update on W

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/13/2003 11:24:35 PM Eastern Standard Time,

karenw@... writes:

I just got home from the hospital yesterday after a 5 day incarceration for

another pancreatitis attack. I also have cellulitis in my left arm/hand.

Hi , I am sorry that you have had another pancreas attack. The

cellutitis is something I have never heard of. I had a swollen arm before I had

my

pancreas removed. My arm was swollen and very painful. The doctor said that I

might have a blood clot. I had a port in my chest then for TPN. Now that you

have said that you have cellutitis I wonder if that is what I had.

My heart goes out to you. You suffer from so many different illnesses.

Soon, I hope your pancreas will calm and your arm will be well. When you feel

better please let me know how you are and please explain to me cellutitis. Hang

in there and be well for Christmas. Love, Shirley

[Guest guest]

I just got home from the hospital yesterday after a 5 day incarceration for

another pancreatitis attack. I also have cellulitis in my left arm/hand. My

arm started hurting Sunday morning, several hours before we went to the ER for

my pancreatitis attack so I really don't know how I got the cellulitis. They

started me on IV ancef on Wednesday. They sent me home yesterday since my

pancreas has settled down again. However, I have to have 10 days of IV ancef

for the cellulitis. They left my port a cath accessed so I can have the ancef

IV push every 8 hours. The home health nurse came out last night to show me how

to do it. It's very simple and not that much different from flushing the PICC

line that I had from Sep to Dec of last year. The swelling is down in my arm,

but it hurts so bad I can barely stand it. I've had cellulitis two times before

but it never hurt this bad and within 24 hours on antibiotics, all pain was

gone. The last time they only gave me oral keflex and the next day, the arm

didn't hurt at all. The home health nurse called my internist and pain mgmt doc

and talked to the docs on call. Of course, there's nothing they can call in

that's stronger than what I already have. The pain doc on call did okay it for

me to take the oxycodone every 4 hours instead of every 6. Told me to call my

pain doc on Monday and let him know what's going on. Said if the pain is

totally unbearable to go back to the ER. that's the last thing I want to do! I

feel like total crap. I am so exhausted that even going to the bathroom seems

almost impossible. I'm supposed to keep my arm/hand elevated with warm moist

compresses. That does help some and typing this e-mail is definitely making

things worse by the second. So, I'll quit for now. Just wanted to let everyone

know where I've been and why you may not hear from me much for the next several

days.

W