Really in the dumps

[Guest guest]

Kaye,

I am new here and don't know your situation totally. But, I can offer up

prayers for you! I can send you well wishes also. I am praying that you will

have

a peace that passes all understanding and that Dr, Cotton will find a way to

ease your discomfort in the easiest way possible.

Hugs to ya',

Angie in SC

" The happiest of people don't necessarily have the

best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along

their way. "

[Guest guest]

Hey all:

I received a note from Dr. Cotton today and he says he fears that

there is narrowing of the pancreatid drainage again. He does not

think another ERCP/treatment would be helpful. The only

alternative (apart from being very careful with food, medications

etc.) is a surgical procedure to sew open the pancreatic duct. In

your case, that would be a significant undertaking.

These were his exact words. I have been sitting here for a while

nearly shaking I am so upset. I feel fine this week. My arm is

better, I went back to work (I work at home as a medical

transcriptionist) part-time this morning.

I sent him a note and asked him if I had another attack that I

thought was bad enough to come to MUSC, would he just one more time

go in there and try? I remember him telling me he would not give up

if I didn't and I hope he means it. I feel like I am hanging on by

a straw. Surgery is not an option for me as I have too many other

medical problems and it very well could be fatal. That I have known

for a long time.

I feel like I am going to throw up and that my life-line has been

taken away.

Kaye

[Guest guest]

Hi Kaye,

I am so sorry that you are in the dumps. I have been there and done

that.

So sorry to hear of all your problems. I am also a patient of Dr.

Hawes and Dr. . I have had the " plasty " surgery that

spoke of. I have had other surgeries in the past but that was atough

one. I think what Chrissy told you is right on the money. I was in

the hospital at MUSC for 8 days. I also have a complicated medical

history (diabetes, hypertension, GERD, gastroparesis,hypothyroidism,

hyponatremia, orthopedic problems with feet and hands and Bipolar) I

can be a difficult Patient. Worked in the Medical field for tooo long.

My surgery was sucessful for 4 months (no Pain, good energy levels,

(despite my other troubles) etc. When the pain returned I saw Hawes

again for repeat ERCP. The duct was still open ( surgery worked)

but I was diagnosed with the Chronic P. due to several acute episode

I had after early ERCPs to place stents to TX SOD.

Now I have pain from damage to the meat of the Pancreas.

Knowing what I know now, would I have the surgery again? That I am

not sure of. Feel like I traded one problem for another !!

I am glad to hear that Dr. Cotton will do another ERCP for you ! I am

on constant Narcotic meds now (like a lot of our folks. Let's pray

that the next ERCP will do the trick for you !!

I only live about 2 hours from Ashville. Someday we will have to meet

in the middle for Lunch. What is half way between Ashville and

Charlotte (I live 30 minutes from Charlotte)?It is nice to put faces

with names !! My counselor told me yesterday to get out more and

interact with People. Sometimes I don't leave my house for a week or

more. My weds eve. ritual is Church with Ben (9 yo grandson) Last 2

weeks he was sick and I did not go without him !!

You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!

Love, Cyndi

[Guest guest]

Dear Kaye,

I am so happy your MD agreed to continue stenting to help you.

I know exactly how you feel as my medical history causes me major

problems with surgeries too. I did have the spincteroplasty surgery

and it was a rough surgery. It provided me with several years of

total pain free times and it was the first time I was able to eat

again. This is the surgery that allowed my stomach to wake up. My

gastroparesis stopped. My surgeon at IU Med cut the outlet to the

pancreas and sewed the flaps back, Dr. Lehman said my pancreas looks

like it has a dimple now. It is still open and drains well. I still

have some narrowed areas just inside my duct, this is where I close

back up from time to time. I took the risk with the surgery as I had

a 5o/50 chance of it never closing down again. I decided to take the

risks. I had no major complications from the surgery, but it was a

painful one. I was not one of the lucky 50/50, mine came back. I now

go for stenting when I close back up and I feel exactly like you do,

as long as Dr. L will treat me, I will continue doing it. Stenting

is keeping my pancreas open and draining and I will continue to do

it as long as I am allowed.

My prayers are continuing your way that this next stenting

provides you with long term relief. My last stenting was the

progressive one and I hope it stays open for ever. I am hoping once

my Hep c virus is dead that the inflammation will die down and it

will stay open without the help from Dr. Lehman.

Hang in there Kay, I know how overwhelming making these

decisions can be. You know your body better then anyone, go with

your gut instinct. It never has let me down. You are a fighter and

better days are ahead. You are blessed to have found such a

wonderful Md who will work with you to get you better. Hang in there

and keep up the good fight.

Love,

w