TamMal’s Profile
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TamMal
is feeling OK
About Me
I recovered from a brain tumor from 2004, am currently in graduate school in Biology (evolutionary developmental bioinformatics), as I want to teach in a college setting. I have problems with insomnia, depression most of my life, anxiety and a frozen shoulder (from trying to be the dog whisperer with my jack russell - who REFUSES to be trained)
Interests
I love to read just about anything. I love animals, especially my jack russell, Georgia, and my boston terrier, Snuggles, and even my stinky ferret, poopyhead (he got the name cause he doesn't like the litterbox). I love my husband (the rocker), even though he snores and I end up in the other room to try to sleep. I used to take and teach dance (ballet, contemporary), but I no longer have any balance, and I used to love to play tennis, but now I have a frozen shoulder. I still love to dance, especially while my hubby plays his guitar. I also used to paint, was really into photography, almost anything, but not much right now. (Now THAT'S depressing!)
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Recent Activity
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Journal
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Hugbook
Hug
Just letting you know that I'm thinking of you. Love and hugs, Kath
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HEY HEY HEY, I GOT MY COMPUTER BACK. I HOPE ALL IS WELL IN YOUR LIFE. TAKE CARE, ROGER.
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HEY THERE HONEY.....thanks for the comment....YOU know I love ya, HUGS, M-
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Hey there Tammy, sorry I've NOT emailed in soooo long.....soooooo much going on. CRAXY, and still trying to pick up the pieces...you know what I mean. I hope YOU had a wonderful MOTHERS DAY---YOU know I think of you as a dear friend!!!!! MANY HUGS, & LUV, Michelle :)
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ty i had a good day and hope yours was good as well. Love from a friend at DS.
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Photos
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Support Groups
Close Insomnia
since chemotherapy I haven't been able to sleep without medication (even with medication sometimes)
Treatments
- Ambien Not Working
- worked in the past, but I'm on 20 mg of the timed release right now and it's not working
- Lunesta Not Working
- metallic taste and didn't work that well
- Restoril Not Working
- only worked for a couple of weeks
- Trazodone Not Working
- makes me way too tired to function the next day
- Valerian Working / Worked
- taken as a part of sleepMD herbal pills along with Klonipan - usually works
Close Brain / CNS Tumors
Type: OligodendrogliomaI had a right frontal brain tumor stage IV removed in 2004, did chemo for 1 year, now everything seems to be ok at least as far as brain cancer goes.
Treatments
- Chemotherapy Working / Worked
- felt like a SLUG most of the time, would lose 5 lbs during chemo week, then gain it back the next week, blood work kept going down the crapper - a lot of waiting
- Surgery Working / Worked
- Doctors were good, but had BAD bedside manners. Nurses were much more helpful.
- Zofran Working / Worked
- Great for nausea!!!
Open Anxiety
I've been on various antidepressants most of my life. Now I'm "down" to anxiety (feel like I'm on ritilin all the time). I take Klonopin for the bad times.
Treatments
- Breathing Exercises Somewhat Helpful
- I can't seem to get the breathing down right.
- Klonopin Working / Worked
- Works pretty well most of the time.
- Lexapro Working / Worked
- Worked for 5 solid years, until I got insomnia, then I overdosed on a sleep med and ended up in the loony bin, where they changed all my meds around many times.
Open Menopause
The onset of my menopause came during chemotherapy. Even after bloodwork, the docs said I was NOT in menopause, even though I haven't had a period in over a year and have hot flashes and sexual dysfunction. Go figure! I think they were better when I was on Lexapro, but I no longer take that.
Open Female Sexual Issues
Since all the different antidepressants/anxiety/sleep drugs I've been on - I just can't get no satisfaction.
Treatments
- Relaxation Not Working
- I just can't relax very often...only if I'm drinking, which I rarely do.
Open Bereavement
My mom and best friend passed away last year from Alzheimer's and Parkinsons diseases. My maternal grandmother died from Alzheimers - does that mean I'm gonna get it??? I can't live like that - it's not living!
Treatments
Open Migraine Headaches
I have had migraines since a teenager (usually hormonal), worse since brain surgery, but better with chiropractic care.
Treatments
- Oxycodone Somewhat Helpful
- used to work VERY well, now so-so
Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) DepressionDiagnosed with mild depression 13 yrs ago, turned major with cancer, now back with a vengence.
Treatments
- Celexa Working / Worked
- just started back on this - worked before
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Somewhat Helpful
- works ok if I can manage to THINK
- Cymbalta Not Working
- didn't really do anything and TOO expensive
- Effexor Working / Worked
- worked for a while
- Lexapro Working / Worked
- worked for 5 yrs until cancer, just went back on it
- Paxil Not Working
- did nothing
- Prozac Working / Worked
- worked but too many side effects
- Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful
- LOVE my counselor
- Support from Friends & Family Somewhat Helpful
- Mom helped a lot - but she passed away in 2006
- Trazodone Not Working
- couldn't function with this one
- Writing Working / Worked
- This site helps, never could keep an actual journal.
- Zoloft Not Working
- made me very sick
Open Health Care Reform
Had to file for bankruptcy for medical expenses due to brain cancer, chemo, MRIs, etc. even WITH insurance!
Open Pet Bereavement
LOVE LOVE LOVE all animals! Currently I have 2 dogs, jack russell and boston terrier and a ferret. I used to also have 2 labs and a pit bull mix as well as a 2nd ferret, but they've passed away in the last couple of years of old age. I really miss one lab in particular, though I love them all
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Snapshot
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