Hi Jones,

Thanks for the thoughtful post. You've summarized well what I am getting at with recent posts. Definitely it's hearing the experiences of others that is the main thing for me.

I did seek advice in a secondary way with my orig post, but getting and giving advice online is a perilous thing, given that none of us have ever met and know essentially nothing about one another. And so advice can easily become overbearing and presumptuous if it's too forceful.

True, personal experiences can be universalized some, but its a fine line. In the chronic illness groups online that i have frequented, there are ppl giving very specific medical advice to other ppl, based on their own experiences. Like "you MUST take supplement XYZ or you WILL perish". It can be dangerous as hell. Giver and receiver must exercise caution and moderation.

Thx for sharing the personal stuff. What you went thru sounds intense and difficult. Sorry you had top endure this. My situation is quite different.