Hey, Lisa,
Just read your posts and thought I'd reply.
I was diagnosed with accute severe pancreatitis last December (read my story if you'd like), and after a long four and a half month recouperation, had my gall bladder removed and an EUS to drain a very large pseudocyst which developed on the tail of my pancreas about four months post-attack. Anyway, it was an awful experience -- extreamly painful, scary, thinking I was going to die and never get better, and, well, you know -- all the things that run through our head when we're in the throws of an attack. The good news is (for me), after the two procedures, I've returned to a normal life -- pain free, working, eathing anything I want (including pizza) and seem to be one of the lucky ones to have escaped the true ravages of our disease.
I just flew a three-day London trip with a woman who has CP, diagnosed about 8 years ago, and we discussed my case a lot. She scared me to death saying it was just a matter of time before I get another attack, but I WILL have another one andto PLAN ON IT!! She also said that having the gall bladder removed was nothing -- that chances are, it (the gall bladder) was non-related to the disease and most doctor's see gall bladder surgery as the band-aid to fix things temporarily, since most times patients have gall stones -- which I didn't. So, that tape runs in my head all the time now, but I must replace it with more constructive, productive energy, or she's right! -- I WILL HAVE ANOTHER ATTACK!
It's been over six months and I feel wonderful. No pain, just slight pressure under my left rib where the pseudocyst resides. My doctor's at Duke are very conservative in their approach to my case, since I've never been sick a day in my life and have no family history of the disease. They think my case is very perculiar, but more than likely, I threw a stone, it got lodged in a pancreatic duct, and the rest is history. They also think rather than be aggressive with the cyst and do an open surgery, it perhaps may take longer for the it to spontaneously resolve because of it's size, but we'll just keep an eye on it every three months and go from there. I've also been instructed not to enter and Rodeo's or play tackle football, which I though hilarious! Otherwise, I can do anything I want, but listen to my body. So far, so good. KNOCK WOOD!!! :)
Suffice to say again, in my experience with our disease, it can, and does get better! I'm a living testimonial!
I keep a very positive attitude, stay focused on living each second as it presents and keep negative thoughts OUT of my life! Even the negative thoughts from co-workers! Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, or for that matter, an hour from now. Try to keep your chin up, think good healthy thoughts, take each minute as it comes, stay focused, think clearly and do the best you can to stay in the moment and live one second at a time, as it's presented.
It's tough -- very tough, but the biggest healer we have in the universe sits on top of our shoulders! I'm thinking about you, sending healthy wishes and pulling for you to get through this!
May tomorrow be better than today, and every tomorrow better than it's yesterday!
Best,
Flyboy73