Message from , re: her father

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

One of our newer members, , tried to send this message to the

board the other day, but it didn't make it (because she sent it as an

attachment). I told her to send it to me, and I would post it for

her.

Cheers,

--Tull

tull@...

Assistant Moderator

Pancreatitis Assocation, Int'l

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all,

I'm new with the group and I've barely kept my head above water

reading all your educational, compassionate emails. I need to start

going to all the web sites you all have been writing about to educate

myself further. I did write something the other day so this may

sound a little familiar. I'm going to go into more detail now and I

have some questions. I hope someone can help.

My father went into the hospital with " acute " pancreatitis on June

21st. They diagnosed him within three hours. His symptoms were

nausea, dry heaving and then his breathing was short so this scared

him and he called 911. He did this for one entire night and day

before he called 911. He had no pain and still doesn't. I think

he's blessed for that.

They put him on the vent because he gained 40 pounds of water because

all the fluids were going all over his body instead of the organs it

was supposed to go to. He was also on TPN, antibiotics (which caused

a major rash after about 3 weeks), morphine and Diolodid even though

he was really not in pain.

He wanted the drugs because of the vent. Anyway, the poor man had

bad reactions from the morphine then the adivan they gave him to calm

him down. He wound up pulling out all his lines and they hog tied

him down. It was awful for him. After two weeks they called in a

Kidney specialist who helped with the water retention and then after

12 days he was off the vent. He stayed in ICU for 3 weeks then went

to a regular room. Slowly but surely they took his NG tube out, then

his catheter, then went back to ICU because his breathing was still

too shallow and he wasn't getting enough oxygen. After about 4 days

he returned to a regular room and they started feeding him liquids

etc. He finally started doing much better compared to what he was

before. Luckily no infections either. We were all very grateful

for his life.

He is now out of the hospital and very weak of course. He has a

nurse coming to the house every day and a physical therapist 3 times

a week. He was taking insulin when he first got out but his readings

were good so the doctor told him to stop with the insulin. The

problem is he's not eating. He is able to get down soup and boost.

I'm afraid he will have to go back to the hospital for malnutrition.

He says his tongue feels like chalk and makes everything taste bad

and also he says he just doesn't feel like eating. He thinks

something is wrong with his stomach. While he was in the hospital

the GI said that he would have to get his GB out but he left with it

still in him. He just had some tests and saw the surgeon today and

they said his GB is good. So he's decided to keep his GB. I frankly

don't blame him for that decision right now because he's been through

hell (not unlike many of you, I know). So, now we think it may be

the pseudo cysts that are pressing against his stomach which is

causing him not to have an appetite. Does anyone think this is

possible? Also, has anyone had there GB out and not had any further

problems with their pancreatitis? The doctors said he's pretty much

burned his pancreas out but I'm not sure what to believe anymore. I'm

really scared he's going to have another attack and I think he is

also. Although they did say if he did, it wouldn't be as bad as the

first one because it's burned out. Can anyone help us???

Thank you again for all your help and knowledge. It's been very good

to read everyone's emails regarding this disease I'd never heard of

before. It's pretty amazing!!!!

My prayers to all.