Re:Keri/ More questions TP/ICT patients.. : )

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/6/2003 3:22:16 AM Central Standard Time,

pancreatitis writes:

> I apologize, it seems

> with this surgery looming, it takes over most of my conscious

> thoughts.

Hey there...Keri,

First no need to apologize the anxiousness one feels before an extremely

difficult surgery especially one where one is not certain of the outcome does

consume ones life, especially as the date approaches. I know the days before

Brandans surgery the thoughts as the day got closer consumed my every moment.

BUT as difficult as it was in the end it was truly worth it! For Brandan

his quality of life has improved greatly compared to where he was a year ago.

Although he still lives with what I have come to call " residual pain " it is

nothing compared to what he use to endure. It is believed now to be nerve

damage, as always we continue to take things " ONE DAY AT A TIME. " Brandan now

eats

pretty much what he wants but we still do monitor his sugars regularly and I

try to steer him toward less carbs. He does not required insulin and at the

time of his surgery they removed only 129,000 islets, although thought at the

time he would be possibly slightly diabetic, that has not proven to be the case

much to our delight.

Brandan was in the Pedi-ICU following his surgery because of the large

amounts of pain medication needed to control his pain. He was sitting in a

chair by the second day after surgery because of the fear of phneumonia if he

did

not get up and move. Although greatly uncomfortable and not happy at times,

he did what he had to and even took a few steps everyday. Before we knew it

he was up and walking the halls. Everyone is different but just take things

slow and know eventually you will get to the good days. Brandan was given

insulin for the first 3-4 weeks following surgery so that he would not stress

the

islets. The islets begin to work immediately when transferred and in order

not to stress them insulin is given to give them time to nestle into thier new

home. TRUST ME, your not beating a dead horse these are questions we all

looked for answers to at one time or another. I hope I have helped, if you have

any more thoughts or questions or just need a shoulder to lean on...feel free to

email me. I am excited for you and yours and I know although it takes a time

for your body to heal, give it that time for it has been sick for so very

long. Just continue as you have take things ONEDAY at a time...Wishing you and

yours nothing but good days ahead. As always keeping you and yours in our

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

TTFN..:

)

Peg

" It truly is amazing how one person can make a difference. "