Dear "R",
My name is Jude and I have had TM for 8 yrs. and am a complete para from T3 on down to the tips of my toes, with all of the difficulties you described in your email. I have, and I'm certain most of us have, experienced the same feelings of suicide and change of heart and are better off and much happier for it. I know two TM'ers who did decide to go through with it, and all who knew them miss them terribly. TM has humbled me immensely and made me aware of the truly important things in life. I too, am so thankful for everything my husband-caregiver, does for me. And, in spite of everything...I too believe that we are closer now than before TM. He may beg to differ, I don't know. All I know is that I love him to distraction and don't know how I would live without him. Please stay with us from time to time. Let us know your first name, ok? You would be a wonderful addition to the List, especially for the "newbies" with all they need to know. You write beautifully and we need more members like you who can identify with us. I will not bother you too much, but may email you from time to time only to see how you are doing. Peace and Prayers, Jude In a message dated 6/6/2009 1:43:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, rhuds...@cfl.rr.com writes: Janice, this is the FIRST time I have responded on this list. I have had TM since October 3rd 1988 (almost 21years) Since 1983 I have been employed in the financial services industry with the same company. I am a Certified Financial Planner. I help folks invest their money. I work eight hours a day five days a week. I have told my wife of 34 years that of all the functions I have lost ( sensation,walking,bladder,bowel,sexual etc. ) I would give anything to have normal BOWEL function and to not deal with FATIGUE!!! I also have a PAIN issue I call FIRE BOTTOM which I think contributes to my fatigue. When I was paralyzed at age thirty-six I spent 2 1/2 months in the hospital. I seriously considered suicide. People that know me as a FUN-LOVING GUY would never believe I would think of that as an answer. Well I did but I CHOSE to LIVE and almost twenty-one years later I am GLAD of that decision. My wife and I have raised our only child, a son, who was two and a half years old at the time. We had planned to have a second child but TM took away that option. As we know this is an EXTREMELY difficult disease to deal with and a HUGE LIFE- CHANGER. When I was going through this I failed to realize the impact on the Care-Giver(My Wife). I did not treat her well! I was focused only on my issues. Looking back over these past twenty-one years there have been some EXTREMELY TOUGH TIMES but also some GREAT TIMES! I thank GOD daily that my wife CHOSE to stay with her husband which required TREMENDOUS change on her part .I remember in rehab the statistics on spouses sticking around after a spinal injury or illness and the statistics were not favorable. My room-mates wife divorced him while he was going through rehab. My wife may not agree but I believe WE are closer now than before the illness. This might sound corny but if the Lord allows me to see the SUNRISE today I will do the BEST I CAN TODAY. MOST DAYS I FAIL miserably but I tell myself I will try to do better tomorrow. I admire ALL of us in this group who FIGHT DAILY and DO NOT GIVE UP! Janice, after my LONG-WINDED reply I bet you are SORRY you asked the question. I am glad you did. TAKE CARE!!! On Jun 5, 2009, at 12:22 PM, Janice wrote: Hi Guys! I have been curious about something for a while and since things have kind of slowed down, want to ask you all what you did before TM hit and if you were able to go back to it or if you are doing something new. I am including even those who just read these emails and don't usually respond. I would like to hear from everybody and would think all of us would be interested. I will start: I was a school nurse's secretary/assistant in a large high school for 19 years. I absolutely loved it - everyday was different, as you can imagine working with high schoolers! Our school nurse was gone a lot to other schools we were responsible for, so I was left alone quite a bit and handled many different situations. I was well trained for this and it was great. Janice = **************We found the real ‘Hotel California’ and the ‘Seinfeld’ diner. What will you find? Explore WhereItsAt.com. (http://www.whereitsat.com/#/music/all-spots/355/47.796964/-66.374711/2/Youve-Found-Where-Its-At?ncid=eml cntnew00000007)
