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

.

.

.

.

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.

More Pet Food Recall...

A 2-Post Day... But I thought I had better get this info out to you.

Here is the link for you once more...

Like I said in more than a few of my earlier posts, this link is updated daily...

Please CHECK IT OUT for your wonderful fur~friends safety...

CLICK HERE

It now includes the venison variety of DVP's Natural Balance Formula for Cats and Dogs. It includes their treats as well. Gratefully I bought the vegetarian and the low calorie... They are not yet recalled as recalls seem to be finding the melamine in the rice formulas...

Here is DVP's Natural Balance Press Release:

Contact:
Consumer Inquiries:
(800) 829-4493
Media Inquiries:
Daniel Bernstein
310-275-0777

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Pacoima, CA -- April 17, 2007-- Natural Balance, Pacoima, CA, is issuing a voluntary nationwide recall for all of its Venison dog products and the dry Venison cat food only, regardless of date codes. The recalled products include Venison and Brown Rice canned and bagged dog foods, Venison and Brown Rice dog treats, and Venison and Green Pea dry cat food. Recent laboratory results show that the products contain melamine. We believe the source of the melamine is a rice protein concentrate. Natural Balance has confirmed this morning that some production batches of these products may contain melamine.

The recall was prompted by consumer complaints received by Natural Balance involving a small number of cats and dogs that developed kidney failure after eating the affected product.

Dogs or cats who have consumed (any) suspect food and show signs of kidney failure (such as loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting) should be seen IMMEDIATELY by a veterinarian.

We recommend our customers immediately stop feeding our recalled venison products regardless of date code and return unused product to their retailer for a full refund.

The products are packaged in bags, cans and zip lock treat bags and sold in pet specialty stores and PetCo nationally.
No other Natural Balance products are involved in this voluntary recall as none of our other formulas include the rice protein concentrate.

Although the problems seem to be focused on a particular production period of the venison products, over the last four days we have notified our distributors and retailers by phone and e-mail to immediately stop selling and return all recalled Venison dog foods and treats and the Venison dry cat food. Venison canned cat food is not involved.

The source of the melamine appears to be a rice protein concentrate, which was recently added to the dry venison formulas. Natural Balance does not use wheat gluten, which was associated with the previous melamine contamination.

None of Natural Balance’s other dry formulas, none of our other canned or roll products and none of our other treats are involved with this voluntary recall.

We continue to work closely with the FDA in their ongoing investigation.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-829-4493 or email info@naturalblanceinc.com.

So there you have it.

Love to you all...

XOXO
Anne