Update on KarynWms

[Guest guest]

I finally felt well enough to sit at the computer and check out the board. I

want to thank everyone for the prayers, well wishes, cards, and phone calls.

I apologize for not being able to answer the phone each time as I know many

of you have left messages.

I have not been this " sick " in a long time. Actually, it may match the time

when I was initially diagnosed and had the distal pancreatectomy. Obviously it

is not that bad, but it has definitely put me " down " like it had in August

1999.

Many of you may know that my biggest problem has been this incredible

swelling of my legs for several months. There have been many different reasons

or

thoughts given for this situation, but I never expected to end up having

surgery. In August I was in the ER and put on Keflex; the swelling (cellulitis)

resolved but returned the following month. In September I was in the ER and was

put on Augmentin. Again, the cellulitis resolved, but returned the following

month. In October I was in the ER again. My right leg was beet red and huge.

I could not move it without manual assistance, literally. The pain was

excruciating.

I was admitted with severe cellulitis and put on Unasyn antibiotics IV. I

was admitted to Medical. Then Orthopedics was brought in, as well as Infectious

Diseases. I was switched to IV Cipro and Gaptomycin. The cellulitis resolved,

as expected. Unfortunately, tests revealed an effusion to my right knee as

well as a fluid filled bursa. Surgery had to be postponed until the

" infection " was gone. When I was finally able to have surgery, the orthopedic

surgeon

removed nearly a cup of infected fluid from the bursa of my right knee. After

extensive debridement, the incision was left open and a " wound-VAC " applied.

I was eventually discharged home with IV antibiotics and home health to do

the wound-VAC dressing changes. These dressing changes are extremely painful

and require pre-medication prior to the procedure. I am fortunate that I have

IV Dilaudid and Ativan ordered for me to administer before the nurse arrives.

I am hopeful that in the near future this should not be as painful. The

dressing changes are done twice a week. In a few weeks, the wound-VAC will be

removed and wet to dry dressing will be done three times a day. My orthopedic

surgeon says these may need to be done for four or five months.

I also have a PIC line which has a dressing change twice a week. It could

probably be done weekly if it were in a different location. It is close to my

armpit and receives a lot of manipulation and disrupts the integrity of the

dressing.

Now, in the midst of all of this, my pancreatitis has gone completely out of

control. I am glad that the doctor who admitted me in the ER, understood that

the narcotics I was on for my pancreatitis could not be justified to relieve

the pain of the cellulitis and post surgical knee pain. I was actually

admitted to the oncology floor, so the nurses were familiar with extensive pain

control.

My pancreatologist is not certain that the infection, anesthesia, etc., are

responsible for the dramatic increase in pancreatic symptoms. Therefore I am

having an ERCP tomorrow. I am surprised because I thought the pancreatic

surgery I had made it impossible to have another ERCP. I have an annual CT

Scan,

which shows an atrophied, calcified pancreas, so I really do not see the

point. But, since they write my pain meds, I am willing to do what they feel is

necessary. For now, anyway.

To add to this entire ordeal, my pancreatologist has suggested putting me on

TPN for a few months to rest my pancreas. I am already hauling around this

wound-VAC, I am not interested in hauling around a TPN bag. They may place me

on continuous IV pain control, which would add a third " purse " to carry

around.

Well, this is my update for now. Thanks to all who have picked up extra

duties in the PAI, which I have not been able to keep up. I appreciate that.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Indianapolis, Indiana

[Guest guest]

Dear Karyn,

My thoughts and prayers are always coming your way. HUGE HHHuuuuggggs to

you.

Love,

w

Wisconsin

---------------------------------

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

Karyn,

You are in my prayers. Hang in there.

Lily

Update on KarynWms

I finally felt well enough to sit at the computer and check out the board. I

want to thank everyone for the prayers, well wishes, cards, and phone calls.

I apologize for not being able to answer the phone each time as I know many

of you have left messages.

I have not been this " sick " in a long time. Actually, it may match the time

when I was initially diagnosed and had the distal pancreatectomy. Obviously it

is not that bad, but it has definitely put me " down " like it had in August

1999.

Many of you may know that my biggest problem has been this incredible

swelling of my legs for several months. There have been many different reasons

or

thoughts given for this situation, but I never expected to end up having

surgery. In August I was in the ER and put on Keflex; the swelling

(cellulitis)

resolved but returned the following month. In September I was in the ER and

was

put on Augmentin. Again, the cellulitis resolved, but returned the following

month. In October I was in the ER again. My right leg was beet red and huge.

I could not move it without manual assistance, literally. The pain was

excruciating.

I was admitted with severe cellulitis and put on Unasyn antibiotics IV. I

was admitted to Medical. Then Orthopedics was brought in, as well as

Infectious

Diseases. I was switched to IV Cipro and Gaptomycin. The cellulitis resolved,

as expected. Unfortunately, tests revealed an effusion to my right knee as

well as a fluid filled bursa. Surgery had to be postponed until the

" infection " was gone. When I was finally able to have surgery, the orthopedic

surgeon

removed nearly a cup of infected fluid from the bursa of my right knee. After

extensive debridement, the incision was left open and a " wound-VAC " applied.

I was eventually discharged home with IV antibiotics and home health to do

the wound-VAC dressing changes. These dressing changes are extremely painful

and require pre-medication prior to the procedure. I am fortunate that I have

IV Dilaudid and Ativan ordered for me to administer before the nurse arrives.

I am hopeful that in the near future this should not be as painful. The

dressing changes are done twice a week. In a few weeks, the wound-VAC will be

removed and wet to dry dressing will be done three times a day. My orthopedic

surgeon says these may need to be done for four or five months.

I also have a PIC line which has a dressing change twice a week. It could

probably be done weekly if it were in a different location. It is close to my

armpit and receives a lot of manipulation and disrupts the integrity of the

dressing.

Now, in the midst of all of this, my pancreatitis has gone completely out of

control. I am glad that the doctor who admitted me in the ER, understood that

the narcotics I was on for my pancreatitis could not be justified to relieve

the pain of the cellulitis and post surgical knee pain. I was actually

admitted to the oncology floor, so the nurses were familiar with extensive

pain

control.

My pancreatologist is not certain that the infection, anesthesia, etc., are

responsible for the dramatic increase in pancreatic symptoms. Therefore I am

having an ERCP tomorrow. I am surprised because I thought the pancreatic

surgery I had made it impossible to have another ERCP. I have an annual CT

Scan,

which shows an atrophied, calcified pancreas, so I really do not see the

point. But, since they write my pain meds, I am willing to do what they feel

is

necessary. For now, anyway.

To add to this entire ordeal, my pancreatologist has suggested putting me on

TPN for a few months to rest my pancreas. I am already hauling around this

wound-VAC, I am not interested in hauling around a TPN bag. They may place me

on continuous IV pain control, which would add a third " purse " to carry

around.

Well, this is my update for now. Thanks to all who have picked up extra

duties in the PAI, which I have not been able to keep up. I appreciate that.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Indianapolis, Indiana

[Guest guest]

Karyn,

Oh My Gosh!!! I wasn't aware of the problems you have been having

lately. If I was closer, I would be more than happy to visit with

you. You have visited me when I was in the hospital (twice now). I

wish I could do the same for you. Please know that you are in my

thoughts and I hope you will feel better real soon. Please let us

know what happens after your ERCP (I'm just curious really). I will

be in the Indy area again soon. I will be scheduling my " progressive

stenting " procedure soon. I just haven't be able to pick up the darn

phone yet. Each time I go to call the doctor's office, tell them what

a bad month I've had with attacks and pain, and tell them that I am

ready to take the next steps (the stenting), I get upset inside and

can't make the call. Geese!!! just writing about it is getting me

worked up!.. I feel like such a whimp when this happens. Anyway, I

do hope that you are on the road to recovery and that nothing else is

going on with your panc, besides a flare. Please take care of

yourself.

Kris in TN

[Guest guest]

Well Karyn you have certainly been through alot. I hope things start to look up

for you. You will be in my prayers. You have been missed.

K.

KarynWms@... wrote:

I finally felt well enough to sit at the computer and check out the board. I

want to thank everyone for the prayers, well wishes, cards, and phone calls.

I apologize for not being able to answer the phone each time as I know many

of you have left messages.

I have not been this " sick " in a long time. Actually, it may match the time

when I was initially diagnosed and had the distal pancreatectomy. Obviously it

is not that bad, but it has definitely put me " down " like it had in August

1999.

Many of you may know that my biggest problem has been this incredible

swelling of my legs for several months. There have been many different reasons

or

thoughts given for this situation, but I never expected to end up having

surgery. In August I was in the ER and put on Keflex; the swelling (cellulitis)

resolved but returned the following month. In September I was in the ER and was

put on Augmentin. Again, the cellulitis resolved, but returned the following

month. In October I was in the ER again. My right leg was beet red and huge.

I could not move it without manual assistance, literally. The pain was

excruciating.

I was admitted with severe cellulitis and put on Unasyn antibiotics IV. I

was admitted to Medical. Then Orthopedics was brought in, as well as Infectious

Diseases. I was switched to IV Cipro and Gaptomycin. The cellulitis resolved,

as expected. Unfortunately, tests revealed an effusion to my right knee as

well as a fluid filled bursa. Surgery had to be postponed until the

" infection " was gone. When I was finally able to have surgery, the orthopedic

surgeon

removed nearly a cup of infected fluid from the bursa of my right knee. After

extensive debridement, the incision was left open and a " wound-VAC " applied.

I was eventually discharged home with IV antibiotics and home health to do

the wound-VAC dressing changes. These dressing changes are extremely painful

and require pre-medication prior to the procedure. I am fortunate that I have

IV Dilaudid and Ativan ordered for me to administer before the nurse arrives.

I am hopeful that in the near future this should not be as painful. The

dressing changes are done twice a week. In a few weeks, the wound-VAC will be

removed and wet to dry dressing will be done three times a day. My orthopedic

surgeon says these may need to be done for four or five months.

I also have a PIC line which has a dressing change twice a week. It could

probably be done weekly if it were in a different location. It is close to my

armpit and receives a lot of manipulation and disrupts the integrity of the

dressing.

Now, in the midst of all of this, my pancreatitis has gone completely out of

control. I am glad that the doctor who admitted me in the ER, understood that

the narcotics I was on for my pancreatitis could not be justified to relieve

the pain of the cellulitis and post surgical knee pain. I was actually

admitted to the oncology floor, so the nurses were familiar with extensive pain

control.

My pancreatologist is not certain that the infection, anesthesia, etc., are

responsible for the dramatic increase in pancreatic symptoms. Therefore I am

having an ERCP tomorrow. I am surprised because I thought the pancreatic

surgery I had made it impossible to have another ERCP. I have an annual CT

Scan,

which shows an atrophied, calcified pancreas, so I really do not see the

point. But, since they write my pain meds, I am willing to do what they feel is

necessary. For now, anyway.

To add to this entire ordeal, my pancreatologist has suggested putting me on

TPN for a few months to rest my pancreas. I am already hauling around this

wound-VAC, I am not interested in hauling around a TPN bag. They may place me

on continuous IV pain control, which would add a third " purse " to carry

around.

Well, this is my update for now. Thanks to all who have picked up extra

duties in the PAI, which I have not been able to keep up. I appreciate that.

Karyn E. , RN

Executive Director, PAI

Indianapolis, Indiana

[Guest guest]

, I'm sorry to hear about all you've been through. I hope you feel

better soon.

Jerry/NC

***************************************