Guest guest Posted October 16, 2003 Report Share Posted October 16, 2003 Shirley I went ahead and posted this to the site too, I figured I would give it a shot since you were having problems. I was so very happy to hear from them again. I met Lori in the hospital when Jim and Brandan were having their surgery last year. You are to them Shirley what you have become to us, a very special angel among angels. Peg and Shirley, ....and Hello Brandan!! Hi guys...it's been soooo long...We have not been able to get on the internet at all the last few months so I cannot even get onto the pancreatic site...although I could not get on as often as I'd like to read all the messages, I'd still read them every chance I'd get. My dad passed away May 28th of this year...although he had been ill for awhile and suffered long, you can never really be prepared for when that day comes...my mom is still having a really difficult time. Jim says to tell you all " hello " and we think of you guys often. It's just great that Brandan has been able to start back to school a few days a week! Jim has been improving pain wise but ever so slowly. The really horrific pain he used to have before the surgery is gone...what he does experience is some residual pain--mostly on the right side of abdomen---he has been doing more than he ever did before the surgery...actually took my oldest son pheasant hunting for his first time last saturday...he's 12 and they had a great day together! His PCP has been tapering down his pain meds slowly over the last few months...the only one he's taking now is a 10mg morphine pill every night...he wants to stop that also (hopefully) and just try to deal with whatever pain he still experiences. He has been to his gastro doctor several times since the surgery...has had a few more xrays, colonoscopy, etc. to make sure nothing else was causing the pain...but nothing was found. His sugars had been running really good...he then stopped checking them and now, he went for a complete checkup with his PCP and the fasting glucose was 170 and glycohemoglobin was 8.1 (which indicates diabetes)...he just found this out 2 weeks ago and his doctor started him on Actos 30 mg to help control the elevated glucoses...needless to say, this was very disappointing news and Jim became more depressed. (depression has been an ongoing problem for him)...Shirley, I thought I remember reading that once your sugar went up but then you started eating better and it went back down...is this right? Well, Jim has really been paying attention to what he eats now...he really did (still does) like his sugars--cakes, candy bars---so it's gonna be tuff for him! Do either of you know if anyone else in the group that had the surgery and developed diabetes after tryed any oral meds to control it or did they go on insulin? Shirley, did you have to go on insulin? Jim was on it initially after the surgery but that was only f or a few weeks. We're hoping the islet cells in his liver DO keep working ....but hopefully won't have to work as hard if he watches what he eats more closely. How is Brandan's sugar Peg? The symposium would have been a wonderful experience...to actually meet and talk to all our group friends! I know how good it felt for me when I got to meet and talk with you in MN Peg! Shirley, I just wish we could meet you one day...You, my friend, is what started Jim's journey down this whole road....and reading your story inspired us a great deal and gave us hope. Jim has more recovering to endure but his quality of life is SO much better than before the surgery...he now can eat meals with the family (whereas he used to have to lay in bed in so much tremendous pain)...thank God THAT pain is gone... thanks to Dr. Sutherland! Let me add that Jim is undergoing hyponotherapy for this residual pain and the depression. (he actually tried one session with this one doctor before his surgery but Jim said the doctor was pathetic...he actually read like a robut (as Jim says) right from his book ...he got nothing out of it and never went back)...Well, this guy we found is really amazing...found out people actually come from all over to see him and he's pretty close to our home (about 35 minutes). I went to meet him for Jim's first session 2 weeks ago and we were there 4 hours...he explains so well what he does and how it works ---states he can get rid of any pain...just need to find the root of the problem during the session and then work on releasing it. Jim and I both have a VERY good feeling about him...We'll keep you all posted on how this goes...he's only been to 2 sessions so far...after the last one, when he had come out of it, he said his " residual pain " was " definitely better " instantly when he woke up and has been eased up still...keeping our fingers crossed...and toes!! He goes again this Friday, 10/17. I'm sorry I haven't kept in better touch with all of you...we have a guy coming to check out our computer tomorrow night...I really miss reading the group messages. If you'd like, feel free to post Jim's update on the group site in case others are interested. How are you Shirley??? We hope you and Brandan are doing well and PLEASE keep in touch. Hopefully, we'll get this diabetes under control with diet and more exercise. If you want to contact me, please do so at my work email which is: <A HREF= " mailto:lcampbell@... " >lcampbell@...</A> With our computer on the blink, don't know what I'll messages I may lose. Love and big hugs to you guys! Lorrie & Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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