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For what it's worth, my brother and his family are going through something similar. He's got the gout in his feet really, really bad (so much so he can hardly walk some days), and high blood pressure. Their daughter (my niece) has a rare genetic condition called Tuberous sclerosis complex, which in a nutshell means she has little tubers throughout her body (kidneys, heart, brain, liver, etc) causing all kinds of problems. I hope you fair better than they have thus far-and for Chrissake, get better, man! You have my best wishes, thoughts, and prayers.
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Actually, the reason I posted twice was because I had not realized it posted the first time (maintenance mode popped up instand of the usual back to the thread), aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I was drunk the second time around... (yeah, I, uh, kinda drink my stress away...) So, I have learned two things from that alone: A) Avoid forums when drunk, and B) always scroll back up to my last post-regardless if I've read the ones between or not-just to make sure it either did (or did not) post.
just so it dont take up alot of space...:
You are quite right though-the only people I am around that know what it was like to live in Africa (and in turn go through the afforementioned trauma) were my mum and da, and my two sisters. I realized today after talking to her it's just straight denial what she did the other day.
Unfortunatly, to seek out others that have had the same experience would mean I would have to go into things that, not only am I not prepared to deal with again, but also am quite litereally not at liberty to talk about. So really, the only people I CAN share with, and talk to, are those that went through it with me. Unfortunatly, they wish to deny it ever happend. So, that end is a dead one.
You are right, the world is ignorant, and basically the "Me-first" attitude (in particular here in the States...) just makes it worse. Then there are those who, while they will listen to you, always come back with the "top trump" as you put it. I liked it in Zombieland: "are you one of those people who just have to one up everything someone says?" "Nah, I knew someone that was WAY worse'n me about that!"
Me in a group... Eh, it *might* work... Or help, or something. But honestly, I would not even begin to know where to look for such a thing. More to the point, if I DID know, I would lack the funds. Aye, chemical treatment is fleeting as hell, and usually the crash is worse than the initial problem. One reason I kicked illicit drugs. I do still drink (but only to excess!), but were I to give that up, I feel the world would be destroyed. By my hands. Overnight.
Right now, my only saving grace is my wife and daughter. It's them that keep me hanging on, it's them that keep me moving forward.
Long story short, that post was more of me getting it off my chest, to help me clear my head as it were. I will look for a group in my area though-you're right, it may not cure me (I doubt that's possible), but it damn sure might help me.
Once I get my own head on straight, I'll be better prepared to help others going through the same type sh*t. Hell, I'm already a *sort of* speaker for recovering acid users.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, thank you, thank you, thank you, wholeheartedly, and from the bottom of my heart. The advice and words you gave have not fallen on deaf ears/blind eyes (I know my response may seem otherwise-but in writing back, and getting those words out-that in and of itself has gained me some small level of peace). I know it's not exactly coherient (it's more like stream of consiousness), but then again, when it comes to my mind, nothing really is!
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T.
Chin up mate ... we're pulling for ya.
T. + B.
I will be sending you the PM shortly after posting this-and I thank you!
There are so many members of this forum who can probably relate to your symptoms. And don't you mean loaded RAYgun?
/comfortingandmood-lightening!
And my inbox is open to any and all of them! I may be broken, but I'm a damn good listener, if anyone needs it, or a shoulder to cry on.
And no, no rayguns... I prefer black powder-I like the sulfer smell!

Reading back over all this... It's about as organized as a barrel of fishhooks. Ah well, to sum it all up: Thank you all, very very much.