Durga’s Story of Courage

I had my first Pancreatic attack in India in the year 1994. The Gastroenterologist tried to find out what caused it and did the ERCP test but couldn’t find anything and I lost too much weight. We came to US in ’95 on my husband’s project work from his company in India and our son was 4 years old. I recovered fast, gained weight, did not have any attacks, I was feeling good and totally forgot about my attacks. When I felt so good then we started thinking about 2nd child. But in ’98 my Mother-in-law passed away who was just 50 years had heart failure and we went to India to attend the funeral. Within 15 days I had major Pancreatic attack and CAT scan showed little bit Calcification. When we returned to US we consulted Gynecologist, Gastroenterologist and they said we don’t have to postpone our family planning because of Pancreatitis. I got pregnant in ‘99 but it was a hard pregnancy with attacks, gestational diabetes and ending up on bed rest with brethen pump to control the contractions. We had great group of gynecologists who really took good care of me and I had healthy baby girl without any problem on Jan, 5th, 2000 and it was the happiest day in our lives after such tense pregnancy. We named our baby Spoorthi which means inspiration and my both kids became my inspiration.
Within two weeks I had severe pain and the doctor did ERCP again but did not find anything but I ended up with an attack in the hospital. I was in and out of the hospitals and then they decided to send me to Jefferson’s hospital in Philly. First I had Symphcterectomy in which doctor found lot of stones in my Pancreas, he removed as many as possible but when the pain returned Surgeons took over and I had Peustow Procedure my gall bladder was removed which was totally damaged and it never showed up in any test. After spending a month in the hospital I came home and I enjoyed my baby like normal moms do.
It’s hard to describe what we all went through but we had wonderful friends and they all helped us. Things got worse again and then we contacted a great Surgeon at Hospital of PENN and after my nutrition levels increased I had Whipple procedure. We were excited but unfortunately the pain returned and it totally devastated me and the doctors told me that have Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitis and again I ended up with J-tube feedings for my nutrition. Right now I’m on TPN too helping me to gain weight which I lost last year. I have little bit of Pancreas helping with insulin but causing attacks. I was upset but I can’t give up as my kids are young so I go to pain clinic to get pain medications to control my pain, avoiding hospitalizations and go to emergency whenever necessary.
I divert my mind with my bead work and my friends encouraged me to do the arts and craft shows and it was like a therapeutic experience for me. Now I have my own internet radio show in Telugu (mother tongue) and I’m a freelance writer writing regularly to Associated Content which is my passion. My son finished sophomore year at NYU, majoring Film and graduating one year earlier in 2011 as he has AP credits. My daughter is a smart and busy girl with lot of activities which she enjoys very much and growing beautifully. My husband a wonderful care taker never complains enjoys gardening. We all accepted the situation, support, encourage each other and we move on with positive attitude. I have good and bad days and it is not easy to live like this with horrible pain but I pull myself and move on.