What is the most challenging thing you've ever done?

[Haole Girl]

Learning to ride my motorcycle, proficiently, is beginning to top my list. And it's very difficult when people tell me I can't do it... or maybe I just shouldn't do it. And it's not just one or two people - either - it's A LOT of people. I've had to face a lot of "demons" this week...old, long buried, difficult ones. The bike itself isn't the problem. It's the insecurities & doubts.

How about you? I'm curious what some of the challenges you've overcome are/were.

Please tell me some success stories, ok?

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I guess mine was having three surgeries in seven years,

not exactly anything I had any control over, LOL, but it was tough to face up to and go through. I don't know if I could do it again, knowing what I'd be facing. But I chose the best hospital in the country that I could find for what ailed me, Mass General, where Senator Kennedy is right now. But I'm fine, today, at least physically, LOL. And I couldn't have made it without the support and help of nuxvomica, who also turned me on to DU... :-)

[Haole Girl]

2. Three surgeries is a lot!

After my hysterectomy, I told my husband if I ever have to have another surgery it would have to be emergency surgery-- because I wasn't going to go through the bowel prep (that made me throw up all night the night before) or the caffeine withdrawals again! In all seriousness, I am glad you're ok...and glad you had nuxvomica to help you through it! :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Yikes! Actually, the reason I had three surgeries is because I was willing

to do anything, go anywhere, to avoid a hysterectomy. I was only in my 30s, and I read a book called "The No Hysterectomy Option," by a Dr. Goldfarb. (Boy, my memory's good tonight, LOL.) They had nothing other than that to offer me in my small town, so I found a surgeon in Boston. I had two myomectomies and a uterine embolization.x(

But I sure agree with you. Just knowing what I'd be facing that first time, I couldn't have done it. But nuxvomica was just the best. I wouldn't be sitting here if he hadn't helped me, driven me countless times, fed me and looked after me afterwards. That's what friendship is all about.:hug:

[Droopy]

3. Living through 10 years of severe mental illness symptoms

I wouldn't even wish it on Bush.

[Haole Girl]

4. No...I wouldn't wish that upon anybody either...

not even Bush. :hug:

[Debi]

5. Raised Debi, Jr.

Five years on my own and the last twelve with Mr. Debi's help

Debi, Jr. at 19 has accepted his disabilities much better than I have - I struggle with them every day.

++++

Other than that each day working with Mr. Debi challenges me (oh, wait, that didn't come out right...heh). The man is a legal genius and I have all of a high school diploma. He gives me the freedom to work with other attorneys on his cases and to work with his clients. I check myself so many times thinking...WHAT AM I DOING HERE???!!!

[Haole Girl]

7. Being a single parent has to top the list of all lists!

And, even though you say it's challenging to work with Mr. Debi, it sounds like you enjoy it... and that's good to hear! :-)

[Bennyboy]

6. Divorce, parents end of life issues, depression......

all within the last four years. Still dealing with my crazy ass parents. Sometimes it is so bad I jsut disappear for days under the covers.

[Haole Girl]

8. Oh, Bennyboy

Wish I could say something to help. :hug:

[Bennyboy]

20. Thanks a lot......

It is very difficult. Especially knowing that my Father had a LOT to do with my divorce. Now I have to care for him.

[Rhiannon12866]

22. I understand. I nearly did that today.

But then I had to get up because I have two dogs. They make a huge difference, somebody who needs me...:hug:

[Bennyboy]

26. I borrow dogs just to keep me going.....

Anotehr thing over the past four years has been I had to put my two dogs down. And now I live in a place where it would not be fair to have them (I like big dogs). my neighbors let me dogsit theirs and it makes me happy.

[Rhiannon12866]

36. I can understand that.

And I sure do understand what it feels like to lose a dog. I adopt the older ones, from rescue, and I lost my little one, who is winking at you in my sig, a year ago this week. ;(

I've been there, and it sure doesn't get easier. But I still do have my other dog, who's snoring behind me in my chair as I type this, LOL. And his best buddy, the big guy, who I'm also responsible for, is sleeping just now in the chair across the room. You'd like him, a 100 lb. Airedale. Actually, I can share him with you, too...:hug:

Charlie:loveya:

[Bennyboy]

55. AWWWWWWWWWWWW! Cute.....

[Rhiannon12866]

57. He's a very sweet dog, just big!

And I'm not used to big, LOL. My little guys in my sig weigh in at eight and 16 pounds. But I'm getting used to it. And he was just a very good boy, asked to go out, even though it's raining, and came in as soon as I offered him a cookie...:D

[Bennyboy]

59. My last dog was a Great Pyreness

Huge knucklehead. I got him after having a Golden/Pyr mix. And that dog was ginourmous. About 160 lbs and built like a beer keg.I am a big dog fan myself. rasied with round eared shepards....

[Rhiannon12866]

71. Wow! Those are just beautiful dogs!

Charlie is an Airedale and most of them are around 50 pounds, a medium sized dog which is what his owner thought he was getting. But Charlie is an Oorang Airedale, which are twice the size of the other kind. And the weird thing is, he thinks he's a lapdog, LOL, while my little guy thinks he's a giant! And they really are best buddies...:D

Jack and Charlie:loveya:

[Bennyboy]

84. Here he is......Kodi was his name.....

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/bennyboy420/KodiAndScarlett/photo#5105440209034043458"><img src="" /></a>

Kind of a runt at only about 120 pounds. he thought he was a lap dog too.....

[Rhiannon12866]

87. Oh, thank you! He is absolutely gorgeous!

And he looks like a lapdog, LOL. I can see why you loved him.:loveya:

[bicentennial_baby]

9. Telling my Dad and little Brother that my Mom has ALS

As well as being with her when she got the diagnosis.

No success story here. We just take it one day at a time.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. Oh, wow! I am so sorry, my friend.

That has to be extremely tough. I was with my Dad when he was diagnosed with cancer, and his doctor depended on me to deal with him. Just remembering sears my soul. But that's what you have to do, just take it one day at a time. And cherish each day. I miss those days, but I have no regrets. And you won't either.

Rhiannon:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

17. Eh, I do my best, as I'm not living near them right now...

We're about 100 miles apart right now. I try. :shrug:

:hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

21. Do your parents do e-mail? LOL.

I've tried so hard with my mother. She's used a computer since 1995, but still hasn't gotten the hang of it. *sigh* And I have a very strong feeling that my Freeper brother, who lives with her, might be intercepting things I send her...:grr:

But there's also the phone. And they know you care. That's the important thing. My immediate family is so messed up and divided that it's hopeless. But your family sounds close, and I remember what you said about your Dad. They sound like great people, as are you...:hug:

[Haole Girl]

19. You're very strong bi_baby

:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

28. That's what people tell me, hehe...

I don't feel like it. Many days, I feel like a complete coward. But, I soldier on, day after day. :hug:

[lightningandsnow]

11. Stop cutting myself.

It worked - Thursday will be my two month self-harm free anniversary.

I couldn't have done it without a lot of support, though.

[Rhiannon12866]

12. Congratulations. That must have been very hard.

I had a friend at school who went through the same thing. She used to come to me when she hurt herself. But she's fine now, and is married. I wish the same happiness she's found for you.:hug:

[Haole Girl]

15. So glad you were able to stop...

:hug:

[littlebit]

13. Learning how to walk and again.

I spent almost five weeks in a coma when I was twenty. When I came to I didn't have use of the left side of my body. It took several years on intense physical and occupational therapy but I did it. I still have trouble with my left hand but it's not to bad.

[Rhiannon12866]

16. Wow! That is an amazing story!

I'm so glad to hear that you're doing so well and found your way to DU...:hug:

[Haole Girl]

18. I'm sure that was much, much more difficult than...

..simply learning to ride a motorcycle. Glad you didn't give up & you can walk today! :hug:

[littlebit]

24. Thanks

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. If you want to learn to ride that bike then do it. I got a lot of grief when I decided to learn to drive 18 wheelers. Sometimes you just got to prove to yourself that you can do it.

[Haole Girl]

27. Thank you!

:-)

[pokerfan]

23. Learning to windsurf

Very frustrating until one gets the hang of it.

[Haole Girl]

25. How long did it take you?

(if you don't mind me asking)

[pokerfan]

37. All summer to get reasonably proficient

I tried to teach myself. I remember slowly getting blown across the lake and the sun was sinking. If I couldn't figure out how to sil into the wind, it was going to be a long walk in the dark. I managed it tacking was impossible as I'd fall every time and have to start over. I made it back to the beach in two legs.

But once you get the hang of it, you can maneuver without thinking, which is kinda cool.

[skygazer]

29. I don't know about THE most

But just getting up, dusting off and moving forward has been tough a number of times over the years. I've been a single parent, rape survivor, cancer patient and mental case but I keep getting up and moving on.

And you know what? At 47, the sun's shining, I'm alive and happy and damn confident. Don't let the doubts own you - be smart, ride safe and enjoy it. :hi:

[Haole Girl]

31. Thank you skygazer!

You've been through so much. :hug: Thank you very much for your encouragement. :hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

39. What a terrific post!

I feel ashamed of myself for being so miserable today. You've inspired me...:hug:

[lizziegrace]

30. What I'm doing right now and it's not over yet

interviewing for jobs and leaving the only place I've called home for the last 12 years. Terrifying and exciting and ACK!!

[Haole Girl]

34. Job interviews are terrifying

Sometimes I think that's why I stay in the job I have. Not to even mention the stress of moving, too! :hug:

Hope you find the right one soon! :hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

32. Learning to live without him...

... I cannot tell you that I have been successful in that.

A lot of nights I think it wouldn't be so bad to die in the night. Not a suicidal thought...but a tired and sickeningly sad thought. I am honest in that I realize I hate living without him...but I have to...for the kids. There is the challenge.

[Haole Girl]

35. Please know there are many, many people

who need and love you. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

40. Oh, wow.

Rhiannon :hug:

[closeupready]

33. Not just one thing as such, but learning how to enjoy my life.

I feel that I was probably an unusually unhappy child - not because of abuse or anything like that, but for reasons that are difficult to explain (not even sure that I even know today why I was). Anyway, I always found it difficult to form relationships with others and to just enjoy myself and my life. I still find that challenging, but over time, I've learned how to make friendships and also to enjoy myself. :) I guess when your survival is at stake, that's something you HAVE to learn.

[Haole Girl]

38. So glad you were able to learn it...

There are people, unfortunately, who never learn how to be truly happy...for one reason or another. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

41. I wasn't exactly prepared for this tonight. But I think this is the best thread of the year. K&R.

I've had an awful day, an awful several days, have been feeling sorry for myself and desperately lonely, but everyone here has made me count my blessings. And I really am blessed, have two dogs who need me, my health, enough to eat, and, hopefully, somebody who loves me.:grouphug:

Sorry, typo...:blush:

[Haole Girl]

42. Aww

I'm so glad it helped someone else too... I know it made me appreciate what I have, too! :grouphug:

[Rhiannon12866]

46. Absolutely! You've got my vote, LOL. And thank you.

I was feeling pretty desperate, earlier. But this discussion has made me realize what I've been through, when I wasn't sure I'd make it, and that others are having a much tougher time than I am.:grouphug:

[bicentennial_baby]

45. You know we love you, babe...

Well, I know I do. :loveya:

If you ever need to talk, just get in touch! I'm always here for you :hug:

:)

[Rhiannon12866]

49. Thank you so much, my friend...

We alumni need to stick together, LOL. Actually, when I felt like jumping off a cliff the other night, it was another DUer who pulled me back. And we've never even met yet, but she offered to come over, if I needed it. DUers are just the best. And you're at the top of the list...:hug:

[bicentennial_baby]

52. Seriously, any time...I'm here...

I'm on DU like, 20 hours a day, some days. Don't ever hesitate to get in touch. Promise? :hug:

And, you're a peach :loveya:

[Rhiannon12866]

54. You might be sorry, LOL, but I really do appreciate the offer.

This has not been the best week of my life, and it took a serious downturn tonight, but I realize that I could be much worse off. Thank you for being here, my friend.:hug:

Actually, I mentioned you to our fellow DUer whom I spoke with the other night. She went to boarding school, too. I had no idea... Small world. :D

[ScreamingMeemie]

47. ...

:hug: :hug: :hug:

There are many who love you.

[Rhiannon12866]

50. I was feeling desperate because I'm alone tonight, again.

But your post made me realize... Thank you.:hug:

[RiffRandell]

43. Quitting smoking.

I know it's pretty lame, but I never thought I could but I did it.

:bounce:

[Haole Girl]

44. That is not lame at all!!

I've read that it's actually more addictive than heroine! Congrats to you!! :hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

48. That sure isn't lame! I admire you!

I've tried several things, but haven't made it yet. You deserve all the credit in the world!:toast:

[puerco-bellies]

51. I hiked across the Grand Canyon during July a couple of years ago.

It was OMFG hot.. Wide too!

[Haole Girl]

53. I bet that was hot!!

Glad you made it! :hi:

[khashka]

56. OK one of mine.....

I was in Thailand and I walked up a temple. Tiny steps, no railing above my ankle, and almost vertical. I'd never had a fear of heights before but I was scared spitless. But I made myself do it - and I didn't fall or die or anything. It was a real challenge to do it, though. But I did.


Khash.

[Haole Girl]

60. Thanks Khash!

Nice story... I like it. Reminds me of some climbs I took when I was younger. :-)

[Rhiannon12866]

63. That is very cool. I'm afraid of heights, too, especially hate bridges.

But that sounds like the experience of a lifetime...:-)

BTW, I kissed The Blarney Stone in Ireland. There were no railings there, either. If I knew what I was in for, I'd never have done it, but I promised this elderly lady whose husband was going up that I'd look after him for her. You have to hang upside down by your feet. There are two guys there to hold you, and when I thought I'd gone as far as I could and kissed whatever rock was near my face, LOL, they shoved me down about another six feet. Yikes!:scared:

[khashka]

86. That's one thing you don't wanna do

if you have a fear of heights. You spend the entire time thinking "Oh God, please don't drop me" or "I'll kiss anything you want if you'll just pull me back up".


Cool you did it!


Khash.

[Rhiannon12866]

89. That's exactly the way I felt, LOL.

And they take your pic and try to sell it to you, hanging by your ankles! I certainly bought mine, who wouldn't? LOL. I sure wasn't going through that again! BTW, my 83-year-old grandmother did it, too, and she didn't complain a bit.:D

And don't even get me started about the Cliffs of Moher. My Dad wanted to take my pic and kept telling me to back up "just a little more..." Quite the jokester. I finally just sat down and let him take my picture, or not. Yikes!:scared:



And I also went on a trip several miles up into the Caucasus Mountains, in Russia, also with my grandmother, a few years later. They don't have guard rails there, either, and we had a driver that insisted on talking with his hands...x(

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

58. Passing an Army physical being utterly nonathletic

Needed to do that in order to make it into the Army-owned engineering college of my choice. Did it, too, and I have the diploma to prove it.

[Haole Girl]

61. Wondered if anybody would talk about military challenges...

because I know they can be some of the toughest!! You should be proud! :hi:

[TK421]

62. Trying to exercise at least three times a week...as recommended by my brother

with weights, push-ups and such.....back in the 80's he used to really be into the Joe Weider fitness program ( had the entire weight set in the basement, too...with all of the products with it ). I never wanted to go that far, but at least I tried to do the push-ups and shit...I just got lazy, I guess.

I really wanted to get fit, but I'm not sure what really happened there :shrug: I blame high school

[Haole Girl]

66. Good to hear you're taking care of yourself...

I desperately need to exercise more, myself! :hi:

[TK421]

69. No alcohol for three days now ( has it been three? )

:hi: I'm doing good, KC2! how about you?

[Haole Girl]

72. Same here... none for me either...

I was tempted to have wine, last night, but couldn't find the kind I like on sale! lol

[BlooInBloo]

64. Taking the GRE at 8 am after partying until 4am the previous night....

God that was an awful day - lol!

[Haole Girl]

67. hehe!

And, you passed?! ;-) j/k

[BlooInBloo]

70. Oh yah - did just fine. Just wanted to shoot myself the entire time....

The people next to me probably didn't care for the beer/cigarette stench all that much, though.

[Haole Girl]

73. lol!

Probably not!! ;-)

[pscot]

65. Getting old

n/t

[Haole Girl]

68. That is a challenge

...a challenge and a half! :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

74. Another thing was cleaning up after the septic tank backed up...

And it wasn't even my, um, stuff. I used to gag when I just had to clean up after my dog, but you learn to deal with things...:D

[Haole Girl]

76. Ick...

hope I never have to do that!

[Rhiannon12866]

81. It was really awful. 10 years of somebody else's "stuff."

It was in the tub and all over the dryer. But if you care about somebody, you learn to bite the bullet...:shrug:

[TK421]

75. PM me...Okay? I'll explain later

[Haole Girl]

77. k

[CaliforniaPeggy]

78. I survived ...

being asked to turn in my resignation...

I'd actually been wanting to leave the job, but hadn't been able to find anything suitable to replace it.

I should have left anyway, and kept some of my dignity.

I cried a lot...

Took several months off to regroup, and then found something much better suited to me...

[Haole Girl]

79. I cannot imagine *anyone* asking YOU to resign!

They must have had some serious problems!! :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

80. I know it's hard to believe...

But trust me, I was not competent enough to do the work...

They didn't have the problems...

I did...

Thanks, sweetie...:hug:

[Haole Girl]

82. It is hard to believe...

but I'm sure you were much better off for it, as you said. :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

83. I lost my job, too, so I sure understand.

After doing a superior job for almost 16 years and getting all kinds of awards for "accuracy." But then I got sick... I'm okay now, but I understand the humiliation. And I was "terminated..." x(

[CaliforniaPeggy]

85. It is truly a tough thing to go through...

It haunted me for a long time...

But I'm OK now too...

I'm sorry you went through so much ugliness... :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

88. It still haunts me, so I understand.

The fact that I was so ill made it worse. And because they got away with it with me, I watched the same thing happen to two of my close friends and really good workers, when one became ill and another had a death in her family. Thank you for your kind words. You understand, too...:hug:

Actually, it took two people to replace me, but one ended up getting fired and the other was returned to her old job, not that it did me any good... :-(

[guitar man]

90. learning how to resist the urge

..to choke the living shit out of some asshole who desperately needs it :D

:hi:

[Haole Girl]

91. haha!

Funny....but scary!! :hi:

[guitar man]

92. yep

If you ride a motorcycle long enough, you'll know what I'm talking about. People who think the public roads exist for them only and have absoultely no regard for the safety of others.....:(

[fight4my3sons]

93. having my kids

I know 'everyone' has kids, but when we decided to have kids I had repeated miscarriages for no apparent reason. So my husband and I went through various tests and genetic counseling. I didn't have and of the Jewish ancestry stuff and he didn't have any weird stuff. No fertility issues. :shrug: We finally found out that I had some obscure blood clotting disorder that had only been discovered about 20 years ago Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome or Hughes Syndrome. So the next time I became pregnant I would 'just have to have a shot in the stomach and a baby aspirin' as the doctor put it. Well, after miscarriages we decided to wait a while as I was a bit depressed. I started my master's program and half way through it wouldn't you know it became pregnant. It was a one year program so I graduated five months pregnant and was pretty much ok. When my son was almost a year old my husband though why not try for a sibling since the pregnancy when ok. I got pregnant with twins (freak thing, they are identical). My pregnancy with them was pretty hard and I ended up with gestational diabetes and then platelet problems. I was finally diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome by my hematologist who tested my liver functions. I didn't have any other symptoms so my OB didn't catch it. I had to deliver that day - good thing, they said that I would not have made it more than another day or two. I had not been feeling well at all, but thought it was just the pregnancy kicking my butt. The babies were fine, but I was in the higher care part of the maternity part of the hospital for two days. It was awful. They did a tubal because of the risk of getting HELLP again. We decided that three kids was enough for us. We are so lucky to have our kids. Some people with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS) or Hughes Syndrome aren't able to have kids even with treatment. I was interviewed by Junior magazine (European) a few years ago as a success story. My twins will turn 4 in about 2 1/2 weeks and my older son is a little more than 5 1/2.

[Haole Girl]

94. I'm so glad you could have children, since you obviously wanted them

And glad you survived all that too!! :hi:

[fight4my3sons]

97. thank you

We didn't ever imagine that we would have twins! They were quite a suprise and still are amazing us every day, as is my eldest son.

I do like to put my experience out there because my condition is still little known. A lot of doctors know little about it. So even if one person reads about it and say wow that sounds like something that I have been going through and it helps her/him then that would be great. The condition also causes strokes and embolism as well as a bunch of other problems (brain fog, tingling tingling in the fingers and toes, DVTS, ect.). I am fortunate that so far I have only been affected during pregnancy (secondary APS). I only take a daily aspirin some people have to be on coumadin or warfarin for life to control the clotting.

[NewJeffCT]

95. I've posted in GD:P several times and survived

with my sanity relatively intact.

[Haole Girl]

100. You are so funny!

:rofl:

[NewJeffCT]

104. well

I generally try to avoid major challenges, but they keep hitting me over the head.

[Haole Girl]

105. Challenges have a way of doing that sometimes

:hug:

[jpak]

96. Four months in the High Arctic: 14 hours a day, 7 days a week for 131 days

lost 17 lbs and slept for a whole week when I got back.

Glad I did it, but it was the most physically and mentally demading experience of my life....

[Haole Girl]

101. That sounds absolutely amazing...

and cold!!! :hi:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

98. Just drive safely

Drive within your abilities and your confidence. I don't think you picked the easiest "learner" bike, but you have a nice one. If someone thinks you should drive faster, or challenges you to a race, ignore it.

In the immortal words of Bela Karolyi, "You can do it!".

:hi:

[Haole Girl]

102. Thank you!

I appreciate that very much! :hi:

[av8rdave]

99. Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape training in the military

I survived it.

[Haole Girl]

103. I can only imagine!

:hi: