--- In sclerodermafriendsandfamily@y..., "carolemanderson"
<carolemanderson@y...> wrote:
> Hello there, My name is Carole and I was diagnosed with this
> condition in December last year. However, it transpires that i have
> probably suffered with it for at least 5 years.
>
> At this minute i am confused, depressed, frustrated and sometimes
in
> absolute agony. I hasten to add that normally I am a socially
> outgoing person with a good sense of humour who likes meeting
people.
> Is there someone out there who understands what I am going through.
> Thanks Carole


Hello Carole,

I read your post and felt that I needed to respond. I can only share
my experience with you and hope that will help you in some way. I
was diagnosed in April 2002 at which time I was very ill and spent
about a month and a half in the hospital. I believe for me that some
people do not make it through that intitial stage of the diease,
therefore I am lucky to be alive. I like you was outgoing and active
I didn't drink or smoke and I consider fairly healthy. Then bang I
am fighting for my life. And that is just what I decided to do was
fight for my life. I am made a decision to want to live and when I
became stronger I began to learn about my illness and what I needed
to do to maintain a quality of life. I have a great support system
through family and friends, I have a great believe in a higher power
which saved my life. I have had a lot of years to work on myself and
get to a place where I could deal with what was happening in my
life. Time, patience, and acceptance are keys to living in the day
with what is going. If you want to e-mail me please feel free to do
so. Take care.

Michelle