Michelle Sawicki

Ditto what Nina said. I'm very happy with my life, and I feel A LOT better now than when I first got sick and was bedridden. Living with a chronic illness can be a huge adjustment though, and I second the counseling advice.

Michelle

I've seen Dr. Russell at U of M in the past. I didn't find him to be the most personable of doctors, but he did test me for everything under the sun. He does know what POTS is. If my memory serves me correctly, Sid Gillman mainly works with MSA patients.

I believe Dr. Grubb has a much better understanding of these disorders than any doctor you will find at U of M.

My sister saw Felix Rogers not long ago, and she liked him. I've heard he's not a big fan of beta blockers.

I hope you can find someone who can help.

Michelle

I'm so happy for you, Melissa! I really hope this helps!

Michelle

When I went back to work after taking a year off while sick with POTS, I looked for a job that wouldn't require a lot of standing and wouldn't wear me out physically. I got a job at a library and it suits me well. I work in reference, which keeps me challenged mentally and is also a job I can do sitting down (for the most part). It works for me.

Michelle

Hi,

Sorry, I had to make some last minute final touches. Things should be up and running now. Let me know if you have any more problems accessing the Chit-Chat forum.

Michelle

Welcome to our new "chit-chat" forum.

We've moved a couple of appropriate posts over here to get things rolling. We've also totally revamped the forum rules, so take a look at them before posting.

New Forum Rules: http://dinet.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=4636

Have fun!

Michelle

Sorry...give me a few minutes and it will be working.

Michelle

Congratulations Ling!!!

Michelle

I had problems yesterday. I think they must be working on our server.

Michelle

One of our members with dysautonomia has a service dog and raises/trains them for others. Her website is: http://www.richlandacres.com/Snowflake%20Foundation.htm

Michelle

Hi guys,

After giving me a royal pain in the butt, it looks like I got the navigation bar back up and the links are working again. Yay!

Em, I did have a nice day today. We celebrated the 100th anniverary of our library, and the power was back on when I got home. Double Yay!

Morgan, the navigation bar is that sidebar of links on the main DINET site at www.dinet.org.

Hope you guys have a good evening.

Michelle

Welcome to the forum! I sent you a PM.

Michelle

Thanks for letting us know. Tell her I'm thinking about her and that I'll say a prayer.

Michelle

Hi guys,

Just an FYI to let you know the navigation bar on our site got wiped out last night. Our server extensions were corrupt and the site host had to do some repairs. Unfortunately, in doing so, our navigation bar disappeared. I was going to fix the site this morning before I left for work, but just as I sat down at the computer the power went out. I'll get the navigation bar back up when I get home, provided the power is back on. In the meantime, I apologize for any inconveniences.

Michelle

Congrats on your successes, Melissa!

Whatever you decide about school, I support your decision. I do try to encourage people to plug along with their dreams for as long as possible because you just never know when something pretty miraculous might happen....just look at Emma in our newsletters. She was once wheelchair bound and now has no symptoms. Pretty remarkable.

Michelle

I sent you an email, Emily.

Michelle

Jan,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on splitting posts. I've contacted other forum administrators regarding how they handle posts that veer off-topic on the "on-topic" forum, and splitting and moving posts is what seems to work best for them. I agree though, it could lead to confusion, and that is why I want to make sure everyone understands the possible end-results of adding an off-topic forum.

I still think our members are pretty friendly here. I enjoyed the previously casual atmosphere as well, but -through trial and error- learned that it was not in the best interest of our members. There are people who prey on casual forum atmospheres.

Sorry if you felt birthday wishes were contradictory to some of the off-topic posts that were pulled. I never saw them that way.

If you'd like to continue this conversation please write to me at: staff@dinet.org

Thanks!

Michelle

Yes Em, the poll will be up for a little while to make sure most people get a chance to vote.

I also agree that it won't always be easy to tell if something is on-topic or off and many on-topic posts may veer off-topic, at which point they would have to be split and sent to the off-topic forum....and some people might get upset if their posts are moved. We'd really have to have everyone's cooperation and understanding to take this on, especially when posts are moved.

I do appreciate all of your input, and thanks for letting us know you are appreciative of the volunteer services we provide.

Michelle

You guys are right, having an off-topic area will definitely cause more work for the moderators of this forum. As Nina stated, we are hoping to find a happy medium that will keep people who want to cause trouble at bay while making the forum more enjoyable for our regular members.

Jan, personally I like birthday wishes as I think they are positive, however I hate to think that some members may feel left out if their birthday isn't announced on the forum. To help with this we have now added a "Today's Birthdays" feature to the front page of the forums so that every registered birthday is announced.

As for topics being pulled, if you guys knew what went on behind the scenes that lead to topics being pulled you'd probably say, "Oh my, I had no idea." One of the hardest jobs as forum moderator is knowing you are doing what's best for the group but not having some members of the group understand that. We can't always explain our actions, as we believe in member confidentiality...even when the particular person has caused us continual problems. Honestly, sometimes I find it amazing that Nina and Melissa haven't run for the door.

If anyone else wants to discuss other things they would like changed on the forum please send all suggestions to staff@dinet.org.

Thanks!

Michelle

Hi everyone,

Please let us know your opinion on off-topic posts by participating in this poll. Off-topic posts are posts that focus on subjects other than dysautonomia.

Thanks!

Michelle, Nina and Melissa

Hi Emily,

I wasn't sure if Ann had finished off where you two had agreed to or not. I haven't received another email from her if she was supposed to do more. Sounds like you two may have covered everything, so sorry for any confusion.

Looking the international docs up online would be fine.

Thanks!

Michelle

Hi Emily,

I haven't received anything from Ann yet, so I'm not sure how far she's gotten.

I appreciate all the work you've done. Calling the international docs would be great!

THANK YOU!!!!

Michelle

Welcome to the group!

Michelle

Yep, I agree....Melissa deserves most of the credit for this one. And, of course, she went and put her name last. Just goes to show what a great character she has.

Thanks for all your hard work, Melissa. It is very much appreciated.

Michelle

We are currently discussing restructuring the forum. We will keep your (and other considerations) in mind during this time.

Michelle