Emergency ride

Wednesday I had an acute attack of pancreatitis and was in excruciating pain. Hospital is 1 mile away and it was 82 degrees so I rode there in shorts and t-shirt I had on as I needed pain control as fast as possible. Got released this morning and it was 40 degrees. Pain or no pain I will take the time to dress warmer if it happens again. Ride home almost gave me hypothermia.

 

Next time, CALL AN AMBULANCE !

 

Wow -- take care of yourself

 

i have no insurance. Do you know how much $$$$$$$ an ambulance ride is? This cost me almost $15,000.00 as it is! That's more than half my anual income

 

My sister had/has pancreatitis. She went on for the past three years in and out of the hospital with levels always going up. She went through 3-4 minor surgery's where they tried to put splints in or locate the problem. They all failed. They say you can only go on with it for 10 years. We finally found a specialist at University of Penn in Philadelphia. This guy literally writes the books that other doctors learn from on pancreatitis. When he came in the room to talk with her he would have students following him hanging on his every word. Long story short. She ended up having to get the wipple surgery...the big one. They had to remove 1/3 (the upper valve head) of her pancreas. Some have to remove it all. It has been about 6 weeks now and she is feeling much better. She can eat food that she hasn't in years.
Not sure if you have heard of this surgery, if your case is similar, or how long you have had it. It took us years to find this solution. We're crossing our fingers and I truly think this will save her life. Get some insurance.

 

I am familiar with the pathology of the pancreas. My degree is in medical technology. I too have had it for 10 years but am doing better than her (my thoughts are with her though). It is a horrible disease and I know I will have a greatly shortened lifespan. I have to be hospitalized every 8-10 months. I can't work and cannot afford insurance. I also cannot afford to have that proceedure done.

 

Yeah it is a very frustrating thing and that's coming from someone without it. I appreciate the thoughts and same goes to you. She was in about once a month...two if she was lucky.

Sorry if the "get some insurance" came off wrong. Easier said then done. Only reason I have it is because of my girlfriends work. Wasn't sure if you were at the start of it all and knew what you were in for.

It amazes me that they can do heart transplants, GROW clone organs, and even clone animals. When it comes to this stuff though all they did was give her some chicken broth for a week, wait for her levels to go down, and send her on her way knowing she would return soon.

Again my thoughts go out to you with this thing.

 

Glad to hear you made it there and back in one piece. Hope you don't have to go through that funness again.