To Jerry

[Guest guest]

Hi Jerry!

Thanks for your message! Well, it's not exactly a triumph of

diagnostic skill, is it??!! What I want to know is, do I get a

prize of some sort??!!

The misdiagnoses? In chronological order from early childhood

onwards, with docs' responses :

Colic : " Gripe water. " (What exactly WAS that?!)

Gastritis : " I'll prescribe this useless peppermint medicine. I'll

carry on doing it every time even though I know it doesn't help. "

Abdominal migraine : " I'll prescribe these mild and useless pain

killers! Perhaps she doesn't like school. " (Actually, I ADORED it

and have never left it!!)

Nerves (!!!!!!!!) : " Be a sensible girl now! "

Food allergies : " Go on an exclusion diet. Try living on only pears

and then add a bit of chicken. "

Duodenal ulcer : " Take Zantac. " (Made absolutely NO difference.)

Coeliac disease : " Eliminate any trace of gluten. " (This did help)

Lactose intolerance : " No milk/lactose products at all, please! "

IBS : " There's nothing wrong with her! She's got coeliac disease and

has probably broken her gluten-free diet. (I NEVER did, even once.)

She's a worrier. We'll tell her it's IBS. Thank God for that useful

catch-all! " THEN :

Chronic, hereditary pancreatitis : " Oh dear, we got it

wrong....despite the fact that her mother (teetotal) died of acute

pancreatitis at the age of 42 after many years of appalling

illness. " (It's bad to have CP now but back in the 50's it was a lot

worse, believe me.)

Actually, Jerry, that's just a bit of fun. I don't feel bitter at

all. I realise that this is a very difficult disease to diagnose and

was more so all those years ago. In any case, for much of my life,

up to my mid 30's, I felt fine in-between attacks. I have had many

good doctors. My current pancreatic team in Liverpool is

outstanding. Even to-day one has just e-mailed me the final report

of the Europac study (1997 - 2004) of hereditary pancreatitis in

Europe. I thank God for that team. I thank Him for every hour I

don't feel pain and for every single experience I can still enjoy.

I'm still working and adore my work (teacher!) and even if I retire

next July, I will be 59. I wouldn't really expect to go much beyond

that anyway. I have had children and a very good life in so many

ways, whatever happens now. I actually feel a lot better than I did

back in the 1980's when I lived through so many acute flare-ups

running into each other so that I had hardly any good days by the

time I was 40 and pain was a constant daily experience.

Now I'll be part of the Liverpool research programme on early, more

sensitive screening for pancreatic cancer in high-risk cases. I will

be playing a little part in helping to beat a disease which killed

my mother. I will do it in memory of her as well as for my children

and all of us. I didn't realise as a child what my poor mother was

going through.

Sorry to have got a bit emotional! Not like me usually.

Thanks again for your message. I didn't intend to ramble on!

With good wishes,

Fliss (UK)

[Guest guest]

Fliss, I know this was directed to Jerry,but I read it and must say it is so

eloquent. It shows us all what life is really about and that is living it to the

fullest with what ever hand we have been dealt !! I will write more when I

return from my Vacation. (Taking full advantage of feeling good !)

Congratulations on 35 years. We also celebrated that occassion last Dec. Source

of great Joy and peace in my life as well. Take care and good luck with the EUS

and ERCP.

Love, Cyndi

__________________________________________________