[npatterson]

#1018751

Hi everyone,

I have been gone a long time. I seriously flooded my house a couple of weeks after the conference, and the water damage cleanup and restoration involved being out of my house for six or seven weeks. They packed up my computer (and everything else I needed!) before I even got home from work that day.

Now I am trying to get the LeadershipTraining set up for next month. There is still room if any of you want to come to North Carolina for the training.

Here is the initial information:

The next Facilitator Training will be in Brevard, NC from February 19, 2010 through February 21, 2010. Plan to arrive Thursday afternoon, February 18th.

The rooms at the Hampton Inn are covered by the Hampton and NGDF. They are Double bed, non-smoking rooms. The Hampton has been most generous over the years in their support of this part of the Foundation’s work. Their rooms are clean, super-comfortable beds, and there is a really good breakfast each morning.

If you want to come early or stay late, we have a special rate of $59.00. Meals are somewhat casual: soups and sandwiches, and are provided. We will go out to eat the last night. Dress is also casual and comfortable. It’s been very cold here (as well as the whole country), so bring layers.

Your expenses will be travel and that one meal. The two airports that will work are AVL – Asheville, and GSP – Greenville/Spartanburg. You will have to rent a car from Greenville – 60 miles. We can arrange to do pick up in Asheville – 17 miles. Asheville is trying to get more reasonable flights. I think you will always be routed through Atlanta to get here.

Brevard is quite drivable from NC, TN, GA and North Florida. It is a hard weekend, but always in the past they have been labors of love, and passion for helping other Graves’ patients.

You need to ask your doctor if he or she will be willing to "sponsor" group — meaning they will be YOUR "go-to" person. They do not have to attend all the meetings, but will be welcomed to come and be a speaker.

Let me know as soon as possible if you want to come. I know you have about a million more questions–most of which I can answer. e-mail: "[url]Nancy NGDF@bellsouth.net[/url]". Please use that, rather than PM messages.

Take care,

[snelsen]

#1066873

I am so sorry about your flood! Did you get a brand new house out of it?
Do you know when the next facilitator training is?
I know your post is in 2009, but I was viewing unanswered posts!
Shirley

[Kimberly]

#1066874

Hi all – Nancy is still having computer issues, but she asked me to post and let everyone know that the Foundation does not yet have facilitator training scheduled for 2011. (The initial post in this thread was for the 2010 training session). However, if there is anyone out there who is interested in starting up a local Graves’ Disease support group, please raise your hand! We will keep you in the loop as the training plans are finalized.

I started up a support group in Arizona this year, and it is a lot of work — but it is also very gratifying to help fellow patients connect. If you tell someone you have heart disease or diabetes or cancer, you are likely to get a compassionate response…but tell someone you have Graves’ Disease, and you will probably get a "deer in the headlights" type of stare! It’s truly empowering to get an opportunity to connect in person with fellow patients and family members.

[FindingMe]

#1066875

I would be interested in helping someone start a support group in Virginia.

I live in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. I had an advanced case of hyperthyroidism that went misdiagnosed until my body was screeming "Graves’ Disease" and one very large goiter. I had a total thyroidectomy in Feb.08 with too many noduels to count. I continue to suffer from have TED.

My doctor explained that after surgery I would start my medication to replace my thyroid and that everything will slowly return to normal. I’m still trying to figure out his definition of "slowly." After almost 3 years, I continue to suffer from the majority of the side effects I had prior to surgery.

I am now in the stage of acceptance and learning to cherish the good days and make the best of the bad days!

Unfortunately, those bad days would make it difficult for me to start a support group alone but I would be willing to help. It would have made a huge difference in both my life and for my family if I had received more informative information. Information that I still struggle to find and understand.

[Author]

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