Paula’s Story of Courage
I just completed my 2nd surgery; the first surgery took place at the age of 24, after years of misdiagnosis. The stomach pain is part of my earliest memories. The 1st surgery was amputation of the tail of my pancreas and removal of my spleen and gallbladder. What followed was 25 years of painful pancreatic episodes that I learned to live with. I hadn’t been hospitalized in over 20 years and do not take pain medication. Note: when the pain grows less each year, it’s not because you are getting better… it’s pancreatic “burn-out.” I actually thought I was “getting better.” Although there is still little information about this disease today, there was far less 25 years ago. Many doctors treated me like I was a drunk or that I was drug seeking or that I was faking it. I don’t drink, smoke or eat foods with preservatives and to the best of my knowledge, I’m not unintentionally crazy. It was very frustrating finding the right doctor, but ultimately, Dr. John Howard (the real life “Trapper John”) saved my life. Deterioration of the pancreas over these past 25 years caused malabsorption which lead to malnutrition and a significant blockage of the biliary duct. This last surgery included removal of the blockage and a jejunectomy. The effects of the malnutrition are still lingering and my digestive system is still adjusting to the surgery. Actigall is the only medication that actually relieves the new twisting pain that started after the surgery. I’m taking Creon for the malabsorption and multiple diuretics to reduce the swelling of my stomach. Before this happened, size 4 clothes hung on me, but now I’m a size 6 and adjusting to a new diet. This was by far the most painful, horrible experience: I begged God to let me die, I begged God to let me live, I begged God to give me strength. I’ve learned the hard way that life is what you make it. Every day I wake up and thank God for this new day and ask him to let it be pain free. I take time for myself and I don’t hesitate to express how I feel to those I love. Life is very short, every day that I am “well” is a Great day!
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Hello;my name is Graydon,I have acute pancreatitis that doctor,s believe was kick started by my young drinking years.I was diagnosed about 5 years ago ,in and out of hospital many times ay ear and have had jaundis about 5 times .I was sent to st. joseph,s hospital in toronto by my doctor,(prior to this I have had 0ne and then two stent implants and removels in my pancreas)the specialist at st.Joseph,s immediately set a date for a whipple operation procedure as there is a possibility of pancreatic cance rThe pain brought on by this pancreatitis is unbearable ,thank god for morphine.Because of this I have become diabetic on insulin,I think I was diabetic for many years and did not know it ,this also did not help my situation,any way, i will try and fill you all in on the outcome of the whipple procedure after my recovery from 28th Oct..
What a great story – I had the same surgery at 18 yrs old due to car accident. Also suffered episodes for last 20 years, but in March I had acute attack for unknown reasons and was hospitalized. Since then my pancreas is not cooperating at all and I cannot get back to where I was before. The doctor keeps telling me that pain and nausea are thoughts and not reality and I need to change my thoughts. After 8 abdominal surgeries and a constant battle with dehydration, malabsorption, and weight loss, I have earned the right to be in pain! I wish I could find someone that would save me too!
You are strong and GOD will hear your prays. Hope you feel better> I have a 22 year old daughter and she is expierencing the same thing you just mentioned in your story. Except she has CF and a divided Pancreas – the head of the pancreas. I feel so empathitic yet so helpless to sit and see her in pain all the time. I dont know how people like you do it….I really pray to GOD that you get better. Keep your head up.