Re: Digest Number 2281from Staci in California

[Guest guest]

Hello to everyone. I have not been online for about a year. And what a

painful year it has been. I have been absent from work this year just about

as

much as I have been present. Here is a letter that I wrote to Dr. Sutherland

in Minneapolis, since several of you have been healed by him. If you have ANY

advise for me, please send it my way. I am getting pretty scared now, as I

look at scheduling surgery to remove the tumors they have found in my pancreas

last month. The doctors say that I should have the surgery within the next 4

weeks, which again scares me.

Any advice? -- Staci (The ol' choral conductor in California)

Here is the letter I sent to Dr. Sutherland:

Dear Dr. Sutherland,

I received your email address from the Pancreatitis International website and

I wondered if you could lend me your expert advice. A few of my suffering

pancreatitis pals have been healed by you, and I am nervous about a recent

diagnosis.

I have been suffering with " diagnosed " chronic pancreatitis for 18-20 years.

I am a 41 year old female who 2 months ago underwent an ERCP to check the gas

pressure of the Sphincter of Oddi. When Dr. Lee at UCIrvine Medical

hospital of California saw the mucous containing tumors, he backed out of my

pancreas and discontinued with the manometry involved with that ERCP. Last

Thursday (June 18th), I underwent another ERCP combined with ultrasound with

the

intention of finding just how many of the tumors there were in my pancreas.

They found 3 at the head and neck of my pancreas. The biopsy was benign.

However, they want me in for surgery no longer than four weeks to remove that

section of my pancreas. I am quite scared.

I am quite self medicated by my doctors, using oxycontin, fentenyl patch

and actiq pops to help with the daily pain and keep me out of the hospital. But

this last year, I have been absent form my work a lot and increasingly tired.

( I am an active music teacher and conductor. Imagine how it hurts to

breathe in deep to teach others to sing!)

I know that after years of suffering this surgery is my only chance at a

normal life, and will take away the tumors which may turn malignant. But I am

also aware of it's risk. My imagination makes everything look worse than it is.

I am not diabetic now. Will I become diabetic? Can I die in this procedure?

Of course I know that there is this risk with any surgery? Will this stop

my pain? Am I going to die of cancer of the pancreas? I think that UCI will

set me up with the surgeon names Izagawa? Do you know of him?

I know I have written a lot and you are a busy doctor. Can you steer me the

right way?

Thank you for your time and attention.

Staci -

email bandscox@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/15/2003 3:34:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

bandscox@... writes:

> The biopsy was benign.

> However, they want me in for surgery no longer than four weeks to remove

> that

> section of my pancreas. I am quite scared.

>

Dear Staci, it is wonderful to hear from you again. You have been going thru

so very much and haven't told us anything about it. I wish you had informed

the group so we could be there for you. I am glad that you have written to us

now.

Oh my Staci the tumors sound so, so painful. You have been having so much

pain.

Staci as you know Dr. Sutherland performed the TP/ICT on me December 8, 2000.

That is how he cured me of cp. I still am glad that I made the decision to

have the pancreatectomy. I am glad that I didn't have any other surgery that

other doctors suggested I have. Those being surgeries that removed only part

of my pancreas to try to alleviate the pain and disease. I knew then and I

know now that those doctors and the surgeries that they wanted to perform on me

wouldn't stop the pain. I also knew that they would remove part of my pancreas

and then I would continue to live with pain and then I might not have enough

islets for the islet cell transplant. I made my decision to have the

pancreatectomy because I wanted the disease to be done with me forever and it

is. You

dear Staci are the only one who can make the decision of what type of surgery

you are going to have. I know that you have made a very smart decision to

asked Dr. Sutherland his opinion. He is the best in my opinion. He has the

longest TP/ICT history. He pioneered that surgery.

My fear for you is that you will have part of your pancreas removed and

that will not cure you of cp. What are your options then? Once the pancreas

is operated on and then a patient decides to then have the pancreatectomy the

patient is then left with problems. Could be pain from the previous pancreas

surgery or slow stomach emptying.

You are so right Staci to seek Dr. Sutheland's advice. He is a very smart

doctor and a very caring one. Take care and choose very carefully. I wish you

the best. You have a huge choice to make and I believe that Dr. Sutherland

will be able to help you. I will give you his e-mail address and his phone

number. He will write you back or call you. Hang in there sweet girl. We love

you. Shirley

Phone number (612)625-7600

E-mail address DSuther@...

[Guest guest]

Staci,

Shirley has given you some great advice... Although if you want to go through

with the removal of part pf your pancrease are they going to do a whipple.. If

so skip that and go straight for the pt/ict take it from someone who had the

whipple and then suffered for three more years till I had the transpalnt last

Oct and this is the best that I have flet in seven years.. At least talk to

Dr.Sutherland and see what his opinion is... In the long run only you and only

you can make the big Decision... Take care a God Bless...

[Guest guest]

Staci,

I'm sorry you are having such problems with tumors, but I'm

glad to hear from you after so long. I wish I could help you

more, but I'm currently avoiding surgery, so I can't give

you the info you need, but I'm sure that others who have had

surgery have responded to you. I'll keep you in my prayers

that things get better.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to

that of a licensed physician or health care professional.