11 Great Things about 2011
Yesterday I wrote about the 11 most-read posts of 2011. Today I’m sharing my personal top 11 for 2011: eleven things, people, and experiences that enriched my life this past year:
- I started working with Michelle at Find Your Balance Health. She’s helped me in so many ways, from balancing my own needs with my desire to help others to being able to reach more GPers who are looking for help. (This list was actually inspired by a post on her Facebook page this morning.)
- I attended the Digestive Health Alliance Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. Sharing my story with members of Congress and advocating for better funding of FGIMD research was an extremely rewarding and empowering experience. Looking forward to doing it again in 2012!
- My Kickstarter project was successfully funded, allowing me to get to work on writing and self-publishing the first comprehensive guide to managing and living (well!) with gastroparesis.
- Eleven months after the Kickstarter project was funded, I published the Living (Well!) with Gastroparesis book!
- I finally got the okay from my motility specialist to get pregnant, something my husband and I are both very excited about! (No big announcement yet…hopefully in 2012.)
- I learned about the role that trauma may play in GI disorders like gastroparesis and began doing the work to address this in my own life.
- I had my Annual Escape…and got to share it with another GPer!
- I got to know so many positive, proactive GPers through my Living Well with GP Group Programs and my Facebook page.
- I received so many kind messages from GPers and even gifts of thanks (like these gorgeous glassybabies and these thoughtful quotables cards). Knowing that my work is improving the lives of others is truly the best gift of all.
- Though my life is far from “normal,” I’ve felt better physically and emotionally this year than I have since I was diagnosed with GP eight years ago. I’m truly living well!
While 2011 had it’s challenges, looking back at all of these things fills me with gratitude…and I think that’s a great way to kick off 2012! I hope that you’ll join in by sharing something that made this past year good or special for you. Happy New Year!
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Tags: Personal Experience
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In December, I graduated (at the ripe old age of 44) with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and accepted a position in the emergency department of my local hospital! AND I just received my copy of “Living Well with Gastroparesis.” I can’t wait to dive in! I look forward to learning more ways to improve my own life as well as the lives of other gastroparesis patients whose paths intersect with my own.