Guest guest Posted June 23, 2000 Report Share Posted June 23, 2000 Yes, I go up to Greenwood or Indy for all doctors. Thank you so much for this name. Have you been to him? As soon as this radiation therapy is over (another 28 treatments), I'm READY to be actively pursuing any help I can find on this again. I had quit looking for help because I'd run out of money (and energy) - my insurance didn't pay for any doctor visits (even in the hospital), tests, etc. I was billed over $15,000 after my insurance paid for all these pancreas episodes. When I found out that it wouldn't pay for chemo, I had to get insurance (very expensive but worth it) from the state of Indiana. Anyway, I'm now prepared to be able to afford to try new doctors and/or prescriptions. The last time I had an appointment with a different doctor, it ended up costing me over $500 for the appointment, blood tests and prescriptions - things to just try to see if they worked. They didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2000 Report Share Posted June 23, 2000 Helen, I am so sorry you have had so much worry. sometimes I forget how blessed I am. By the way, I love your name. It is very pretty. And yes, I do see Dr. Meisenheimer. He has been my GI from the start. He is very sympathetic. His nurse is wonderful. Although, you have to remember, he is a doctor. You know how they get this God complex. Sometimes, I feel like he doesnt hear me. For instance, when he took my picc line out (at my insistance) I told him the stitches had come loose. He walked out in the hall and proceded to call his nurse and tell her he needed suture scissors. I thought, ok he didnt hear me. He takes the bandage off (we call it the second skin) and says oh , you were right they are loose. I think after having the stupid thing for sooooo long, I would know wether it was loose or not. But, that said. he is a great doc. I think. He has tried everything he can think of and then some. I have had hormone shots in my stomach I have been to IU and had the stent put in my panc duct. and the sphincerectomy. I think that is what it is called. But he is still on top of things. Anytime I need anything, all I have to do is call his office and they are there. I hope this helps. I am sorry to hear about your insurance problems. ia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2000 Report Share Posted June 24, 2000 Did the procedure at IU help you? Who did it? Dr. Sherman did mine, but it didn't help. They gave me an experimental drug before the procedure to stop me from having an acute attack afterwards. It worked - sort of. It was the first time I didn't have an acute attack afterwards, but the next day, leaving the hospital, while I was in the wheelchair on the way to my sister's car, it hit like gangbusters. Since my veins were gone (I've got a port now, but didn't then) and I really didn't want to stay for another long hospital stay and an iv didn't last over 2 hours, I didn't say anything and left. Wasn't very smart. I cried and rocked in pain for 2 days before I called his nurse, Joyce Flueckiger. Her only comment was " Well, what did you expect? Call me in a week " . I just haven't had very good luck with pancreatic doctors. Thanks for the compliment - my 2 older sisters named me. I was born on my sister's confirmation day, so they each took their confirmation names and put them together for my name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2000 Report Share Posted June 25, 2000 Helen, My doc's nurse would NEVER say what did you expect, or anything like that. That is terrible. Where are these docs coming from? Mars? That makes me so mad when I hear stories like that. I am up early this morn. My legs bothered me all night and my side hurts. I cant remember who the doc was at IU. I was so doped up. But, he was short with dark hair. No, it did not work. I was ok for a couple of days and then on the third day I was so nauseated that I couldnt even hold my head up. I also woke up during the procedure and panicked. I tried to get up off of the table and the nurses kept slamming me back down on the table. They kept saying STOP IT YOUR GOING TO HURT YOURSELF. I dont think they quite understood the panick I was feeling. So much for good anestieologists. (sp?) I am pain this morning. I hate this. I have my surgery tomorrow and I'm pretty nervous about it. Well, I hope you have a good day. Best wishes, ia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2000 Report Share Posted June 25, 2000 That was Dr. Sherman at IU and the brunhilda of a nurse was his nurse. He is short and coal black hair. Yes, I woke up during one of my procedures (not at IU) - 2 of them were over 4 hours! When I woke up they kept saying to hold still and not gag - it seemed like hours, but was probably another 30 minutes. I think all GI docs should have to have an ERCP before they do any. AWAKE. :-) Good luck tomorrow morning. I have to go up to Greenwood daily for radiation treatments, so if I can do anything for you, please let me know. Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2000 Report Share Posted June 25, 2000 My legs are killing me, too, especially last 3 days. Wonder if it has anything to do with all these storms? Although it feels like muscles and not bones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2000 Report Share Posted June 25, 2000 Helen, Probably all the storms. I also have rheumatoid arth. Hurts when the pressure is high. Thanx for the message about tomorrow. ia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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