Come out, come out wherever you are
I’ve had this blog for almost 3 years now, it is my therapy, my home base, my place of comfort and self-expression. When I say that I don’t think I would’ve survived the last 5 months without it, I’m not exaggerating.
But today is no ordinary day on the internet. Today is Delurking Day.
(See, there’s a picture and everything)
Today is the day where, even if you aren’t a normal commenter or a regular reader, you leave a comment and you let me (and other bloggers) know that you’re reading. It’s just a nice reminder that there are people out there from all over who have found their way here, who care enough to take the time out of their day to read my whinefest blog.
It’s a little reminder that I’m not alone.
And before I ask you to unmask yourself and leave a comment I figured that perhaps it was my turn to delurk a little, maybe I owe you that. Since I’m not a teacher any longer, the threat of showing my face is pretty diminished. And because I really want you to delurk, I’m going to make an ass of myself. You’re welcome.
My name is Katie. Kathryn actually.
This is me in 1990 (second from the left in the back row)
Skip ahead to 2001. Mind the perm…
Skip again to 2005, the year of college graduation and many different colored casts…
2007…
2008 (this is the only year of pictures I really feel okay showing you. It helps when other people fix my hair and makeup)
2009…
And finally, 2010. (This one is lovingly stolen from Megan’s flickr page)
So. Now you’ve seen me, I have delurked. You’ve seen the worst of my hair phases and you’ve seen the prettiest I’ll ever look in my life. In return, all I ask is that you leave a comment. Tell me your name or tell me how you ended up here. Or just say hi. Whatever you want. If you leave your blog url, I will visit (not today or tomorrow, because of that silly little lumbar puncture thing) and leave a comment because I can’t very well ask you to comment if I’m not willing to myself.
Now go delurk, and then try really hard to get the image of my 2001 perm out of your mind. To be honest that picture might self destruct or suddenly delete itself in about 60 seconds.
92 Responses to “Come out, come out wherever you are”
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Welcome! I'm Katie, a 27 year old, full-time graduate student who just happened to have brain surgery in November of 2007 to give my ginormous brain a little more space. This blog chronicles my daily life, from relentless headaches to falling over in public to being a doctor's wife. Sit down, get comfortable and stay for a while.
Hi! {{waving madly}}
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When I see that picture, I’m so glad my mom never let me get a perm.
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Hi!!
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Hi. My name is LinMarie. I live in Ft. Lauderdale. Don’t remember how I found you! First and last comment just for you!
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I’ve commented a few times, but read your blog ALL the time! I’m a S. Florida stay-at-home mom of two and wife of a wonderful man. I have no recollection of how I got to your blog, but you’re not getting rid of me
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Hi Katie,
My name is Jennifer. I’m a Washington State transplant.. grew up in Washington, D.C. however. I’m not sure how I got to your blog.. I enjoy reading it. I have a blog, I don’t however update it… I’m more of a facebooker.
Like you, I’m a newlywedish, we are around the same age, (I’m 29), no children yet, because I have health issues.. (I’m tried of people asking me when we’re going to have children, I’m not sure if you are getting that yet or not.) It’s nice to meet you!
Jennifer
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Dude, I have perm-hair NATURALLY. Oh, yeah. *cries real tears*
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Katie Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
What’s funny is that I have naturally curly hair. I cannot for the life of me remember what possessed me to do that. But the regret, OH THE REGRET.
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The perm isn’t THAT bad, Katie!
Good luck with the LP tomorrow! I’ll be thinking about you! (Have Dr. Slappy get you some cupcakes tomorrow, too!)
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Hi Katie!
My name is Karen and I live in Atlanta. I really don’t remember how I found your blog but I love it! Actually, it is the first one I click on every morning.
I loved hearing you talk about New Orleans because my husband took me there on our honeymoon. We had a great time and I have always wanted to go back.
Best of luck on the medical front.
Nice meeting you!
Karen
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Hi, delurking…fellow USC Grad school Alum. (Rossier).
Not sure how I found you, but you regularly make me laugh. Hoping your headache problems do get figured out and soon!
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Aw, you are gorgeous! And I am so glad I don’t know how to use my scanner, so that I am not tempted to post a photo of my OWN horrible perm, circa 2000.
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Hi! Don’t quite remember how I found your blog – but I enjoy reading! Hope your stuff goes as well as it possibly can…
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I’m delurking for the first time ever, anywhere! You pushed me to it since I’ve been so curious what you look like. I’ve been reading you for awhile and every time I click my bookmark for you I say a little prayer that you’ve found the miracle solution to your headaches! Good luck on your LP!
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HI there, I’ve come out of lurking to say I enjoy your blog! I don’t have a blog as of yet, it may appear soon. Hope all goes well tomorrow.
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I once got a perm and the only place it took was in my BANGS!. What they were thinking perming bangs is beyond me, but nothing, NOTHING beats that perm.
Saying hello!
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I found you through a mutual Twitter-friend, but I don’t remember for sure who it was. Antibob, maybe? When I read about you and the fact that you had Chiari, I was very intrigued because one of my oldest friends has the same thing, and I’d never heard of it before she was diagnosed.
And I’ve stuck around because I like the way you write, and because I’ve come to like you (what of you I know, anyway), as well.
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Hi Katie!
I’ve commented before, but it’s been a while. I hate that you’re having such a hard time right now (understatement, I know) and I hope that you find the answers you need. The fact that you are so open and honest with the rest of the world is an inspiration to others that suffer as well, I’m sure.
Take care!
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Hi Katie! I’m a lurker also. I can’t remember how I found your blog. You’re an incredible blogger because you’re open, honest, and resilient!
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Hi! I’m Megan and we’re cousins-in-law. Fun, huh? I love your blog, I read it daily, and I’m with you in spirit.
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I’ve commented recently. I’m Cynthia, from MN. I found you fairly recently, but keep coming back. I feel somewhat connected to you because my sister experienced severe headaches for over a year before she received a diagnosis – moyamoya – and the headaches came with strokes. I spent many a nights with her in the ER. So, that’s why I was first drawn in. But I enjoy your writing and humor, so I stay.
Hope the LP goes well tomorrow, and a diagnosis is found.
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Hi, Katie,
I started reading your blog maybe a year or two ago. I don’t remember exactly how I found it, but I kept reading because I felt a certain kinship with you. In 2007, I had surgery to remove a benign brain tumor, which was quite the adventure, to say the least. Finding another young woman who’s gone through something similar is no easy task, so I definitely appreciate being able to hear your perspective on things.
Good luck with the LP! I’ll send good thoughts out into the universe for you.
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My blog is kinda pitiful, so you don’t need to comment on it. I had turkey and cheese on white bread for dinner and left work sick today. I have a fever and a cough and have been sleeping all day. I could kick myself for not having read you sooner, always enjoyed your tweets w/casey and heather.
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Hi there! I think the last time I commented was a previous delurking day! I am very glad that someone who is as eloquent and funny as you are is able to describe what people who have chiari (and other stuff too) go through every day. I tried to do that with a blog for a while but decided that you are much better at it.
Even though we’ve never met, I enjoy reading your blog because it gives me comfort that there’s someone else out there that understands the pain and craziness that is Chiari. Good luck during this next semester, but especially tomorrow. We’re all pulling for you!
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hi! I can’t remember how I found your blog but it was about 5 months ago. You were a beautiful bride!
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Hi!
I found you on twitter. I’m a semi quite lurker! good luck with the lumbar puncture!
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I am a faithful lurker. My name is Joanna url:
lifehasitsupsanddowns.com
I found your blog sometime back and I read it every day. My background is that I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer almost 2 years ago and I started my blog just about 3 weeks ago. You are a talented writer and I think that you are inspiring and very bright.
So now, I am de-lurked.
Joanna Moore
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I am Jessica from South Carolina! I have been reading for a few months, but I don’t remember how I found you. I hope your procedure goes well tomorrow!
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Hi Katie,
My name is Debbie. I’m a Mom to four grown kids (ages 18-24), and I live in Oak Park, California. I’m pretty sure I found you through Heather’s blog. Love the wedding picture – beautiful! Good Luck tomorrow.
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Hi there! Not much of a lurker usually… although your one of the few blogs I actually comment on. Weird. Anyways, I found you on Twitter I think… lol. I love your blog and holy crap you looked stunning on your wedding day!
Good luck tomorrow, you know I’m praying for you. Let us know what happens with Dr Slappy and Haiti.
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Hi.. I am a long time reader, first time responder.. is it wrong to be so concerned and involved with people you don’t know? Hmm… anyway.. I am a COTA and hope and pray everytime I come here that yo will figure out the headaches.. like a great unsolved mystery…
)
back to lurking!
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Enjoy your blog and your writing, no matter the topic. I live in MD and last year referred myself to Hopkins after I “fired” my other Rheum. Diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (FINALLY)…fun stuff. But man, did they help me out. I hope for you that you get your answer and reduced pain soon.
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Hi! You were a gorgeous bride!! Of course, you’re pretty on a regular day, too, but that shot is awesome.
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I guess I probably am a lurker, even though we talk on Twitter & play Words With Friends. I just suck at blog comments. So, hi! Happy Delurking Day!
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Hi! Don’t worry I had a perm in 2001 too. I just didn’t allow pictures!
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Hi Katie,I’m Melissa. I’m not sure how I found your blog, but I enjoy reading it and hope that you will find help with your headache. I don’t have a blog yet (thinking about starting one), so no need for you to comment. But I wanted to say hi and delurk!
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Hi Katie – howdy from Alabama. Thanks for sharing your life with us. I’ve been reading since shortly after your surgery. I’ve been hooked ever since.
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Hi.
Thank you for sharing photos. I remember when you shared your wedding photos and yes, you’re absolutely beautiful. Perm aside, you’re beautiful in all of them.
So. When will we see the infamous Dr. Slappy?
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Hi!
I think I might have commented a long time ago, but I don’t really remember. Good luck tomorrow!!
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Love your blog (and tweets too)! I hope this next test finds something easily fixable so you can feel better soon.
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Don’t fret the hair. My Mom brought over a box of pics for me to look through tonight. It was a dreadful hair time – most notably – the mullet! Your wedding pictures were really beautiful!
kimybeee
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I’ve been reading your blog since you had a suspected problem with your breasts. It’s been quite a ride since then! I pray your headache goes away–for good!
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Hi, Katie! I live in your home town and found your blog by way of the woman you resemble A LOT! Your writing moves me in many ways! Best to you–I’ll be holding you in my heart tomorrow.
m
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Hi Katie! This is also the first blog I’ve ever “delurked” on- minus ones that are written by people I have encountered in my day to day life! I’ve been meaning to email to tell you how your blog has impacted me- and I am sure I will get around to it at some point! I hope you feel better soon.
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Hi Katie,
My name is Jessica and I also live in SoCal. I found you through Twitter, I think, and I read you just about every day. I’ll be thinking about you during your LP – am totally pulling for it to go well and for the docs to be able to figure out what is up w/the headaches (and then fix it!).
My blog is in its infancy – am thinking about moving it and then actually posting occasionally, but I truly enjoy reading yours!
All the best,
Jessica
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Hi! Am not a lurker. Well, not usually. I read just about every post and comment when I feel up to it. Found you via twitter, but I don’t know how I found you there?
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Hi! My name is Lisa and I read your blog regularly and keep you in my prayers.
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You are not alone.
Also, you are gorgeous.
And I’ve been lurking for a while, I admit.
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Man, those pictures guilt tripped me!
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HEY KATIE!!! I found you on the Twitter and then started reading your blog. I’ve commented a few times before, something brilliant I’m sure.
Good luck tomorrow!!
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