Prayers Needed

My daughter is going to be the death of me . She had RNY surgery on February 21, 2006. First let me say it was very successful - she's lost over 120 pounds and is happy. However, her journey has not been without complications. At four weeks out, she had a stricture. In May of 2006, she had a bowel obstruction, so she had to have another surgery. Things seemed to go pretty well until October when she had yet another bowel obstruction, so another surgery. Again, things seemed to go pretty well, except for some occasional "bouts" of what she referred to as chest pain. Another trip to the emergency room for one of them and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with her, gave her some pain medication and sent her home. Well, again this morning, she was experiencing severe chest pain, her tummy hurt, and she couldn't keep anything down. Another trip to the ER. They decided to do a CT scan and an MRI, but fortunately before they did that, they called Dr. Mandelbaum (who did her and my RNY). He said, "Cancel the CT and MRI, it sounds like gall bladder and pancreatitis to me. Do a ultrasound of the gall bladder." Sure enough, that's what it was. So now they have to get the pancreaitits under control before they can do surgery to take out the gall bladder. That will make 4 surgeries in 14 or 15 months. I could take it if it were me, but to have my little girl (she's 27) going through this is just about to do me in. Thanks for your prayers and support. Donna

Donna, she will be thought of. That would be hard as a mother, to see your child having so many struggles. Hopefully, after she gets past this, there will be clear sailing ahead. Linda Vicory

Prayers coming your way, hope she gets better, my coworker has pancreatitis and it isnt anything to joke about. please keep us posted on how she is doing and know that she will be in my thoughts and prayers. Carla

Donna, Im so sorry about all your daughters complications. Are these problems all surgery related? I have not had any problems since my surgery almost 9 months now....My first thought was it might be her surgeon but since u both had the same one ....and if u dont have these same problems thats probably not the reason. Maybe u could look into whats causing her to have so many problems...does she follow the program religously? I know when I was younger I didnt want to follow instructions from anyone. I just wanted to do what I wanted to do. Did she pancreatitis before surgery and does she drink alcohol or did she have a fatty liver pre surgery? Did she have alot of health problems even before surgery?? I hope u can find answers and get her back to her optimal health. I will keep u both in my prayers. I hope she feels better soon.

Jaime was the picture of health pre-surgery. She was just overweight. The bowel obstructions are definitely complications of the surgery (although the doctor said he had never had a patient have two!), and nothing the surgeon did or didn't do caused it. To answer your question about following the program religiously - NO she does not always. I think to some extent it is her age, but Jaime has always been one to push the limits. I don't know if the gall bladder problems are a complication of the surgery, but I know family history plays a part in gall bladder problems. My mother had to have her gall bladder out, I had mine out, and my mother-in-law had to have her's out. The pancreatitis is caused by a stone from the gall bladder getting lodged somewhere so it causes the pancreas to become inflamed. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Best, Donna

Donna, Please know that I am keeping Jaime in my prayers. I do know that ALOT of times people have to have their gallbladder's out after surgery- I was even told that by my PCP & Bariatric Surgeon before surgery. Jaime could have "followed the book" and still had these problems. I know each person is differant. My daughter is having her gallbladder out on the 12th, and hasn't had Bariatric surgery. Yep. runs in my family too. Tell Jaime to hang in there, no spicy or fatty foods while waiting and get better quick! Bless you both, ((((hugs))) Ellen