Pancreatitis Support Group

Hi, Vickie . . . I'm Kim (aka Mollie53). I'm also a wife and mother of 2 great kids, ages 26 and 16. I'm also a business owner of two income tax franchises, which also makes me an employer. I'm also a daughter and sister and friend, although I often feel inadequate in my various roles due to my illness. Lately, I think I'm a medical researcher too, strictly out of necessity. It's a hard way to learn, but has been a driving force in my on-going recovery.

I noticed that you're from Paducah. I see a dentist there, and just yesterday went to Murray State University where my son sang with the Quad State Choir. It was a great musical experience, which I need occasionaly.

Pancreatitis became part of my daily life almost 6 years ago. I have never touched a drop of alcohol, but have pancreas divisum, which is congenital. My treatment process has evolved into a very different process, simply because I devoted my life to researching my particular situation and traveling to St. Louis, Cleveland, and finally Texas for successful treatment. I also have autonomic dysfunction, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Synrome, along with a few other minor issues.

My daughter (26) is a vocal performance major who will complete her master's degree in December. She has many of the same health conditions as me, but thankfully she does not have pancreatitis. My son (16) loves to play basketball more than anything, but he's also musically gifted.

I'm very fortunate to have seasonal work, and even during tax season I am only able to work part time now. That has forced me to train others and place my trust in them to do the job appropriately. I'm a hands-on person, and it's very hard for me to back off and let others do the work. I'd just rather do it myself! I guess I'm a little bit of a control freak.

I agree with your statement that "I am not pancreatitis." Illness gives us a chance to reflect on our lives more deeply. I'm so thankful for my doctors (at least some of them) who have literally saved my life, and my husband who is my best friend and ever-constant shoulder to lean on.

I wish there were no diseases, but my favorite scripture is "Weeping endureth for the night, but joy cometh in the morning." I know that someday I will not have any more pain to endure." And for now God gives me strength and guidance to cope and I credit Him with my successful treatment. It was clearly divine intervention that led me down the path I am now on.

Well, that's who I am. Probably more than you ever wanted to know! Sorry I got long-winded. Who's next?

Awesome, Kim! What an amazing person you are. And I wouldn't have met you but for this forum. So thank you for that.

I look forward to getting to know you better. What a great place this is.

Okay, who's next?

Hey, Vickie & Kim.....I'm Debbie (aka Taboo). I am also a wife of a minister and a mother of 2 grown men, one who now lives right on our five acres and another who went to be with our Heavenly Father , due to a horrible accident, about three years ago this past May. I too, like Kim, have pancreas divisum. I was diagnosed a year ago last month. I am learning to deal with this illness daily. I am doing well for now, but seem to never know when it is going to really hit again. I have had about 6 acute attacks this past year and have had 4 stents.

I am a business manager at an architectural firm and have been there for 27 years. I now work only 2 days a week because of this illness and do not know if I will be able to go back full time at any point. Stress does really seem to bring this illness on for me!

You are right though! This illness does not and WILL NOT define who we are. We are all so much more than that. God has brought us through so much in the past few years and He has certainly been with us through this illness. I know no matter what happens, God's got my back!!!

Hi all. My name is Cher. I was diagnosed a year ago August. But since I am not my disease (thank you for that reminder), I'm not going to talk about it at all right now.

I am a mother of a wonderful 22 year old son. We are both artists (primarily a hobby but also some side-line income). I am divorced, a previous business owner (art and custom framing), I serve on my churches music ministry, and I volunteer on a part time basis at a mission for the homeless and at-risk families. I have been on disability for nearly two years, but not pancreatitis related (that came after being on disability). I hope to get better and off of it in the future, but in the meantime I try to do what I can to make the world around me better and let Jesus use me as his mortal comrad, so to speak. Although I live on a short thread to my house, mentally, physically and financially, I try to make the most of the thread that I have.

I'm glad I found this forum. It's so nice to know I am not alone with such a rare disease that nobody understands.

God Bless You All!

Hi Debbie and Cher:

It's so nice to "meet" you. I am so happy for this forum and the chance to just talk with others who are going through the same thing. It's hard for those who don't have a chronic illness to understand what we go through so it's nice to have "comrads" even though I wish it were not so. But we never would have met, would we?

I look forward to getting to know all of you better as time goes on. I am here to support you all I can and hopefully get the same in return at times. I'll be sure and add you all as friends.

Okay, who's next? This is really cool. I love getting to know people!

Hi Vickes .. I am Marcyln, a mother to two grown sons and three grandchildren, two girls and a boy. One son is a missionary and one is a physician. I also run a business and have excellent employees . I was diagnosed with CP 2 years ago - not alcohol related. I just bit the bullet this week and went on an antidepressant, which in itself is depressing. I always thought I could handle anything but I must admit that this disease gets me down. You never know when its going to rear its ugly head! My husband and I are involved in medical missions work in Belize and Thailand. Infact, he is in Thailand right now. CP has hindered my ability to travel and participate in this becasue food is so difficult to control when you travel. But Gid has not brought me this far to let me down now! I have a lot of favorite scriptures but I repeat this one everytime I eat- " God will bless my food and water and drive sickness far from me".

Thanks for reminding us that we are not pancreatitis!!