Re: questions for previous Sutherland patients - Keri

[Guest guest]

> Hi Keri,

> I had the surgery done on April 14, 2003 almost 4

> months ago. Even though I am recovering slowly, I feel

> so much better. Like Shirley said everyone is

> different with their post surgery pain, vomitting,

> etc. The nurses there at Fairview are wonderful! They

> do keep on top of your pain so that it does not get

> out of control. Dr. Sutherland is a fabulous doc and a

> very kind and sincere person. He still will e-mail me

> with answers to any question I may have.

> My surgery lasted 11hours. I am now a diabetic

> (insulin dependent) and will be for the rest of my

> life. They were not able to get very many islet cells

> due to the many other surgeries I had on my pancreas.

> It would be beneficial to you to get in contact

> with Ann Marie Papas and she will assist you in the

> things you need to do prior to surgery.

> Good luck with everything and remember to take one

> day at a time.

, Thanks, I am glad to know they are pretty good about managing

pain. I am pretty tolerant at this point and on the rare occasion I

do get good pain relief, it is a pretty big dose that does it. I am

so looking forward to not having to worry about being in pain and all

of the myriad problems that goes along with it.

Are you excited about your life now?? I am and I haven't even got a

sure thing for the surgery yet.

I was wondering if I should contact Nurse Papas directly or go

through my referring physician. I don't want to over step any

boundaries. I am so confused about what the itenerary for this kind

of thing is. They should have a handout, what to do when you have

been referred to Dr Sutherland. I don't know if I am supposed to

contact my insurance about the approval. I seem to recall someone

saying that Nurse Papas was very good with insurance approval

proceedures. Forgive me I am rambling without any direction, I'll

stop.

Best wishes to you, and hoping to become a member of the Sutherland

surgery club, Keri