My Tribute to Charlie
May 18, 2008 10:11am
CharlieThe Man I Love
"and these are the moments I thank God that I’m alive,and these are the moments I’ll remember all my …
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Current Weight (Lbs)
242
Tavavilla’s Profile
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About Me
My husband and I live in Apopka Florida, just moved here two years ago. We have been together 26 years. Been through thick and thin together. We moved to help me with my disabilities (MS, Fibromyalgia). The warmer weather is much better for me. We have three dogs (Duke, Shadow, Toby) and a cat (Blinkie). I have been struggling with the death of my father, my older brother, my twin brother, and my husband's sister. My husband has a very rare form of pancreatic cancer. We just seem to go from one crises to the next and never fully process anything. I joined the site to try to get some support and begin to move on. If that is really possible. I love sunshine and animals. I am a democrat and a buddhist. I have almost 19 years of sobriety.
Interests
Spirituality, Self-help, internet research, reading, creative writing, dark rich coffee, fostering animals, helping others, swimming
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Journal
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Can I really do this?
May 18, 2008 9:59am
My husband, Charlie, and I visited his oncologist at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in April. The cancer drug, Sandostatin, is no longer working and …
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A Challenging Few Weeks
May 17, 2008 6:27am
Well, we have hit the wall again. Charlie received news on April 15th that the metastatic tumors in the right side of his liver are growing and …
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Journal Entry for November 16, 2007
November 16, 2007 1:28pm
This has been a pretty good week. I have stayed away from the Boards so I can try an regroup.
I found a new PCP this week. She hasn't …
This entry is private
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Hugbook
Hug
Hello! Sending hugs for your day. How are you?
Hug
sending you lots of hugs tonight. Cindy
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Hug
what kind of dogs do you ahve? I havea female shih tzu. Cindy
Hug
I understand what you mean about acceptance vs optimism. it's a tough balance to achieve isn't it? my dad's doctor's took him off work today which is great news and they're looking for a cause other than the cancer for his utter exhaustion. I want to reach a point of acceptance about what's happening and to value the time we have left but I don't want to give up hope or being optimistic about some improvements in his condition. I think that's a tough balance to find. hugs and prayers from me to you. Lisa
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High Five
giving you a high five just because. Cindy
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Photos
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Goals
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Support Groups
Close Bereavement
Type: Loss of a SiblingOver the last year and a half, I have lost my father, my older brother, my twin brother, and my husband's sister. My husband has also been diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer.
Treatments
- Helping Others Working / Worked
- I find the more I get outside myself, the less I feel overwhelmed.
- Keeping Busy Somewhat Helpful
- I have been juggling so much that I have been really avoiding the grief. But then I will hit a wall and I can't do anything.
- Pets Working / Worked
- I have three wonderful dogs and a cat. They are incredibly compassionate. There is nothing quite as wonderful as a hug from a pet.
- Prayer Working / Worked
- This has been the most successful tool for dealing with bad days.
- Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked
- The support from friends and family really is wonderful.
Close Sexual Abuse
I was sexually abused from the time I was 8 until I turned 16. I abused drugs and alcohol to deal with it. Then in 1988 I got sober and started dealing with the trauma. Today, I can say that my PTSD and depression are under control. The abuse no longer runs my life. I haven't been suicidal in 15 years. I don't dissociate any more. I love my husband and we have a wonderful relationship. This took a lot of work, but it was worth every minute.
Treatments
- Art Working / Worked
- Group Therapy Working / Worked
- Abuse Counseling Working / Worked
- Music Working / Worked
- Reiki Working / Worked
- Talking Working / Worked
- \"The Courage To Heal\" Working / Worked
Open Bipolar Disorder
Treatments
- Celexa Not Working
- Too many side effects.
- Geodon Not Working
- Worked for awhile and then stopped working.
- Lamictal Working / Worked
- Somewhat successful. I don't have the deep depressions any more.
- Seroquel Not Working
- Too many side effects.
- Topamax Not Working
- Too many side effects.
- Wellbutrin Not Working
- Too many side effects.
- Zyprexa Not Working
- Too many side effects.
Open Fibromyalgia
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2002. I have a lot of fatigue and pain which has limited my life. I celebrate good days and just push my way through the bad days. I love to swim and I have a pool. This makes me feel wonderful physically.
Treatments
- Acupressure Working / Worked
- Acupuncture Working / Worked
- Aqua Therapy Working / Worked
- Cyclobenzaprine Not Working
- Too many side effects.
- Cymbalta Not Working
- Too many side effects.
- Effexor Not Working
- Too many side effects.
- Elavil Not Working
- Too many side effects.
- Lyrica Working / Worked
- Massage Working / Worked
- If you have the right therapist, this can do wonders.
- Meditation Working / Worked
- When I can do this, when I have the concentration to do it, it helps tremendously.
- Neurontin Not Working
- It worked really well initially and then stopped working.
- Ultram Working / Worked
- Vitamin B12 Working / Worked
- Zanaflex Working / Worked
- Celebrex Working / Worked
- 200 mg 2 x a day
Open Alcoholism
I began using Alcohol at the age of 18. By the age of 32, I was done. I tried everything I could to feel better, but the only thing that worked was putting down the alcohol and joining a 12 step recovery program. On 12/31/07, I will have 19 years of sobriety. "If you settle for your wildest dreams, you'll be selling yourself short."
Treatments
- 12 Step Program Working / Worked
- I belive that for me the only way to stay sober is by working the 12 Steps in my life.
- AA Meetings Working / Worked
- The lifeblood of my recover.
Open Carcinoid Syndrome
My husband was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine carcinoma in 1999. The body and the tail of his pancreas were removed. The surgery was very successful, but we were told if it came back that Charlie would die. Last year it did came back and he had the left lobe of his liver removed. When the drs. removed the left lobe, they discovered the cancer was back. We were told that Charlie probably had another 7-10 years before the cancer would return again. Two months later the cancer returned.
Treatments
- Octreotide Working / Worked
- My husband has been on this for six months. So far it is working. Next month he goes back for his next set of tests.
- Surgery Working / Worked
- Two surgeries: One to removed the body and tail. This required three months recovery. The second: to remove the left lobe of the liver. This recovery was only 3 weeks.
Open Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
I was diagnosed with IBS about ten years ago. It appeared to be under control right after my diagnosis, but over the last two years, it really has not been well controlled at all.
Treatments
- Bentyl Not Working
- High Fiber Diet Working / Worked
- Librax Not Working
- Lomotil Not Working
- This worked for a while but then stopped working.
- Oxycodone Working / Worked
- This works really well when I am in the middle of an attack and my colon becomes spastic.
- Probiotics Somewhat Helpful
- I have only limited success with these.
- Psyllium Not Working
Open Smoking Addiction & Recovery
Treatments
- Cold Turkey Working / Worked
- Worked for about a year and a half, til my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I picked right back up again.
- Hypnotherapy Not Working
- Smoking Cessation Class Not Working
- Wellbutrin Not Working
- It curbed my desire to smoke, but made me suicidal.
Open Sleep Apnea
I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea in March 2007 as well as Oxygen Desaturation. I am on a CPAP machine tritrated to an oxygen machine.
Treatments
- CPAP Not Working
- I thought when I started using this that I would actually be able to sleep. I sleep the same on the CPAP as I did without it.
Open Caregivers
I am currently the caretaker, I think, for my husband. He has pancreatitis, cancer, diabetes, hbp, arthritis and he is hearing and vision impaired. I take care of all of his medical needs.
Open Family & Friends of Cancer Patients
My husband was diagnosed with a very rare form of pancreatic cancer, islet cell.
Open Chronic Pain
I have fibromyalgia, RSD, TOS, CTS, and repetitive motion syndrome.
Treatments
- Acupressure Working / Worked
- Chiropractic Adjustment Working / Worked
- Lyrica Working / Worked
- Meditation Working / Worked
- Mobic Not Working
- Naproxen Not Working
- Nerve Blocks Not Working
- Neurontin Not Working
- Physical Therapy Not Working
- TENS Not Working
- Topamax Not Working
Open Depression
Tavavilla hasn’t entered any details for this support group.Open Diabetes Type 2
My husband is a Type 2 Diabetic.
Treatments
- Eating Healthier Foods Working / Worked
- Glipizide Working / Worked
- Metformin Working / Worked
- Physical Exercise Working / Worked
Open Health Care Reform
My husband and I are both struggling with medical issues and are fighting the healthcare system almost weekly.
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