Re: Re: the short of a long story-Heidi

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I can't thank you enough for the time and effort you put into your response. I

had actually begun researching Dr. Banks but wasn't feeling well enough to

finish so I didn't see the bio you posted for me. I found the Brigham web site

but shut down before I could look. He does sound like he'll be worth the trip.

My problem isn't really diagnosis; my doc has no doubt that it's pancreatitis.

My 1st acute attack in 1989 had a & l in the thousands. Now, the amylase

elevates, but not the lipase. He did a breakdown which showed that much of the

elevation is salavary amylase and only some pancreatic. Odd, but true. He's

really trying to avoid another ERCP (tho none have been done since 1989).

Anyway, I think he would really like to find some " fixable " abnormality instead

of just assuming it's my cf gene or the hep c. If it's that, he said they'll

have to use every trick of the trade to keep me comfortable because there isn't

anything we can do about it. Thanks for the research and the well wishes.

As for your son. Gee, I'm sorry he has to take those meds. They are truly nasty.

was on 4 different meds. I had to make him a chart and actually get him the

pills because he they really affected him and he wouldn't remember to take them.

We thought he'd be on them for nearly a year but because the culture didn't grow

and he had a " clean " follow-up CT they let him stop. Hopefully, there's no TB

hiding elsewhere that will come out sometime in the future. He had some minor

exposure as a child- an aunt had it but he didn't see her much. However, there's

always the chance. Who knows. Better TB than cancer and better the meds than TB,

for sure. I had the PPD done twice and was, fortunately, negative. But, like you

said- you do what you have to do. . How long will your son be on the meds? I'm

guessing about 9 mths or so. I feel for him.

Anyway, Heidi, a great big thank you.

With caring,

Jill

My son recently twice tested positive for TB infection after flying

the Afganistan prisoners to Cuba last May. Some of the

prisoners who were on the C-17 had tuberculosis. He's had to

take all that preventative medicine and says that it makes him

feel really horrible.....but you do what you gotta do, I guess!

In case you haven't already seen this, here's a little bio I found on

Dr. Banks. I have " heard " of him also, either through this

website, or through someone else sometime talking about CP,

and I know he's well thought of professionally, but I don't know

anything about the personal/patient side of him.

It sounds as though he really might be the kind of specialist that

you need to find out about yourself.

A. Banks, M.D.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Director, Center for Pancreatic Diseases

Director Clinical Research Track

Dr. Banks joined the Division in May 1992, after 19 years as

Chief of Gastroenterology at St. 's Hospital. Dr. Banks

is Past President of the American Pancreatic Association,

President-elect of the International Association of Pancreatology,

Past Chair of the Pancreatic Disorders Section of the American

Gastroenterological Association, and Vice Chairman of the

Executive Committee of the Digestive Disease National

Coalition. Dr. Banks has taught regularly in the post-graduate

courses of the American Gastroenterological Association and

the American College of Gastroenterology. He was awarded the

Distinguished Educator Award of the AGA at its annual meeting

in 2000. Dr. Banks is an international authority in the field of

pancreatitis. His main research interests include the

identification of risk factors and new markers of severity in acute

pancreatitis, newer treatment for fulminant pancreatitis and

newer modalities to treat pain in chronic pancreatitis. He is the

author or co-author of numerous publications, including

chapters in major medical texts. He has authored one book on

pancreatitis and co-authored with a colleague from Germany a

second book on pancreatitis. He is an Associate Editor of the

journal, Pancreatology. In collaboration with Dr. Carr-Locke and

other members of the Center for Pancreatic Disease, Dr. Banks

has initiated several randomized prospective trials on the

treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis. In addition, in

collaboration with members of the Center for Inflammatory

Bowel Disease, Dr. Banks is conducting randomized

prospective trials on newer treatments in inflammatory bowel

disease.

I found this on the Brigham and Women's Hospital website. I

hope that this appointment will be successful for you, and that

you get some conclusive diagnosis....finally!!

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC State & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments and advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.