CAFE CATCH UP – Virtually on ZOOM of course... 8-)

[MPN-MATE Admin]

Dear all...

Hoping my email / Post finds all of you staying safe & well in these rather tediously trying times...

Besides all of us having the perilous 'Sword of Damocles' dangling precariously above our heads, the whole world has now somewhat ironically joined us in feeling somewhat uncertain about our future longevity...

I say Ironic, because for a long time after my own diagnosis, I dwelled in that 'Limbo-like' land of not knowing much about what it means to have an MPN, of any flavour, and what those ramifications might imply, when all around me the medical fraternity could not provide much of any assurance at all...

While not so much has really changed in that department, CV-19... has larger placed the global population into a similar perspective of longevity, and fear for their survival too...

When I undertake the outings, (shopping etc), for both my aged immobile mother, and myself. I am often more fearful of those, who in their fear and ignorance take few if any precautions concerning becoming infected by CV-19.

Such is the state of this Global Pandemic, that at the present does not really seem to becoming resolved anytime soon, even while our leaders are so intent on easing Restrictions for the needs of restarting our individual economies etc...

Hence, in our ZOOM Cafe Catchup, I propose that we might have a short Agenda, (meeting time 40mins - unless we all wish to extend it by another 40 etc?)

1. Brief Introductions – I will start w/ a brief introduction of myself and then ask the next person to do the same etc...

2. Discuss if anyone is having any urgent treatments, where they might need some advice if any of us are able to provide of course

3. How is everyone coping with their CV-19 restrictions, fears etc...?

I doubt we shall fit much more in on this particular occasion however, we shall try all the same I am sure...

The Date & Time: SUNDAY JUNE 28, from 6PM AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time – about 09AM in London Town)

I hope to see and meet many new faces out there...

Stay safe & well...

Steve
On Behalf of
MPN-MATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION

[Lady in Red 01]

Hi Steve,
I would very much like to catch up, I think it’s a rather splendid idea..
Shame we don’t have the same here in the UK.
Will be nice to drop by and say hello, I see there are folk interested on Voice..

No matter our location, we are all on the same journey with our mate MPN..

You are always thinking ahead and of course other’s needs.
It will be nice to see Maz at the Catch Up, if she can make it..
Following on from Rachel wanting a meeting in Oxford, I replied it was too far for me to attend sadly..
I referenced your Cafe Catch Up and wished we could have it here if possible..
A nice lady sent me a PM saying she lives not too far away from me, and she really would like to meet up at some later date..

You my friend are leading the way with this.

My Best to All Members and hopefully you are all doing okay in ones own way..

Stay Safe
Maria x

[MPN-MATE Admin]

Hey morning Maria...

Those are very kind words indeed... Thank you...

However, we are all just doing our part I am sure, and things are a tad more difficult at the present because of CV-19, and lockdowns for many of us etc.

I look forward to seeing you, Maz, and hopefully many others from Voice and around the country & the globe, on the day...

Best wishes...

Steve

PS. Great news about you finding someone locally that you might be able to catchup with yourself from time to time etc... Well done.

[peterpotter]

Just wanted to say thank you to all those who took part in the Zoom meeting, and a big thank you to Steve for arranging it, and Maz for her help on the day. I know there were technical problems, but it was lovely to catch a glimpse of some of you and to hear your voices. I know very few people with MPNs and I do appreciate having the chance to meet up in this way. Now that we have made a first attempt at the zoom meeting, it would be great to give it another try soon.

Very Best Wishes,

Peter from NZ

[MPN-MATE Admin]

Hey Peter...

Great to hear back about your first ZOOM Cafe Catchup experience... 8-D

I am so glad that so many of you were still able to enjoy seeing each other and relating through this medium, in the way that you all could...

Just very disappointed that the Tech. on my end, left me out in the cold all alone, so to speak...

I was actually there, for the 2nd (7PM) meet up, but only vie the 'Chat' function...

In any event, I will try to sort it all out shortly, and then stage another attempt very soon...

Anyways Peter, very sorry to have missed you, but also glad that you were still able to experience a few exchanges w/ Maz & some of the others...

Stay safe & well Peter...

Best wishes

Steve