Saw A Doc Today

[Guest guest]

I saw a highly recommended GI today. I told them what my old GI said

last week and she just shook her head.

She said I had a very mild case of pancreatitis, caused by sludge in

my gallbladder. That the CAT scan showed my pancreas had no damage to

it. She feels once the gallbladder is out, my pancreas will return to

normal.

YES! YES! LETS HOPE!

*praying!*

Eileen

[Guest guest]

That is great news Eileen!!! So what do you have to do now; see a

surgeon? I am very happy for you and yes, I will pray for just that!

[Guest guest]

Yes, I just made an appointment to see a surgeon on Sept 1. I wish it

could be sooner, because after the initial look-see, then I will have

to wait to be scheduled.

Thank you! I appreciate the prayer!

Eileen

> That is great news Eileen!!! So what do you have to do now; see a

> surgeon? I am very happy for you and yes, I will pray for just that!

>

[Guest guest]

Thats not too long away, 2 weeks, thats pretty good really. You should

be posted for surgery within 2-3 weeks after, maybe even sooner

depending on what the surgeon has going on. By the end of Sept earl

Oct you should be feeling so much better and planning your costume to

go Trick or Treating on Halloween!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi Eileen,

While I am so pleased that you finally got an answer that makes

sense, I have to say, what you experienced just burns my

cookies, boils my veggies and chars my burgers (veggie, that is)!

Seriously......I just can't stand this kind of thing from doctors. I

mean, it is not like gallbladder problems is so hard to detect and

recognize. It is like having two opposite opinions on an

amputated finger. The first doc says " hmmmmmm, I don't know,

I sure don't see anything unusual, sure there is blood and pain,

but it all looks normal to me. Here take these aspirin and if you

are still bothered in a few days you may want to see a surgeon.

But I really think it is all in your head! "

And then, the patient suspecting that things are not ok goes to a

second doctor who says " yep, looks like an amputated finger to

me. Too bad you didn't go get help a few days ago when it first

happened, then we may have been able to save the finger. But

now we will treat the stump and hope infection doesn't set in and

we don't have to amputate your hand or arm. "

I mean COME ON DOCs....this is not brain surgery here! And the

analogy to the amputated finger is apt....the longer a person

waits to get the gallbladder disease diagnosed and treated, the

more likely you will have chronic effects from the

problem....which could lead to more treatments -even

" amputation " of all or parts of the pancreas, down the road.

Not that I don't think you have a good chance of getting through

this in fine shape....you probably will.....but I just get so frustrated

when I read stories like yours (and experience them myself

which I have) and think of the mental and physical pain that we

all suffer and then think of those people who don't take matters

into their own hands and keep looking for a doctor that knows

what he / she is doing. I mean, I am all for being a well educated

patient BUT there has to be a point when the doctor really is

more knowledgeable than the patient...especially dealing with a

condition that is as common as gallbladder disease.........

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

laurie " Crabby-Cakes "

(my so-called affectionate nick-name given to me by my husband

to warn people to stay away from me. From spending last

evening in the basement avoiding the " big wind " and missing

supper)

[Guest guest]

:-D!!

I hope I am in the clear. It;s been rough and I would be blessed to be

relived of chronic pancreatitis.

> Thats not too long away, 2 weeks, thats pretty good really. You

should

> be posted for surgery within 2-3 weeks after, maybe even sooner

> depending on what the surgeon has going on. By the end of Sept earl

> Oct you should be feeling so much better and planning your costume

to

> go Trick or Treating on Halloween!!!

>

[Guest guest]

Your so right. The doctor who said it could'nt be my gallbladder

causing the problems needs to go back to medical school.

To be honest though, I was told I needed my gallbladder out last

year and even went to see a surgeon but chickened out. This is my

fault.

I hope to god it's not too late. Hindsight is a tough thing to live

with in regards to this disease.

Eileen

> Hi Eileen,

>

> While I am so pleased that you finally got an answer that makes

> sense, I have to say, what you experienced just burns my

> cookies, boils my veggies and chars my burgers (veggie, that is)!

>

> Seriously......I just can't stand this kind of thing from doctors.

I

> mean, it is not like gallbladder problems is so hard to detect and

> recognize. It is like having two opposite opinions on an

> amputated finger. The first doc says " hmmmmmm, I don't know,

> I sure don't see anything unusual, sure there is blood and pain,

> but it all looks normal to me. Here take these aspirin and if you

> are still bothered in a few days you may want to see a surgeon.

> But I really think it is all in your head! "

>

> And then, the patient suspecting that things are not ok goes to a

> second doctor who says " yep, looks like an amputated finger to

> me. Too bad you didn't go get help a few days ago when it first

> happened, then we may have been able to save the finger. But

> now we will treat the stump and hope infection doesn't set in and

> we don't have to amputate your hand or arm. "

>

> I mean COME ON DOCs....this is not brain surgery here! And the

> analogy to the amputated finger is apt....the longer a person

> waits to get the gallbladder disease diagnosed and treated, the

> more likely you will have chronic effects from the

> problem....which could lead to more treatments -even

> " amputation " of all or parts of the pancreas, down the road.

>

> Not that I don't think you have a good chance of getting through

> this in fine shape....you probably will.....but I just get so

frustrated

> when I read stories like yours (and experience them myself

> which I have) and think of the mental and physical pain that we

> all suffer and then think of those people who don't take matters

> into their own hands and keep looking for a doctor that knows

> what he / she is doing. I mean, I am all for being a well educated

> patient BUT there has to be a point when the doctor really is

> more knowledgeable than the patient...especially dealing with a

> condition that is as common as gallbladder disease.........

>

>

> ARGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

>

> laurie " Crabby-Cakes "

>

> (my so-called affectionate nick-name given to me by my husband

> to warn people to stay away from me. From spending last

> evening in the basement avoiding the " big wind " and missing

> supper)

[Guest guest]

Hi Eileen, Great news..I hope it works out. Jim

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jim, I hope it does too. No offence, but as incredibley warm

and supportive this group has been, I want out of this club, you know

what I mean?

This group has been a godsend to me, full of compassion and

information. If I had'nt come on here I don't think I would have been

steered in the right direction as I have been from all of you.

Eileen

> Hi Eileen, Great news..I hope it works out. Jim

[Guest guest]

Eileen,

Well, it's been great talking to you and getting to know you, but I

truly hope that this new GI is right and that soon there will be no

need for you to hang around here anymore!:-)

Please keep us up to date on this, we're all rooting for you.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

Bluffton, SC

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Pancreatitis Association, International

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

opinion, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.