Re: Scot back from surgery.

[Guest guest]

> I had an acute attack back in 2000 that left me insulin dependant and a 6

cm Pseudocyst.(snip) After several visits to the GI and 3 surgeons I was

instructed to wait 3 to 6 months to see if my pancreas would burn itself out.

(snip) I waited until March. On St. 's day (picked for superstitious

reasons) I was scheduled to have an " Internal Drainage " procedure to hook

up to my pseudocyst to my stomach for constant drainage.

Before the procedure my Surgeon decided to do a distal pancreatectomy

and splenectomy instead. (snip) I awoke that night with an 18 " scar across my

upper abdomen and 60 staples. (snip)The Surgeon said he had taken the

spleen and 99% of my pancreas. He said my pancreas was completely

calcified, inflamed and 2 times its normal size. The pseudocyst had grown

to 7.5 cm and he said the surgery was not a moment too soon. Tough

recovery.

I returned to part-time work 3 weeks (3 weeks ahead of schedule) and

full-time work the following week. I quit all pain meds when I went back to

work.(snip) I have not had pain meds since.

My pain has faded almost completely. Eating is no longer painful. Thanks to

God, Dr. Helling, many fine Health Care Workers, my friends and

family, and the great people on this list.

Scot,

WOW!!!!! What marvelous news this is! I DO remember you, and the

discussions, mainly about your pseudocyst, as we had that in common. I still

have mine, and am still on daily medication for them, yet with pancreas

burnout already, the only pain I have is from the pseudocysts.

So the distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy has worked for you! Great

news, for sure. I can imagine that your withdrawal from the Percocet was

extreme, I'm surprised that you didn't do a gradual withdrawal, instead of cold

turkey. This type of withdrawal can be very difficult, yet once you're off the

meds completely, there must be a great feeling of relief and satisfaction.

Perhaps you would help us all by providing the full information on your doctor,

Dr. Helling, such as his specialty, address, telephone, etc., so we

could have this information for our doctor's referral database? It would be of

much help for other members in that area.

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful news. This is a letter of

inspiration for all. Good luck to you!

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All information or advice is personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.