I feel so all alone

[Guest guest]

Dear a,

I have been a member of this site for only a few weeks now but it has

helped me enormously already. I received so much support from

reading alot of the old messages, there is a mountain of information

there.

Your case sounds complex, but in my experience, everyone who has

pancreatitis is not a simple case. Regarding the disbelief by the

medical community; I suffered that for years. It took me advocating

for myself and educating the doctors with literature before I found

validation. My pancreatitis is caused by a birth defect in the

pancreatic duct along with Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and biliary

diskenesia. It took years for my doctor to figure this out and I am

blessed with a great doctor. Also, years of bloodwork proved that I

am not and never was a drinker. Ignorance is frustrating, hmmmm?

As far as your statement regarding people in our lives just wanting

us to be healthy for their peace of mind versus really caring about

us; this is a huge issue for me. I can't take the stress of seeing

my family sad when I get acute. My marriage has suffered greatly and

I carry alot of guilt. My therapist once gave me a great piece of

advice: if my husband got sick, would I treat him the same way I

feel he treats me? Of course not! My research has revealed that 80%

of men leave their ailing significant others versus 0% of women. I

don't agree with 0% but I would be comfortable with 1%. It is a

shame that as women, we carry so much responsibility on our shoulders

regarding nurturing.

I think people are afraid of the unknown and pancreatitis is not

as " advertised " as say, cancer or AIDS. We need to educate as many

as we can. I hope you find support and solace at this web site.

It's heaven sent!

Have a peaceful weekend.