Pseudocyst update

[Guest guest]

Two weeks ago I had my 17th abdominal CT-scan to check the status of

my pseudocysts, as recommended by the Mayo Clinic Pancreatologist. My

GI had been monitoring them by ultrasound every 4 months last year,

but the Pancreatologist said the ultrasounds weren't definitive

enough, and a two time a year check by CT-scan was recommended. This

would also serve as a cancer screening at the same time.

The results showed that I still have a " stable " 6 cm. pseudocyst

located midway between the head and mid portion of my pancreas. The

smaller pseudocyst in the tail has resolved to the point where it was

only identified as a micro-sized cyst, thus no longer large enough to

measure accurately. As usual, some good news and some bad news. It

appears that my larger, lingering pseudocyst just doesn't want to

resolve at all. There were also extensive areas of total

calcification throughout the whole body of the pancreas, which wasn't

really news at all, since my burnout two years ago.

My GI once again asked me to check into being tested by Dr.

Whitcomb, who is internationally known for his pancreatic gene

research. Someday, perhaps, but not right now. Whitcomb has

relocated to Missouri from PA., and I don't have the time right now to

pursue this further.

My doctor also asked me if I would speak with the new medical student

that's in training in his office, telling her all about pancreatitis.

He seems to have a new student there every four months or so, who

trains with him before going on for further study, and whenever a new

one arrives, he asks me to tell them my story and everything I can,

briefly, about chronic pancreatitis. He tells each one that I am a

highly unusual and complex case, and they come into the examining room

with wide eyes, as though they were expecting a three headed woman or

something!!! So I met with the doc-in-training and told her what I

could. It was obvious that she knew beans about the pancreas, but she

was a patient pupil and asked a few intellegent questions. What she

didn't understand was why they couldn't just operate on and " fix " the

damaged portions of the pancreas, like they do with so many organs.

It made me think about Bob Potter's questions about pancreas research

and groups that raise money for pancreas research and development, and

how we are still on the bottom of the list for financial grants and

study. I hope that this will soon change, hopefully within the next

generation, so that the mysteries of this gland will remain no longer.

I'd like to see chronic pancreatitis classified as a disease, instead

of a " condition " , and feel that once it is, new doors will open up for

further study.

Well, I'm rambling now. The appointment ended when my doc patted me

on the back, saying that he hoped I continued to do well and that he'd

see me in October, hopefully not sooner.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina Rep.

South Eastern Regional Rep., PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or

opinion, and should not substitute for consultation with a medical

professional.

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

Wonderful news indeed!!! :-) Here's to making that October date, if not

later.

Sandy in Ca

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hopefully that will resolve also over time.....btw...thanks so much for

helping with peggy while I was gone Heidi.....I hope this finds you and

yours well......Mark

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

so your GI has you training his student doctors about pancreatitis? I

find this interesting because when I was in the hospital in March 04, I

also had a doctor who asked me to speak to a student doctor of his about

my complex medical history. So now we're starting to become case

studies, which is better than nothing , because at least one more doctor

will have a better understanding of chronic pancreatitis than if they

hadn't talked with you. I applaud you and your doctor for making sure

there are some new doctors out there who are more aware of chronic

pancreatitis than just the text book version.

Sorry that your other psuedocyst isn't resolving though. I wish there

was something that could be done to help keep the psuedocyst drained

without it filling up again. Hopefully, you won't have to see your

doctor before October, like he said.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.