I am still amazed what HealingWell.com has become since that Fall day in September 1996 when I sat at my computer in my tiny Boston apartment launching what would become the beginnings of this web site. To be completely honest, my motivation that day was really quite selfish.
I had just been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease a few weeks earlier and felt completely alone. My experience with medical tests, procedures, and getting shuffled from doctor to doctor was absolutely exhausting and terribly frustrating. It was during this experience I learned that doctors don't always know all the answers (which was quite a revelation to me at the time) and that if I was going to get through this I needed to become more proactive and involved, learning more about my symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.I did not know about in-person support groups. I didn't even know how to really reach out to my own family members about my chronic illness. So I turned to what I was comfortable with.... computers and the Internet. The problem was in 1996 there were really no web sites offering the kind of support on my condition that I was looking for. The Internet was still in its infancy and there were no WebMD's or well known health sites to provide meaningful support for patients. I knew nothing about HTML, web page design, and had only an elementary understanding of computer programming, but I soon took on the task of learning more about it. The initial site wasn't much to look at, but it was one of the first online support resources available. I soon discovered thousands of people were visiting it each day. This came as a shock to me, but also filled me with a wonderful sense of purpose. I discovered an amazing truth, that when you reach out to help others, you can heal yourself. I had no forums in those early days, but answered thousands of emails and formed some very lasting bonds with people just like me. I was not alone. My case was not unique. There were other people in this world going through exactly what I was going through. This was a huge breakthrough for me in helping me find healing.
That brings me to the present. I am humbled and amazed by the growth of HealingWell.com. It is one of the few things I've done in my life, outside my family of course, that I truly care about. I never imagined it would become what it has. I've devoted a good portion of my life to it over the last 15 years and look forward to many more. It has been as much a source of healing for myself as it has been for thousands of others. It has taught me the goodness of human beings. It has also taught me to learn to live life as it is, instead of what I wish it was. One of my favorite quotes is by the philosopher Joseph Campbell who said: "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us."
HealingWell will always will be my passion. Thanks to each of you for all the love and compassion you share in helping others, like me, on their way to "healing well". I've learned so much from each of you these last 15 years.
I just want to say thank you so much for the Healing Well site... it has been my life support when I thought all was out of control. Everyone there is so supportive and I don't know what I would do if there wasn't a Healing Well. :)
ReplyDeleteI want to say how much I appreciate this site. I check it every day and it keeps me so informed. I don't skip a beat with my illness. It's also been empowering. I think you should blog about certain people on discussion groups who are really committed to helping the newbies. They stand out with excellent advice and lots of experience with their illness. They are very committed to helping others.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for launching this site. I have had Crohn's for 33 years, and I have only recently found this site. I have searched for years on the internet for info on Crohn's and although I have found information, I had never found understanding and support that I find at Healing Well.
ReplyDeleteAs a former nurse, I have an understanding of medical terms. After years presenting with the same symptoms and going through referral after referral and countless diagnostic tests, I ended up at the Mayo Clinic. They have the top specialists, however some of the bedside manners are abrupt and condescending. I am so grateful that I found this site and have learned the REAL details from other patients. I have a PFO (hole in my heart) that will be repaired soon and have been almost dismissed by the surgeon when I asked pointed questions. I am much more at ease knowing the real experiences related here. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI just found this site, but am glad I did. I was diagnosed with Hep-C in 98 and went through what then the rigorous treatment plan of 3 injections a week and a handful of pills each day. I was scared and had no information. I found a site similar to this one and it helped me a lot. It's important to be able to talk with someone who is going through or gone through what you're dealing with. Most everyone else means well, but they still lack a total understanding of how your life has changed. Now I am going through a different life experience with Chronic Back Pain after a failed surgery. I have screws and rods in my back. The by product of this was loss of gainful employment which brought about anxiety and panic as well as depression. In short, I was a basket case mentally and physically for nearly 2 years. I discovered that both are met with a lot of skepticism. I never wanted or expected sympathy. I did need validation. I found that you'll seldom get it outside of those who love you the most, spouse, children and parents, and even then it's not a sure thing. I'm also a Pastor and continued to Pastor and Preach through it all. I'd have to say that for me, that was my greatest source of strength, my faith. If you're familiar with the story of Job in the Bible, you'll recall he had three friends. When Job was at his lowest through no fault of his own, his friends done something that was worse than abandoning him. They ridiculed him. Through both of my experiences, the Hep C treatment (Which I responded to and was cured) and now the Chronic pain and associated anxiety and depression I lost friends. Like you're not going through enough, you have friends who abandon you out of fear, disbelief or fear that you may ask something of them. One day in the midst of all that was going on my wife, who has been my best friend for over 30 years made a profound statement. She said,"We don't need friends like Job had, they only complicate and add to the misery you are already going through. Besides her, and my church family who has been extremely supportive, I had one friend who called me most everyday to see how I was doing. He lives 200 miles away. We've been friends for 45 years. I guess what I am trying to say is that you need a support group to help you deal with things that are larger than you are in life. Don't waste your time worrying about those who abandon you,give them no thought, but at the same time, don't discount the value of the ones that stand by you through it all, regardless of how ugly it gets. And don't forget to let them know how thankful you are for their presence in your life during the difficult days you endure. And when you have the opportunity to be a friend to someone in a similar situation, remember the value of the ones that helped you through. I'd rather have 1 friend who sincerely and genuinely was concerned about me, than 50 who were only present during the good times. This includes family. I had family that deserted me/us as my wife endured it with me and it hurt deeply, but at least now I know who really cares and who does not. God Bless those who do and God help those who don't. At the very least, through the healingwell.com forum and chats, you will find people who understand, and who will in time become "online friends". Chances are you'll never meet or even speak to them in person, but they will be an "understanding ear" that will validate what your dealing with. And sometimes, that's all we need. Just someone who understands and knows first hand what you're going through. You will be surprised how beneficial that alone will be as you face whatever your personal struggle is.
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