealing me fits and trying to shut me down and once again, I may be back on the road to surgery.

I see so little traffic here compared to back then. I kept one pen pal from back then. We have been writing from one side of the globe to the other for all these years.

[marijo]

Hi ejb. I know i posted you ofttimes in the past. way way back. Cant remember the connection, other than lumbar issues. Since then I've had metalwork in lumbar region replace because first surgeon made such a mess of it, but there was absolutely no no way he was ever going to admit it, so it caused me permanent damage, but I got another sympathetic surgeon to remove and replace it more professionally, and then I also had to have two replacement discs in my neck. There isn't a lot more I can have do e, because I've reached the stage when it might just make me a whole lot worse. The first spinal surgery damaged me so much, and there is no way of proving this, and if you attempt to, which is what I did, they...ie the medical profession, and even the law firms to an extent, because they don't care what the outcome is, so long as they get their fee, just turn their backs on you, and you dont stand a chance. I was left feeling very very bitter after my first spinal surgery, because the surgeon made an error, invading my spinal canal by 33% roughly, when the accepted margin for error was something like 2.5%. OK I'm saying those figures from memory, but I'm very lucky not to be in a wheelchair as a result, but I did lose half my gut, and experienced multiple prolapses, and continue to have problems which have been put down to a damaged sympathetic nervous system...very difficult to prove though.
I seem to remember you play the guitar, but I could be completely wrong.
I have kept in contact with one penal from across the globe also for all these years, and am still in contact. Were you ever in contact with the taxi driver from London, by any chance. Really Lovely guy. Worth a shot anyway, but I can't remember his name.
Stay well.

[Mark N]

Mary, it is good to see your post and you also reminded me about the cab driver but I can't come up with his name either. I always enjoyed your post and his post as your experiences in England is different from ours in the USA. I hope home life is still getting better for you. My home life has improved tremendously since the kids movd out and my wife went to counseling. The only issue with the kids was I had to stand up for them several times when my wife was wrong and she would get furious. I am very thankful how it has been the past year and I hope your hubby is much better now about understanding your pain issues. I hope you come back and post now and then or PM me so we can keep in contact. I still remember your teenage episode and have seen the show on Discovery channel about the doctor and the program that he was running.

[Swmnupstrm]

I started here in '98

Before my ACDF. Now in my 14th year post, having some problems and may be looking at revision.

[Mark N]

Sorry to hear you are looking at a revision. We have surgery thinking we could be finished with our pain only to find out that the original surgery needs to be redone and that has to be a bummer. I have only found that more and more of my spine deteriorates which is its own hell. I hope that all works out for you with the revision and that you keep check in here as there are still a few of us around.

[marijo]

I guess I am now one of the oldies also. I joined around 01/02, before my first big surgery, and since then I have had several, and now I don't want any more, but I do have chronic pain which I live with, with some help!! I remember Brion, and of course Mark and EJBPesca, and smiling angel, although I believe she is mostly on Facebook these days. Well we are still here, but a bit older. Since then my husband has had, and is dsealing with cancer. He's in remission. He does not worry, I do the worrying for the two of us. This year I am going to learn how to drive the camper van. I was dead against it original, because I was so very unwell when we bought it, but husband, and a couple of the kids are going cycling the length of Ireland, and I am going as the back up team, so I need to know how to operate the thing. Its only small,.......but perfectly formed, ideal for this country, and the little highways and byways of Ireland. Wish me luck. I am a confident driver, so am quite looking forward to it.
This forum has changed a bit in ten years hasn't it! I remember posting my paintings, and poems and all sorts. Then it became very serious, which I guess is how it should be.
Anyway, its lovely to see just a few familiar names. Of course I miss all the others, but I keep lurking. I do think its important to keep this sort of support rolling. It helped me enormously especially during the first five years, when I did not know where to turn for advice.
Love to you all.
Mary T.