I'm having a very difficult time finding the right words to express the importance of the turn this conversation is taking. It is a subject that must be handled with the utmost delicasy....while still remaining true to the truth each individual is conveying.

The fact that I have been able to remain med free for the past 4 years, while still cycling on a regular basis with the exception of the past 3 or 4 months, in no way implies that I am "better", "stronger", "less ill" than anyone else inflicted with this hideous illness. The process of getting here took years of hard work. There are many unique qualities to my life and lifestyle that have also allowed this to be possible. (Things that I would be happy to share with anyone in the private forum of a PM, but are not necassary for the purpose of this post.) My hope, for this conversation, is that others will become educated about "choices" we all have. The process of being med free (or NOT) is about self discovery, intense self-reflection and drastic lifestyle changes that are as unique as each individual.

Thank you all for your input on this thread, I'm deeply moved and honored to be a part of it.
And sqrl, you are one of the few who is genuinely able to handle being med free. You impress me with your strength of character, integrity, and abiltiy to speak hard truth with great sensitivity. Thank you.
TgrsPurr.