I realize that that I owe all of you another post; a story about all the phenomenally awesome things that happen in my life because of the fact that I have Multiple Sclerosis. BUT….at the moment, I am having a complete and utter melt-down when it comes to my blog and trying to understand/follow what works and doesn’t work for all of you that follow my blog. Up until last week I had no idea how to see how many of you had chosen to follow my blog via email (THANK YOU!!!!) but I did eventually figured it out… (hey 5 months isn’t THAT long!) So I figured out HOW to see how many of you opted to receive an email when I write a post and was SO blown away that the number was 589. (for ME and not knowing much about blogging or what to expect or who would want to read/follow, things that I write about my life with MS, I was absolutely speechless to think that that many people have any interest in what I have to say.
Since I have NO idea why it is that when I now go in to the same report, it says that there are 34 people following the blog. I honestly AM freaking out (more than a bit.) IF you DID choose to get an email notification when I write a post AND you did actually receive an email for this post, if you would send a comment to this post, I would REALLY appreciate it…. like a really LOT!
I was looking at around at many blogs and yours “spoke” to me because because of your honesty and humor. I felt as if you were writing from your heart and just really being you. You’re a natural 😉
Sheracar,
Thank you so much! Honesty and humor are CERTAINLY what I going for here:) And this is MOST DEFINITELY me:)
Cheers!
I am following:)
Thanks Cindy a!
I got an email, don’t worry, what I try to remember is that even if you can change the way just ONE person thinks, you may change their life and they might help someone else, and same with them, and so on and so on! It’s a ripple effect on life.
Very true Matt,
Did my second Patient Advocate talk last night. Think it went quite well by the number of people that came up to talk to me in the end, and ask for my blog info, but the one that sticks out for me is the gentleman that came up and introduced himself. He said that he has been attending the drug company sponsored programs for over 10 years and my speech was by far the best he had ever heard. THAT right there ensured that I went to bed with a smile on my face. You talk about making a difference for just ONE person and that is SO true. Just making things a tiny bit better, even if it is simply though laughter (at ME) that is what counts! Thanks for following!
I received an email notice of this post! BTW, I’ve been blogging for nearly a whole year now, and I’ve got a grand total of 10 followers, so “34” would be looking mighty fine to me 🙂 I very much enjoy your humorous, candid writing style — keep up the good work. Here’s wishing you good health.
Thanks stargzrblog! For the kind words and well wishes! Will pop over to your blog!
Cheers!
Meg
Hahaha….sadly I can’t tell you I subscribe, because I don’t, but your blog isn’t for you to work out what pleases the readers – it’s for you to please yourself. People arrive by chance and they stay and/or subscribe because they like what you do – you don’t need to change that…. 🙂
Jenny,
Very true, although it DOES help me immensely to write about all these things, rather than just carrying them around in my head, I DO want to reach out to others, as with this disease it really DOES help to know that there are others going through the same thing, as a lot of it IS overwhelming, sometimes scarey, or horrifyingly embarrassing and so to find someone that NOT only had that same issue, but is willing to publicly talk about it might help others, so that is why I worry that something went “wrong” and I lost readers.
Got it in my inbox this morning!
Thanks Patti!
Cheers!
Enjoy your blog and look forward to it. I am notified by email.
I do receive an email when you have a new post. Not really sure why but I think because I signed up for that after reading your hilarious “shit” blog. I do know what you’re talking about, I can never figure out how many people follow my blog and like you I get different numbers. My blog now gets posted on a few different sites so I have no idea how many people actually follow it, doesn’t really matter though because I write to inform others and for my own personal release. I must say that I enjoy your blog and I’m happy that I do receive an email to notify me of new postings!
Thanks Lee,
And just like you, I do find a great deal of “self-therapy” in writing all these stories down, after carrying them around for so long. And although it is NOT how many follow that was my question/concern but more that I didn’t want people that thought they were following to somehow been dropped since it went from hundreds down to a small number in one day (which seemed to me a hint that maybe something was wrong – that and the fact that I could NOT access my own blog for 48 hrs just made me a bit nervous.) Very new to blogging and certainly don’t know much about it, but just want to continue to help those that did find my writing enjoyable and maybe useful
Thanks for reading Lee!
I get email notifications about your blog – and I love it! The first post I ever read was the one about the poop incident. It was really touching to me to read your account of it and how you were able to laugh. I was diagnosed less than 2 months ago, and I spend most of days worried and anxious about what will happen. It helps me to see other people out there living and laughing and sometimes crying. Keep up the awesome work! I love your blog. 🙂
Thanks Elisa,
Ha – so my first impression was shit! THAT can’t be good:) Thanks so much for your words of encouragement, and for me although it is NOT wonderful that you too now get to live with this “most awesome” disease, it IS wonderful to hear that maybe my writing and sharing stories IS helping – as that has been my dream for a very long time. Gotta make something out of all these lemons!
I got an email! Love your blog and your honesty and humor when it comes to this disease! I enjoy reading it every time!
Thanks Scott,
AND hoping to get into a more regular routine. Unlike SOME bloggers that struggle to come up with topics to write about, I have absolutely NOT problem with that, believe me, I have GOT stories. I just don’t have the TIME. And the extremely frustration thing for me, is that a infrequently as I am writing these days, it is TRULY what I love to do! IF I could create my perfect day, it would be getting up early, starting the coffee machine, taking Spanky for a walk, then checking emails and blog comments for the hour BEFORE waking the kids up. Make breakfast and lunches for the kids while chatting about their day and school and stuff, drop them off and then return home (fire going if a cold rainy seattle day) and then just simply WRITE -work on my blog. Spend time finding and reading information about MS and what is being studied and discovered, following the other MS bloggers that I have found and grown to love. AND do that until it is time to pick the kids up from boxing and soccer. Spend time with them doing homework, making dinner, and then as I am curled up on the couch with them (watching one of our favorite shoes) checking in on the blog and messages to continue to reach out to those that read and comment. THAT would be my ideal. BUT having a FULL time job seems some how to get in the way of that!!!!:( Maybe someday, but in the meantime, I will continue to write when I can and try really hard NOT to stress about it, feeling like I am failing by not writing more:)
We all need a sense of humour to cope with MS, your blog makes me smile. Hope you post again soon just say whatever you feel life’s to short to take offense
Thanks Tony, smiles are good!
Dear Meg,
In my current Situation I am the only Person with Ms, the others do have Problems also, but not MS-Problems. So I really enjoy to read your blog, because it shows me, that I am not the only one in this universe, there is a nice person on the other side of the World, dealing with the Same problems.
Thanks for your blog, Meg!
Nadja
Thanks for sticking with me Nadja,
I know that you have mentioned before that finding someone in this universe that has the same problems has helped you, and I am SO glad that I might be able to shed a little bit of humor on your life and situation!
Take care!