Re: Florida Seeking Understanding

[Guest guest]

Hi,

You wrote, " My mother (57) was diagnosed with Pancreatitis ~5 years ago ...

 Now she just sits in the hospital alone (She is a heavy smoker, and eating

habit (lots of candy and red meant and dairy).  I am at a university in another

state, but when I am here I just feel helpless.  I can't stop crying. "

Well, I am glad that you did some searching and located this group. You will

receive a lot of support on this board and we also have a large Florida State

Chapter. What city is your mother in? Does she have a computer? The first

thing you both need is a big hug. It is very difficult to watch someone you love

be in a state that you cannot fix or change. Depending on your location we may

have a hospital visitation program.

We would also be glad to give her a call. The main thing is that she knows

she isn't alone.

Regarding what she eats. I wouldn't worry about it, other than avoiding all

alcohol. Hang around here long enough and you will realize that what works for

one person doesn't for another. The most important thing is that she start

listening to her body and she will soon learn what her body can tolerate. As she

learns more about the disease she will be more able to do those things that

promote health & healing.

It is very important that she drink a good 8 glasses of good water every day.

It is good that she can't smoke where she is, because that ups the risk

factors for complications from this disease. On the other hand, stress, I

believe,

may do the same.

Please let us know what your name is, too.

Karyn E. , RN,

Exec. Director, PAI

*http://www.pancassociation.org

[Guest guest]

Thank you for replying to my post!

She was released from the hospital yesterday and is in much better

spirits (though we had a little problem with the new medication--see

other post). She lives in the Polk County area, and has never met

anyone one else with the disease. It might be good for her to see

how other deal. I try not to worry to much about her eating since I

can do very little about it. Oddly, she was never a heavy drinker

and certainly not an alcoholic. We never even had alcohol in the

house when I was growing up, and I never saw her drunk! Not to

mention she is not a social person and really had little chance to

drink in a group situation, since she avoids them. Doctors can be

very rude concerning this fact. They often just assume she is an

alcoholic and deserves the disease, bitching at her about AA meetings

and the lot. It is difficult for her to not see a cause to her pain.

~Chris

> Well, I am glad that you did some searching and located this group.

You will

> receive a lot of support on this board and we also have a large

Florida State

> Chapter. What city is your mother in? Does she have a computer? The

first

> thing you both need is a big hug. It is very difficult to watch

someone you love

> be in a state that you cannot fix or change. Depending on your

location we may

> have a hospital visitation program.