Prayers for my friend

My best friend back home in Alabama is not doing so good. She had a gastric bypass about seven years ago. She lost all her weight and has maintained it well. However, the last three years have been hell. She has had major major stomach pain and been to numerous surgeons as her original surgeon couldn't find the problem. She has had hospital stays every other month for the last year. Finally, a doctor convinced her family she was just crazy and addicted to pain meds and had her committed. The institution told her family after the evaluation she was not crazy nor addicted but truly in some gosh awful pain. They recommended a doctor in Florida. And he diagnosed her last week. She has blind loop syndrome or something very similar due to hers being related to her pouch it is a little different. This can be a late complication from an RNY. She has been suffering so long and the problem gotten progressively worse that now the surgery to fix it is very very risky and will take about 6 to 7 hours of surgery time and a two week hospital stay. That is if she doesn't die on the table. She and her husband do not know what to do. The doctor said that if she opts not to have the surgery she will just be on pain meds and in a pain management program forever and possibly have other problems come up. So, they are praying really hard that God will guide them and let them know some how what path to take for her to get her life back. She misses me and really wants to see me so I plan to make the trip to Alabama next weekend and stay all weekend visiting and spending time with her. Hopefully she will feel like riding her horses and having some fun to take her mind off things. I hope it works out and I get to go. It is about a three hour drive and my mother-n-law lives in the same town so the kids can go and spend some time with her while I am with Trish. You guys are so good at supporting others and praying people through some rough times. So please keep her and her family in your prayers. She has 4 children who need her. Melissa

Trish is on my prayer list now. I will also pray for a pain free weekend for her so the visit will be enjoyable for the both of you. Have you heard from our queen today? Jane

Thank you so much Jane. Trish is a real sweetheart, and I just hope she can get better soon. She had her surgery before there were support groups or as much information available. So, she has had to call me some for information on do's and don'ts simply because she just didn't know things. Melissa

I will definatly be praying for her. DAWN

Thanks Dawn. She will appreciate the prayers. I told her about this site. I told her to check out the complications board. She had her surgery before they knew quite as much. So, she has never been armed with as much information as we all have. She didn't even know about support groups. Really sad. Melissa

Melissa, This is such sad news. I never knew such a thing existed -- apparently not alot of people do. Geesh, had to go to another state to get help? Unreal! I am definately praying for her. Please keep us posted on her progress. I pray they can find peace in whatever decision they make. HUGS Kimberly

Thanks for the prayers, Kimberly. She will appreciate it. I am calling her today and telling her we have a big group of great people praying for her. She really is stressed out. Melissa

Melissa, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope that you can spend a fun filled weekend with her and it be pain free. Please know that she is in our thoughts and prayers and that we pray that she find the strength to do what is right for her. I know it has to be an agonizing decision to make, to have surgery and risk your life, or not to have surgery and risk being in pain forever. I would hate to be put in her position. We will also be praying for you. I know that these are trying times but you are a strong woman, and you can handle it. If you need me, please know that I am always here, for a shoulder to cry on or an ear to vent to.. Anything you need, I am here. Love ya! Rhonda

I do appreciate it. I have lots going on here lately. But I am hanging in there pretty good. Thanks for lending an ear and a shoulder. May use it some time soon LOL. Melissa

That girl has been thru the ringer, huh? I am praying for her. She has been thru so much - she is not going to know how to live life pain free after her surgery. I dont want you to go to Alabama... I will miss you!