I'd like to make a request: when a thread that began as a medical question movies into social chat, please take the chat to another thread, and label it "Off Topic". I'm finding that as I try to find out what's happening with people in various state of diagnosis or treatment, the threads which began with their dilemmas now require me to read through many social notes to find only that the medical content is now gone, and I've wasted my time. This is happening on a number of threads which I'd found important, including one I'd started myself.

I think it's great that people form social connections here, but what has set this forum apart from others is the high quality of conversation about medical issues, and once we dilute those medical conversations with personal chat I fear we threaten our identity.

So please, let's keep "off topic" off topic.

I am guilty of this too. We really need a place on line where we can chat, be silly or whatever. Like my plea for groceries and ways to cook, melody's long posts, etc.

I think that some of us, myself included are so starved for conversation that we will jump in anywhere and we lose a really important medical post and answer because we've posted about shoes, groceries, someone's boyfriends, etc. We all know we're guilty of this.

Before the gift of the laptop, I wanted to just read threads that I thought would give me medical answers and I skipped a lot of posts that might have helped me because there were things in them that I wasn't looking for. Strictly medical posts should be a post of it's own.

I'll try really hard to do this. Make another subject and label the thread off topic. Wonder if we could get Doc John to add a place where we could check each day for sillies and post about shoes, groceries, etc. We'd all just have to remember to check in there.

Thanks for reminding me Liza Jane.
Billye

Is that not part of a healthy group dynamic? Where all feel comfortable enought to digress off a primary 'issue' and discuss peripheral yet related other issues?

We all do take turns tho, politely I hope. - j

Sometimes when a thread starts to wander too far from the original topic - it's ok to make a friendly reminder or you can re-quote the first post to help get it back on track.

I agree with everything,but shoe size is not out of line,when it comes to
PN and the medical aspects,other wise fine with me...Sue

Agree that we do wander at times and need to watch - but things like groceries and day to day survival is important to help us deal with our disabilities.... also issues like dealing with insurance, doctors, day to day living etc. from each others is very helpful.... as we all face "special challenges".... and the "normal" people in our lives most often do not understand.... and sometimes may intertwine with a medical thread.

Completely off topic yes - should be on their own....

billye,

there are different ways to to have OT threads. daily or weekly check in's, today i, what's on your plate or wonder threads. nobody has to post to them or feel obligated, but it's a nice place to have those friendly off and on topics that can wander all around like a normal conversation does.

most of the active forums here have such threads.

what do ya'' think?

I think it would be a good idea. We can check in and see what is happening with each other and maybe not wander too far off the track when we are posting medical posts. I like seeing Mrs. d's cat's latest tricks, Melody's latest story, Shiney Sue's latest about Bob and his girlfriends etc. and I sometimes miss them when they are scattered. And sometimes I don't have time to read thru them but feel I have to in order to see if I missed something medically important. I'd like to be able to go back and read them at my leisure. I think a separate thread where we can all "visit" is a great idea.

Billye

I'm sorry I do get off topic a lot. I don't have much info to offer I guess so I try to give back in a way I can. I do know though in many support groups a big part is coping mentally. I think it lifts my spirits and a healthy distraction to hear other stories. I always love reading for example Melody's stuff. I hope in some way we can have posts like that. If people think it is better in seperate threads that is fine with me.

Well if anything I don't think using names is polite are necessary..
Many have used husbands names or brought them up on posts.

So I will speak for myself,Bob is as important to my care as any one's
husband...Also i tried to use as a example,that my Boyfriend sent
me flowers with a vase...It was a simple way of saying,We must continue
to use what we can.

I'm not angry,but sometimes I get lost in some pretty darn,large and
at times far to technical mecial tearms,that make me feel,that we are thinking
out loud just a little to fast. But If a ya hoo PN forum is needed so be
it... Until then some people may shut down,other's may not. Ya hoo
Bob my friend and sometimes caretaker was taken by hospital last night,
I had to call 911...Is that sharing yes,am I worried you bet,just the stress upset my PN oh boy it does...

I am waiting for a phone call another one,for early this moring,I was told he had a heart attack...Pm me if you would like me to hush,or anyone else...
I'm not angry but well mybe a bit,so I will get over it. Just say what you
wish to do,let me know. Sue