Re: Removing our Pancreas is the only possible cure?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/11/00 8:01:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

jon_bonghi@... writes:

<<

So instead of a life of misery with no hope, why not take the chance

on removing our Pancreas? Too scared? too risky? I'm asking? The more

we live with this disease, the more damage we do. It may be better to

take the surgical risk when your in the best of shape. The mere

thought scares me to death, but the thought of living with this

disease as it progresses scares me even more. Any thoughts from the

group??? >>

I see your point and I believe I have waited too long. In 1997 I had a large

stent put in my small duct. I was able to eat one-third of a meal with the

stent in. I wasn't sure that surgery was the way to go at that time. For

the last six months I have been going thru the process of having stents put

in my duct stretching the duct larger every two months. I had gotten much

worse and was unable to eat with the stent in. I feel I missed my

opportunity to have a successful outcome from surgery. I have other serious

health problems also that gives me reason to not have the surgery. Looking

back now though I believe I made a mistake not having the surgery in 1997.

My hope and prayer is that something will be discovered before I am even

worse than I am now. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hi, I had 75% of my pancrease removed. Yes, I still have severe attacks and

am losing weight. The surgery was very painful. I am now on insulin. It

has been a very serious battle of living day to day, but so far I have

endured.

I had my surgery in 1994. If youhave any quesions let me know.

Pkskate@...

[Guest guest]

I had 75% of my pancreas removed in 1994. For two years I got along okay,

but since then, it has been one thing after another. Cannot eat very much at

all, therefore, am losing weight. Low self-esteem, because I look so bad.

And half the doctors don't believe me, when I tell them about the

excrutiating pain I am in. It gets very discouraging. I pray alot.

Pkskate@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/12/00 12:42:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Pkskate@...

writes:

<<

Hi, I had 75% of my pancrease removed. Yes, I still have severe attacks and

am losing weight. The surgery was very painful. I am now on insulin. It

has been a very serious battle of living day to day, but so far I have

endured.

I had my surgery in 1994. If youhave any quesions let me know.

Pkskate@...

>>

Hello, I am so glad that you have written. I have been contemplating

surgery. I am so torn in what to do. Are you any better now even though you

still have attacks then you were before the surgery? Were you diabetic

before the surgery? Did you have pancreas divisim? How much food are you

able to eat at a meal? I hope I am not asking too many questions but I am so

confused about going thru surgery. I hope that at least your health is

better than it was before the surgery. Thank you, Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hello again, don't have your pancreas removed, unless it is absolutely

necessary. Eating is a serious problem now. I have to eat five or six times

a day (a bowl of soup, some fruite, I can only eating Ground Chuck Meat) like

half a hamburger. No, I wasn't a diabetic before the surgery and now have a

hard time controlling my sugar. I am very discouraged right now, but I hope

I have made a friend in you.

Thank you for responding to my note.

Pkskate@...

[Guest guest]

Thank you Bruce; I am depressed today and in alot of pain. I am on

disability, just lost my husband and cannot seem to communicate with people

around here. I guess the pain is too great.

No, I am not feeling sorry for myself. that's just the way it is. I pray

constantly, just got out of the hospital on Sunday Morning. They gave me

Morphine, which helped, but today the pain is back.

God bless all of you.

Patti

[Guest guest]

> So instead of a life of misery with no hope, why not take the

chance

on removing our Pancreas?

>Any thoughts from the group???

Hi Jon. Sorry it took so long to get theese references to you.

Go to:

http://www.gastrojournal.org/cgi/content/full/115/3/763

and

www.ssat.com/guidelines/chrpanc6.htm

Both sites have articles on surgical treatment of chronic panc. The

first one has further references. Hope this helps.

jang