Spring & Renewal

legaljen1969

Spring is here. A time of growth, hope, renewal and promise. Anyone around? I would love to hear from some of you as to what promising things are happening in your journey. Progress made? Remission? Just starting out on this journey but you now have answers and are ready to move forward?

LowcountryJen1969

I really wish someone would speak up and post. I see that I get views, but never comments. This site used to be such a great place to gather.

Oddly enough, my beginnings with WhatNext were in April 2020- when the entire world was basically shut down with COVID and we really all had to lean on each other. Online communities were vital to support and connection.

Perhaps the world being "back to normal" is the reason that this site doesn't seem to be taking off again.

I just want people to know that I AM here to read, listen, absorb your laughter, your tears, your screams, your… whatever.

I will have another appointment with my surgeon who is the "Team leader" for my care team in May. For the first time in these four years I MIGHT actually bring up the prospect of reconstruction. I know it's late in the game now. I guess I am just scared of having another surgery. Maybe I am scared of "jinxing" myself if I get a reconstruction- fear that my end of the year mammogram or other tests might show "something." I know in my heart I am so close to the finish line- to being able to say I am "clear." Yet, that first time of having the C word come into our lives is unforgettable. It's a word you can never "unhear."

I will say again that early detection for breast cancer, or any cancer, is so important. If there is a test they can do to screen and catch something early- get the dang test.

beachbum5817

Today is May 18. 2024. I woke up to an email from WhatNext. It says it is sent weekly. This is the first one that I have gotten. It is strange because just last night I was thinking of Greg's WhatNext and all of the things I learned there and the great people that I met. I do miss it. It anyone from that time sees this, I hope that you all are doing well.

NGonzalez (STAFF)

Good morning @LowcountryJen1969 ! Good morning @beachbum5817! My name is Nicole, and I'm an Advocacy & Recruitment Specialist here at WHATNEXT. We're so glad you're both still here and looking to connect! We're working hard to bring others back to the conversation and hopefully lots of new folks as well. While we're new here, I do know that this was once a vibrant and active community, and the hope is that we can bring that back better than ever. I'd love to hear what worked in the past, what you loved about this site, and I'd also love to hear more about Greg as I've heard him mentioned fondly here many times. I'm going to send you each a private message to see how we can work together to start to spread hope and support and love again. Hope to hear from you soon!

Kate2012

I don’t remember my handle when I used to be at WhatNext but, it all fell apart after Greg’s passing. Today I come back to see if the site still exists and find names of members from the old site but, no messaging link for replying to their individual posts. The former site was easy to navigate but, this one leaves me confused.

NGonzalez (STAFF)

@Kate2012 Hi! I'm sorry if the new version is confusing, we are just re-starting out and there will be some growing pains! I'm gonna send you a message if you'd like to talk through any issues/suggestions you may have. We really want this to be a patient focused space, and we truly value all input!

LowcountryJen1969

Kate2012, welcome. I hope to be part of the rebuilding team and bringing this site back to what it used to be.

legaljen1969

@beachbum5817 so good to see you. I sure hope we can get this site back up and running as a supportive place to get feedback.

@MarcieB

@Carool

Hi ladies. Let's get this place hopping again.

beachbum5817

@legaljen1969 it would be great if everyone would come back to the site. I know that it will never be the same, but I sure did enjoy hearing from and about everyone. Hopefully, the others are finally receiving these emails. I just got my first one a few weeks ago.

MarcieB

Hi everyone! I, too, would LOVE to see this forum become active and vital again. I learned so much from my fellow surrvivors, but most of all I crave the support, and the sharing of experiences. My doctor can tell me all about possible side effects to anything, but there is nothing quite like hearing it from someone else who is experiencing it. I LOVED reading Jen's story today! Of course, I remember when she first arrived and contributed so much with her stories. We used to be each other's biggest cheerleaders. I hope everyone is doing well. I am happy to say I am doing good - 6 years for me now!

NGonzalez (STAFF)

Hi Marcia! I sent you a message ☺️