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I would like to take this time to write regarding my history with
pancreatitus(I am sure I spelled this wrong). I became ill approximately
three years ago. I had acute diarraha and then was constipated, they
diagnosed me with Irritable bowel Syndrome, I took medication for that, but
it seemed to get worse. I went to the Emergency Room and they did an x-ray
and discovered slugs in my gallbladder which they weren't to concerned about
at the time. Six-Seven months after my Emergency Room visit, I became ill
again, only this time I was unable to breath and was in acute pain. My
daughter phoned 911 and when EMS came they thought it was my heart and gave
me nitrogylcerin(another mis-spelled word), which did help the pain and
allowed me to breath. They hooked me to a EKG and watched me for the next
few hours, finally the hospital I normally go to University Hospital in
Cleveland, Ohio wanted me there. They had to transport me to my hospital and
there they ran several tests. They said initially that it was my heart, then
they came back again after a couple of hours and said that it was possibly
stones within my gallbladder. I became very ill while in the cardio unit,
they gave me several med's for pain. They eventually decided to schedule me
for an ERCP. I had had a bad experience from this procedure a year or two
previous, and they assured me that it would be fine. When I awoke from the
procedure I was told that my pancreas was knicked during the exam. I had
developed pancreantitus, talk about pain, I prayed as much as I could, and
for some reason I had this wierd sense of calm during the whole experience.
Before I left the hospital(I was there 2-3 weeks) they inserted a broviac
above my heart and a nurse came to visit 1-2 a week. I had to prepare fluid
and clean out my valve and had to walk around with this bag on my shoulder,
which would beep at inappropriate times because I had it on battery. People
would move away from me on the bus as though I had the plague, and I knew how
people with imperfections, diseases and illnesses felt when people with so
lack of knowledge and compassion would shun them. After about a month, my
broviac fell out(no I didn't pull it out) but it did come out and I called
the nurse which suggested I go to Emergency so they could do an x-ray and
make sure none of the tubing was still within my chest which could wander to
my heart.....all was o.k. with that they discovered. I was at home one
evening a week after this and I started throwing up violently and was in
pain. I tried to see if it would subside, but the pain seemed to worsen. I
had to phone a cab to come get me and take me back thru emergency. I had to
explain my recent history for them to pull all my records and then they
decided to admit me. I was told later that my Gallbladder had died and that
my system was beginning to be infected, remember I had the pancreas symptoms
going on at the same time. They did perform surgery to remove the
Gallbladder, I was in Intensive Care for a couple of days because it was
pretty bad and the Doctor told me that I almost didn't make it. I was in the
hospital much of April...my sons birthday was in April, and he had to come to
the hospital and I took him to the Cafeteria for a birthday dinner. My
daughter was to graduate in June, I told the drs that to make me well before
my daughters graduation. I was out in May and was able to make short outings
with my daughter to help select her dress, get her pictures taken, etc.....I
really fought not to miss those moments. Today, 2001 I still have Cysts
located within my pancreas..I had four, Two pretty large ones and one medium
sized(the fourth-disappeared), they had wanted to insert a tube that would
drain them, but I refused that option, I prayed and left my situation in the
hands of God and his son Jesus Christ. The Cysts are still located within the
pancreas and I have to be tested every 4-6 months to make sure that they
don't turn to cancer and that they don't grow any larger or spread to other
areas. I have been really obsessed with pancreas and things that can go wrong
with it. I only have pain every once and a while not constant and I do have
pain med's and relaxers for the really bad times, but all in all I guess I
should be thankful for the little blessings I am receiving. My message to
all of those reading this, and that are experiencing this illness or even to
the family members that are there for those ill, keep the faith, and don't
ever give up on your dreams, desires.
Posted 04/20/2001 12:09 pm by Anonymous
E-mail Address: hovisr@usa.redcross.org
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