A Warm Welcome

[Guest guest]

Dear Louie,

Thank you so much for your warm response, you made my day. This is

my first experience with an internet group. I have enjoyed reading

many of the letters and feel vindicated on many issues that were

discussed.

My name is and I live in northern Illinois. I am 48 years old,

married, and the proud mother of two adult sons. I am lucky that I

have a husband who hasn't deserted me (based on my research men leave

their ailing significant other approx. 80% of the time and women -

0%!). Of course, I don't agree with the 0%, I think 1% would be more

fair (tee hee). Like most of the other members, I have searched,

suffered and survived basicly alone. When I was seeing a therapist

to help with marital issues, I discovered that I harbor a great deal

of guilt in reference to my children. It is such a crime that our

most prized loved ones have to grow up seeing their mom ill. I have

given both my sons journals to write their feelings in over the years

but I don't think they do it. Maybe they would be more willing to

utilize this site (they're both computer savvy, our eldest has his

own computer business).

I would be interested if there is anyone else in my general area who

can relate to living with pancreatitis. I counsel patients for both

my gastroenterologist and my pain management doctor (particularly

regarding the Synchromed pump which I have had implanted since the

fall of 2000). I enjoy the commaraderie and the warm fuzzy feeling I

get from these experiences.

I hope you are having a " good " day. The weekend approaches and we

must not overdo or pay the price. Thank you so much for extending

your friendship. I will continue to visit this site as much as my

health allows. And I will sing it's praises to those I know could

benefit from it's practical wisdom. I will pray for my new friend

(s) .

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

,

I certainly understand what you mean when you said that your sons have seen you

ill. My oldest daughter has told me many times when she was growing up( She

now 28) she can never remember me well. I have had pancreatitis for the past

13 years, before that it was very severe migraines and before that it was

something else. So I guess my daughter is right about me, which makes me feel

sad for her not being able to have a normal mommy. I see that you have an pain

pump. Is it a medtronic one. That's the kind I have. I'm on my second one,

which was just implanted this past September. My first one lasted 4 1/2 years,

before that battery alarm started to come on when I had it refilled. I need to

have my refilled once a month, which I can have done locally, which is a big

help. I had my put in at Ohio State University Hospital, which takes 2 1/2

hours each way to get there, so when I had to go there to have it refilled, it

took all day. Now I can go and be home in about an hours, which is all lot

better.

I glad you feel at home with our group and I do believe we have some members

from your area. I know there are some members who go to a doctor in

Indianapolis and have good results with him. Do you have any good doctors in

your area?

By the way, you are right and lucky about your husband sticking by you side.

I am very lucky that My darling Ed( my husband) has been by my side with all my

illness and stills worries about my daily. We have been married 33 years and I

really don't think he going anywhere in the near future. I so lucky to have a

very caring husband.

Take Care,

Louie in WV