Brother in hospital

[Wayne Smith]

My brother is in the Sacramento VA hospital with severe pancreatitis possibly caused by gall stones. He hasn't been able to keep much down for several weeks and his MD kept treating him for GERD - Reflux Disease. MD's at the hospital told him that his pancreas was literally digesting itself. Something about a pancreatic enzyme that was supposed to be at a level 2 in the blood was at 200 when he got to the ER there. Spent 18 hrs in the ER until they were able to find him a bed. He says he's now connected to all kinds of leads and they are testing him for everything, taking blood by the "gallon" by his statement for testing.

Other than not being able to take anything by mouth, even water, and being poked and prodded a lot he seems to be doing well, or was last nite when I talked to him. They were going to do another ultrasound of the liver/gall bladder today to decide what to do next.

Please keep Paul and Ledi (his wife) in your prayers.

[smoked turkey]

I will pray for Paul and Ledi and for his situation to keep improving. Sounds like he was in bad shape for a while and that he has turned the corner for the better.

[gray wolf]

Prayers said for your brother,
lets all hope his recovery is speedy and 100%

[Moonie]

I've been there, doctor said if I hadn't come in when I did I probably wouldn't have survived it. spent a week on serious pain killers while they rebooted my entire digestive system, nothing to eat or drink, not even water or ice. High Triglycerides will cause it, that was what did it to me. Normal is under 200, mine were over 1,000.

[Wayne Smith]

Just talked to him again. Still in severe pain, Morphine given to him multiple times a day. They appear to be taking good care of him, he has been moved to a private room. Looks like the docs there are planning to remove his gall bladder. No date or time set yet. He is much healthier and more stable now than he was when he came in, but still the pain of the gall stones and pancreas continue.

[lead-1]

We are sending prayers from here. My dad has gone thru this whole situation you described.

[41 mag fan]

I wish him a speedy recovery.

[blackthorn]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Bullet Caster]

Prayers are being sent your way for your brother, Paul and Ledi. Hope everything goes well. BC

[rockrat]

Prayers up.

Yup, been reading about that here. IIRC, if a gallstone plugs up the feed from the gall bladder, since the pancreas also dumps into the same duct, then the backup can cause the pancreas to kind of digest itself. Bad juju.

Hope they get it fixed soon.

[Bob Krack]

This is essentially what I went through a few years back. In my case, gallstones had blocked the "common duct" and I was yellow skinned and yellow eyed when my wife drug me into the hospital. Pancreatitis was the diagnosis. 5 procedures including the removal of the gall bladder and several edoscopical procedures to remove the stones that had clogged the bile duct and the pancreas duct and 8 days in the hospital fixt it all.

Don't mean to brag about my issues, but I had good doctors and good procedures and recovered nearly 100%.

My prayers go out to your brother Wayne, please rest assured that there are not likely to be any words from him that are not true when he describes the incredible pain he is suffering. I prayed to the Lord to take me if it were going to continue with the amount of pain I was going through - and I have a high toleration for pain.

I assume from your description, the gall bladder has to be removed, but a specialist is required to remove the trapped stones.

My prayers for you also because I kinda believe you are aware of the pain he is suffering.

Bob

[Wayne Smith]

Thank you all. Just spoke to Paul again, he will have Gall Bladder surgery first thing tomorrow AM to remove his gall bladder. Said that the Chief of Surgery is going to do the work. He is in a good mood and is eager to get it done - not afraid at all. They are saying stay 24hrs. after surgery and go home.

[gunfan]

Prayers sent. May God be with him.

Scott

[Wayne Smith]

No surgery yesterday. Apparantly much chaos in the surgical team there, no schedule posted, five separate MD's come in and say they are his surgeon, one is only there on the weekends! He's quite upset, was all emotionally ready then the letdown. Hoping for this AM, but no concrete knowledge.

On the other hand he's feeling better. Said the room was freezing and the thermostat was set on 85 degrees. Said he was going to go out and threaten to start burning furniture to get warm and see what happens! His attitude is back at least!

[Wayne Smith]

After several misadventures and threats he is scheduled, definite promise from the head of surgery, for first in line tomorrow AM. The VA hospital in Sacramento has several problems, including five operating rooms and only two anestheologists. They did apologize for the confusion and poor communication. He was able to eat real food tonite, too.

[Wayne Smith]

He had the surgery this AM, did well in surgery, well in recovery, and is back in a room. I talked briefly to him, he's not overly coherant at this time, not surprisingly. If you have been on Surplusrifles.com or FFF he is Popeye and a moderator on those two sites.

[lead-1]

Glad things are looking up a bit, hang in there we are still praying for all of you.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Will be praying for your brother Paul. Mike in Peru