An open apology to RainyDazs.

I personally have learned a great deal from you and USAF Wife. I am one of the newbies that was pretty much dumped by my surgeon. No real follow up and no nut. And this after they nicked my liver, I had to be transfused, and had subsequent complications. So sad. Fortunately, I have an amazing PCP who has followed my labs and gotten me back on track vitamin wise and I am a nurse so I'm good with the nutrition part of it. But I admit when I first came here to this forum after surgery, I had some stupid questions... You both helped me lot and I never felt that your advice was to harsh. I am starting to see now some really stupid and dangerous posts and sometimes I am dumbfounded so I get how frustrating it is for you both. But I commend you for hanging in there and paying it forward and I personally would like to say thanks:)

Blake

That took courage and strength of character. Good for you!

FYI, even though I am stubborn, and think I am always right :), I REALLY REALLY appreciate it when you vets give your honest opinions/feedback!  Thanks to you and all of the vets for sticking around!

 Frisco,

Please let me begin by telling you how much I respect you for your posts.  Even more now.  You aren't afraid to show us your true character.  You and USAF have been such important anchors for me as I have embarked on this journey to better health.  I am not looking for anyone to blow sunshine up my ass, and you (and many other vets) are straight shooters - that's what works for me.

Realize there are many types of people with a very wide variety of needs who are coming to this forum for support.  I agree there are so many taking enormous risks with their health, or belly-aching over no longer being able to anesthetize themselves with platters of deep fried and battered snickers bars.  I simply don't read those posts.  Some problems run much deeper than what a smaller stomach can achieve, and some people are set on punishing themselves and proving again and again they are not worthy.  Hello self-sabotage.  Not my department.

Like so many others here, I have taken charge of my own health.  I made a decision to move in a positive direction - permanently.  Because of where I live, I had no choice but to take this on without a specialist to provide aftercare.  I have been meticulous about getting my protein and supplements.  I have been soooo careful about what and how I eat.  I keep in touch with my local doctor and I read.  Guess where I do a lot of my reading?!  And I feel like a million bucks!

You have no idea how much you and other vets have helped me.  I have always admired your direct but caring way of responding to others.  I am so impressed with your creativity, both with food and with photography - and I expect it doesn't end there.  If Rainy is also a decent person, she will cool off, come back and accept your apology.  

Please don't decide to leave us too soon.  The leadership and knowledge you and other vets have to share are important to the health of so many.  

I wish you peace and continued success.    




 

That was very kind of you Frisco.  I'm one who sometimes lets my message get obscured by my emotions and I've had to work to improve my communication skills.  I can really identify with the sentiments you expressed in your post.

That was very nice of you Frisco to apologize, and as you know it takes a strong person to come out and do that.  Not many can or will.  

I've never felt welcomed here so I don't normally visit much anymore, but another reason why I don't come here as often is due to the misinformation I see some here giving out to newcomers. While some is valuable and honest information, some is downright wrong!  I will be receiving my bachelor's degree in human nutrition soon, and this is not to say that I know more than others, but  from what I've learned from personal experience and my studies, I can attest that there is a lot of misinformed members here giving out the wrong information to others.

Personally, I hate seeing this and step in when I can to correct but I end up either being told I'm wrong or get a nasty message.

This is not my forum and if it were it would be handled a bit differently, but on the other hand I have the freedom to visit here or not, so until then I step into this forum less and less.

May

I saw it yesterday when it happened and I was honestly shocked by it.  Saddened really.  Because I think both of you are important members of this OH-VSG community.  Normally I am all about the tough love approach that the vets provide, but this went beyond that so I think the apology was necessary and important.  I hope RainyDayz sees it.

I get frustrated by that crap, too, because while I am not perfect, I was very well educated coming into this journey.  And it pains me to see so many new posters who are not well educated or who are well educated but testing their boundaries in a harmful way.

Let's all remember why we are here - getting support on this journey and giving support on this journey.  We're all at different points on that spectrum.  I ignore posts that make me want to reply with a big huge attacking rant, because well, I know what I'm capable of and I try to be a good person (don't always succeed - again - not perfect).

And I think Frisco, you said best awhile back - try to leave more here than you took.  And to that I say, Amen!

I don't come here much any more so I don't know what happened yesterday. I can say, tho, I haven't enjoyed Rainydays' posts very much. I'd say don't worry about it, whatever it was. 

I missed the post(s); so, I have no idea what was actually said.  Regardless, I appreciate your direct approach, as I do USAFWife's, etc.  One of the difficulties of having an online 'discussion' is that inflection, tone, body language, etc., are lost.  What's meant as helpful can be perceived as lecturing, etc., particularly by those who are not in the best emotional place.

While you are direct, you (and the other frustrated vets) are often the first to praise and cheer those who ARE successful and doing the right things. If you didn't continuously offer support and encouragement along with criticism, I would be the first to say, "BAD FRISCO, you're a big meanie."  (actually, I'd probably call you a douche-bag, but I'm from the north-east) .  Criticism is just as healthy and necessary as support and encouragement. 

Again, thanks for your willingness to be man-up but at the same time, don't beat yourself up :) 

Frisco,

First and foremost I want to say I applaud you for saying what you said.  That is a good man - and well there arent many of those anymore (not that I have seen).  

I want to thank you, USAF, Jenn, Jimbo , and Waffle for your input on this forum because without you guys, I wouldnt be where I am today.  My theory is if it doesnt sound right - DONT DO IT!  This is a life altering experience, and use it to guide you to a healthier life, not go back to the life you had before!  There are only so many times you can say - oh yeah well today I screwed up, tomorrow is another day.  You keep doing that- you will be exactly where you were before!! 

I truly hope you all stay because I wouldnt be where I am without your input!!