More questions for Bert -Sorry!

November 10, 2003

Hello Bert,

I've just read your interesting post to Percy. I'm not quite sure

what you mean by " a pancreas that is not being used " . Are you

referring in some way to a biliary by-pass or to a pancreas which is

no longer actively producing enzymes and/or insulin?

Whilst I am concerned to check out more info on the diabetes which

results from a TP, I'm also concerned about other " risks " . I know

you have been fortunate in experiencing very good pain relief. Were

you given any sort of " odds " for this beforehand? I know no

guarantees can be given. My surgeon has made that quite clear whilst

saying that, for a variety of reasons, he thinks I would have a very

good chance of pain relief from the TP, as well as losing that high

cancer risk....(I have had CP for about 52 years....YES!...52!)

However, he isn't pushing me at all to have the op. He has simply

given me all the facts straight and I need to make the decision in

the end. It depends on how I feel I am coping with my pain episodes

and whether or not I can live with a 40% cancer risk.

Were you told about any risks of adhesions etc. causing possible

problems? My surgeon hasn't mentioned this but I'm going to ask him

on Wednesday.

Had you had any other surgical procedures in the past, eg. partial

pancreatectomy, gall bladder removal etc? (I hope you don't mind me

asking these personal questions; just ignore them if you do.) I have

never had any surgery in that part of the body.

Am I right that it is now nearly six months since you had your

operation? My surgeon told me to expect a recovery time of around

six months (eg. before thinking of going back to work). Do you

feel " better " now and more like your old self? I expect it would be

longer than six months before one feels really " normal " again.

Thanks for reading this, Bert and thanks even more if you can answer

some of my questions. I'll leave you in peace after this, I promise!

I'll just post what I'm told at the hospital on Wednesday.

I have a number of doctors among my friends (GPs and one consultant

anaesthetist) who all seem to think it would be wise, in my

particular circimstances, to have this operation.....but

then....they're not me!

Best wishes for continued good health and very sincere appreciation

for your help.

Fliss

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