Life Interrupted

Hello everyone,

I am transferring this website from www.freewebs.com to www.GoDaddy.com for several reasons, all of which designed to improve the experiences had by members and visitors to www.lifeinterrupted-nolonger.com .

It is my goal to make the site more visible increasing traffic to the site. The site will have a new look, but I know that you will love it. There will be improved security and so many more features of interest for those dealing with chronic illnesses like MS, lupus, fibromyalgia, RSD, interstitial cystitis and others, which put so many stresses on the relationships of patients, family members, caregivers and friends.

It is my hope that the site and my self-help memoir Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me will help others better deal with, and deal more positively with the stresses put on one's relationships as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability.

Hopefully the site will be completed no later than the first week of August. This is exciting and I am looking forward to sharing my site and all of its information with all of you.

Have a great day, God bless,

Chris

The Bible clearly teaches that God loves those who are His children and He “works all things together for good” for us (Romans 8:28). So that must mean that the trials and tribulations He allows in our lives are part of the working together of all things for good. Therefore, for the believer, all trials and tribulations must have a divine purpose. I believe I'm living proof of such truth.

I've had multiple sclerosis for more than 30 years and became completely disabled in 1995, unable to see, stand, lacking depth perception with limited use of my appendages__ yet at the deepest and darkest point of my life, after my first wife left me the Lord gave me strength, direction and purpose when I saw none. I mean I thought I would never be able to meet a woman and fall in love again. I thought I had no choice but to live in a nursing home. Unable to function physically, struggling cognitively I knew I would never be able to hold a job or a have a purpose again. Talk about feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy, low self-esteem and a heaping helping of worry and anxiety__ I was an emotional disaster.

I didn't know it and I certainly didn't see it back then, but God had a plan and purpose in store for me. I just needed to be that broken down before he would reveal his plan to me. I said it many times before and I'm sure I'll tell the story again and again, but my disability has made me a better person today than I was before I was afflicted. Helen Keller once said, "my handicaps have allowed me to find myself, my work and my God". I would never have truly believed that anyone could feel that way had I not been disabled myself. And today, God has filled my life with desire, purpose, more love than I've ever known__ and all of this I believe to be the abundance that our God promises throughout His word.

For my life changed__ coincidence, luck or good fortune? I think not, for my God reigns. Look what he has done in my life:

-- I married, Jane, the most beautiful and caring woman in April 2007

-- My wife and I have the most incredible and loving relationship.

-- We purchased 1the house next door to my parents who live in the house where I was raised.

-- I am unable to work because of my disability, however I am busy between 6 and 10 hours a day reaching out and ministering to those who would benefit from reading my story.

If I was able to overcome my greatest fears, I'm positive that anyone can. To learn more about my journey and how to avoid making the same relationship destroying mistakes that I made when my relationship was interrupted by chronic illness, just look up my book Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me and to order your copy visit any one of these Christian sites to learn more:

The Love & Passion Of The King

 http://justgivemekingjesus.blogspot.com/

The Father's Business

 http://the-fathers-business.blogspot.com/

Passion That Redeems

 http://the-passion-that-redeems.blogspot.com/

FYI :lol: for those going through the hottest season in history right now. Eastern Canada and USA are getting history breaking temperatures , enough to make the asphalt roads buckle and to melt shoes to the asphalt, warping railroad lines, causing train problems, deaths. God bless you all who are having to deal with it. Please pass this on to all you know who might . That heat, at least tempts exceeding 102° are not in my area yet.

BEAT THE HEAT!!

1. Wet a washcloth with cold water and put it on the back of your neck.

2. Keep a few wet washcloths or towels in the fridge, so you can swap them out when they warm up!

3. Place wet towel on the back of your neck.

4. Use a spray bottle from any cheap or dollar store to mist or spray yourself at home or where ever you go! Or Spray behind your knees, on your feet, and anywhere that's sweaty. The warm water keeps you from being shocked when you spray. Now, go get in front of a fan!

5. Run wrists under cold water. Use a piece of ice wrapped in a face cloth, to continue after the coolness wears off. Constantly cooling off the wrists will also cool off the body. Never use just ice, make sure it is wrapped in a towel or something similar. Studies show that this will reduce your core body temperature by as much as 1.5 ºC. we

6. Turn off the stove and other sources of heat.

7. Partly fill a plastic bottle with water and freeze it. Put it in front of a fan; it'll give the same effect as cold water, but is less likely to spill.

8. Lightly mist a top sheet, and place it in a plastic bag in the freezer. Pull it out just before you're ready to sleep. It'll keep you cool enough to fall asleep.

9. Keep the sun out. Be sure to keep the window shades drawn from around 11:00 am until at least 2:00 pm. The sun shining into the house during this period can leave the temperature much warmer in the afternoon and evening than it needs to be.

10. Sleep alone. I know, it sounds a little lonely but it’ll be much cooler than that abundance of body heat that comes with a spouse, a child, a dog or even the family cat sharing the bed with you. If you can’t sleep alone, sleep with some space between you.

11. Wear cotton. Cotton takes perspiration away from the skin leaving you drier and more comfortable. Go for light coloured cotton clothes, cotton nightwear and bedding. Cotton sheets will not only absorb night sweats, but will also permit your skin to breath, allowing you to be more comfortable and less restless. Better sleep means more energy and better mobility.

12. Cool showers and baths. During the summer, there’s nothing more satisfying than a cool bath or shower. When I can’t sleep at night because of the heat, I fill a pan with cold water and soak my feet – it really helps to lower the body temperature!

13. Keep exercise moderate. Exercise is important but it’s tempting to skip it when it’s hot. Do exercise but keep it moderate. Don’t push yourself too hard and be sure to take a cool shower afterwards to bring your body temperature back down.

14. A spray bottle with water and a few drops of peppermint oil, shaken, can lower your skin temperature up to 5 degrees. Don't spray this on your face, the peppermint oil could get in your eyes. If you want it on your face, spray into your hand, then rub on your face.

15. Try swimming. If possible, choose swimming as your exercise during the summer. Swimming works all the major muscle groups while helping to maintain a lower body temperature. It also helps with balance and mobility.

16. Seek shade. When you’re going to be outside, always sit in the shade. Even better, sit in the shade where there’s a breeze.

17. Wear a hat. The sun beating down on your head has a huge impact on your body temperature: always wear a hat when you’re out in the sun. Many countries now have made a law that children under 12 must wear a sunhat to school in the warmer months.

18. Fill a hot water bottle with cold water from the fridge and put it on your ankles and feet - it works!

19. Do not consume any caffeinated beverages before trying to sleep, your increased heart rate will make you hotter and more susceptible to the heat.

20. Keep a glass of ice cold water close to your bed so that in the event that you wake up hot and uncomfortable, you can easily cool off again without having to get up.

21. Try cooling clothing. A number of manufacturers now make cooling vests, hats, etc. Last summer I ordered online a cooling bandana. They have gel crystals that retain cold when wet. You run it under cold water and tie it around your neck or head. As long as it stays wet, it stays cool! – neat!

22. Go to malls or theaters or stores that have air conditioning.20. Wear a damp shirt (not wet) around the house or yard. (not suitable for public, lol)

23. Heavy meals will make your heart pump harder to digest the food, heating you up. Keep meals light.

The following is a partial list of manufacturers and suppliers of "cooling” clothing. This includes everything from gel bandanas, cooling wrist bands, sunhats with cooling forehead bands to clothes with pockets to put cold gel packs, to space age clothing with body cooling molecules. You can click on the websites to see what products they offer and the prices.

Can-Cool

Tel: (705) 682-0868

E-mail: lmph@sprint.ca

CoolTek

http://www.heatrelief.com/

Tel.: 1-888-849-3657

E-mail: Info@HeatRelief.com

MSolutions Inc.

http://www.msolutions.org/

Tel: 1-800-763-8423E-mail:

Tami@msolutions.orgSteele Inc.

http://www.steelevest.com/

Tel.: 1-888-783-3538

E-mail: steeleinc@silverlink.net

HeatReliefDepot

www.heatreliefdepot.com

Toll Free: 1-800-929-3949

Tel: (954) 340-5825

Roshgo Corporation

www.roshgo.com

Toll Free: 1-888-476-7446

Tel: (678) 867-0461

Sparkling Earth

www.sparklingearth.com

Toll Free: 1-800-871-1710

Tel: (623) 780-9674

E-mail: sparklingearth99@hotmail.com

MANY more cooling hints: http://www.dld123.com/about/about.php?id=A54 REMEMBER SUNSCREEN! Skin cancer is increasing due to thinner protective ozone layer.

I hope you take the time to read this article and find it enjoyable. Please share the link with your friends and family.

Thank you and God bless,
Chris

http://continentalnews.net/health/relationships-and-chronic-illness-expert-to-share-tips-on-coping-during-caregiving-radio-show-834.html

Chris will show you:

How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship in a Crisis due to life being interrupted by a chronic illness or disability.

How to Recognize and Put a Halt to Misdirected Anger

The importance of Clear and open Communication

How to Express Love and Compassion When You Are Physically and Mentally Miserable

That Disability does not have to mean Inability

Your Illness Is an Opportunity to Remake Yourself Into Something Better Than You Were before

How to Re-establish Your self-esteem, purpose and life's direction

How to Embrace Change in your life:

Adversity Has Enriched the World More Than Comfort and prosperity And It Can Enrich Your Life, As Well (Paraphrasing Rev. Billy Graham)

We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same

It is a challenge to be sick, and individuals that are plagued by chronic illness experience a myriad of psychological stresses:

Loss of Control

Fear of Losing Love and Approval From Loved Ones

Deminished self-esteem

Deminished self-worth

Guilt

And Fear of Punishment and Abandonment

Chronic illness is usually followed by extreme stress. Chris Tatevosian, MS survivor and author of Life Interrupted It’s Not All About Me can teach your audience how to: Overcome feelings of helplessness, diminished self-esteem guilt, and the fear of losing love and approval from close loved ones as a result of his life experiences living life with Multiple Sclerosis.

The Truth About Chronic Illness And Its Impact On Inter-Personal Relationships

Chronic Illnesses can create a rift in many relationships, as loved ones try to cope with the devastating effects. However, there are practical steps individuals can take to heal their relationships by learning how to adapt to changes in family routine as a result of the illness, financial hardships, and the loss of opportunity for intimacy between married couples, which if not dealt with lovingly, can create tensions. Chris Tatevosian can speak candidly from his own personal experience as an MS survivor, and share practical wisdom, plus valuable tips that your audience will be able to use today.

How Getting Rid of Toxic Emotions Can Help The Recovery Process

The medical world has long acknowledged that there are diverse individual differences as to how people react to their illnesses, and the intense emotions that accompany it. Some become depressed, frustrated, or self-condemning. Yet others expereince anger, hostility, and become overly critical- especially of one's spouse, family members and caregivers. In terms of recovery, these toxic emotions can destroy one's relationships and slow down the recovery process making the body susceptible to more illness.

Chris Tatevosian, author of Life Interrupted- It’s Not All About Me can teach your audience how to take the negative attention off self, while empowering them to make the best of a tough situation. He offers practical steps to dispel the self-pitying " poor me attitude" that is often the cause of unhappiness. At the end of the segment, your audience will know how to say good-bye to “the poor-me attitude,” and take on more pro-active behavior to deal with illness

By sharing his experiences, Tatevosian gives readers the awareness, knowledge and understanding they need to deal more positively with the emotional and physical stresses put on relationships interrupted by chronic illness or disability.

Warmly written and bravely told, this is a perfect book for any patient or caregiver.

“A real person, speaking right from the heart, and it touched my heart.”

Rick Mansfield, Caring Coordinator, The First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Mass

Author Biography:

Christ Tatevosian grew up in Holliston, Massachusetts and graduated college in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and a minor in Chemistry. He received a graduate certificate in adult education, from Trinity College priot to commencing his career in the field of Occupational Safety and Health.. Stepping back, in 1980 as a freshman in colledge Tatevosian who was now an avid skier who had played baseball, hockey and was on the varsity wrestling team in high school was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Remarried with four adult step children. Chris and his wife Jane now reside in Southern New England. Tatevosian is presently working on his second book likely to be released in 2010. Tatevosian's upcoming book The Sniffles is a children’s book intended to help kids who have parents who have been diagnosed and deal daily with multiple sclerosis to understand what's going on within the household. At present Chris is functioning as an author, columnist, motivational speaker and co-host of the blog talk radio show "Winning Life through Pain".

Tatevoian's Contact Infomation:

e-mail duketate@aol.com

phone: (508) 429-0460

web site: www.lifeinterrupted-nolonger.com

:DHello everyone,

The pool is open. Thanks to the robotic vacuum the water is crystal clear and extremely enticing, but before you jump in you should know the water is only a less than balmy 45°. I don't think that I'll be expending any energy in the water for quite a while, smile.

However since beginning a regiment of Low-Dose Nalterexone (LDN) on January 1 consisting of 1.5 mg for three weeks followed by 3 mg for three weeks before beginning the maximum 4.5 mg dose for 12 of the 18 weeks since the commencement of this drug I have experienced a major turnaround in my level of disability. And the results are in:

This past week I have experienced the ability to walk around my house using a walker.

I can walk around the room using handrails, furniture and countertops to move about the house.

I am riding my stationary bike one to two hours every day.

MS related fatigue has been eliminated from my life.

I was unable to support my torso in a sitting position in a chair without arms. Today that is not an issue.

This may not sound like much until I tell you that I have been using a power wheelchair since 2005. At one point I was falling while making transfers from the chair to the bathroom or bed as many as 15 times a day. I had no stability whatsoever in my legs and torso. For me to be standing up straight and moving around has reversed my symptoms back to where I was physically functioning in 2000. I recommend looking into (Google) Low-Dose Naltrexone and MS.

I'm loving it,

Chris

Help for couples, families, friends and caregivers  when the Stress of Life Interrupted by Chronic Illness is your reality.....

All to often relationships struggle, faultier, even fail completely as a result of one's life being disrupted and shaken to it's very core by the overwhelming stress put on one's relationships when a member of the family is stricken with a debilitating chronic illness or disability. It has been reported in the United States that seventy-five percent of those relationships where one of the partners suffer from a debilitating chronic condition like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ends in divorce. To me that is a devastatingly lofty number of divorces and a sad fact.                                                                                                                                                                            

I have personally lived with MS for my entire adult life. I have dealt with the condition since my diagnosis in 1980 when I was a freshman in college__ and yes, sadly my first marriage of ten years ended in divorce in 2002. As a result of this horribly difficult, depressing and almost life ending experience comes good.  I have been blessed with the ability to write a self-help memoir Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me.  It was my intention to help myself by restoring my good name so to speak. My divorce was bitter and my ex-wife’s lawyer embellished so much that I wanted friends and family to know the truth. That’s when God intervened and helped me to realize that He was allowing me to write a book to help not one person, myself, but perhaps thousands of people around the world who may be in the midst of a similar situation. A situation of overwhelming gloom and disconnectedness. If just one marriage or relationship is saved or benefited because of that which I have experienced, have knowledge and written__ having literally made my life an open book, exposing everything good and bad (because it's not always pretty but it's real), it will have been well worth it.

Clear and open communication is an absolute necessity for any relationship. Sadly, most relationships are lacking and many severely in the area of communication especially among couples dealing with an individual suffering from a chronic illness or disability involving brain function. There are many conditions, to numerous to list here anyway, but the point is that illness can effect brain function like communication. A common condition suffered by millions commonly referred to as brain fog whereby the individual may not be able to retain a thought long enough to complete a statement__short term memory deficit  is a symptom of so many neurological conditions like MS, Fibromyalgia, (RSD) Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and  lets not forget  (TBI) Traumatic Brain Injury.

So many people, myself included have to function with the aggravating and frustrating symptoms of short term memory deficit resulting in the often embarrassing inability to complete a sentence or thought. This frustrating situation frequently leads to anger. Sadly, your spouse, family members, your closest loved ones bear the brunt of this misdirected anger, because that is how the frustration, aggravation and diminishing self-esteem is released. I know this because my ex-wife was the recipient of my anger for the ten years we were together. I was not mad at her, but she received or bore the brunt of my frustration because as my caregiver, my ex-wife was always present  as my helper, provider and comforter.

I elaborate on this relationship destroying situation and attempt  to provide the knowledge and awareness  which I feel and pray will eliminate or at the very least reduce the misdirected anger that often destroys one's relationships. I lived through this and share my personnel experiences with readers of my book Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me, which guides and provides patients and caregivers with the awareness, knowledge and understanding they need to deal more positively with the emotional and physical stresses put on a relationship interrupted by illness or disability.

I would love to improve the communication and the overall interaction between  everyone, but especially that of  couples and family members. Try these few suggestions, which were recognized by me post the most devastating experience of my disabled life, my divorce.  Divorce is a life altering happening for anyone, but especially devastating for one who has come to rely on his or her spouse to actually live from one day to the next. If this is your situation as it was in my case, slow down and ask yourself why would anyone carry on in a manner that all to often ends with divorce? As I stated in my book "the obvious becomes clouded in the midst of life interrupted by chronic illness or disability."

Below are some general suggestions for communication between spouses, as well as, friends, family and the caregivers of those individuals struggling to communicate more concisely. Ultimately having a constructive, positive interaction and most importantly a caring, understandable and satisfying discussion.  

Here are a few tips which I have found to improve the act of communication amongst people who are living with cognitive issues and other disabilities:

__It is important to relax and treat one another with dignity and respect. Sounds so simple .

Excerpt from Life Interrupted, It' Not All About Me Page. 39 Chapter 4 Clear and Open Communication

"From experience, I can tell you that the individual suffering the chronic illness or disability is likely to feel anger and depression, which consciously or unconsciously develops into what I call the “Poor Me Attitude”. Both partners must consciously be unselfish, be understanding, provide one another with special attention, be respectful of one another, and most importantly, communicate clearly and openly"

__Because of cognitive interruption we need to almost expect and be prepared to repeat that which we say or ask of the individual dealing with  short term memory deficits. Preparing a written list can be a wonderful idea which can dramatically improve and simplify your loved ones day.

__Keep your sentences short. I struggle, especially when I become stressed, overwhelmed or frustrated. Once I have reached this point inevitably I no longer have any clue as to what we where discussing and recollection without going to the video tape, smile is an impossibility. If you don't keep your statement brief it's quite possible that I'll forget the beginning of your sentence by the time you get to the end.

__I suggest pausing for a few seconds between your 'thoughts' or sentences. Those of us struggling with brain fog and other forms of memory deficit often require that the person speaking  pause briefly after their sentences so that we may reflect on it for a moment and absorb .

__Try to minimize high pressure situations - peaceful, relaxed environments reduce stress, confusion and becoming overwhelmed.  When anyone is overwhelmed, they often lose patience and behave 'less than ideally' with those around them. I could have been the poster child for such behavior. I'm embarrassed just recalling my past behaviors.  The following real life example may better help you to understand that which I am trying to say.

Excerpt from Life Interrupted, It' Not All About Me Page. 40 Chapter 4 Clear and Open Communication

"my hands felt like baseball gloves, and I couldn’t support my torso or maintain my balance. I immediately lashed out because the air conditioner was not on high enough and I couldn’t stay downstairs for dinner. I became so upset and frustrated because I felt that my parents, who best understand my situation, were not paying attention to my needs. My mother became upset because she did not know what more she could do and thought I was overreacting to the temperature, which caused me to become enraged and say a few things that I didn't mean.  In that moment, after all I had been through in the past, I recognized that I wasn't very different. I wasn't much better at controlling my emotions, and that I had in fact changed very little. I also realized that I/we can’t make these changes on our own. This is bigger than me/us. We need God in our hearts if we want to change for the better. It’s just the reality of the situation.

__Both the caregiver and the disabled individual need to be conscious of the importance of practicing patience, and supportiveness. I say "conscious" because it is not and will not be easy. It's just natural to become frustrated and aggravated, because we are dealing with physical and mental losses and disruptions to what was once simple if not automatic.  It may well take extra time to understand the individual; and to be sure they understand you. Taking time is helpful to everyone in conversations, not just the disabled

__Be patient and try to avoid interrupting the person__ it may take them a while to get out what they want to say and while they may not really mind if you finish their sentence, you may not be 'quite right'. I know first hand that the disabled individual is likely to forget whatever it was he or she was going to say before he or she has the opportunity to complete his or her thought. Losing ones thought because someone speaks out of turn is infuriating.

__Likewise, they may interrupt you because a thought, perhaps related to what you're saying, flashes into their mind. I've heard people say, let them know if this is disruptive for you. I say, we need to be understanding of one's disability, allowing__ actually pardoning the interruption so that the disabled individual may interact and add to the conversation.

__With most cognitive issues resulting from MS, Fibromyalgia and the like, it is so important to recognize that one's level of intelligence is often exactly what it was. We still have exactly the same thoughts. It is just incredibly easy to be distracted, lose our train of thought or struggle with that "the word is on the tip of your tongue" feeling, which is all to frequent. Your thoughts and words can be rather like prisoners, locked in your brain.

__Avoid 'talking down' to the disabled. Be sure to listen to the individual and treat adults as adults. We have not lost our intellect. It's more like trying to follow and make sense of a movie where you only hear every other statement. You would get the main just of the story, but it may take longer to figure out what is going on__ it would surely be frustrating. You might be on edge and easily become aggravated . Can you imagine missing one of the lines because you were interrupted when someone came into the TV room out of nowhere and asked__ do you know where my sneakers are? LOL, you have to laugh.  Memory deficit often require that the person speaking  pause briefly after their sentences so that we may reflect on it for a moment and absorb .

I hope that you found this article to be helpful. Caring for every member of our family is something we all do, but many times as a result of the stresses, frustration and aggravation of having to deal with the functional losses of a chronic illness we lose sight of expressing and sharing our love for one another. Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me is my self-help memoir, a guide to help couples, their family members, friends and caregivers who in one form or another are living with chronic illness or disability come to grips and deal more positively with life's disruptions.

For more information regarding the book Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me please visit my website:

www.lifeinterrupted-nolonger.com

Recent swarm of interviews and advocating LDN has limited my blogging.

From 1996 until 2000 I was injecting Avonnex every other day. I grew tired of not being able to tell if it was doing anything, regarding the altering the rate of progression. The doctors of course couldn't tell me to stop taking the drug because there was no way of knowing whether the rate of progression would've been more quick had I not been taking the drug.

After my divorce, which was a result of the MS, I began on a regiment of Copaxone, which I just recently stopped. I decided against putting in more of these chemicals in my body if no one could tell me if they were helping or hurting.

Recently I began taking Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN) with noticeable improvements. For example:

-- My MS related fatigue has been completely eliminated.

-- My leg strength and stability has improved tremendously, making transfers simple and safe.

-- I am riding, the recumbent bike for 45 minutes a day, which I could not do for just five minutes prior to taking LDN.

Interview:

When did you receive a diagnosis of MS?

I have lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than 30 years. I first experienced symptoms in 1980 as a freshman attending Johnson State College in Vermont. I was married to the then woman of my dreams in 1992. Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me details my life before, during and after my first marriage.

By sharing my experiences, I inform readers of the awareness, knowledge, and understanding they will need to deal more positively with the emotional and physical stresses put on a relationship interrupted by chronic illness or disability. If just one relationship is saved or benefited it will have been well worth my literally having made my life an open book.

Who in your life is your biggest support?

My wife Jane with whom I was married in April of 2007. My MS has progressed, yet my life is absolutely amazing and filled with abundance. So what's different, you ask? The difference is that I have written, re-written, read and re-read. my book so many times that when I do begin to slip-up it's so obvious that I can't help but catch myself. And let's not forget, Jane has read the book too, so when I slip up she's quick to point out "Chris, I think you need to revisit page 76" and we have a good chuckle. Remember life is too short, you choose whether to laugh or cry. I never thought I would get married again. After all, who would marry damaged goods? At one point prior to my marriage I said to my wife to be, why would you marry someone with MS, that is like buying a vase with a hole in the bottom. Her response was, maybe I want it to hold dried flowers. So these dried flowers are happily married and loving every minute of it.

In particular, what led you to write on the topic?

You see, when I started writing the book it was my intention to help myself by clearing my name so to speak. My divorce was bitter and my ex-wife's lawyer embellished so much that I wanted friends and family to know the truth. That's when God intervened and helped me to realize that He was allowing me to write a book to help not one, but perhaps millions of people around the world who may be undergoing a similar situation. A situation of overwhelming gloom, lack of purpose, and loneliness.

I put it this way, stating that God allowed me to write this book, because I am severely disabled as a result of my MS and the physical and mental acts of writing a book were surely impossible. Understand, I am legally blind.I have limited use and control of my hands and fingers and I suffer with severe cognitive issues.

For example, there are times I cannot solve a simple arithmetic problem in my head, because I forget what it was that I was doing halfway through the process or else I can't remember what I was saying in the middle of a thought.Yet, five years after the initial thought of writing a book, before me sat my manuscript, which is a published book today. You can't tell me that God wasn't invoked.:D

I have been sharing the good news of Christ via my book and testimony at churches, prayer breakfast, hospitals, health clinics, libraries, coffee houses, bookstores and more. Anywhere people will listen and the response and interest has been fantastic. The more discussions I facilitate and numerous support groups with which I meet, the more shocked I become at the prevalence of this problem . The problem related to and resulting from the stress and hardships introduced to one's relationships as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability. It has become obvious that I had been given a purpose of helping others in my reward has been great.

4. What has been your biggest challenge living with MS?

My biggest challenge living with MS has been to overcome my greatest fears. During my first marriage my physical losses resulted in my development of low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness and anger obviously misdirected and more often than not falling into the lap of my ex-wife. As a result my marriage ended in divorce bringing to light four overwhelming fears.

When I was at my worst and most depressed state, during the final months leading up to my divorce and during the days immediately following I was living my greatest fears.

I certainly thought that I would never be able to meet a woman and fall in love again, as a result I dreaded the fact that I was going to be alone for the rest of my life.

 I thought That I would have to live in a nursing home.

Physically struggling to function I thought that I would never have a purpose to my life again.

5. What has been your biggest accomplishment?

The truth is, MS has made me a better person today than I was before I had the condition. By the grace of God I have been able to turn this debilitating and what could be a life crippling disease Into a what I consider to be a full-time spiritual vocation__ a blessing, my new found purpose helping, comforting and ministering to those struggling with the physical and emotional life blockers much like I had one struggled. The life blockers are one's own depressing thoughts that prohibit one from attaining the abundance that God has promised.

Even though my disease has progressed over the years, my life has become a wonderful journey filled with abundance. The steps I have taken to which I can attribute my wonderful relationship With my wife, Jane, and life all began when I invited Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and Savior. My wife Jane and I read the Bible to together, pray together and just try to live our lives pleasing to God. The resulting abundance has been nothing less than amazing....

-- I married the most beautiful and caring woman in April 2007:tongue:.

-- My wife and I have the most incredible and loving relationship.:cool:

-- We purchased 1the house next door to my parents who live in the house where I was raised.:cool:

-- I am unable to work because of my disability, however I am busy between 6 and 10 hours a day reaching out and ministering to those who would benefit from reading my story.:lol:

My favorite quote from Helen Keller...

"I thank God for my handicaps,for through them I have found my self, my work and my God!!"

6. What is the best tip you can give to other people and families affected by MS?

Strive to avoid anxiety and worrying about the future. Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me has a chapter dedicated specifically to the topics of worry and anxiety. What I explain to people within my book is that worrying about the future insures just one thing. "Worring about the future only insures that the future for which one has hoped never comes to fruition.

In my book I share with readers how my worrying and stressing about things like not being able to save enough for my son's college tuition, having difficulty requiring medical insurance because of my pre-existing condition as well as acquiring life insurance was all for not. The warring, anxiety and stress brought misery that resulted in my divorce.

7. Do you find it difficult to find trustworthy information about MS? From where or whom do you get reliable information?

It seems very difficult these days to find trustworthy information about the treatment of MS. Doctors only seem to want to prescribe drugs that are being for lack of a better word, "pushed" on patients by the pharmaceutical giants. When I visit my neurologist there are always beautiful saleswomen in the waiting room with gifts and pastry for the patients and doctors. I love gifts and pastry, well I just can't get enough, but I digress.

There are inexpensive drugs that seem to benefit patients dealing with MS, but oftentimes they and not even mentioned never mind prescribed by doctors for lack of large clinical trials It would be against the best interests of the large pharmaceutical companies to manufacture an inexpensive drug that works when they already have big money makers in the pipeline. It's very sad, but I believe it to be the truth.

I hope you have the opportunity to read my self-help memoir Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me. Copies of the book may be ordered from my website, www.lifeinterrupted-nolonger.com. The book guides people with multiple sclerosis, chronic illnesses, disabilities and their caregivers to control feelings of self-pity, feelings of worthlessness and diminishing self-esteem in order to keep their relationships strong and loving. A physically debilitating illness is difficult enough. I strive to help others avoid allowing this situation from becoming emotionally crippling as well. Open, frank and filled with invaluable advice, this is a book for anyone who wants to deal positively with illness while strengthening their intimate relationships

I wish you the bestand God bless,

Chris

Hello everyone,

.

Please join me on the Living With RSD show. Friday at 12 noon east/ 11 central/9 am pacific. The host, Trudy Thomas, is a very good friend of mine who deals with chronic pain among other issues. I hope that you will join us as we discuss how chronic illness affects one's relationships. I know that it's going to be a fantastic show.

Trudy is the one that got me involved with taking Low-Dose Naltrexone (ldn) which has proven to be beneficial for reducing and eliminating some of my MS symptoms. Like me, maybe you to can say goodbye to MS related fatigue. Learn how and where to get your ldn Friday.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thematrix777

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thematrix777

Call in number is 347-884-9691

Blessings,

ChrisChris

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As most of you know I have taken Betaseron, Avonex, Novantrone and most recently Copaxone. Last November I stopped taking Copaxone after six years of injecting on a daily basis. After much research and discussions with others who have had MS for years to decades on the Patients like Me Website (PLM), I had decided to begin treatment with LDN, Low Dose Naltrexone.

After taking this drug at an extremely low dose of 1.5 mg for three weeks followed by taking 3 mg for three weeks and now about to achieve the maximum 4.5 mg of the low dose of LDN I wanted to share that which I've noticed and experienced.

I've certainly noticed a complete elimination of MS related fatigue except during the hours of five and 9 PM. 2 PM to 9 PM has always been my weakest and worst part of the day regarding neurological function.

I have been able to ride my stationary bike for a period of 30 to 45 minutes every day without suffering from fatigue afterwards. I was not even able to use the bike prior to the LDN.

I am able to use my walker for a little while every day (during the morning) something that was unheard of prior to the drug. I have been using a wheelchair 98% of the time for close to seven years. So this is an improvement I'm hoping to see continue.

I do stand much more easily. I stand straight and I feel safe when on my feet. On regular basis I am now doing approximately 50 squats and 20 calf raises to strengthen my legs every day.

I'm looking forward to beginning the new dosage of 4.5 mg of LDN tomorrow. I hope the improvements continue because my goal is to begin on another drug called Prokarin. which like LDN Is not a mainstream medication prescribed by most neurologist for MS because there are no clinical trials that show that they work. The lack of clinical trials as a result of the pharmaceutical companies keeping these inexpensive drugs out of the news. That's my feeling anyways.

I recommend you Google the term Prokarin and MS. I think you'll be happily surprised. I have spoken several times with the nurse that has the patent on the drug Prokarin. Her name is Elaine Delack. Elaine has been interviewed on our blog talk radio show “winning life through pain” listen to the archived show at www.RSDcoachlive.com . I believe the show was during January of 2010. Check it out if you can. Prokarin seems to eliminate many of the symptoms of MS. Some of them pretty major symptoms, so I'm looking forward to giving it a try.

Both of these drugs will require a physician's prescription. This may not always be easy to attain so you have to search for a doctor. There is a doctor in Pennsylvania who did my consultation over the phone and orders the compounded prescription from Skips pharmacy in Florida. I'm likely to do the same thing for the Prokarin prescription.

I hope that you are doing well. Check out www.patientslikeme.com for the LVN and Google Prokarin and MS. Good luck and best wishes,

Chris

Whether we are looking at an age group of 18 to 25-year-olds or society as a whole the effect of positive thinking is enormous. Scientific studies show that positive thinking reduces stress and anxiety, improves health and allows us to enjoy life more.

Every individual chooses between optimism and pessimism. From my real-life experiences dealing with depression, a loss of self-esteem and a pessimistic outlook towards my own future, all of which were a result of my life being interrupted by multiple sclerosis a chronic illness and my resulting disability is proof of how having a positive attitude can improve one's life.

As I have stated time and time again in my book Life Interrupted, It's Not All about Me__ stress and pessimism can cause many health problems and reduce overall well-being. I once lived through this scenario so I know it to be true. There are medical studies that show that positive thinking and optimism have had possible health benefits such as:

Increased lifespan

Increases resistance to the common cold

Lower levels of depression

Lower levels of stress

Better coping skills during of hardship and stress

Reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease

Life is difficult at times, but it's necessary even critical to find the bright side of every situation. As the saying goes, "when life gives you lemons make lemonade".:D

As an MS survivor, I stay encouraged through speaking and providing comfort and encouragement to others. By engaging in this process, which provides me with a purpose and a sense of self worth I receive encouragement, knowledge, joy and the abundant blessings that are new friendships. In a way it's tangible proof that my illness has made me a better person today than I was, before I was diagnosed.:D

In my own way I have become an MS- life coach, which is perfectly fine with me. After all, living with this disease for 30 years has given me the hands-on experience necessary for the process of helping and ministering to others living with this disease. I welcome your friendship and questions. Drop me a line anytime at duketate@aol.com

Blessings,
Chris

Over the years I have tried most of the pharmaceutical disease modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis. In the early 90s I was injecting Betaseron, but after 10 months of miserable flu-like side effects I put an end to that. I injected Avonex for the last five years of the 90s. In the new decade I tried IV Novantrone for several months before it caused complications with my heart muscle and finally, I injected Compaxone for seven years most of which time the disease appeared to be progressing.

The sad thing is there is no way to tell if the drug slowed or sped up the progression of the disease. A neurologist was always there to tell me, “well, you may have gotten worse faster without the drug. There's really no way to know”.

I stopped injecting the Copaxone in December. After much research I decided to try something different called Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). So what is LDN? Just google LDN and MS and see for yourself. Here's a story that I found:

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

Twenty years ago, Ronnie Raymond began losing her balance and strength. But now a medication that's used to treat alcohol and heroine addiction is working to provide relief.

"I was losing my balance dancing, wearing three-inch heels and dancing. And it was weird that I was losing my balance. So that's what gave me the first sign," Ronnie said.

Ronnie has progressive multiple sclerosis. Formerly an avid traveler – she's collected masks from all over the world - the disease left her having to rely on a motorized wheelchair to get around. But there's another characteristic of MS that was almost worse. "It led to having a lot of physical fatigue. I stopped working about eight years ago for a number of reasons, but one of them was the tiredness and not being able to keep up with what I was expected to do," Ronnie said.

Then about a year ago, Ronnie heard about an underground movement among patients who were using a medication for drug addiction to treat their MS.

"It blocks the receptors in the brain so the heroin abusers cannot get a high if they use the heroin. In subsequent years, it was actually approved for alcoholism," LDN advocate Dr. David Gluck said.

It's called lo-dose naltrexone. At less than a tenth the dose used for drug and alcohol abuse, LDN has some very different effects. "It increases your endorphine supply, and that in turn strengthens your immune system, from which you get a host of wonderful outcomes, the basic one being that the disease no longer progresses," Dr. Gluck said.

Even though naltrexone has been FDA-approved for almost 25 years, it's only available in 50mg capsules, so LDN useur lipstickrs have to get theirs from certain pharmacies that know how to compound the very low dose capsules. Only a few actually verify their work. "After we are done compounding we send it to a lab to be analyzed to make sure our work is right," Victor Falah from Irmat Pharmacy said.

Patients usually take a capsule at bedtime. The apparent stimulation of the immune system may explain why a few small studies have shown a beneficial effect on a variety of diseases, including Crohn's, MS and Parkinson's. Other pilot studies are looking at whether LDN may work against cancer and HIV/AIDS.

Ronnie's MS stabilized a few years before she started on LDN, but she said it's still done something very important for her. "No fatigue at all, a lot more mental clarity, I feel alive again. I feel like it's given me back my life," Ronnie said.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

It may have been in my head, but I felt like I was sucked into a black whole at this rehabilitation facility. I can see how the severely disabled and seniors get trapped in these facilities. They did everything to keep me from leaving.

See what I mean:

Hospital Stay Sunday 2/7 - Tuesday 2/9 Ambulance transport from home to Metro West hospital Saturday 2 PM.

Reason: MS exacerbation resulting from having a temperature of 99.4 which was later found to be due to a urinary tract infection.

Treatment: IV antibiotics Which returned my fever to 98.6 overnight resulting in the return to my baseline neurological function.

Released: from hospital Tuesday 2/8 1:30 PM

While waiting for the paperwork for my release from the hospital Deb Denison, a representative from Whittier acute-care rehabilitation with whom I had been speaking about my book, asked me if I would be interested in speaking at the rehab center regarding the topic of my book Life Interrupted, It's Not All about Me, which deals with the stress put on one's relationship as a result of life being interrupted by a chronic illness or disability.

Her plan was to mention this to the director at Whittier. I was excited t for this possible opportunity to speak and market my book at the facility. Somehow I got talked into going into the facility to see if they could help me out in some way in the process of living with multiple sclerosis from day to day. I decided to check it out for a couple of days.

Whittier Rehabilitation Stay Tuesday 2/8 - Wednesday 2/9

Admitted Tuesday afternoon: Expecting to stay for approximately 2 to 4 days, I set out on this little adventure. Things begin going down hill from the beginning: The facility was beautiful and people (nurses aides, nurses), were all so busy never able to spend more than two minutes with you. I had questions about my prescriptions that I need to be taking for MS and I was always told that they would be coming. My prescription information had been forwarded from the MetroWest Hospital. I was to be taking: The following prescribed medications from my neurologist Dr. Arthur Safran at Framingham's MetroWest MS clinic (ongoing for years). Neurontin 300 mg three times a day To reduce neurologic pain (burning sensations on the surface of my skin). Baclofen 10 mg four times a day To reduce spasticity and tone in my legs. Zanaflex 4 mg four times per day for spasticity and tone in my legs. Celexa 20 mg once a day an antidepressant. Namenda 20 mg once a day for nystagmus (shaking vision). Flomax before going to bed allowing me to empty my bladder, by allowing urine flow/stream (causes severe drowsiness). Tuesday afternoon I meet the facilitie's neurologist and I tell her when I need my medications. She seemed like she was listening to me so I thought nothing was amiss. For the next 24 hours my prescriptions were given to me at random, even incorrectly. My medications rarely came on time. I was given the Flomax in the morning when my prescription bottle says specifically at night. But most disconcerting was the fact that Zanaflex and Baclofen were given to me together (A no no) and every time I mentioned it to the nurse she would say that it was the doctor's order and she could not change it until the doctor changed it. The change was never made throughout Tuesday, Tuesday night and Wednesday. The problem being both Zanaflex and Baclofen act to reduced tone in my legs, allowing them to bend which is the intended purpose. The problem is encountered when you take them together, because the muscle must have some tone to allow one to stand. Without tone your legs are like spaghetti and support is impossible. (I wa.0s a nutraceutical/pharmaceutical chemist for Wyeth laboratories for seven years, So I know a little bit about that which I speak). One of my nurses was actually thankful to learn this information, however she could not change the doctors orders until the doctor came to see me. So I waited, and waited. The neurologist was supposed to come see me that morning. As of 3:30 Wednesday afternoon I had not seen the neurologist until she heard that I was leaving on my own. At that time she came up to my room and tried to get me to stay. I chose to leave Against Medical Advice (AMA). For the past decade I have been taking Baclofen and Zanaflex alternatingly every three hours, four times a day (Daily schedule below). 5 AM Baclofen, 8 AM Zanaflex, 11 AM baclofen, 2 PM Zanaflex, 5 PM baclofen, 8 PM Zanaflex, 11 PM baclofen, 2 AM Zanaflex and repeat daily. For some reason Whittier could not follow this schedule. Taking these two medications at the same time causes extreme weakness, making one unable to support himself. Another huge problem was the fact that I received a straight catheterization in the middle of the night, Tuesday/Wednesday, and I was given another catheterization Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday afternoon the nurse performing the catheterization caused some trauma which caused me to begin to bleed. At that time the nurse told me that I would not be able to leave until there was no blood in my urine. I felt that if this bleeding were to continue or worse, I were to developed bedsores, I would never be able to leave. The only reason there was blood in my urine was because of that trauma that she caused. For all I knew seeing blood after such a procedure was normal. I needed to leave before I was physically unable to leave. They had put me back in bed on my back at noontime and I could only urinate into a urinal while in bed. I was so afraid of skin breakdown that now I really needed to leave. Once I had skin breakdown there was no way they were ever going to let me leave. I began to feel like I was trapped. Sleeping was a huge issue: My roommate listened to his television until 2 AM when I finally asked him if he would mind lowering the volume. My roommate turned the television back on at 5:45 AM at which time he was also listening to his radio. Three hours and 45 minutes of sleep is not enough for someone dealing with multiple sclerosis. Alone this behavior would bring on an exacerbation. When I mentioned my roommates behavior to various nurses and physical therapist they kind of rolled their eyes and shook their heads like this was familiar behavior for this gentleman who had been there for three months. It was an experience. I enjoyed meeting so many of the nurses, nurses aides, Doctors and occasional facilitators, but my health which had returned to that of a normal baseline for me was beginning To falter as a result of lack of sleep, increased anxiety and being confined to bed at their request. I needed to stretch, to move to have the correct spasticity medication at specific times to prevent my body from locking up, and having muscle spasm.

Do you think I was wrong in leaving the facility Against Medical Advice (AMA)?

:mad: Now That's Improvement, NOT!

More than seventeen years after Multiple Sclerosis forced me from the workforce, the most efficient, prosperous and profitable economy on the planet, it pains me to learn that record numbers allege disability discrimination on the job.

During the late 1980's with the establishment and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, I was living and working during an exciting time. A moment in time punctuated with this law promising and providing protection against job discrimmination and job security for the disabeled employees working within our great country.

Yet, today I read an article written January 7, 2010 by Michelle Diament in disabilityscoop A premier Source of Developmental Disability News entitled Record Numbers Allege Disability Discrimination on The Job.

The article reported allegations of workplace discrimination based on disability rose to the highest level ever last year. Of the more than 21,000 cases reported 20%, still a lofty number were legitimate. As to why there were so many, 80% false discrimination claims filed, I offer this theory__ because the economy is so bad and so many people have lost, are losing and are afraid of losing there jobs people may be filing false claims hoping for a financial award. resulting an explantion to which was also hinted upon within the aforementioned article in January which stated, the reason is unclear but may be due to the economy, changes in the workforce or better awareness, stated Equal Employment Opportunity Commission officials.