Pseudocyst surgery coming up

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Special thanks to Heidi, Karolina, Angie, , and others who prayed for my

7/13

discussion with surgeon. My wife and I came to conclusion that since scan shows

my large

pseudocyst has continued to enlarge, that i should proceed to surgery. Still a

hard

decision because surgeon says its entirely up to me, and I should base it on my

symptoms

which have been minimal since about Feb. Two weeks ago I began to suffer pain

and

swelling of abdomen again, and 30 minutes before my appointment this became

intense.

Much better today so I can't help but wonder if the enlargement shown by CT scan

last

week was only temporary . Perhaps the pain attack at the clinic was due to the

stress of

anticipating the meeting, but I tend to think it may have been a message from

God telling

me I better take action now while I'm in pretty good health otherwise. At 65

I'm sure some

other problems may lie in wait for me.

We did have a fairly good discussion of what to expect. He wil attempt to

create a drain

from pseudocyst into stomach if the cyst has close enough proximity. It sounds

more

likely that he will section my intestine (maybe the duodenum?), and connect the

lower end

to the cyst, and the upper end to an opening in side of intestine. He claims

either method

would be a " permanent " drain, that is, the opening to digestive tract would

remain open

indefinitely. He expressed unfamiliarity with the approach I've read of

connecting the cyst

to the side of the duodenum without severing the intestine, but I guess its best

he use an

approach he's familiar with. If he finds either method not feasible, he said

he'd create an

external drain which I'd have to deal with for at least a year, and then have

followup

surgery to remove. In any event, it all sounds pretty invasive (surgeon called

it " major-

major " surgery) and risky so I " m certainly not looking forward to it, including

a week or

more in hospital on IV feeding plus antibiotics and one of those yucky nasal

tubes to

pump out digestive juices until heals. ( Took them half an hour to replace one

in 2004

when I had my acute attack--I just keep gagging.)

Surgery is tentatively scheduled for Aug 2 if there is an OR opening, and if the

UC nurses

don't go on strike as now threatened. If it can't be Aug 2, Sept 2 is next date.

Appreciate any advice and your prayers.

Kurt (CA)

[Guest guest]

Kurt I understand entirely how stressful it can be seeing the surgeon

and making that decision. I have been in your shoes all too many

times. However, I have never had pseudocyst to deal with. You have

made the right decision. Please let me know if there is anyting I can

help you with and know that you and your family are in my prayers.

PS I cant believe nurses would strike. I am a nurse and would do

anything to go back to work. Hopefully the insitution where the nurses

are stiking will come to there senses and realize that they cant live

without them.

Warmly,

[Guest guest]

Dear Kurt,

My thoughts and prayers are coming your way. I hope your surgery goes well

and that you are up and about quickly. I know what you mean about the nasal

drain. When I had my pancreas surgery, I was given the choice of having the

drain out my nose or through my abdominal wall. I chose the abdomin since

previous nasal tubes were hard to get in me. I can't stand anything in my

nose, even oxygen drives me nuts. When the tube was pulled, the hole did have to

heal up. It healed fine. Just a thought, not sure if this could be an option for

you. Talk to you soon.

Love,

w

Wisconsin

kurtk_13 wrote:

Hi all,

Special thanks to Heidi, Karolina, Angie, , and others who prayed for my

7/13

discussion with surgeon. My wife and I came to conclusion that since scan shows

my large

pseudocyst has continued to enlarge, that i should proceed to surgery. Still a

hard

decision because surgeon says its entirely up to me, and I should base it on my

symptoms

which have been minimal since about Feb. Two weeks ago I began to suffer pain

and

swelling of abdomen again, and 30 minutes before my appointment this became

intense.

Much better today so I can't help but wonder if the enlargement shown by CT scan

last

week was only temporary . Perhaps the pain attack at the clinic was due to the

stress of

anticipating the meeting, but I tend to think it may have been a message from

God telling

me I better take action now while I'm in pretty good health otherwise. At 65

I'm sure some

other problems may lie in wait for me.

We did have a fairly good discussion of what to expect. He wil attempt to

create a drain

from pseudocyst into stomach if the cyst has close enough proximity. It sounds

more

likely that he will section my intestine (maybe the duodenum?), and connect the

lower end

to the cyst, and the upper end to an opening in side of intestine. He claims

either method

would be a " permanent " drain, that is, the opening to digestive tract would

remain open

indefinitely. He expressed unfamiliarity with the approach I've read of

connecting the cyst

to the side of the duodenum without severing the intestine, but I guess its best

he use an

approach he's familiar with. If he finds either method not feasible, he said

he'd create an

external drain which I'd have to deal with for at least a year, and then have

followup

surgery to remove. In any event, it all sounds pretty invasive (surgeon called

it " major-

major " surgery) and risky so I " m certainly not looking forward to it, including

a week or

more in hospital on IV feeding plus antibiotics and one of those yucky nasal

tubes to

pump out digestive juices until heals. ( Took them half an hour to replace one

in 2004

when I had my acute attack--I just keep gagging.)

Surgery is tentatively scheduled for Aug 2 if there is an OR opening, and if the

UC nurses

don't go on strike as now threatened. If it can't be Aug 2, Sept 2 is next date.

Appreciate any advice and your prayers.

Kurt (CA)

[Guest guest]

Kurt,

I am glad that you seem to be guided in the right way to get some help for

your cyst. It is painful and it seems that this surgery will help. It sounds

like your doc knows what he is doing. I hope Aug. 2nd will be your date and that

you won't have much pain until then! Cysts are nothing to play around with!

When I had my gastric bypass surgery I had an ng tube for a week and it

really was not that bad. The only thing that really bothered me was not being

able

to drink water. I wanted a glass of water so bad! I didn't have problems with

it going in because I was asleep when they did it and when they took it out

it came out easily.

My thoughts and prayers go with you!

Angie in S C

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Kurt,

you will definitely have my prayers. Where are you having the surgery?

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

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

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

At UC in Sacramento by Dr. Hung Ho.

> Kurt,

> you will definitely have my prayers. Where are you having the surgery?

> Kimber

[Guest guest]

Kurt,

let us know when the sugery is and I'll at least call. If I can find a

way to get there without a car, I'll try and drop by and visit, but I'll

at least call. You'll have to give me your last name so that I can ask

for your room though.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

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

physician or health care professional.