.....I'll be in touch with you!

[Guest guest]

,

My doctor and I sat down today and had a long discussion about

plans for the future with my pseudocyst. I am crazy about this

doctor and the time he takes to really listen to me. He believes

me when I tell him what hurts and where and takes immediate

action. First of all, he has set me up for another CT-scan

tomorrow. This will be my 16th, I think....I'm beginning to lose

track. He didn't like the fact that my pain hadn't reduced any this

week, and that there is new swelling located down by my navel.

This is where the smaller pseudocyst is, last week it was

unremarkable during the scan, it was only the one in the head

that had gotten inflamed and enlarged. But since the pain has

continued just as strong since I got out of the hospital, he

suspects problems with the other one, maybe, or just more

problems with the one in the head. He said he wanted to check

this out first, before my appointment with the surgeon that I have

tomorrow at 2:15. Another long day!

In regard to surgery, we talked about MUSC and I told him that I

sensed some reservations from him whenever I mentioned

MUSC, and he told me why. He said that undoubtedly, MUSC

had one of the BESTgastroenterology departments in the

country, and he had no reservations referring me there for a

second opinion, or for surgery, under one condition. His concern

is that Dr. Cotton, who he said, was the master of the ERCP, " Dr.

ERCP " , would persuade or try to influence me into having one.

He said that was the reason he had the MRCP already done on

me this summer, that the MRCP, which is a totally non-invasive

procedure, has revealed just as much as an ERCP would and

carried so much less risk. He told me, that by GA law, he was

obligated to tell me that an ERCP carries a 15% risk of causing

an acute pancreatitis attack, and he didn't feel it was necessary

for me to take this risk. Naturally I know about this risk, but many

others don't. On my MRCP, they were able to clearly see all of

my pancreas, the common bile duct and the main duct in my

pancreas. He had told me after I had the MRCP that it was totally

clear of any obstructions and showed no signs of blockage or

ductal problems. All the other tissue damage, calcification and

pseudocysts were visible, also. Both he and my earlier doctor

had said that my types of problems would not be corrected by

any stenting procedures that would make an ERCP

necessary....all my problems were with the pseudocysts. So

that's what his concern was....no unnecessary ERCP's! He said

he'd heard that was an excellent pancreatic surgeon and

he had no problems whatsoever with my seeing him and would

help me arrange to consult with him if surgery is necessary.

I was very relieved and reassured to find this out. My questions

were answered, and now we just have to determine what we can

from tomorrow's scan and go from there.

Now it's past my bedtime, and tomorrow is sure to be another

long day. With much relief, I'm off to bed. I'll be back in touch

tomorrow.

Hope everyone rests well.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

> If you need to see , I can get you in. Not a problem.