Re: Keeping in touch TO KERI

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/3/2003 1:49:09 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jandcsmomma@... writes:

Hope I am not depressing everyone, it really just feels good to get

it off your chest.

My surgery is rapidly approaching, I am a bundle of nerves. I have

just two weeks and a few hours to go! I check in at 5:30 am Mon the

17th. I would ask all of you that pray, to please keep me in your

prayers both that day for a safe successful surgery, and in the mean

time for calm.

Hi Keri, you are not depressing anyone. Having chronic pancreatitis and

being depressed go hand and hand.

I was just thinking about you yesterday and today. I knew that the date for

your surgery was approaching. I too, like you was a bundle of nerves. When I

had a scary thought about my surgery I would then think what my life would be

like in the future if I continued to live with nothing done. Don't have any

quilt or think that we who have already had the surgery didn't get scared or

nervous because we did. We just kept thinking of the positive side and

praying. The night before my surgery while we were staying in a hotel in MN. we

went

to a movie to keep my mind occupied. It helped a lot.

Dr. Sutherland will take good care of you. He is a great surgeon and you are

in the best hands. When I was at the hospital in MN. before my surgery a

nurse said to me you are going to feel so much better when you get that pancreas

out of you. She was so right. I will keep you in my prayers starting now and

until you have recovered. When you are recovering from the surgery just

remember that your friends here in the group are thinking and praying for you to

get

well very fast.

What is your last name? I want to call you after you have your surgery. I

am going to contact Sue Rebello and Gail and let them know your surgery

date. You will have a team of people praying for you and wishing you good

health. It is so wonderful Keri to be rid of that mean old pancreas. Write me

anytime and you can call me if you like. My phone number is (513)474-4949.

[Guest guest]

Oh dear, Keri, I was wondering how you were doing. I'm sorry to

hear that it was " not well " . Going to the hospital is such a stress

in itself, and I know that at first we are happy to be there, but once

we start feeling better, we are all just as anxious to escape! It's

so hard when we come home, for all the reasons you just talked

about. It's tough. When I'm in the hospital I seem to be able to

forget about all that stuff at home and that's relaxing, but then you

come home and you're faced with seeing all the things that have

been undone, and you watch your husband running around

trying to keep everything together and keep up with all the work,

and care for you and the children. Yes, Josh is a very special

man....he's amazing in his consideration and support, and such

a nice guy.

I know it sounds impossible, but TRY not to stress yourself out

too much now that you're home. You need to be physically and

mentally at peace to prepare yourself for the surgery ahead. Is

there anyone in the family, or perhaps a friend that you could get

to come in and help with some of the household

responsibilities? Someone that could take the load off Josh and

you? Anything that you could do to relieve the stress and help

lighten the workload? Maybe someone has a teenage daughter

that might be willing to come to the house after school and help

you out with some of the household chores and watch and

entertain the children, that might not cost as much as a

professional? These are just some thoughts.

Of course, you will be very much in my prayers both now, and all

during the time of your surgery in Minnesota. Meanwhile, you

rest as well as you can, and I'll pray that Josh has some rest and

easier days ahead, too.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

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

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.