Re: -similar stories - To Keri

[Guest guest]

Hi Keri:

I'm so happy that you have found us here and that you are also

happy. I've been a member for a few years, can't really remember how

long, time really sucks when you are sick with a chronic illness, and

I tend to loose time. But anyways, yes, I've found alot of friends,

and alot of info here to. Because before I found this place I didn't

know anyone at all who ever had it. After a few years, when my

grandmother passed away (she survived my dad by 4 years) I found out

that my uncle had an acute attack, but recovered & never had any

other problems. But I guess he was very, very sick & was in the

hospital for awhile & they said he could have easily died. Wonder

why mine just drags on & on. My brother had an acute attack on

Easter Sunday. He was drinking really heavily the night before, woke

up sick as a dog. He recovered completely too. And he hasn't drank

since then either! lol

WOW~two kids under the age of 4?!?!? You are a special person! And

you are much, much too young to be suffering with this awful illness!

About my marriage......it didn't fail only because of my illness, he

is an alcholic & he was drinking more & more & he has some spinal

problems, and instead of going to the doctor for pain meds he started

stealing mine. He did have back surgery last June, but he is still

drinking alot too. He now lives with his mommy, he is the biggest

momma's boy in the world! I always said that I'd never get a

divorce.....that he was stuck with me forever! But, things just

didn't work out that way. I know the girls are alot happier to be

away from the drinking & the verbal abuse he use to throw at us all

the time. They have adjusted quite well, I must say. I said in

court that I did't want him to have any overnight visitations, and

they agreed to it. But that was before he was living with his mommy,

so I guess if they really wanted to they could go stay, but the sad

thing is, they don't wanna. And I can't blame them. Nothing to do

there, he sleeps most of the time, and when he isn't he is out

somewhere drinking....and his mommy is blind to the whole situation!

He never was much of a support person...would always get p'ed off

when I had to go into the hospital & he was stuck with the girls. He

isn't a very good father at all.

Now, about my the support network I have now....I can honestly say

I'm almost alone in this adventure. My mom never really believed,

after the initial 6 weeks stay in the hospital after an ERCP, that I

was sick at all. When the twins were about 4 I had to go to the ER &

ask my mom to keep the girls, and they broke out with chicken pox

that same day. She got angry at me because I " left " the girls when

they were sick just to go get drugs. She threatened to take them

away from me, and never let me see them again, if I didn't get my act

together. She never did believe I was even a lil' sick until I saw

Dr. Lehman in 95 & he was the one who dx'ed me as chronic

pancreatitis. She still gives me a very hard time. I don't care, I

know whats wrong with me. And anyways, I have to say the biggest

support person I have right now is Lily, from the board here. She

makes me make them phone calls, get some help & tells me exactly what

I need to do. She is wonderful! I just love her to death! She

makes sure she calls & checks up on me at least 3 days a week. She

keeps me laughing with her funny stories...she has some dosies, too!

So, I guess thats it. Sad, really. I use to try to hide it from the

girls when I'm really, really sick because I didn't want them to

know. Now they can tell. Its getting harder & harder the older they

get......but honestly, I don't know where I'd be right now if I

didn't have them to keep me going from day to day. I'm truly blessed

with these 3 girls!

I hope you are having a great weekend. I must go try to get some

sleep now.....tomorrow, Sunday, is Amy's 16th b-day, and we have a

big ole' party to have! Talk to you again soon.

Lots of Hugs,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In pancreatitis , " jandcsmomma " <jandcsmomma@y...>

wrote:

,

It is such a relief to know that I am not alone. This disease is so

frustrating and it makes it even worse that most people are somewhat

isolated in the suffering. I just found this site a week and a half

ago after sixteen years of dealing with pancreatitis. I dare to say I

feel as though already I have gained an extended family. > Love and

Hope,

Keri Beck RN

Mattoon, IL