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Hi Everyone!! I am back!! After being gone for almost 4 years!!
I can't even remember my old screen name! lol
I picked back up scrapbooking and stamping again!! I missed it!!
I use to be a very active member and even started the trading forum for swapping stamped images! I am SOOO glad to see it still going and BIGGER than ever!
In 2006 I almost died! I caught the flesh eating bacteria called Necrotizing Faciitis in my leg! It was horrid! I am a walking miracle though!! I was misdiagnosed for 6 days in a hospital (most people don't live 24 hours with it!) and then told to tell my family and children goodbye because they didn't think I would survive the surgery!
I was to have my leg amputated and possibly my arm and left breast! But, Thanks be to the ALMIGHTY GOD, my doctor lifted his hands in prayer and gave them over to God....I had 5 surgeries, STILL have ALL MY LIMBS and body parts!! It was a long road to recovery and still have no feeling in parts of my leg, but I have it!! I lost my child I was pregnant with at the time, all the surgeries and medications and being in toxic shock was just too much for the little one.
I had major changes take place after that. I was able to escape the abusive marriage I had been trapped in for 9 years, go back to college, get a job and support my children...on my own!! I met a new man, who has shown me what LOVE truly should be, we got married in August of this past year and have a little baby girl!
I slowly started getting back into scrapbooking and stamping. It is a hard road when you go from having thousands of dollars worth of supplies to staring at ground zero and trying to build your collection back up! I am trying to be more mindful of what I buy now though, only what I will truly use....it is sorta working! lol
I also was asked to start a scrapbooking/stamping group at our church and teach the ladies how to stamp and scrap....so my first class is in 2 weeks! I am so excited!
Well, that was longer than I thought!
My name is Melinda
I am from the fishers area in Indiana (that is NE of Indianapolis)
I have 4 beautiful children (plus one in heaven)
I have to RELEARN all the techniques to stamping!
I AM SO THANKFUL for this site!!! Everyone here is SOOO TALENTED! I love the ideas and the galleries!
Oh my Melissa. What a story! I am so thankful that you are alive and well, and in a good place in your life. That is truly a blessing. (((hugs)))
__________________ Deb
My Avatar: my "before" photo 2010 pages 218/120; 2011 pages Jan 5/10; Feb 4/10; Mar 16/10; Apr 31/10; May 29/10; JUN 15/10; YTD 100/120 My Gallery
Hi Melinda,
I just read your inspiring story. God Bless you. You really are a testament to the grace and healing power of God. I live in Connecticut, my real name is Fran.
I have lots of stamps & would happily send you images to get your creative juices flowing. I can send you a listing of what I own if you'd like. Then, maybe someday, when you replenish your stamps you'll remember me & send some back.
Quote:
Originally Posted by solcdesignerdiva
Hi Everyone!! I am back!! After being gone for almost 4 years!!
I can't even remember my old screen name! lol
I picked back up scrapbooking and stamping again!! I missed it!!
I use to be a very active member and even started the trading forum for swapping stamped images! I am SOOO glad to see it still going and BIGGER than ever!
In 2006 I almost died! I caught the flesh eating bacteria called Necrotizing Faciitis in my leg! It was horrid! I am a walking miracle though!! I was misdiagnosed for 6 days in a hospital (most people don't live 24 hours with it!) and then told to tell my family and children goodbye because they didn't think I would survive the surgery!
I was to have my leg amputated and possibly my arm and left breast! But, Thanks be to the ALMIGHTY GOD, my doctor lifted his hands in prayer and gave them over to God....I had 5 surgeries, STILL have ALL MY LIMBS and body parts!! It was a long road to recovery and still have no feeling in parts of my leg, but I have it!! I lost my child I was pregnant with at the time, all the surgeries and medications and being in toxic shock was just too much for the little one.
I had major changes take place after that. I was able to escape the abusive marriage I had been trapped in for 9 years, go back to college, get a job and support my children...on my own!! I met a new man, who has shown me what LOVE truly should be, we got married in August of this past year and have a little baby girl!
I slowly started getting back into scrapbooking and stamping. It is a hard road when you go from having thousands of dollars worth of supplies to staring at ground zero and trying to build your collection back up! I am trying to be more mindful of what I buy now though, only what I will truly use....it is sorta working! lol
I also was asked to start a scrapbooking/stamping group at our church and teach the ladies how to stamp and scrap....so my first class is in 2 weeks! I am so excited!
Well, that was longer than I thought!
My name is Melinda
I am from the fishers area in Indiana (that is NE of Indianapolis)
I have 4 beautiful children (plus one in heaven)
I have to RELEARN all the techniques to stamping!
I AM SO THANKFUL for this site!!! Everyone here is SOOO TALENTED! I love the ideas and the galleries!
omigosh, that is quite a testamonial! Praises for your healing and what you described is truly a miracle...thanks for sharing it. Oh, and welcome back...just saying "hi and welcome back" seems anticlimatic after hearing your story, wow! Jan
I know you'll find many resourceful ideas here on SCS to help you in re-learning your craft on a budget. There are many kind & sharing ladies here that are so happy to help.
You have had an amazing, and I daresay a traumatic time in the last few years but with the company of a wonderful partner & your children I'm sure you'll only have wonderful times ahead. Perhaps many involving inky fingers LOL.
My then-18-year-old cousin went through the same disease about 10 years ago. Hers started from a small wound started by her bra's underwire poking out. It's a little scary how that disease starts and how quickly it progresses. It took over a year for her just to get out of the hospital.
I'm glad your story has such a happy ending. If you need anything, please let me know. I'm happy to share images, embellishments, whatever I have. Also, you could post on the ISO forum. SCSers are very sharing people.
Hi Melinda. What an ordeal you've been through! I'm so happy that you are here and whole and in a good place after all that you've gone through. Please PM me your address. I have been going through my stamping and scrapping stuff, and I have so many new and almost new supplies that are in desperate need of a good home. The best of luck to you.
Welcome back Melinda! Praises be to God for all that he has done for you! What a wonderful thing to have a doctor that is a Christian, too! I'm sure your scrapbooking and stamping skills will come back to you in no time! Good luck!
__________________ Susan
Save a life. Adopt a pet!
What a story!!! I too am cleaning out supplies and would love to send along what I will not use! I would love to help you restock your supplies! If you PM me your address, I will send off a box of loot!
Welcome back enjoy all that God has given back to you. I know prayers were lifted up in your name and miracles happen. Have fun with what ever you do. ~~ Carol
WOW! I am overwhelmed ( I guess I shouldn't be!, this site has just the best group of people ever! ) You all are so great! It feels good to welcomed back with such love! Thank you! I am now even MORE excited to get back to all the FUN!
If you ever want to hear a portion of my testimony I can send you a link to hear the testimony I gave at our church. God gets ALL the Glory and I love to share my story with others to encourage them!
No matter how dark it seems, God has NEVER left us. He is always there.
Praise God! What a story! I probably "lnew" you way back when you used to participate - SCS was a lot smaller then and I read most everything.
Just another thought... if you are stamping and scrapping and could use a few of some images, you might want to join RAK so you can also join WishRAK - part of SCS. THrough WIshRAK you can request specific types of images, then share some of what you have with some one else.
Welcome back Melinda. I am glad to meet you. What a wonderful story. I am sorry that you had to go through all of those trials. Your story reminded me of a sign that I saw on a church near my house. It said "Faith doesn't make things easy, it makes them POSSIBLE." I look forward to getting to know you better.
WOW! What a life story! You should write a book. You did make me realize that my life is easy and I thank you for that. Good health and good wishes for you! Welcome back to the true Survivor Indiana!
It's hard to understand what we are going through at the time, with loss and pain, etc., but God always has a plan. It's great to hear your story and how His plan came together for you. Glad you are back and well and sounds like better than ever.
This is my very first time posting. Hi everyone!!
I too was in an abusive marriage the first time around and God gave me an angle 10 years later. We have been married for 5 1/2 years now and between us we have 4 grandchildren and 2 more on the way. So glad that you are ok. I also believe that God has a master plan for all of us and he has truly healed you.
I'm Back after nearly dying!
