Re: Bert (Bert's story)

July 2, 2003

Shirley,

I have been such a very lazy member of PAI that I should be spanked.

My story exists at:

but its not really complete. I didn't submit my story, someone from

the PAI (bless them) compiled my posts in a manner that told my story.

I am humbled that someone would do this to make sure I had a story to

share and I owe someone big time! I really need to do my story now,

since I have some sense of closure having had the TP/ICT.

Until I do the full blown story you can read the story that is online

now, knowing it is incomplete.

Here are some quick facts about my history:

My first attack of pancreatitis occurred November 1999 as the result

of a gallstone attack. Feb. 2000 my gallbladder is removed. Attacks of

pancreatitis continued.

I have been hospitalized 15 times since November 1999 for pancreatitis.

I have undergone 3 ERCPs and 1 Endoscopic Ultrasound (ouch!). I have

had 1 MRCP, and more than 20 CT Scans.

July 2002: I was diagnosed with sphincter of odii dysfunction, had a

dual sphincterotomy, and was free from attacks for 6 months.

The attacks returned December 2002. The attacks are far more intense

and far more frequent. I have 8 attacks between December 2002 and

April 2003.

May 15, 2003: I become the 25th patient at the University of

Cincinnati Medical Center to undego a total pancreatectomy with islet

cell autotransplant. Surgery takes a little over 12 hours. 280,000

islet cells were transplanted. I spend 36 hours in the surgical

intensive care unit, total 9 days in the hospital.

July 2, 2003: 7 weeks to the day post-op and I am tube free and doing

well. My blood sugars range from 80-120, with a spike to 130 following

gigantic mexican dinners. I mention huge mexican meals because I can

now eat foods in large quantity that prior to surgery would have

triggered an attack of pancreatitis. My insulin needs are about 30

units daily with a slight trend downwards. Primary care doctor thinks

I may be able to get off of insulin in 6 months at this rate.

There ya go, I am long winded! But being on medical leave I don't have

too much else to do. =)

Blessings,

Bert

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