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        Supporter's Corner >> Supporter's Corner >> Introductions are in order
        
(Message started by: rgasperson on Jul 14^th, 2006, 2:26pm)

Title: Introductions are in order
Post by rgasperson on Jul 14^th, 2006, 2:26pm

Hello everyone,

My name is Robert. I live with my Wife and Daughter in South Carolina. My Wife is the one who suffers from Cluster Headaches. This is the first time that I have actually seen her battle a cycle.

We were married last April after nearly a year of Dating. She warned me about the headaches and how bad they used to get. She said that she would get to the point to where she was banging her head against the wall.

To actually see this thing in action, now, has not been easy. I have watched my wife over the last few months rocking in pure agony. I hate it. Not being able to do anything to stop or even reduce the pain. Feeling absolutely useless.

We have had long discussions about Her cycles and that it would be better just to let her get through each episode without words. She does let me rub her back. I think that makes both of us feel better. It lets her know that I am there. It lets me feel like I can at least do that for her.

This website had been a lifeblood for her the past 2 months, just having people there who can relate and seeing all the information about things she has not tried yet. It has been a real blessing.

I look forward to future conversations.

Take care,
Robert

Title: Re: Introductions are in order
Post by JeffB on Jul 14^th, 2006, 4:58pm

You're a good man! If it wasn't for my gf at the ready with ice and ice cold wash clothes I don't no what I would do during a hit.

Title: Re: Introductions are in order
Post by Garys_Girl on Jul 16^th, 2006, 2:42pm

Robert, glad you found this board. I know it's been a life-saver for me.

For hubby, this is the first cycle that's been an identifiable cycle, and so for the first time in seven years of attacks we've finally figured out what the problem actually is.

For the first few weeks/months just having this place to turn to - to look things up, research, read, and share what I was finding out and read what others were learning/doing was empowering in a way that helped make being a supporter bearable. It's so damn hard to watch someone you love so much suffer so completely.

I really liked having something to do when he's getting hit. I grab a cool compress, get espresso ready (in case he wants to use it), help him hook up to the O2 (sometimes he waits too long and has trouble on his own), and massage his head. It doesn't help, but it doesn't hurt any more and it provides some measure of comfort I guess. He likes to be distracted, so I put something funny on DVD.

We worked all this out while he wasn't being hit - I don't talk to him when he's being hit. And when it's a bad one he can't really talk anyway.

Wishing your wife pf days and nights - and we're here to help you hang in there.

Laurie