Re: I may be having complications

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/17/2003 11:02:33 AM Eastern Standard Time,

bbolin@... writes:

I had an emotional melt-down last night. I never really had a major

emotional crisis when I was facing pancreatitis and a total

pancreatectomy, I guess because I had no clue how difficult the

surgery was. But now I know and for the first time in my life I feel

terror. I have been scared before, sure, but never have I felt

terror. Well, know I do and frankly it sucks.

Hi Bert, sorry you are having complications. I know how you feel about the

having another surgery. I had five major surgeries and all to my bowels and

female organs. The thought of having to go through another surgery does a

terrible number on me also. I don't believe that if you have to have another

surgery it will in any way compare to the surgery you have already been through.

Try not to compare another surgery to the pancreatectomy. We know that was a

big surgery and it is very unlikely that you will have another surgery near

that extensive.

I am having health problems also but not due to the pancreatectomy. In fact

I am so thankful that I had the pancreatectomy and islet cell transplant for

those who have not had it and are considering having it done. My problem is my

own fault. I had my pancreatectomy December 2000 and was able to eat

wonderfully up until November 2002. After starving for six years when I had

pancreatitis, one day I decided to be very stupid and eat until I couldn't eat

another

bite. I am not exaggerating about how much I ate at one time. I ate my

dinner and decided I am not going to stop eating. After dinner I continued to

eat

without stopping the entire evening. Finally around ten in the evening I

developed very bad pain in my stomach. From that moment on I haven't been able

to eat very much at a meal. Now I have to eat about nine small meals a day and

that means take insulin nine times a day. Sometimes I eat a little too much

and then I cannot eat for weeks until I rest my stomach and let it heal. Then

after fasting for a while I have to gradually incorporate food a little at a

time. I start with two tablespoons of Glucerna and the next day increase it

and so on until I can start eating solids again. But I can never eat until I

am content and full. I always have to stop eating before I have had enough

food to give me strength. I am thin and even though at times I am able to eat

solids every two hours I cannot get my weight up to the place it needs to be.

The doctor said that when I ate so much I damaged the nerves in my stomach. As

you know Bert I didn't have my stomach operated on when I had my

pancreatectomy. I believe since I have had so many major surgeries to my

digestive system

and since I didn't eat for so many years my stomach just couldn't deal with

all of the food I ate in one evening. Before my crazy eating I didn't have any

adverse effects from my pancreatectomy. I have asked other people who have

had the pancreatectomy if they have the stomach problem that I have and they

haven't. Two of them have pain but their pain is due to having the Whipple

which failed to help them and then they had to have the pancreatectomy. Having

the Whipple or any pancreas surgery before having the pancreatectomy puts one at

a risk of continued pain after the pancreatectomy. But the pain isn't bad

like pancreas pain. I don't have any pain from my pancreas due to the surgery.

I am so thankful I had my pancreas removed. I never regret it. The thought

of regrets never enters my mind. BUT I do have regrets of being mentally

affected from starving for so long which would cause me to go berserk and eat

too

much. Before I ate too much and after my pancreatectomy I was completely

cured. Now I am weak and frail most of the time. My life is filled with stress

from being aware of not taking too many bites of food and chewing each bite

many times.

I hope your problem is resolved soon Bert without a lot of invasion to your

body. You have been through the big one and I know that if you have another

surgery it will seem much less of a surgery for you. But who knows, you might

not need a surgery. Try to take one day at a time and think positive thoughts.

With you being young you have everything working for you. I am 61 and my

body doesn't bounce back anymore. Please let us know how you are and what the

doctor has to say about you. I hope you are on the road to feeling well again

soon. Love, Shirley

[Guest guest]

Dear Bert,

Don't ever think that you are a " whimp " because of your concerns about

something that seems to be happening that's unexpected. You're still on the

recovery road after a very complicated and extensive surgery, and it's only

natural to be shocked and scared when things aren't happening the way you

expected.

You have every right to be disappointed, but please don't let this, or your

fears, stand in the way of getting the immediate testing and attention you

need from your surgeon to find out what's wrong. This may only be a

temporary setback in the whole process of total healing. Sometimes it takes

longer to achieve success than we expect, and I'm hoping that all this is is a

temporary complication that the surgeon can diagnosis and correct.

Please let us know what you find out after your scans. Keep your chin up,

and try not to let your worries overshadow the holiday ahead.

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 medication consultation.