To Cindy re: cutting nerves to the pancreas

October 8, 2005

Cindy,

Sorry about that. I can read emails from my work computer but can't respond.

New hard drive. Anyway I wanted to let you know that I had the thorascopic

surgery where the doctor cuts the nerves to the pancreas in May of this year. I

was referred to Dr. Vitale, oncology surgeon that specializes in the

pancreas, to have a whipple. I was told by my regular GI that this procedure

would not be successful. When I had my first consult I was on Oxycontin 80mg

twice a day and took percocet for breakthrough pain. I was still in pain and

hardly able to function. Dr. Vitale decided to try the procedure of cutting the

nerves first because I am only 37 and he wanted to try and put off the Whipple

until I am about 40. I didn't have much hope of it being successfull. After

the surgery I was in the hospital and my bp was too low to take any pain

medication. Ironically the only pain I had was from the incisions in my back.

I had 6 small incisions. I went home from the hospital the

next day because my IV had infiltrated and I wasn't getting any pain med and

thought I could just as well do the same at home. It was hard the first 4 weeks

of getting off the Oxycontin. My pain doctor weaned me off the oxycontin in

7days. The withdrawls were horrible. I hurt all over and it made it very

difficult to work. It took two more weeks after stopping to start feeling

better. Now I am 5 months post surgery and I am not on ANY pain medication what

so ever. I occasionaly have pain if I carry something heavy but other wise I

feel like my normal self before I was diagnosed with CP in 2001.

I know the surgery has not been very successful for some but it was for me. You

don't know how much better I feel. I have so much energy. I don't have pain

anymore after eating like I did before. I have to say that I have been lucky to

have such wonderful doctors. All have been very compassionate. I live in

Corydon, In and the doctors I saw were in Louisville, KY. If you have any other

questions send me a note.

Take care and hope this info is helpful

Patty Duley

Corydon, IN

cindy allen wrote:

Patty Duley wrote:

Note: forwarded message attached.

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