We need help on the cyst forum

Hi Trudie,
I know you have worked hard on the cyst forum. I always see your answers. I have tried to answer some, but the fact is, I don't have that much experience with it. I haven't had surgery for cysts so can't help there. I try to help when I can, but don't feel that I can offer that much. Hopefully, more women will come on with similar situations and try to answer the posts too. Please don't feel that you HAVE to answer them all.  It is a forum for questions yes, and I am sure the women that post would like an answer, but there is no obligation for anyone to answer. Probably not wording this right, but hopefully, you understand what I mean. Hugs, Colleen

I absolutely do Colleen.  Hugs back at ya.

I am very guilty of neglecting the cyst forum.  It is not intentional.  I have been so worn out babysitting the new baby 40+ hours a week. I will try to do better.  Marie

I'm really not trying to lay guilt on anyone.  I just want to encourage some more participation primarily from women who have had cysts.

Trudie,

Sorry I have not been to the cyst forum lately, but will try to go there and help mor often.

Hugs,
Dawnlyn

I will try to help as well.  

Heidi

Trudie,
So many of the women that were on the boards when I came on in April just aren't here now. They were the ones who had all the experiences with the surgeries and issues I don't know about. I know that some of them now have the kids off for summer vacation, but said they will come back when they have the time when school starts. A lot have gone back to work and have their families too, so I guess with summer here and vacations it's running a bit slow.
Some of our ladies recovering right now too, and a lot women at ovca are having a rough time physically too. I'll try to add as much as I can with things I do know about, and if I ever get the surgery I'll be better informed to answer the other questions.
Sorry if you feel like you've been holding down the fort alone, you've done a great job. I'll do the best I can with the back thing, can't sit for too long right now.
Hugs
Val

I totally agree with Trudie.. The problem is that so many times the questions are very specific and unless I'm really certain of the answer, I don't like to put my 2c in. .. I'd rather someone who has had the experience fill in the blanks. It's a shame some of the earlier posters disappeared. I was hoping some would stick around .. they have a wealth of knowledge. There was a very specific post a week or so ago (before I went out of town again without my lap top) that I just know one of the previous posters could help with. I tried to find them and I guess they have removed themselves from the membership.. too bad. but I , will continue to do what I can.. So , if some of you gals from the past see this, please consider checking in from time to time!

Take care all,
Sandy

Trudie,  I just came from the cyst forum.  You are really doing a wonderful service over there.  You are making a huge effort to help everyone. Your answers are accurate and worded in a very kind manner.  I am sorry you are doing so much of the work yourself, but I don't know of any one of us that could have done a better job.  I will make an effort to join you over there, but I can guarantee I will have nothing to offer above and beyond your insights.  You are terrific on both forums.  Marie

                                                     Report Card

                                TrudieC.................................A+  (for effort and content)

Thanks Marie.  My fear is that I won't be able to keep the A+ and will have to move to a B- status.  Just want to make sure everyone gets taken care of.

Hi Trudie,
I hear you.  I've noticed you do answer quite a lot of the posts, sometimes singlehandedly.  Thank you for that.  I have to say that each person here has made a valid point to your journal.  I haven't joined the cyst forum and maybe should do that.  Sometimes I just forget to go there.

This forum is so very unique in that it's been a place to find a quick response to answers.  It's also a friendly place.  Unlike some of the forums where a question will sit there for weeks at the top b/c there are no new questions and/or answers.  So, I know that people are around here but so much is going on and now that you've put up a reminder we'll check more often.  As Colleen said, it is a choice to answer because we've all been through something similar but we need to answer out of common knowledge and love, not obligation.  I don't mean that in a bad way at all!  I hope you don't take it that way b/c you wrote your journal out of friendship and concern.  I do hear you and will try to check more often.  

One thought?  If we're not going to be around for whatever reason, trip or something, why not let others know so maybe we'll know to check the forum?  

Take care!  

Marie:  You nut!

Excellent points Lori.  I am always guilty of taking on more than I can handle and I tend to jump in too far with both feet.  I will learn to treat it as less of an obligation and we'll improve the communication so we can ensure all these newbies get their answers.  It feels like it's a bloody epidemic out there.  There are so many new people with these problems every day!

I feel bad that I had never visited/posted over there.  I went thru some posts and replied to a few.  I hope it helps.  If there is one thing I know a thing or 2 about, it's cysts and surgeries.  Yippy :).  
Hope you ladies are having a Blessed day!!!  We are getting some much needed rain here and it is refreshing.  

Cheers!
Heidi

Dear Trudie,

I am sorry I have not been more active over there.  I do look through them and try to answer if I know about a subject like cysts, but when it comes to fibroids, endometriosis, etc., I just don't have an answer to those things and I only know about cysts because I had so many for so long, but most people I have talked to with OvCa did not have cysts before the cancer.
Isn't there a womens forum on MH that deals with endo?  Like the general Women's Health or Issues or whatever it is called forum. If we could at least send them in the right direction.  I will look at the HealthPages because I think I put some stuff there about fibroids and I will try and study up on some of the cyst forum issues.  This is no excuse, but I have been sick and when I wasn't sick we were at my MIL's trying to help her get her stuff straight and I have hardly been on the computer lately.  I will make more of an effort to go over to that forum and at least leave an encouraging word if I don't have an answer for them.  Thanks for reminding us all that the cyst forum really is something that we should all help nurture.
Thanks,
Jan

PS It sure would help if everyone would add to the other cyst sites on the HealthPages  .  Actually, I know I have said this before but there is a really good interactive video on that Other Cyst Site page about cysts and fibroids and all kinds of stuff.  I did not watch it all.  I was trying to pick the very best, most comprehensive sites so that the HP's didn't get junked up with so much even the links confused people.  Maybe people look at that and think there to many links there so they don't bother.  There aren't a lot of sites, but the ones I did put up really packed a punch.

Trudie,
You have been very helpful on the forum. I notice you post a lot of info. I, like many others, do not have the experience to answer most questions. I do try to let them know, especially if I see no response, that I may not be able to help them, but that someone is thinking of them. I don't want anyone to feel as if no one cares even if I don't have the answers. I hope the community and I can come together to help ease your load!
Karen

Trudie ,
you and everyone else do a fantsastic job at answering the questions but for me it was more than that. I have only been on the site for 6 days but i so needed to corresponding with people who knew my fears and understand what i am going through where even my closest friends can not. we are all told repeatedly that 95% of cyst are benign but until i have had surgery friday that 1 in 20 that is cancer seems a very big number.
i know the importance of replies to my post having logged on 20 times a day and to read others updated messages.( must apologize cause i had just sent some more questions before reading this!!!!)
Once i have had this surgery i will reply to post with my new limited experience or as others have just to say hi, and to let them know someone cares. hope this can lighten your load a little and give someone else the wonderful support i have had from here xx

Does anyone know of a cyst forum for men ? It is not well known but men suffer from cysts also ?

Ahem... Not ovarian cysts.. If so , you have bigger problems than finding a forum...

I looked at a few last night and some of those people don't even ask real questions.  I will try to get them to be more complete and I will try to do more to guide the cyst questions from the ovca forum over there.  If you google those symptoms does it bring you to medhelp in general or the cancer forum?  I remember now, it brings you to individual posts.  Maybe there aren't enough cyst questions for them to show up as much as the cancer questions.  Sorry to dump all of this on you and Sandy.  I know some of you others really make an effort, so please don't take offense, but those two should be the moderators of that forum, since they did so much to see that it got a proper launch and their continuing efforts have been helpful to so many.