.. : )

[Guest guest]

Hey there ,

, I have often thought of you and what has been happening, I was

hoping it was a good sign like Keri that we had not heard from you. BUT now

reading what you have endured, I wanted to send you my sincerest thoughts and

prayers, and tell you as always just to take things " ONEDAY " at a time.

I am writing this to you and posting to the group also for like you the

decision to have the pancreatectomy was the right choice for our son he like

you is the exception to the rule and I wanted those who are thinking about this

surgery to know even though things don't always turn out the way they should

in the long run it still was the right choice.

Brandan too lives with the residual effects of this disease and as I

have said before, the road following the pancreatectomy seems as mysterious as

the road traveled with pancreatitis. BUT again ask Brandan and he would tell

you he would do it again, if he had to. Brandan lives with what is now

believed to be nerve damage for which he does still require small amounts of

pain

medication compared to the enormous amounts he took. Before surgery the amounts

of medication needed to make him comfortable was mind boggling and the fact

that the pain would only go from a 10+ to a comfortable 7 was at that time

acceptable at least to the doctors. Since surgery his pain levels (usually

after

eating) now begin at times around 7 and are now able to reach what we never

heard before surgery a 0. He can eat when and what he wants,(although we still

monitor his sugars) and his carb intake. The most wonderful thing is there is

no more horrendous attacks, no more wondering do I go to the ER or don't I?

For the first time in many years he is living again, for Brandan despite the

set backs looking at where he was and where he is this surgery was his second

chance.

Still many do not understand, just as they did not understand before his

surgery what he has endured battling this disease. Although Brandan does not

have CP any longer he will live with the residual effects of this disease for

the rest of his life. Although Brandan no longer has a pancreas his diagnosis

is still CP, for the effects this disease had and still has on his body will

be with him always.

, I am so very happy Mark posted this so that I could share with

you that although the surgery did not cure this dreaded disease totally, I

think as you do for my son this surgery was his Second Chance, and if we had to

do

it over again we would make the same choice to have this surgery.

So we continue as we have and take things " ONEDAY " at a time, and enjoy

the good days and just get through the bad. Please keep in touch and let me

know how things are going for you. If there is anything I can do or perhaps

if you just need a shoulder please feel free to email me directly. To you

and all here who have been by our sides on this journey our deepest

gratitude always for without you all I am not sure where we would be today. As

always keeping you and yours in our thoughts and prayers...Keep smiling(cuz

sometimes its all one can do!) TTFN.. : )

Peg Bates

Brwnbare9@...

Massachusetts State Chapter Rep.

Pancreatitis Association Intl.

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