- drainage

[Guest guest]

,

I thought I had explained it enough it make it understandable, but perhaps I

didn't. Yes, without question, my surgeon and GI feel that drainage was/is

necessary. But the problem is is that my pancreas, first of all, isn't placed

in my

body in the normal positioning, where the head is under the right ribs and the

body transverses the body from right to left, with the tail being under the left

ribcage beneath the stomach. Positioned like this, coventional drainage could

be placed either into the stomach or deuodenum. Instead my pancreas is

positioned abnormally with the head underneath my sternum and then it lays in

a downward " S " position with the tail being just to the left of my navel. The

surgeon explained to me (and drew very elaborate pictures) that because of

where my largest pseudocyst was located in the uncinate process of the

pancreas (tail) and the other in the head, any conventional drainage would be

impossible. Apparently, because of the weird positioning, the pseudocysts are

too far away from any available sources (like the stomach or deuodenum) to

reach for drainage. And because the of where the organ is, there's too much

other " stuff " (my words, not his...hahaha) in the way.

That's why the surgeon was so distressed and let down that he couldn't do

anything for me. He showed me several pictures of types of drainage that is

normally performed, and explained (or drew pictures) why those methods

wouldn't be feasible, or medically safe, for him to attempt. He said he was

more than happy to refer me to Dr. , but also said that he had no doubt

that Dr. would reach the same conclusion after reviewing my films.

My kids, after hearing about this, tried to bring some levity to the problem,

and

said, " well Mom, we've always known that you're not a " normal " person! See,

even your organs are abnormal. You're just one of a kind!!! "

Thanks, anyhow, for your interest. I'm feeling even stronger and better today,

so the sun's shining bright today in Bluffton.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

wrote:

> I was looking back at some of the areas I had searched at the MUSC

archives. There were several articles of when and how percutaneious

drainage for pancreatic pseudocyst can and should be done at the very least

for palliation. Have any of your docs ever mentioned haveing drains placed.

From what I have heard and learned it is extremely easy procedure with little

minor discomfort. Finding a place to a secure spot has been the concern of

most of the patienst I have treated for such;