Henry. : )

[Guest guest]

Dearest Henry,

It is beyond words how wonderful it was to see you post again ol friend.

Alot has happened since you have been away but I am sure you will catch up

very soon. Brandan as Shirley had said is doing great since his surgery, he no

longer endures the horrific attacks and eats pretty much what he wants when

he wants. He still has what has become known as residual pain, pretty much

they think he has nerve damage from the pain he has endured for so long. He is

not diabetic, and we keep a close eye on his sugars. BUT compared to where he

was and how he is doing, this surgery for him was his second chance. He now

has a his learners permit to drive, and will be graduating from school in 2004

although still being tutored I am so very proud of him just the same. It is

because of you Dear friend and all that are a part of the PAI, past and present

that he received his second chance. It is because of the KNOWLEDGE, caring,

compassion and love that we have recieved here that Brandan has gone from a

sickly young boy to a blossoming young man. For now that's my update but I look

forward to chatting with you again in the future. As always keeping you and

yours in our thoughts and prayers....Keep smiling (cuz sometimes its all one

can do!) TTFN... : )

Peg

" It truly is amazing how one person can make a difference. "

[Guest guest]

Dear Peg,

THANK YOU for the kind, warm welcome home message! :-) It makes me feel

better hearing from my friends here at PAI and learning how many successes

have occurred in people's lives with this terrible disease. It touches my

heart to learn that Brandan has achieved his very, very well deserved

" second chance!! "

You are a wonderful mom and it was so heartbreaking to hear your

descriptions of what you all had to endure with the severe illness and pain

especially in one so young. Time has just flown by and it's so wonderful and

miraculous that Brandan has evolved from a sickly little boy to a fine,

healthy, young man with his whole world ahead of him with all its dreams and

hopes ahead of him! I'm so glad, and thankful that you don't have to watch

your fine, beloved son suffer with those horrendous, hideous, acute

Pancreatitis attacks anymore. How did he handle the post-op recovery? Was he

in the hospital a long time? That's wonderful news about his non-Diabetic

status! How old is he now? He must be around 17 if he's to graduate next

year. You deserve to feel proud of him now. He's had to fight a lot harder

than his peers, as far as I know to acheive this milestone of completing

high school. Dr. Sutherland's reputation has certainly grown here. I think

he's a blessing.

Unfortunately, I am not a candidate for the pancreatectomy and islet

cell transplant. By the time I learned of this miraculous surgery, I had

already had too much pancreatic damage, and multiple surguries, and had long

ago become a Diabetic, so the only way they could do that to me would

involve harvesting cadaver islet cells which mean a lifetime of

anti-rejection drugs and no guarantee that it would " take. " Oh well, I feel

like that Denver song: " Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone).

God is in control and sustains me through the pain and hardships. You have

to keep a positive attitude most of the time or this thing can drive you

crazy. :-) I give thank's for the pleasant, less painful times, for friends,

(like you), and other's I've gotten to know and love, Shirley, Carole, and

others I've met along this journey in the hospital. All for one and one for

all I think. If the world had more love and compassion, like we see here at

PAI, it would be a happier place for all.

Thank's again for the thoughtful welcome back post! Please tell Brandan

that someone here at the PAI who followed his rough times is mighty happy

and thrilled to learn of his recovery and I hope that the risidual pain

isn't too bad. I hope that you and Brandan had a wonderful Christmas Day

yesterday, and let's pray for peace in the world in 2004.

Love & Thoughts,

Henry