Casey at Froedtert... 4~18~2007

Good Morning to ALL!

I have just come inside with Miss Punkin, and it is a bit chilly out there; especially given the fact that I was in my silly jammies, and she was wearing a fur coat. Completely unfair! But better there be just plain dew on the cars, than frost. ...(It isn’t THAT cold)…

I watched a bit of the Virginia Tech Broadcast yesterday… And was amazed at how very quickly any place could probably prepare security for George W.; but could not have gone into a lockdown mode quick enough to save 32 other people… Guess that really pisses me off somehow. Will have to read more about that, but later, as I need to finish this, get in the shower and get my backside back up to Froedtert. And yes, I KNOW there were 33 dead, but I am thinking that I have very little reason to count the damned gunman- (As far as I'm concerned, he should have 'offed' himself BEFORE he did any further slaying)...

What a day yesterday was for us all. Casey had to be at the hospital for 8:30... After they took her back for her surgery, Derek and myself were not able to see her until after 3:00. A very LONG day.

The ‘pressure’ in the pancreas is supposed to be around 20.

(The doctor said that they really worry when it gets to be 40).

CaseyAnne’s was measured at a mere 89!

...They clipped the sphincter of Oddi. Dr. Dua said he “cut it wide open.” (I do have to read up on that too, because right now I cannot even explain it to you). But I do remember one of you commenting and saying that you had this procedure and it worked beautifully…

Her surgeon, (Doctor Dua), said not to expect this to be a cure~all for all of her symptoms, because they find that many times if there is a problem with this Oddi, then there still can be problems in the rest of her digestive tract.

He also said that he placed a stent in there so that it heals wide open; that the stent should be expelled… (He actually said “she should poop it out” which almost made Derek laugh out loud). hehehe She will need to have an xray (in Green Bay) in about 2 weeks to make sure it is gone; otherwise they have to go in and remove it…

(Please pray for poop)!

But, NO! I am sure this will be her last surgery. Good grief, eh? (But we CAN “hope”)!

I’d better close and get in the shower. Casey has just called. Has lots of pain. Does not remember what time Derek left, but is still trying to sleep. I would rather beat the darned rush hour trafiic, so will have my own little “rush hour” to beat it now!

But before I go, I need to thank everyone that has sent prayers and thoughts to Casey in your messages to me, and in my comments as well.

Oh and by the way, if you are reading my blog, that means you can still comment below. I have just closed it off, temporarily, to the general public is all...

YUP, I have said it before, and I will say it again;

I HAVE THE VERY BESTEST FRIENDS ON MY 360 OF EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE WORLD!

Hope all is well with you, and that everyone is having a grand week.

XOXO
Anne

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Here is just a little bit of info I have found ...

http://www.mercksource.com/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/dmd_s_18.htm

s. of Oddi 1. the sheath of muscle fibers investing the associated bile and pancreatic passages as they traverse the wall of the duodenum; the combination of the musculus sphincter ductus choledochi and the musculus sphincter ampullae hepatopancreaticae. Called also Oddi's muscle. 2. musculus sphincter ampullae hepatopancreaticae.

Pancreatic sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is most frequently considered in a subset of patients with episodes of recurrent acute pancreatitis. In a fashion analogous to biliary-type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, the pancreatic type of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is subdivided to types I-III. Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction has been associated with a particularly high risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis. In the subpopulation of patients with idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis, the reported incidence of manometric evidence of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction varies in the range of 39% to 90%.

Some authors recommend evaluation of both the biliary and the pancreatic sphincters at the time of ERCP with manometry. In clinical practice however, the duct system that is clinically syspected to be involved (usually the bile duct) is evaluated first, and the pancreatic duct sphincter of Oddi manometry is performed at a later date if symptoms and/or other findings warrant it.

Whenever sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is suspected, a careful clinical evaluation should precede ERCP and manometry. Other causes of the patient's symptoms may be identified, and treatment of these conditions can improve symptoms without subjecting patients to the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis, which in selected cases can be as high as 25% or greater Although sphincter of Oddi dysfunction can cause severe symptoms, no deaths have been attributed to the disease. However, post-ERCP pancreatitis can rarely be fatal. Therefore, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction evaluation and therapy should be best performed at tertiary referral centers. Also, patients should generally have undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy prior to ERCP and sphincter of Oddi manometry.