Re:Makalems surgery.. : )

[Guest guest]

Hey there ,

My name is Peg, I believe we have spoken in the past but it has been

sometime, my son is Brandan he had the TP with ICP on August 12, 2003 at

the Fairview Hospital in MN, it was perfomed by Dr. Sutherland.

I am in the process of doing Brandans update following his surgery now a

little more than 8 months ago. ITS is a very drastic surgery as anyone can

tell you, but for my son Brandan it has been his second chance. Although he

has residual pain at times for no explained reasons that the doctors can

find, and at times takes what I consider to be a small amount of pain killers

vs the massive amounts he had been use to, I feel its only a matter of time

before they become a memory.

A year ago this Easter my son could not even sit down to the table to

enjoy something as simple as a holiday meal with his family. THIS YEAR he is

right at the table with us enjoying not only the tastes and smells of many

foods but the laughter and delight that go along with it. MY family has

truly been blessed this Easter, for we know that Brandan is on the road to

recovery, from a disease we were once told was incurable. Brandan like so

many will always suffer the reprocussions of having this disease, but life

for him since the surgery has been a new beginning.

I am happy to help in anyway I can to give you information to make

your travel to MN easier for you and your family. I know another member had

information about Angel flight, we drove when our son had his surgery so I am

not sure about that but will see if I can come up with some information

regarding it for you. The Mc house is only a short walk from

the Hospital and they are willing to accomadate families of any size for any

period of time. The cost is very minimal and it truly is a home away from

home. Please email me directly and I will be happy to get you all the

information if you would like. I can't tell you how thrilled I am for

Makalem and your whole family.

I look forward to talking with you, As always keeping you and yours in

our thoughts and prayers....Keep smiling(cuz sometimes its all one can do!)

TTFN..: )

Peg Bates

Brwnbare9@...

Massachusetts State Chapter Rep.

Pancreatitis Association Intl.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL WHO ARE A PART OF THE PAI...GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS

ALWAYS... : )

[Guest guest]

Dear Peg,

Thanks for your nice letter. However, I think you might have me

mixed up with someone else. I live in MN. I am about 4 hours north

of the University of Minnesota. My mom lives in Monticello, MN,

which is only about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from the University, so I won't

need any help traveling or a place to stay. If I need to be close to

the hospital for several days the only problem we will encounter is

finding someone to do our chores. We live on an 80 acre farm and we

have 8 pigs and 2 dogs and 1 very pregnant cat. However, we have one

son and one daughter that live within 20 miles of our place and I

think they will do our chores for us.

I am so happy to hear that your son, Brandan, is on the road to

recovery. I just hope that the surgery will give me a second chance

at life also as I have 5 grandsons and a granddaughter due to be born

in July. My grandsons ages are 7 years, 27 months, 19 months, 15

months and 14 months. My grandchildren are my life!!! I feel so bad

that I haven't been able to play with them for the past few months

because of the pain and I think they miss our play time too.

Who is Makalam?

Friends with common pain,