Saturday, July 5, 2008

Recent book signing turns into class reunion

Hi, I just wanted to let you know that if you are interested in reading this article from the Holliston reporter.com regarding the book signing that took place in my home town, you can view the complete article with photos by downloading the link below: It turned out to be a very special day. I hope that you enjoyed the Fourth of July and have a great summer.

http://hollistonreporter.com/?article=1133

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The gang' s all here by Chris Tatevosian MSfocus magazine summer issue 2008

The Gang’s All Here
By Chris Tatevosian

My marriage of ten years began dissolving when the “Monster” invited his friends to live in my house. If you have MS, I’m sure you’ve met the gang. There was the kingpin, Stress, his best friend Anger and his twin, Misdirected. Of course, Feelings of Worthlessness was there and his brother Feelings of Inadequacy who brought his best friend Low Self-esteem and his sidekick Depression, who hung out with everybody’s buddies, Worry and Anxiety. As usual, Communication was a no show, but sure enough his sister Miss-communication popped in and overstayed her welcome. They never left, but my wife did.
Sounds like the cast of a real nightmare. At that point of my life it literally was a real nightmare, and I couldn’t see myself ever waking up. MS can become a real nightmare destroying relationships between spouses, family members even friends. I wrote the book “Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me,“ a self-help memoir, my real life story of marriage interrupted by multiple sclerosis. It could have been any chronic illness or disability and it could have been anyone’s relationship. Still, this book is intended to help others going through a similar situation deal with the stress and hardship put on one’s relationship as a result of life being interrupted by chronic illness or disability.
I should’ve known something was up when my then wife and I went days without any real communication. I guess I did know. Call it being a dumb guy, but I was expecting a literal warning, an out right ultimatum. Something like, “Chris you need to change or Chris, you/we need counseling or I won’t stay in this marriage. Eventually the combination of this physically debilitating disease and my quick to anger poor me attitude was more than enough to make the difficult decision for my wife to leave come to fruition. This interruption to our once loving relationship had become too much for my wife to bear. Remember, it wasn’t just my then wife watching her partner struggling with his physical losses. No, it was also, and in my case likely more so my unintended compassionless and bitterly radical emotional changes and instability unbearable. Unintended or not my unacceptable behavior and complete personality change combined with my overwhelming stress, misdirected anger, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, worry, miscommunication and depression, the “whole gang,“ just became too much to bear. I lost sight of what was important in life, that's why I wrote my book dealing with all the emotional turmoil that is thrown into a relationship that is interrupted by chronic illness.
I got remarried last April. My new bride, Jane, is fantastic. And even though my disease is worse off than during my first marriage I could not ask for more. So what’s changed? We truly have a wonderful relationship. Why is my marriage working so well now, even though my MS has continued to progress over the past eight years. I can attribute this to two factors. First, Jane is truly a special person, and second. I have written this book, which has afforded me the opportunity to slow down and examine my life. The obvious fact is, we have the choice to go through life dealing with whatever trials and tribulations we must, and we must deal, with either a smile or a frown. Yes, we have an affliction, but that doesn’t mean we have to go through the rest of our lives pissed off at everything and everyone, living in complete misery.
My wife Jane and I, we, laugh and laugh together and at one another all the time. Sure, I have slipped ups, get frustrated and angry. It happened just the other night. I became so frustrated with Jane during the middle of the morning. It must have been about 3 AM. No it was 3:17 AM, I have one of those giant digital alarm clocks for the legally blind. When I cae in the shin, among other places all night long BAD! Of course I have to deal with nocturnia, which means every time I wake up I have to empty my bladder. I take prescription Flomax so normally I can sleep through the night without having to get up to visit the bathroom. Needless to say, it was a long night and I was ready to scream at my wife, which I would have done in my previous marriage. So what’s the difference, what’s changed? 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.

MS and relationships

Newly released Book council's couples coping with the stress of chronic illness. Life Interrupted-It's Not All About Me by Chris Tatevosian guides others with chronic illness or disability to control feelings of self-pity, worthlessness and diminishing self-esteem in order to keep their relationships strong and loving. A physically debilitating illness is difficult enough, Tatevosian strives 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 or strengthen a relationship.Back Cover TextChronic illness can strike anyone at any time. But long illnesses don’t just affect one person, they affect the whole family. Author Chris Tatevosian was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was a young man. Without realizing it, his “poor me” attitude, and difficulties with coping with the disease cost him what he felt was a marriage made in heaven. Could he have done something differently? Tatevosian shares with readers many of the destructive, relationship-busting behaviors to avoid as well as the helpful, healing ones to implement. He gives a firsthand account of multiple sclerosis, including the drugs and treatments which have been particularly beneficial for him. Stressing compassion and understanding for other family members, Tatevosian also asserts that his deep faith helped him through rocky times. 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 a relationship interrupted by chronic illness or disability. Warmly written and bravely told, this is a perfect book for patients, caregivers, or anyone looking to heal a relationship. “A real person, speaking right from the heart, and it touched my heart.” --Rick Mansfield, Caring Coordinator, The First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

Friday, June 20, 2008

New Book council's couples coping with the stress of chronic illness.

Life Interrupted-It's Not All About Me by Chris Tatevosian guides others with chronic illness or disability to control feelings of self-pity, worthlessness and diminishing self-esteem in order to keep their relationships strong and loving. A physically debilitating illness is difficult enough, Tatevosian strives 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 or strengthen a relationship.

Back Cover Text

Chronic illness can strike anyone at any time. But long illnesses don’t just affect one person, they affect the whole family. Author Chris Tatevosian was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was a young man. Without realizing it, his “poor me” attitude, and difficulties with coping with the disease cost him what he felt was a marriage made in heaven. Could he have done something differently? Tatevosian shares with readers many of the destructive, relationship-busting behaviors to avoid as well as the helpful, healing ones to implement. He gives a firsthand account of multiple sclerosis, including the drugs and treatments which have been particularly beneficial for him. Stressing compassion and understanding for other family members, Tatevosian also asserts that his deep faith helped him through rocky times. 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 a relationship interrupted by chronic illness or disability. Warmly written and bravely told, this is a perfect book for patients, caregivers, or anyone looking to heal a relationship. “A real person, speaking right from the heart, and it touched my heart.” --Rick Mansfield, Caring Coordinator, The First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, Massachusetts.

"Life Interrupted,It's Not All About Me " is available today on Amazon.com for $12.99
NEW! You can now order an autographed copy of the book Life Interrupted, It's Not All About Me using the simplicity of paypal.





Sunday, June 1, 2008

Coach Marla's Living Life through Pain blog talk radio show

Coach Marla said…
This is going to be such an amazing show with you Chris. You are going to give MS a great voice!!This is a show everyone needs to make sure to attend!!I am so excited to speak with you I can hardly wait until Tuesday ve so much to share with everyone and I am anxious for everyone to hear your story!!

God Bless.Love, Peace & Blessings,Coach Marla

Monday, June 2, 2008
Every Tues 2PM central blogtalk radio show "winning life through pain" has a new co-host......

Winning Life Through Pain with your host RSD coach Marlon Martindale and the Voice of Fibromyalgia, Crystal Dunn will be joined by me, Chris Tatevosian, who they have asked to join them as co-host, and I have humbly accepted the position.


Hey everybody
Join us to discuss reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), chronic pain, fibromyalgia or MS. Any chronic condition or anything you desire . Its open forum day! We can talk about Manny Ramirez hitting his 500th homer or the Celtics being in the NBA finals. Who’s from Boston? And, let’s not forget about my book Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me, which I will be selling for a reduced price of just $10 during this particular show.

Join us by cutting and pasting the link below into your browser:
http://blogtalkradio.com/winninglifethroughpain\

On her web site, Coach Marla, the well educated host of “Winning Life through Pain,” her blog radio talk show, speaks with callers dealing with chronic illness of which she knows firsthand with a sweet, caring, bubbly voice and demeanor of a true Christian. In her own words she proclaims:
I'm Marla, your RSD Coach™ I have embraced and have been empowered by RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) since 2003. While we all experience RSD a little bit differently, but we all feel pain, isolation, unworthiness, and depression at some point, I know them very well. Using RSD Coaching™ techniques, I will show you how to break free and live your life to the fullest. This is not just for those of us who suffer with RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), but also for those of us who suffer with MS, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Syndrome as well, because they all cause a great deal of pain and mental stress.

Blog Talk Radio Tuesday 6/3/08 Here is the number: 347-324-5661, call in with a question, a statement, a joke or just to say hi.
Blessings, Chris