Who will be our 7,000th member?

[icnmgrjill]

Wow! We're almost at 7,000 registrations. That's just amazing. I remember the days when we had just 50. We've grown so much it just astounds me. I'm so very very grateful to every single person who has ever helped with these boards and/or offered responses to patients posting. You're all heroes in my book!

I'm going to give a special gift to our 7,000th member provided I can track you down. If you're number 7000, please email. I'll check every day but sometimes it's hard when we have multiple registrations!

Wowooooooo!!!!

Jill :)

:woohoo:

[Katrina]

Neat...if hubby weren't already I would be rushing him too.....So cul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cricket]

7,000 registered!!!!!!! Wow! That is so wonderful!

The ICN has certainly flourished. When God first led me to the ICN, it was a very small, and loving community. During those early days of THE message board (yup, only one) we'd get excited to find 10 or maybe even 15 new messages! LOL Well, now the ICN is a huge, and loving community. How fortunate we are!

When we had to start registering to post on the message boards, I was Member #8. (So, I won't be winning the big prize. LOL ) But just think about this..... 7,000 only represents the REGISTERED members. There are, undoubtedly, thousands more, unregistered, who have been helped by this fountain of knowledge. Besides all the free information available here, this is a people place. The ICN is a safe-haven for those who need a place to feel welcome by others who understand exactly what they're going through. When some ICers have reached their most desperate moment, the ICN has been a life line encouraging them to never give up. The ICN is a 'Family of Friends' filled with compassion. Within this circle there's always a shoulder to lean on, the opportunity to vent your frustrations, a place to celebrate each triumph.

Because of the ICN, no one has to fight the battles of IC (and other chronic illness) alone.... Because ONE person had a dream and took the steps to make her dream come true.... Because ONE person didn't want other ICers to suffer the physical and emotional pain of IC, or the loneliness caused by the lack of IC information available (to both the public and medical communities). Because of ONE person, the ICN lives....... and thousands of people live better!

THANK YOU {{{{{{{{ JILL **************** GOD BLESS YOU!

With Love,
Cricket

[theclownster]

Very Well Said Cricket! I can't thank you enough Jill. This place has definitely been a god send in the past few months. It's great to be a part of such a great community. I say you treat yourself to something special when that 7,000 th member registers. You defintely deserve an extra special treat.

Thank you for the difference you have made for so many people!

Jennifer

[Kathi]

WOW!!! I remember when we hit 1,000 I e-mailed cause I thought that was a great milestone. I was 73, so I go back a long way too & remember much of what Cricket said.
Congratulations ICN & whomever our 7,000th member is going to be. Mostly to Jill for this fantabulous site. Love, Kathi:kiss:

[Sarojini]

I agree with everyone here. This website/message board is the absolute best place to get info and support. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not found it... I probably would have suffered a longer time before getting a diagnosis, for one thing. The information on this site helped me have the strength to stand up and say "NO, antibiotics are NOT going to help this" after I was told yet again I had an infection despite a negative culture.

Now, I have my good days and my bad days, but I definitely feel that I am on the road to remission.

Thanks Jill & everyone at the ICN :) :) :grouphug:

[SharonA]

Well said eveyone. I love this place and the people who are involved. Almost everything I have learned about IC, I have learned here...from the technical side to the personal side. I feel like I have many, many wonderful friends who are there and ready to help and who are just a keyboard away. On some of my darkest days, I know that I can find help, understanding and love here.

:kiss: :kiss: :kiss:

[icnmgrjill]

Ohhh Cricket! You're a true sweetie!!!!! Thank you for your kind words... but, honestly, I just had the idea.... but I don't keep them going anymore. What's that quote "It takes a village." These boards would NOT be here with the loving assistance of Donna (who really runs them now), my forever friend Diane (who got up every morning at 4am to answer posts from over night), you, Lesa, every single moderator, every single past moderator.

I also think the true heroes are those who take the time out of their busy day to help another by responding to posts. In my book, they are the most important to keeping this site going!

Oh.. and... each month, our user sessions (not our hits, which are in the millions now) grow and grow. We're near serving 100,000 patients a month just in visiting our overall web site. It's a huge job... and the part that you all don't see are the many phone calls we take every day. That's what I spend most of my time doing now is handling patient support calls, writing newsletters, etc. etc.

Jill :)

[Iris]

Hi Jill, and I think Cricket stated very well, what we all think. I know that it was a lifeline for me when I first found the network, and had almost reached the point of giving up, and ending it all. I found the network, and the support of so many caring people, that I knew I had found a place to come to for compassion, support and information. From that moment on, dealing with IC everyday has been made so much easier for me, and cannot thank you enough Jill for starting this great network. God bless you and heartfelt thanks, hugs Iris. :hi: :kiss: :flower:

[Jen_Cole]

It's almost kinda sad in a way-it's not like we WANT people to have ic, you know? At least they have a fabulous website to come to. Hats off to you, Jill! (How's about giving them a travel John?)

[ICNDonna]

Without a wonderful Moderator Team, and each and every person posting here, it would not be possible to keep these boards the friendly, safe place they have always been.

I was so very alone with my IC until I discovered the internet and the IC Network --- and I think it's so important that nobody with IC should ever feel that alone.

Warm hugs to everyone,
Donna

[blue]

I agree, no one should be alone with this disease!

[Sandy N.]

Thank you Juill and all others who have made this site what it is today. I hve been so grateful for all who has supported me with words of encouragement and support. The greatest thing is the love that that is expressed for all without criticism. What a blessing to be able to vent or cry in the middle of the night online to those who understand...:kiss: :love: :thumbsup: :party: Sandy N.

[Sandy N.]

Sorry Jill for spelling your name wrong...My fingers are not awake yet Sandy N.

[Carolyncgm]

Hi.
I just registered last night and found that I have the honor of being member number 7,000. This is a wonderful site and I am so glad I found it. :bouncy: What a help emotionally to know that there's a place where others understand and care. All of the information, opinions on treatments, lectures, products, and best of all support.....it's all fantastic. You're the next best thing to a cure for this awful disease. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Got to leave now or I'd write more. (having an ultrasound)
Bye for now.:thumbsup:

[Dixiefireball]

WOW! we have really grown!! i'm sorry that any of us has IC but i'm so greatful that we have this board to come to for great support!!! I was so alone and scared until i found you all! No i'm not the 7,000 member but i'm still just as lucky to have you all for my friends and family.
I love you
Rhonda:love: :kiss:

[SharonA]

Carolyn...hello:hi:, :welcome:and congratulations for being #7,000 :woohoo: I am so glad you found us. Yes, you will find a lot of help here between all the information available and all the wonderful people who try to help by posting. This is a great place to come to if you are looking for answers or looking for friends who understand what you are going through. I learned so much about IC here after I was first diagnosed and continue to do so. :)

[blue]

:welcome: :hi:

[DCLandy1325]

Hello to all. I am a new member here. My best friend has been suffering with IC for about 15 years. I have finally gotten a clue and realized I need to find out more about this disease. She is also in need of some computer info. She has just recently gotten a computer, but feels afraid of it. She is wanting to know if she needs to be on aol to be able to chat in these rooms, or can she have any other server to the internet like netscape or juno. I too am quite inexperienced to the computer world, and I am not living in the same city. Would love some info that could help me get her connected with others on the internet that have IC. These chat rooms would be a great source of hope and information. Thank you for your time. ANDY

[Katrina]

Once again your wisdom and outlook are a big uplift.


Thank you so very much Jill!!!!!!!!!!!!

DCLandy1325 Glad you could join us!

:welcome: :welcome:

Carolyncgm Congrats!!!!!! :welcome: :party:





:woohoo: We really have grown!

[SharonA]

Andy...welcome

What a good friend you are. Just have her follow the steps that you did to register and post. I believe that you can use any server that you normally use but, since I am not a computer expert, I could be wrong. All I know is that I use Mozilla Firebird. She will need an e mail address but it can stay private if that is what she wants. We will be glad to welcome her to our family of very supportive and caring people. :)

[DCLandy1325]

Thank you Sharon for the info. I will try to help her get started. I imagine she will be in touch with everyone soon. I know she is desperately searching for others that can understand where she is coming from. She has always had a great sense of humor, and it makes me happy to see so many others that are finding ways to laugh even when life is very rough. Thanks for opening your hearts and lending an ear. ANDY:thumbsup:

[Carolyncgm]

Hi Andy,

Welcome back!

I sent you a private message yesterday with some information for you and your friend. Hope you were able to find it on your user control panel.

As Sharon said, this is a wonderful and caring place with many kind and understanding people. It is a place full of hope and support which brings everyone together. Your friend will always be welcome here at any time of the day or night....and so will you!

Bye for now. :hi:

Carolyn

[SheriG]

:) Cricket, I just had the opportunity to read your post on this thread. I agree with every single thing you said, and I think Jill is awesome for keeping things going on a day to day basis, which, I am sure is difficult at times!:yikes: So thanks you Jill, and all the moderators, and all the members who make this place feel like home! Cricket, you are sweet~ Here's to everyone enjoying a sunny happy summer!!!:grouphug: