Where have I been?
I have been a active DUER since 2005, until this past year.
I had a complete & total meltdown after the last presidential election ( I knew as most of you did that things were going to get bad). I sulked & shut out politics from my life for some time. Around the 1st of February, I broke my right foot (metatarsals) (given my state of health, that was a big thing). When my foot was mending, I broke it again. Here we are now in the middle of July (my foot mending again) I am walking my dog when I slipped & fell and ended up going down on concrete on my left knee. 2017 so far has not been a good year for me.
I was in a unforgiving metal brace until my surgery August 28th (they worked on my ALS, took out 75% of my meniscus & they had to repair my femoral nerve). Then on September 10th while recuperating at home by myself hurricane Irma hit (for those that don't know I live in Bonita Springs, FL about a mile from the Gulf of Mexico. (I wasn't moving very fast on my walker and my home health care told me I was on my own). After the hurricane passed one of my brothers came & took me to where they had power. I finally was self sufficient by Christmas.
Ok enough of my rambling, I am hoping 2018 is better for me than 2017 & I will be on DU again like I used to be and here's to hoping for a huge blue wave in November!
= new reply since forum marked as read
and I am glad you are doing better. 2017 was a bad year for you - may 2018 be a million times better! 
I really missed you.
I bugged out during Irma, left hubby and son (at their encouragement) and took the dog to a cousin's in NC. I can't imagine going through it with health problems.
Here's hoping for a better 2018, although today's latest school massacre doesn't help.
I don't see how it can get much worse (knock wood). Be careful and take things as they come. You seem to be doing well handling what has been dumped on you. You are obviously very resiliant. You will need your strength for the midterms. 
I'm gearing up for the midterms.
Thanks!
I don't want to be funny, just give you a hug and tell you that you were missed Bill.
I missed our late night chats.
I can't believe you did Hurricane Irma in a walker. Love your brother that brought you to shore.
Have missed your sane & sound reasoning.
Did you see this down at the beach? It's gonna be fun - and you know what payback is!
I can relate
Glad you're on the mend and back again.
BlueWave!
Look forward to chatting with you again.
I took off for 5 months from July to December.. and an all news Blackout. It was blissful.
So glad you're back and healing!
is the worst year of his miserable, selfish life!
Sending positive vibes your way, William. 
.......I was so glad to see your name. Happy Valentine's Day, too!.......
Here's hoping that 2018 will be better. Esp if the mid-terms go our way.
I heard you were in the path of the hurricane and seeking shelter. Glad to see you back!!!
I ended up hunkering down (I won't ever do that again).
I'll be helping riding it.
always liked your posts
Sorry to hear of all the terrible difficulties.
Speaking of Middlesboro, I remember the year S.E. Kentucky flooded in the mid 70's. I also remember numerous tornadoes back then. 
2018 has to be better. I refuse to accept anything less.
It's really great to see you again.
Here's hoping your 2018 is much better than your 2017. Still dealing with Irma issues as well, slowly but surely.
The Blue wave has already started here in Sarasota. 
Thank you.
May 2018 shine for you William769
You really had a trying year! I know broken metacarpals intimately. Having broken my 4th and 5th twice before in the same foot in different places, but I didn’t do it back to back! How you must have suffered! I’m so very sorry you had to endure that. I wondered how you were often, but I never imagined how tough things were for you.
I’m so happy for you to finally be feeling a bit more like yourself again. If you’re anything like me, you’ll never take your feet for granted again and be hyper vigilant about protecting them from here forward. My family laughs at me over how careful I am with my feet now! 
I am crossing fingers on both hands, and toes on both feet for you. I can not pick up anything or walk around normal. Still, it is like my family doctor said to me "We do not want to see all of your bones going brittle. Please take care of yourself". And so it goes.
What doesn't kill us, doesn't kill us. Glad you're on the mend. Stay well and happy you're back.
just by wandering into our space. We need all hands on deck as this is going to be a banner year for team BLUE.
Voice like yours are badly needed.
I understand the mental meltdown all too well. Fortunately, I was not afflicted by your other ills.
But like you, I will never see events in the US again as I once did before November 2016. The Women's Marches and the success and determination of so many good people to take our country back from Trump and his minions are the only things that keep me going.
Stay well and healthy! 
Take good care of yourself (or, as best you can). DU hug -->
It sounds like you've been through the wringer recently -- I hope you are on the mend and by next November our whole country can start to recover.
You've really been thru hell but you're a real survivor!
For me, DU has been both a blessing and a curse, but overall, it has anchored me in the need to RESIST.
Being around like-minded people has been a comfort. Welcome back! To your returned health
get our country back on the right track.
You were here for a lot of us when we needed you.
I hope we can all support each other through the rest of the nightmare times that are still unfolding.
Here's hoping for a better year for you and everyone else in our poor, besieged country. We MUST smash them in the midterms. You are a real trooper - hats off to you!
Sent a heart and I want to add a wish for 2018 being better.
You always brought me back from the brink.
P.S. Thanks to all that have responded that I have not answered. This thread got a lot bigger than I had expected. What a welcome back!
Sounds like you had a truly horrendous year. May this one be better.