Re : Fliss surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi Kris!

Yes! It's confusing. These days doctors tend more to give you the

facts and leave you to decide....at least if it's a matter over

which medical opinion is divided. I don't really mind them being

honest about their opinions but it would be so much easier if there

was one agreed answer.

I think I will probably listen very carefully to the words used by

the main Prof. He knows that I have a high cancer risk, that current

screeing methods are not reliable but also that I am managing the

condition for the moment. When I saw him in January, he told me to

go away and forget about things for a few months as I was in such

turmoil about the decision. He said that the fact that I am still

working etc. made it sensible not to carry out such an operation at

the moment.

When I went back in July I didn't actually see him (he was in

theatre) but his colleague told me to schedule in the surgery for

when I retired next year.

I'm going to see Prof himself next Wed. I'm also now enrolled in the

research programme on improving screening methods. I want to ask

Prof how fast that programme is progressing.

If Prof gets to the stage where he positively recommends the

operation then I will probably think more seriously about it. He is

a renowned pancreatic expert after all.

If the pain becomes more unmanageable, I will probably think more

seriously about it as likely to offer some relief.

If I develop diabetes, I may go ahead and have the op. (A number of

docs that I've read, both British and American, feel that, if the

patient is already diabetic, then it is more reasonable to consider

the operation as there is less to lose than for the non-diabetic

patient.)

BTW, I would be having the TP without ICT, like Sue. The ICT is not

done at the Liverpool Royal Hospital. There is an ICT centre in

Leicester but there are other reasons why I would prefer to have

surgery in Liverpool.

I keep on going while I can, despite bad days, and pray that I make

good decisions as I go along.

With very good wishes,

Fliss (UK)