To Deedee

[Guest guest]

Dear DeeDee,

Don't, for even a moment, think that you're being selfish by feeling that

sometimes all of this is more than you can bear. Being a caregiver is such an

overwhelmingly exhaustive position, especially when your love is so deep,

and you identify so closely with the person that you're caring for. I truly

feel

that many of the things that happen to us, and the adjustments that we have to

make, are much HARDER for our loved one's to face, than they are for us.

Your role as Kristy's caregiver and friend is most important for her, and your

strength now is something she'll always cherish you for. Additionally, it will

give her strength of her own to get through all of these new adjustments.

I have a similar kind of close relationship as you do, with my own daughter.

She's 29, was born when I was 21, and was the last child that I was able to

have due to physical/medical problems of my own, so she has always been

very special to me. We've had a unique relationship that has been

untarnished by so many of the other problems some mother/daughter

relationships have. Although our situation is reversed.......I am the sick

one.....when my CP or diabetes problems seem unrelentingly harsh, her

strength fuels my own, and I find great solace in her support. You are your

daughter's guardian angel, and it is only normal that you should be weary

with the responsibility when there is so much going on.

Finding another gastro specializing in the pancreas in that area could be

difficult. Where in Oklahoma are you? My son and grandson are in Altus, and

I visit them there when I can. Right now they're here in SC with me for the

holidays, and will return to OK next week. It is very remote where they are, as

much of that part of the state is. I can't think of any specialists that our

members have recommended in that part of the country. I would agree with

in suggesting that Dr. Lehman in Indianapolis is one of the best. Many

of our members travel from all other parts of the country to see him. As I said

previously, there are a few doctors in Texas who are listed in our Database,

have you looked there? As far as the other states you mentioned, I just don't

know of anyone we've heard of.

Hopefully, Kristy's current peace and success with the block will continue. It

would be marvelous if she could get enough time to recoop from all these

recent problems and get back on her feet and feeling good again before any

more problems develop. It sounds like the change and reduction of meds is

working well for her, and I hope it's not just a temporary incident, but a

lasting

solution.

Please continue to keep us up to date on her progress.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina State Rep.

SE Regional Rep., PAI

http://pancassociation.org/anthology.htm#Heidi

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience or opinion,

and should not be substituted for consultation with a medical professional.

[Guest guest]

Deedee, this is for you, except it came to me by mistake..

Deedee,

Hi. It is Crystal. I don't know if you remember me,

but I am the one who sounded a lot like your daughter.

What helped me the very most and made it so I no

longer have pancreatitis is Dr. Sutherland. He

took out my pancreas completely. So that I would not

be diabetic they take the pancreas to a lab and

seperate the islet cells from it and retransplant them

into the liver. Dr. Sutherland is in Minneapolis, MN

at Fairview Medical center.

Here is Dr. Sutheland's e-mail address and contact

info:

dsuther@...

612-7256-7600

Sutherland, M.D., Ph.D.

Dept of Surgery,

MMC 280

Univesrity of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN 55455