Welcome Linda!

General
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@9yearspostop

Lets all give a warm welcome to Linda from Ben’s Friends!

While reading your profile, the fact that you said that you don’t know life without pain really hit home for me. I can’t even begin to imagine being so accustomed to pain that I just grow to tolerate it. It seems like you have had a very tough journey with Chiari, especially in that you feel like an oddity. I can assure you, however, that you are not an oddity in this forum. In fact, you will find many patients that are going through the same thing as you. Chiari is a complex condition that many doctor’s seem to miss or misunderstand.

I encourage you to get involved in the discussion threads and ask questions if you want to. This community is here to give you a sense of place. Chiari may leave you feeling alienated from the people around you, but you are at home here and will never be judged for what you’re experiencing.

Once again, welcome to Ben’s Friends Linda.

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Thank you Ben. I am late in responding because I was not sure where to go with the use of the discussions.
I have found the site to be very nice and I did not know how alone I felt until I found such comfort in hearing how others were doing their best to persevere through their own journeys with Chiari Malformation.
Communication is very important and I have always stressed the importance it has in our lives and then forgot to use it to help myself in living life after decompression surgery.
Thank you for your welcome Ben and know it has meant a great deal to me.