Re: Re: RE:To Gail From Shirley, Pancreatectomy and cell trans...

[Guest guest]

Shirley:

Along with this group, I recently signed onto a site for people who have

undergone or are contemplating a fundoplication.

For those who do not know what that it is, it's the full surgical procedure

to treat severe reflux. It entails the " wrapping " of the esophagus with the

upper portion of the stomach.

Although primarily done laparoscopically, it's still a rough operation that

takes time to heal and learn to swallow again.

Was it worth it? Absolutely!!

Many people fear any type of surgery. That's the greatest hurdle.

I, on the other hand, am a firm believer in going for that which will make me

the best that I can be.

So what if we can play connect the dots between my numerous scars?!?!

-E

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/28/01 9:11:25 AM Eastern Standard Time,

mmorga3@... writes:

>

> Please continue to talk about this surgery. This seems to be the only

> thing that works. It has convinced me that is the only procedure. But

> I am not at that point, yet. I want to know the good the bad, and the

> ugly. And if I am going to loose my pancreas anyways, why not do it

> and make my life better.

>

> Thanks for your post,

> Cheryl

>

>

>

You are so right Cheryl. The problem with waiting until you get so sick is

very risky. As one continues to have pain and attacks which cause damage is

also destroying precious islets. When I decided that I was going to have the

surgery I had to wait for two months before my surgery date. During that

time I was so nervous that I would have another attack and the attack would

finally destroy all of my islets and then I would have none to transfer to

the liver and I would become diabetic. So the two months I waited for

approval from my ins. CO. I was on pins and needles waiting and hoping that I

would not have another attack. I didn't and made it to surgery with Two

hundred thousand and seventeen islets to transfer. That is not a whole lot

but I am not diabetic and I don't have to take insulin. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Shirley:

You and I must certainly be sisters in guts!!

My reflux is supraesophageal which means that it rises much higher than the

esophagus and even mouth.

I had all of the same symptoms as does your husband and more.

It would mimic a heart attack. And it would trigger an asthmatic response as

the acid that went up into my mouth and nose went back into my lungs in

aerosol form.

It caused a few pneumonias and I wound up breaking ribs from coughing.

The surgery itself is not very painful because it's done through five to six

small holes in the abdomen.

It's the recovery that's rough. That's because you can't swallow normally,

if at all, for several weeks. We take something like that for granted until

we lose the ability.

Between the swelling within the esophagus and the internal stitches, it was

tough going.

Some people need more surgical intervention or stretching AFTER the big

operation. Again, I was lucky. Nature took its time.

Although the outside of me doesn't look too bad, my guts still ache from time

to time, especially when it rains. As you well, know, abdominal surgery

hurts for quite a while. They did

go in there and move stuff and bang it around.

It's taken a lot out of me. But I went in with chronic anemia.

Amazingly, my hemoglobin didn't drop drastically. That's thanks to the

Procrit that I inject.

It's been only seven weeks and I'm able to eat and drink just about

everything. Bagels are still a problem. Big deal.

Before undergoing the surgery, I tried the relatively new

BARD EndoCinch Suturing System.

That is done via an upper endoscope. An itty bitty sewing machine is

inserted right into the esophagus and a pleat is formed and stitched into

place.

In my case, that super duper reflux defeated it after five glorious months.

Reflux isn't simple heartburn. It can kill because it can lead to esophageal

cancer which is the fastest growing killer of the Baby Boomers.

We cannot live with an unprotected esophagus for years.

At minimum, Barrett's can develop.

I had already developed polyps.

-E

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/28/01 2:20:32 PM Eastern Standard Time,

esquare726@... writes:

>

> Shirley:

>

> You and I must certainly be sisters in guts!!

>

> My reflux is supraesophageal which means that it rises much higher than the

> esophagus and even mouth.

>

> I had all of the same symptoms as does your husband and more.

> It would mimic a heart attack. And it would trigger an asthmatic response

> as

> the acid that went up into my mouth and nose went back into my lungs in

> aerosol form.

>

> It caused a few pneumonias and I wound up breaking ribs from coughing.

>

> The surgery itself is not very painful because it's done through five to

> six

> small holes in the abdomen.

>

> It's the recovery that's rough. That's because you can't swallow normally,

> if at all, for several weeks. We take something like that for granted

> until

> we lose the ability.

>

> Between the swelling within the esophagus and the internal stitches, it was

> tough going.

>

> Some people need more surgical intervention or stretching AFTER the big

> operation. Again, I was lucky. Nature took its time.

>

> Although the outside of me doesn't look too bad, my guts still ache from

> time

> to time, especially when it rains. As you well, know, abdominal surgery

> hurts for quite a while. They did

> go in there and move stuff and bang it around.

>

> It's taken a lot out of me. But I went in with chronic anemia.

> Amazingly, my hemoglobin didn't drop drastically. That's thanks to the

> Procrit that I inject.

>

> It's been only seven weeks and I'm able to eat and drink just about

> everything. Bagels are still a problem. Big deal.

>

> Before undergoing the surgery, I tried the relatively new

> BARD EndoCinch Suturing System.

>

> That is done via an upper endoscope. An itty bitty sewing machine is

> inserted right into the esophagus and a pleat is formed and stitched into

> place.

>

> In my case, that super duper reflux defeated it after five glorious months.

>

> Reflux isn't simple heartburn. It can kill because it can lead to

> esophageal

> cancer which is the fastest growing killer of the Baby Boomers.

>

> We cannot live with an unprotected esophagus for years.

> At minimum, Barrett's can develop.

>

> I had already developed polyps.

>

> -E

>

Oh my goodness Ellen, you have been thru such a hard time with that reflux.

Just as I was reading this post my husband came into the room and I told him

about you and the post you just sent me and I had it up on the monitor. He

began to read it and got scared. He said that he is not going back to his

old diet and live on pills but he is going to continue to watch what he is

eating and drinking and take care of himself. I will believe it when I see

it. LOLOL He is not very disciplined when it comes to food. He is not

heavy but he enjoys his food. I do too but I don't want anymore problems

with my health. I take a pepcid every evening just in case. I also eat a

pretty bland diet.

I am so happy for you that this surgery has worked for you and that you have

a great understanding of what irritating the esophagus can do to a person

after a while. Now we have to get your pancreas calmed down.

Isn't it awful when we have to have procedures where the doctor has to go

down our throats or up our bowels. I hate that. Please stay away from my

bottom and my mouth. Oh yes, and my eyes. LOLOLOL I can handle abdomen

surgery but not the other stuff. But when you have to have it done it seems

that you can do it even though you think you can't stand it.

Do you go for check up on the surgery to make sure it is working right for

you? Does your stomach fill up quickly? That is probably a stupid question

since you have pancreatitis and probably can't eat much anyway. Please take

care and I am so proud of you for having that surgery done to prevent any

future problems. You are a very logical and smart woman. Shirley

[Guest guest]

Shirley:

Although overweight just about all of my life, I've never been a big eater.

The registered dietitian, with whom I met years ago, told me that I don't

eating enough!

The years in bed, either in a hospital or at home plus some of the meds, have

made things worse. A recent sip and fall with subsequent knee surgery only

made matters worse.

I honestly have no appetite most of the time.

I did not eat at all yesterday. Today I forced myself and my bowels did the

Macarena.

Fights over my lack of eating have become a regular event here.

-E

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/28/01 5:41:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,

esquare726@... writes:

>

> Shirley:

>

> Although overweight just about all of my life, I've never been a big eater.

>

> The registered dietitian, with whom I met years ago, told me that I don't

> eating enough!

>

> The years in bed, either in a hospital or at home plus some of the meds,

> have

> made things worse. A recent sip and fall with subsequent knee surgery only

> made matters worse.

>

> I honestly have no appetite most of the time.

> I did not eat at all yesterday. Today I forced myself and my bowels did

> the

> Macarena.

>

> Fights over my lack of eating have become a regular event here.

>

> -E

>

>

Dear Ellen, I have heard of many people who have chronic pancreatitis and are

over weight. I even met a woman here in Cincinnati, who had cp and my

husband and I would go to the hospital to visit her and she was very over

weight. She didn't eat anything. She couldn't eat. She was so sick and

vomited bile all of the time. I don't know why but some people who are sick

with pancreatitis do have a weight problem. Go figure!! I was skin and

bones.

I have seen people with cancer who are very overweight and they didn't eat

much either. I don't understand it. Doctors think that if one is overweight

then there is nothing wrong with them but I have found out that being

overweight has nothing to do with an illness. Many people in this group are

very ill and have a weight problem and they don't eat much at all. It's a

shame that doctor's don't have more compassion for people and make snap

assumptions. Shirley

[Guest guest]

This full figured, fluffy gal does lose weight rapidly during a monster

attack. But I'm starting with a better " base " than most of you.

Dr. Darwin Conwell was the first GI doctor who did not make any comment about

me size being a factor in determining my diagnosis.

And my current doctor, Gress, was shocked when I asked him weight

questions. He looked at just before I was knocked out for the biopsy and

answered my question with a question.

That was, " What does your weight have to do with anything? "

-E