alchemist10's Journal

   I was told that I would most likely have surgery about a month ago... well in this past visit this Monday (May 12th 2008) I was told that there is no call for surgery and that I just need to be patient.  He seems to think I am doing better ever since removing my gall bladder but I have had more pain and been in the hospital since than that I am totally confused.  I guess my physical side looks good but despite my scans being good and showing improvement I was getting bouts of pain.  So I had a tough time of it on Monday as he was telling me I was doing better when I felt like I was doing worse... and was hoping the surgery would make things better.
    But as I look at the news in hindsight it is a good thing that it looks a bit better in my pancreas.  He doesn't want to do surgery unless needed but since I had such a tough time and was emotional on Monday he is seeing about getting me another opinon from a Doc at MGH.  My problem was that I was anticipatin surgery and was hoping it would be an answer to giving me some sort of stability.  My Doctor's opinion is that he doesn't want to do any sort of surgery unless it is needed and that, as he put it, he does'nt want to put my life on the line for something that may be of no benefit.  That kind of through me for a loop and made me think about how serious this is and that I can;t rush things.  It also made me realise that I may have to deal with the pain and discomfort of this for quite some time.

   On top of the Chronic Pancreatitis I also developed a spleenic vein thrombosis.  Apparently this has progressed in such a way as my doctor says my spleen will have to be removed.  This problem was discovered in March and not much else was said about it so when he mentioned that I would have to have my spleen removed it just go me worried about what else I may have to do as time goes on and what other surprises await me.   

    So right now my pain is improving and I am taking less of my medication and I look foward to being off it again.  I always worry about the damn side effects of stopping the meds after I have been taking them for so long, but it is al part of the illness and what we have to deal with.  Looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the car and driving so I can get to work.  I am worried though because everytime I feel better and start to drive and go to work I end up with pain and with another short visit to the hospital.  But here is hoping for the best.  Also another point of good news is that I won't miss the premeir of the Iniana Jones Movie because of surgery :-)

    Looking forward to hearing from another doctor as a new set of eyes may help.  if he doesn't have time to see me I am going to see who else I can see for a 4th opinion.  Thanks for reading!!