stand4hope Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Good morning, You are all just so incredibly wonderful to type so many responses on something that isn't even lc related. I'm overwhelmed! I was hesitant to even post anything about our son's pancreatitis at all, but I'm glad I did. I have at least a wee bit of encouraging news this morning. Our son's lipase (the blood test done for enzymes) had continued to rise every day and was at a whopping 1,319 yesterday. The normal range is 10-150. Today, it came down to 1,074. It's still quite high and troubling, but at least it's going in the right direction today. Phew! His pain level is still severe and I'm concerned about how heavily medicated he is, but I also understand that pancreatitis is horribly painful and the medication is necessary. Today is day 14 in the hospital. He is still on intravenous feeding (TPN) and has only had to get insulin one time because of the TPN. He's receiving antibiotics for an infection from an undetermined source, but they believe it was caused by the picc line for the TPN. However, today his temp is normal and WBC has dropped to 8,000, so they won't have to remove the picc line and reinstert it. We could not get him transferred to IU Hospital where the specialists are located, however, we did get him set up to go there early tomorrow morning for the ERCP procedure. This will be done by a Dr. Lehman who apparently is sought out nationally and many chronic pancreatitis patients go to him from around the country. With this procedure, they go down through his throat into the stomach and to the pancreas. This instrument has teeny tiny tools that will actually open up the tiny ducts and get right into the pancreas. If there is anything that can be repaired with these tools they can do it right then. They can insert tiny stents and inflate the ducts and insert balloons. It's really quite intriguing. They will keep him for 4-6 hours after the procedure for observation and then send him back to Clarian West, as long as they don't have a reason to keep him. If he has a problem that Clarian West can't deal with, then they will keep him. Soooo, we are encouraged today that the lipase has come down and that his WBC is normal, and that he is getting the ERCP tomorrow at IU. I believe that God does hear our prayers, and even if we don't always get what we want, that He does HONOR our prayers. So, for those of you who have prayed, not only does God honor you, but so do I. Oh, and one more thing. For those of you who are concerned about me, I really, really am doing fine. I only had one tough time. That was Friday morning when I was driving to work I called the hospital and his lipase had gone to 1,231. I just got very emotional and very scared. It just lasted a short time and I never lost control; I just got kind of weepy and scared. Like so many others, I have had lots of very tough times in my life. Even though I get scared like everyone else and don't like what's happening, I just know that all things, even the bad things, are part of life and living. While lc is tragic, so is every other disease that disrupts, disables and even kills. I've just seen so much of it that I know there is always going to be more and there is nothing special about me or my family to make us exempt from these tragedies. It's just the way it is. I heard an expression one time that said all of us are either in a crisis, coming out of a crisis, or heading into a crisis. So true! So true! I don't think we should be discouraged about this, though. It's just part of our life cycles and we must be strong individuals and push through each and every crisis when it hits, with God's help of course. Much love to all, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 So glad to hear your good news, Peg....and continued well wishes and positive thoughts to your son, for more and more improvement and successful tx. I'm glad things seem to be going in the right direction now...as this has to have been so scary for you. Thanks for the update. Looking forward to the NEXT good report! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Peggy, Thank you for the post and the positive energy. We needed it and are grateful. Your words are true, except for the part about you not being special. YOU ARE SPECIAL AND YOUR FAMILY IS SPECIAL and we love you. Pat and Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Peggy: You and youor family have my continued prayers and support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Peggy~ I am glad things are taking a turn for the better. Hang in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finster Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Peggy, Glad to hear that things appear to be headed in the right direction. You're a strong lady and you'll get through this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Just adding my continued prayers. I think there working?!?!?! Glad to hear things may be on the UP Swing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Sounds good, Peggy. Praying for continued improvement. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patut Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 My best to you and your son Peggy. Thinking of you. Cyndy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 (((Peggy))), There's nothing to be amazed about . We truly care about you and your family. You are a part of this family too you know. Hang on to the good news, know that our prayers are with you and your family . Keep us informed. Love, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted May 1, 2005 Share Posted May 1, 2005 Peggy, You must be the strongest person I know. When faced with so much, you still find the positive and manage to spread that positive attitude to the rest of us. Thank you for your words. I needed them today. I hope the operation is successful for your son and that his recovery is speedy. 14 days in the hospital is more than enough. TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 Peggy Thanks for updating us and it's good to hear that things seem to be going in the right direction. Will continue to send out thoughts and prayers for all of you. Gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 Peggy, Glad things are turning around. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 Thank you so much for updating us Peggy. That is good news and I pray for him to get those counts down to a normal level and make a full recovery. Sending prayers his way. Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 ((((hugs))))) to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 Peggy,glad things are on an upward swing.Hoping everything goes well during the procedure for your son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted May 2, 2005 Share Posted May 2, 2005 Peggy, I didn't get on the internet all weekend. We had a wonderful time Friday evening and Saturday afternoon with my visiting aunts and uncles. Then we had an extremely rough day yesterday. very bad. mostly my fault, insofar as getting the bad day starting. anyway, I thought we'd hit rock bottom, but I just read our post and I have this odd mixture of feeling at peace, and also your words of wisdom kicked my bottom side out of my pity party because everything said is so true. Now, I hope the absolute best for your son. that procedures sounds incredibly neat. like a very miniature heart catherization or something! please let us know how he did, and how he's doing. and I know you are doing fine. I wish I could hold up as well as you do. you are an inspiration and a hero. God Bless, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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