psc support

[Guest guest]

Greetings to all, I am a new member.

My brave son, Joe (age 32) had UC since age 14 (1987), and at that time he was also diagnosed with PSC. The PSC went into remission during his teen years. Colon removal and J pouch construction in 1999 was successful and at that time there was no sign of PSC (see"colon wars" on the internet for Joe's story). Then in March 2006 he turned jaundiced, had itching, with lack of appetite and severe fatique. It was found he has PSC again. An ERCP to open his bile duct was unsuccussful, then another ERCP a couple of weeks later to place a stent in his bile duct was successful, but he got acute, severe pancreatitis, multiple organ system failure, ARDS, MRSA, and just spent 51 days in the hospital, many weeks in ICU, on dialysis, etc. The doctors gave him 50% chance to survive. Joe is a fighter, and he pulled through! His renal function gradually returned! Now he is happily home with his wife, recovering and trying to get some strength back before his next procedure, another ERCP in August or September to remove the stent

My mother had UC and she died of adenocarcinoma of the colon with metastasis to the liver when she was only 39 (and I was 14). My grandmother had UC, and I have several first cousins and an aunt with UC. So, I also feel like Joe's illness is due to genetic factors inherited from me. This is also heartbreaking, I cry a lot.

I am frightened for Joe, what he and his wife now face together, and heartbroken that this horrible monster has reared its ugly head. Maybe you might have some encouraging words for me and I can share them with my son and his wife. I wonder if I will ever be happy again. My email address is chrisgrace@ cox.net.

Sincerely,

Warmbrodt