Carole's Update on Pseudocyst

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I would let everyone know I finally received my results from my CT Scan I had last Friday. The little monster (Pseudocyst) is still there and definitely isn't shrinking as I had hoped. My GI doctor said we needed to get together and decide what we're going to do about the Pseudocyst. I was hoping since I had been having "good" days or what I consider "good" days, it was shrinking...Oh well, that's the breaks, I guess! He told me he was going to get the CT scan xray from the hospital so that he could make sure the Pseudocyst wasn't attached to anything else. He also informed me that the lesion on my liver was a benign tumor. I finally told him I had an aunt (my father's sister) who died three years ago from a tumor of the pancreas. The tumor was isolated but when they went in to remove it, they found that it was attached to the main artery and there was nothing they could !

do. I think she had undiagnosed Pancreatitis for years which is unfortunate but it does happen as we all know. She died within seven months after her surgery.

He told me I had three options: 1) we could leave it alone and watch it for a while longer until it grew larger which could create more problems;

2) Radiologist could take a needle and drain it from the outside (probably fill up again and can cause infection);

3) Surgeon could go in and drain the pseudocyst through the stomach as I had done fourteen years ago with my first Pseudocyst.

I told him the hurt was there all the time just to let me know something was wrong but the bad pain comes with the attacks. Unless I have pain that doubles me over, I have decided I'm not going to make any decisions until the first part of next year. I'll just have to pray that I make the right choice (if there is a "right" choice with Pancreatitis). Right now, I'm going to try to concentrate on the Holidays, and enjoy Christmas with my family and be very careful what I eat....everything is so tempting at this time of the year! All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers and I wish everyone a very "Merry Christmas."

Hugs & Prayers

Carole

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/15/00 12:22:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,

CJWatts88@... writes:

<< I

was hoping since I had been having " good " days or what I consider " good "

days, it was shrinking... >>

Dear Carol,

I am sorry to hear your news. I had hoped that it had shrunk on it's

own and that that was the reason you were having the good days. I think you

are doing a good thing in waiting till the new year. It is such a busy time

of the year and such a big decision to make. Did the doctor lean toward any

one suggestion or does he want you to make up your own mind?

As always, you are still in my prayers. Take care and enjoy those good

days!!

[Guest guest]

Carole,

I am so sorry that you still have that horrible monster. I think you

made the right decision. After the new year you can make the

decision that fits. You will be in my prayers.....

Be well,