Re: New Here - Just Diagnosed - to Clayton

[Guest guest]

Clayton,

In the past, I was a very active athlete, mountain biking, mountain climbing,

alpine skiing, water skiing, swimming, diving, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, etc.

I've had to put away all the skiis, and since there isn't an incline higher than

my head within a 300 mile radius in the low country of South Carolina, there's

no purpose of having a bike with more than one speed. I'm still able to bike,

swim, hike and kayak without any discomfort. I, too find much peace and

pleasure in these athletics, and the only restraint involved is that I find that

I

have to participate at a slower pace than before.

If you're accustomed to the activity, and it doesn't cause undo stress or

twisting on the abdominal area, I don't see why you would have any difficulty

continuing with those activities. But get out in the yard with a rake, and you

may find that after 20-30 minutes of hard raking, the pain will be a very real

thing. It's the twisting or bending up and down motions that seem to

aggravate the pancreas to the point of causing pain. Those are the

movements that I've found harmful, and that my doctor has warned me about.

This, like other things, you'll learn by trial and error. Do what you're

accustomed to doing, and your body will tell you what you can tolerate and

what you can't.

In regard to your giving up alcohol for the time being, good for you! Keep it

up, and it will be easier as each day passes. Your health and your body will

thank you for it.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina State Rep.

South Eastern Regional Rep., PAI

Note: All comments or advice are from personal experiences or opinion only,

and should not be a substitute for consultation with your medical professional.

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

thanks for the info. There are two things I really do not want to

give up, cycling and swiming. As for the skydiving, I will try that

again this summer.

FYI, I think I am safe because I don't have a yard to rake! ;-) I

live in a high-rise here in San Francisco.

Clayton

[Guest guest]

Clayton,

I just saw that you posted you live in San Francisco. I'm actually quite

close to you as I live in Vallejo. We even have a ferry that goes

directly to SF. I wanted to let you know that I'm PAI's California State

Representative and if you ever need any help, please contact me and I'll

do the best I can to help.

If you want my phone number, let me know and I'll privately email it to

you. I can also be reached by AOL IM and Yahoo IM and MS IM when I'm

online. My AOL and Yahoo screenname is hominidtwo. On MSN it's hominid2.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.