Virtual Meetings

In the last few years, I've met some pretty amazing people, just from having a few blogs and being a part of the fast-growing social monster known as Facebook. I like to write. A lot. It's even got me in trouble a few times. So, when I got sick, writing was one of the few things I could still do. I could hide behind my laptop screen, write what I wanted, with the intention of maybe helping someone else in the same situation. It was a way for me to present my experiences from a patient's point of view, rather than what people would search for on WebMD, Google, or what ever outlet they chose. It was also a broader way to inform friends and family about day to day progressions. Or setbacks even. It was a common ground. A social, virtual water cooler.

So, who have I met? People from all over the world and in our country. Some of whom, I have not yet met in person, but are planning to in one way or another. I've met some great people more locally too, like Damon and his family in Chicago. They came to see me several times, in the hospital and here. And we've been with them through a few football games. I talked with someone recently from New Jersey through email just the other day. I met Bob at Holy Cross College while in the thick of treatment. There's also fellow blogger Daniel and his family, who live in Romania. Great people. I've also talked with Alison and Kathleen who are both from South Africa. And I'm not even listing them all! It's amazing what hiding behind your computer sometimes will do for your virtual interactions when you're faced with a common enemy. What do they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend?

With that said, I couldn't have predicted who I would wind up meeting and what I would end up learning as a result of this blog and Facebook. Still mystifies me sometimes. In a good way.