Hi everyone! I am now back on the boards but I see I have a lot to catch up on. I wanted to let you all know how things were going because ALOT has happened since I last posted here. My stim is still doing very good I have had to have it only reprogrammed twice since my last surgery back in November I am so glad that I went with the other leads, I really think it has made a big difference and even though the surgery was hard on me it was well worth it! My other health problems have gotten worse so that is why I haven't been back in awhile. My colon is not working right so I have to give myself injections and it makes me very sick all day and also takes away all my energy. My bladder disease is very bad again and I had to go back on catheter treatments. I am also dealing with a horrible pain and they think it is because of my hysterectomy and there is a possibility my endo has come back and they will have to open me up and get rid of it. But on the bright side I am walking normally without my walker or wheelchair and going to be walking down the aisle at my wedding in October! We are really excited about this because as you know we eloped last year in May and I was still using the wheelchair so now we get to have the real wedding and my stim rep will even be there because I have known him for about 3 years now! And my other bit of good news is that I am finally graduating college! After enrolling in 2005 and dealing with multiple surgeries and illness that had set me back I am finally graduating and then going to move on to the teaching program I am so happy that this is happening because I have worked really hard to get to this point. Also, Gigi is doing great she just keeps getting longer and definitely looks more dauchshound now! Well, this is all I have time to write for now just wanted to give an update and let you all know I am back! I will talk to you all very soon. Take care

Hullo Tara!!!!!!! It is so wonderful to learn that you are among us again, and to also be able to extend congratulations upon your college graduation!!! Tremendous!!!!!!

You have been the recipient of many, many, many prayers from us since last we heard from you, and you have been ever on my mind!!!!

It is just such a relief to see your name at the boards again!
Smilin and prayin for you yet,
Mark56

Hi Tara,

I'm Sinéad and I guess I'm new to the boards since you were here last, it's lovely to meet you and I look forward to getting to know you. You don't say in your profile where are you from, i'm from Ireland, there are a few of us from Ireland on here and the UK.
Congratulations on graduating from college, that's not easy when you're in pain and trying to study, and now you would like to teach, what would you like to teach do you know. HUGE congratulation on your engagement, when did you say you were getting married? That will surely keep you busy, have you everything planned?

Take care and hopefully we chat soon again.

All the best,

Sinéad

Hi Tara. Good to see you on the boards again. My, you have been busy. X

I really missed talking to everyone and have thought of you all very often. I will be back on and off around here because I am dealing with my other health issues right now. I am charging my stim right now so thought I could do a quick post. Mark56 and Saffy, it was nice to hear from you! Sinead, its nice to meet you and welcome to the board, even though you have already been posting I am from the U.S. (midwest). I want to teach elementary school and work with grades 1-3, I also want to help students that have problems with reading. I used to be a reading tutor at inner city after school program but lost my job after the car accident (which subsequently made me end up getting a stim). Our wedding is in October and there is still a lot I need to do but I have not been feeling good so its been hard. Whenever I get stressed out though I always pull out the picture of when we eloped and when I was using the wheel chair and it makes me feel proud and more determined to keep going I am excited though because a couple weeks ago my mom and grandma took me to get a wedding dress and for the first time in a long time I felt beautiful and like a princess! The funny thing though is that my dress is going to show my stim scar on my back (from the latest surgery) but I am not going to cover it up I will proudly show it off because most everyone knows about my stim anyway and its been a part of my life since 08. I would not be graduating or having a wedding if it weren't for my stim so I am really grateful for that! Unfortunately I need to make this post short because they did a ct scan this morning and the dye stuff makes me very sick and causes more problems so I am going to go lay down. I will try to read the board and posts when I can so I can get caught up. Also, if anyone has any questions about the stim experience they can always send me a message and I am always happy to talk about to other people about it Well, take care and I hope you all have a great week. I will be around again soon.

Tara

Oh, how it is wondrous to have your thoughts released for us to read again, and though you still work upon other health issues, it is a blessing to know you are among us and participative. Your celebration of a forthcoming marriage with plans, selection of your dress and feelings of inner and outer beauty is inspirational! Indeed! You do have a mark to wear upon your back with pride as you have been an inspirational survivor who works without faltering toward teaching and helping others to come along into this world we call home. May you be both blessing to your students and to your fiancee as husband to be even as you are to each of us dear Tara.

Prayers surround you,
Mark56