A Year of Sharing, Surviving and Hopes for Good Health to All
Posted by juliebernal | Filed under Acute & Chronic Pancreatitis, Research/Support/Hope, Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD)/Biliary Disease
Jan. 2, 2012
Happy New Year! A year ago I create Pancreas Tomorrow (this website and blog) to share my history with others who face the hard road of disabling diseases which have been labeled as “incurable.” Before deciding to start this blog, I had been a bit selective when it came to letting people into my life. I’m not sure why – fear maybe. But last year I decided life is too short to live with fear. 2011 would be the year of letting go of fear. The fear of people knowing my true pain, fear of death, fear of not reaching my childhood dreams, fear of being judged, fear of being too weak. It was time to let go of every fear that I had that ever kept me from being my best. Since a child I also thought about what I want to leave behind. If I can do something, create something, help someone…if my life made a difference…then my life would mean something bigger then life itself. And really it’s not about how long I live, it’s about how I live the life I have right now. Even though it’s been a hard few years, I’ve been able to wake up and put a smile on my face. I am thankful for everyday that I wake up and see tomorrow. Good or bad…it’s another day.
I’ve been blown away with the amount of comments, e-mails and conversations that I received by sharing my story. And I can even say that I’ve made some really special friendships and gained a great support group. In reaching the first year of this site being up, Pancreas Tomorrow has been visited by 54 different countries, translated into 38 different languages and even been visited by some of the top medical universities. Wow, it has become clear to me that there are many people all over the world looking for success stories, answers and support for Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction and chronic pancreatitis. And I can’t say enough about how great it is to see that medicine continues to improve, continues to amaze me by the motivated doctors who dream of giving hope back to those who once were told “there is nothing more that can be done.” I am only one person – one of many – whom once had a normal life and one day had it turned upside down by something that seemed to be a mystery. And though I am not a doctor and can’t give medical advice, I can share my failures and successes with hopes that others may relate, so others can find hope to make it from day to day, or to find hope for a loved one who is too ill to fight for themselves. It’s been a long year. A year that has been filled with tears, pain, struggles, surgery, change, recovery, surprises, family, friends, smiles, love and hope. It has been the most awaking year of my life and now more than ever do I understand the value of life and the worth of what “today” and “tomorrow” truly means.
I want to say thank you for everyone who has been following my progress and praying for me and for the ones who have also shared their storyies with me. I hope that 2012 will be a rewarding new year for everyone out there. I hope that it will bring good health and many success stories. I have big plans for my 2012, and though I am still recoverying I simply feel…blessed.
January 5th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Julie:
Thank you for your inspiration and strength!
Kathy
January 13th, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Julie,
You are our inspiration! We were blessed and fortunate to have met you! Kevin as well as myself (and my family, as I always tell them how incredible you are) wish you and your family a Happy Healthy New Year.
Love, Karen
January 14th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Thanks Karen! I’m so glad I met you too. You have given me such great support and I think of you all often. I hope Kevin is doing well. Many hugs to you guys and hope you have a healthy, happy new year.
Hugs!
Julie B.
January 20th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Thank YOU for sharing your story and letting us know we are not alone. When it seems like nobody I know has ever heard of this disease and will never understand it, I remember that you have been through it and keep moving forward.
January 24th, 2012 at 3:31 am
Thanks Amanda.