Hi! I'm new here.

scarlet · Jun 11, 2005

Hi All

My name is Sandy and I joined back at the end of April. I promptly went on holiday and 'horror of horrors', couldn't remember this site's name when I came back. Finally found it again through Google with massive relief. :Clap:

I live in a small rural village in West Wales, UK and I'm a freelance writer concentrating mainly on non-fiction articles. I have been published in small press mags and on the web. I've a wide interest in lots of topics but as a former health professional I often write about health and fitness - surprise, surprise! I'm also interested in the mind, body, spirit connection. I had to give up a lucrative career in the health service due to ill-health, so I've had to work really hard at this. Writing, always was my first love, so it's an 'ill wind' etc.

Well I think I've probably bored you enough so Iechyd Da! (Good Health! in Welsh).

Doyle · Jun 11, 2005

Hi Scarlet, I'm a newbie too, and slowly learning some of the ropes around here. I've not made any $$$ from what I write, mostly just gotten in trouble. But I am curious, and please forgive me if I am mis-stepping here, but as a health professional how did ill-health come upon you? I ask, because health is an important topic to me. I work at my well-being and seek to live moderately in most all things. I am most curious if what happened was a reslut of being mis-informed by your training. I am not happy with the modern approach to medicine which seems to just be a treatment of symptoms and not really interested in the causes of ones problems.

Anyhoo -- welcome aboard. We will learn together.

aka eraser · Jun 12, 2005

Welcome Scarlet - glad you joined us.

jdkiggins · Jun 12, 2005

to the Cooler, Scarlet.

scarlet · Jun 12, 2005

Thanks for your welcome and interest

Thanks for the warm welcomes. To answer your question Doyle, I discovered I had a rare condition, Myasthenia Gravis. This is a disease of the auto immune system, causing damage at the neuromuscular junction. There are a variety of symptoms due to weak muscles, including inability to breathe or walk. Fortunately I tend to suffer more from double vision, swallowing, speech and chewing problems. I live a comparitively normal life with medication. I haven't a clue why I got it, it's not catching, or hereditary and there's no cure as yet. Something must have screwed up my genes. Quite laughable really, I was a super-fit health promotion specialist and then as weak as a kitten. I spent a long time saying 'why me?' now I say 'why not?' and get on with life. I focus on the positives such as having more time to do what I love which is writing.

I agree with you about modern medicine though, doctors are far too keen to find a drug to treat things, if there is no modern drug then they don't search for alternatives such as herbs, vitamins etc. they just label you as incurable. :Shrug:

Thanks for your interest

triceretops · Jun 12, 2005

Welcome aboard Scarlet--glad you rediscovered us. I would mad too, if I'd lost this site.

Triceratops

scarlet · Jun 13, 2005

Addendum to last post

scarlet said:
I agree with you about modern medicine though, doctors are far too keen to find a drug to treat things, if there is no modern drug then they don't search for alternatives such as herbs, vitamins etc. they just label you as incurable

Viewing this message in the cold light of day, I realise I am being unfair to all the enlightened medical people out there, I should have said 'some' doctors!

Sarita · Jun 13, 2005

Scarlet! Welcome to AW.

~Sara

CaoPaux · Jun 13, 2005

Welcome, Scarlet! :Sun:

JennaGlatzer · Jun 13, 2005

Sandy, glad you found us again! I know the "why me" syndrome well... I'm glad you picked up your attitude and found a way to turn it into something positive. Welcome!

awatkins · Jun 13, 2005

Welcome! Glad you found your way back.

arrowqueen · Jun 13, 2005

Hi Scarlet. Nice to meet you - and sorry to hear about your health problems.

Doyle · Jul 27, 2005

Hi Scarlett, thanks for the info on your condition -- I greatly appreciate your attitude, my expectaion is that you will become the Lance Armstrong of the literary world. Write hard. And see you around the block.

Writer2011 · Jul 27, 2005

Welcome to the forums...you will absolutely love it here!!! Stick around and you'll have the time of your life..

sthrnwriter · Jul 27, 2005

Hi Scarlet. :hi:

Welcome back to AW.

scarlet · Jul 29, 2005

Thanks again!

Hi, to all those who've posted a new welcome and thanks for all your comments. Lance Armstrong is an amazing guy but I think he had to face a lot more than me Doyle. Although Myasthenia can be life threatening, today's medicines and knowledge makes it much less likely.

By the way any other Welsh (UK) members out there? :flag:

Scarlet

rhymegirl · Aug 3, 2005

Welcome, Scarlet.

Stick around. We don't want to see you "gone with the wind." :ROFL:

scarlet · Aug 3, 2005

Scarlet's here to stay!

Hi rhymegirl

Never fear, I may have 'breezed' in but I definitely 'give a damn' and I'm here for the duration!

TemlynWriting · Aug 5, 2005

Welcome scarlet! Glad you found AW again!

Susie · May 1, 2006

Hi, Scarlet & Doyle, (sorry I missed you Doyle before) :welcome:

to the forum. hope you're doing well and enjoying the forum. :Hug2:

scarlet · May 2, 2006

Hi Susie,

I'm loving the forum thanks! There is so much expertise and support here that it's impossible not to 'grow', learn and hopefully, earn

.

My medical condition has progressed a little in that I've developed a rather attractive lisp. My children think this is hilarious because I sound like the guy from the UK 'Little Britain' TV series - the carer who looks after the guy in the wheelchair. Still I'd rather have them laughing at me than crying over me!

Thanks for the hug, it's made my day, so here's one back :Hug2:

Susie · May 2, 2006

I'm sure glad you're enjoying it here, Scarlet. It is super! It's my 2nd home.

Sure sorry about your lisp. Hope you feel much better very soon. :Hug2:

and many more. So glad my hug made your day. You deserve lots of hugs!

Lady Cat · May 2, 2006

Hi Scarlett, welcome back! The doctors you describe sound like they're all from my town, a person has to really fight to get them to look past the obvious. I once had a doctor admit that he didn't know what was wrong with me but he'd prescribe some pain-killers 'just in case'. Your attitude is very inspirational, I hope you start feeling better soon!

Lady Cat

scarlet · May 3, 2006

Thanks Lady Cat and Susie,

I'm really fine. Your brain seems to find ways around all these obstacles if you let it. I'm thrilled that you think I am an inspiration because I hope to offer support to others through my writing. Thanks and :Hug2:

to you both.

Hi! I'm new here.

scarlet

Doyle

aka eraser

Fish Whisperer

jdkiggins

Troubled-Talks with animals.

scarlet

triceretops

scarlet

Sarita

carpe noctem

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

JennaGlatzer

wishes you happiness

awatkins

Not harboring illegal parrot

arrowqueen

RIP, our sarky besom

Doyle

Writer2011

sthrnwriter

Snoopy Dance!

scarlet

rhymegirl

It's a New Year!

scarlet

TemlynWriting

The Tony Award-winning

Susie

Thanks, special friend for my avi!

scarlet

Susie

Thanks, special friend for my avi!

Lady Cat

scarlet