It has always been my intention to bring the truth to this blog. Since the beginning of the year I have been having a lot more upper abdominal symptoms. I have been spending more days in bed. It seems that I would have acute symptoms be down for 2-3 days and then spend one taking it easy and then the mad dash is on to catch up what has been missed since my initial symptoms began. Then in 3-4 days back down I would go.
I am also have a difficult time keeping weight on. I have lost about 20 plus pounds in the last 13 months. I have reached the lowest weight that I can remember. I believe I am smaller now than when I was 12 years old. I was never a small girl before the term of pancreatitis became an everyday word.
On Wednesday March 28, 2013 I began to have the upper abdominal and back radiating symptoms that I knew were bad. It feels as though someone or something has kicked me in the chest below my sternum. This time I knew it was different I could not go to sleep, normally if I go to bed I will just go to sleep and sleep through most of it.
In the wee hours of the morning my husband was driving me to the ER. I declined admission but was administered pain relief and nausea meds. I forgot to say that as soon as I hit triage I began to vomit as soon as the nurse said " May I help you"? I began to vomit into the bucket I was carrying.
The long short of it all... I had elevated liver enzymes again.
alkaline phosp  261
AST ( SGOT) 230
Alt   (SGPT) 155
It has been almost 2 weeks and I am still not back to me. I stay tired and don't have much stamina. I was given a referral to a local GI. I tried to call but who ever answered the phone wouldn't make me an appointment because that physician was NOT on call that noc. Even though I don't want to see the one that was on call. On to bigger and better things. I am under no illusions, there was no one here who could help me prior to the tp/ict I doubt that they can now. I still occasionally get the " you can't live without a pancreas". Guess I am dead then! This thing I know I don't have a pancreas and don't WANT one.
On a positive note, had my HA1C checked 6.0 not where I like it to be, but this I can work on. Usually I am 5.7-5.9. I am still within a non diabetic range and want to keep it that way.
Lisa

Still here 6 years after surgery

I don't post frequently because the mundane aspects of life are boring. No one likes a blog where people say " well I took the trash out today".
Years, looking back many now my husband and I set out to chronicle my life. My life back then if one could call that a life I call it an existance.
The emails from others who know the pain come less frequently. My purpose was to chronicle what happened after ground breaking surgery.
I have survived 6 years post surgery, taking each day as they come. I have attempted to be transparent to all. I still have pain, and there are days that are spend in bed flat, but there are days that are full of joy.

My only goal is to attend church service 3 times per month. I manage my time with the daily aspects of life and my only hobby is machine embroidery which is not real physically taxing. I have 2 grand daughters who love to have Disney princesses embroidered on their t shirts and such. Being unable to get out for lessons it is amazing what one call learn from you tube and yahoo groups.
I have added a picture taken of me and my dear sweet husband. We were at a formal event. I am so very proud of him. If anyone has read the blog Michael was working on his BSN and last year he finished is MSN. Currently he is a nurse practitioner. No one ever said life would be easy, but Jesus promised he would be with us. This I have learned to be true. To God be the Glory!
I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,I know that full well. Psalm 139:14 NIV

Reaching me

If you attempt to reach me, you will have to leave your email address. The way these blogs are set up, there is no way for me to know your email address. If you want me to respond to you, somehow you will have to leave away for me to contact you.
It is my sincerest desire to assist ALL who have suffered with this affliction. Please allow me to respond to your requests.
Lisa

I am still here

I wanted to let anyone who has ever kept up with the blog know that I am still here. I have celebrated the 5th anniversary of my surgery tp/ict. Our lives this years have been so busy. My husband just finished his Masters in Nursing. He will sit for his NP exams very soon. My days were spent packing lunches, trying to keep up with the laundry and the house. For those with chronic illness, you understand how difficult minor tasks can be at times. Even though I did not earn an academic degree somehow I feel like I have accomplished something, by just doing what I have done. This self directed learning procees was so intense, he did not have time to focus on anything but school.
I make posts when I do to let those searching know that 5 years out, I am still here, enjoying my life. I don't want to give people false hope, I suffered for 10 long years waiting for something. I still have deficits, I still have pain, but this pain is controllable, the other was not. I still have times when I have to lay in bed which btw is my least favorite thing in the world, but that seems to be something that assists with the pain, so lay down I will do. I have survived long enough to see my only child marry, give birth.. twice. Hold two precious little girls who have their grandmothers eyes. What more could a person want? If you are on the fence deciding about surgery... don't wait another minute. Don't let pancreatitis steal one more minute of your life.
Yes, I check my blood sugars frequently, my last HA1C was 5.7 equal to that of a non diabetic. I also give insulin every night ( just to keep those little islet happy and snug as a bug in a rug in my liver) to answer the next question the amount Lantus is 3.5 ( yes I said 3 point 5 not thirty five). I purchase special insulin syringes that measure half units. I eat a lower cab diet. Carbohydrates are the building blocks we need to burn as fuel, so eliminating ALL carbs in not the answer, without some carb we burn muscle. I am here if there are any QUESTIONS that some may have. After reading my blog you have probably determined that I am a Christian. I will leave this post with this scripture.

19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 30-19

My 44th birthday

Today is my 44th birthday. I have spend the last 3 days in bed. This has be happening quite frequently lately. I went to church on Sunday ( the first time in 2 weeks) I knew that I was getting really hungry, and I know this is not good, I was trying to get home to eat. Today is better than Sunday afternoon and yesterday.
I have survived longer than I ever thought. Each day is a miracle, soon I will be a grandmother again.

Chinese posts

I really don't mind if people leave comments regarding pancreatitis, but this is MY blog. It is rude to leave comments in another language, but to leave explicit content on a blog intended for people with a life threatening illness is another thing. Find somewhere else to post your comments, I won't tolerate this, I will pull this blog before I let this become a place for people to post what ever they want. It is simple enough to get a blog, why not get one and do what you want on your own. Enough said.