Good Morning All;
We are yet in Minnesota- I have just brought Punk outside- A quiet walk for us both.
Before we left, and ready to get in the car. Casey had begun to laugh.
I had no idea why til she pointed; and told me I had to get my camera...
Flipped the trap right over. (Either that, or it's Hide~n~Seek)!
Since I have not been catching the meeces in the house, I leave the trap in the attached garage.
Sure enough that little guy tried to have his last meal.
Aside from my back, and Casey's tummy, we had an uneventful drive here.
Punk, (in Ringle of course).
Casey brought all of her homework...
...and a snack or two.
I prayed to 'the god of the back' to take me away. (It didn't work). ;-)
And Punk was bored...
... even with the big town scenery.
My "Multiply" friend Beths daughter Melanie has been awful sick since her own TP/AIT.
One of the matters put to her was that Melanie has gastroparesis. When I had brought that term up to Dr. Sutherland, it was then he ordered that test.
...So thanks to Beth, Casey has had a gastric emptying test!
(Thank you "Little Voice"). Beth and I have learned that not only do the two doctors compare notes, so do us two mothers!
* Casey's own test came back as "severely delayed"
Meeting with Dr, Sutherland twice now, he will probably be doing Casey's surgery after the 1st of the year.
She will be having a roux en y gastrojejunostomy. (Click to read a few articles if you wish).
Not sure if there is a short way to say that, but for those familiar it is also the surgery that is done to counter obesity. Save for the fact that Casey's stomach should remain at almost 50% of its whole size.
Photo from here:
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/esophagojejunostomy1.jpg
And a much better picture to show the "Y" part of it.
The bile from her liver will not be able to get anywhere near her stomach as the cut will be 28 cm beneath the duodenum (Tail end of stomach).
This promises to be yet another long surgery- They will use the same scar as she is to be filleted open during it all.
Should have had that darned zipper put in a long time ago...
She will be hospitalized at least a week too.
She has yet another prescription to hopefully hold her over until 2010.
And in the meantime...
... a few prayers won't ever hurt.
Hope all is well with you?
Love to all.
XOXO
Me
Punk has it right. Prayer won't hurt, they can only help. I really hate (and am sure everyone else does too) that Casey has to go through yet another surgery, yet I am praying this will be the ONE. The final one, that will end all pain and suffering to this magnitude.
ReplyDelete(((ANNE and Casey)))) glad you are home safe and somewhat sound.
ReplyDeleteNot home yet Sweetie. Still in MN...
Sweet OKA;
ReplyDeleteIt's a crazy thing to have a 22 year old who has gone through so much in the past 5+ years... Like you, I can hope that this is "THE" surgery. I told Casey the very same thing, yesterday on our way back to the clinic. (She reminded me that I have been telling her that since her days at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee).
Punk is looking at me longingly now, (out of the comfort of my hotel bed). She wants her breakfast. Her wish is my command as I go accommodate her wishes.
XOXO
Me
Well dang it. Make it home safe n sound then.
ReplyDeleteI will be saying prayers for her successful operation, safety and well being. Good Luck and God Bless you both!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteYour command is my wish! hehehe
XOXO
me
ReplyDeleteSweet Suzy-
You are ever so kind to us. Blessings to you also.
(And may your own aches and pains disappear)!
Heading out shortly. Casey in pretty rough shape today.
XOXO
Me
Damn Im sorry to hear that casey will have to have more surgery, my thoughts are with you both.
ReplyDeleteI am from Minnesota and love it, I guess I wondered why you were visiting and guessed it was to Mayo clinic or a gastro doctor in the cities.If it was Mayo, now I am wondering if we passed each other in the halls of those humongus buildings. I was there on the 19th. I hope no matter what, your Casey is going to be okay.
ReplyDeleteSweet Annie,
ReplyDeleteMay Creator continue to bless both of you and may this FINALLY be the end of Casey's trials. My prayers for you both.
OXOX, Snotball
I'm still standing by you in prayer. Why she has to undergo more surgery is something known only
ReplyDeleteto God. We could storm the heavens and try to find out why, but the most important thing is for
Casey to feel better. I'm hoping they can make her comfortable until the surgery so that she won't
be suffering. Don't worry, Punk can feel that she isn't well. She is such a wonderful dog, I just
wish I had her here. :)
God bless you both and take care on the way home. Love you both!! xoxoxo
I'm hoping the surgery can be scheduled during Casey's Christmas break from college. I know how excited she is to be back in college, and am hoping nothing messes that up - Casey's health is the number 1 priority though, of course.
ReplyDeleteGlad you terminated another mow`iss.
So when will you be headed home?
Praying, as everyone else is, that this will be the very last surgery that Casey will have to go through... Even though she has to have another surgery, it's a blessing that Dr. S. found what was wrong AND can fix it! He is a miracle in and of himself!
ReplyDeleteTravel safely when you start back!
Love and hugs to you all!
Slurkie :-)
Prayers always
ReplyDeletetold you she should had the velcro....
ReplyDeletePunk is looking mighty fine in the Ringle shot... should be poster dog for the breed.
Also loving the "snack" and "bored" shots... she is a trooper just like the rest of her family...
funny... I make SAUCE with roux... Not zippers.
ReplyDeleteHopefully all will go well... So glad they at least have a fix.. much better than the folks basically telling her to go away and deal with the pain.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs
Annie, ya know if I'm not mistaken this is what was done to finally get me out of the hospital after 7 months of having numerous other things done. I'm not positive, as you know I was out of it on drugs and exhaustion so my hubby and Mom made all my decisions and I just said another procedure...OK, whatever.
ReplyDeleteBut within a week of having it done, I was eating (which I had not done in 7 months)...I was so very weak before but after the surgery and being able to eat, I was able to go hard at rehab to be able to walk and lift myself and do toddler-like normal activities again.
Three weeks after surgery I went home....after 7 long months of agony and pain...a coma, resperator, surgeries, tests and more tests, feeding tubes, paralyzied weak muscles.....I WENT HOME!!! A true miracle surgery in my eyes, looking back at it now.
My prayers and hopes that this will finally be Casey's miracle too.
Congrats on that new grandbaby also.
Shari
I came back and am re-reading and clicking links here and there (I finally have a few moments of peace to myself)...
ReplyDeleteCasey has gastroparesis??
Anne, I don't know if you remember but back in April 09, Randall was diagnosed with diabetic gastroparesis... He was first hospitalized in March, close to death, puking for nearly a week straight and not able to keep even a sip of water on his stomach. I literally could see the life leaving him... Anyway, his is caused by neglecting to control his blood sugar. What has caused Casey to get gastroparesis??
I'm left wondering now if Randall will ever have to undergo this same surgery...
All my love to you, Casey and Punk!
Slurkie
ReplyDeletehehehe
Nope. Back HOME now!
Sweet Sophie!
ReplyDeleteBut this is "THE" surgery that will be 'it' for all of her pain and suffering. (And I don't care HOW many times I might have said that before either). hehehe
She will get through this year, as she is, and next year will be the year that all is well.
Am thinking it might interfere with The Olive Garden for her birthday on the 26th of January, but won't that all taste even better when it finally does happen?
(She just won't be able to eat as much)!
XOXO
Me
Sweet Tess;
ReplyDelete(I must get to your page soon)...
We did go to Mayo, summer of '08- Casey was then told that her pancreas would turn cancerous and that at that point they would help her. But that until then, there was nothing they could do. (This was NOT an acceptable answer for her mama so I just kept on looking).
She was told that by this world expert, a Dr. Chari. (sp).
What a world class cold bastard he was!
Hope you didn't see him- He picks and chooses only those patients that will add to his damned résumé. At least that is how he came across to us both times we were there.
Casey will be fine! Really!
She has enough spunk and sass to get her through almost anything!
Thank you for coming to my blog!
XOXO
Anne
ReplyDeleteAnd really, I have nothing against Minnesota.
Only that it is so far from home.
XOXO
Me
PS
Oh and we go to University of Minnesota now. Please go to my top page and read about Dr. Sutherland. he is in my tags.
Sweet Snotball! (I still giggle whenever I write that)...
ReplyDeleteSee previous reply.
Casey is spunky and sassy, and won't ever take "ouch" for an answer!
hehehe
XOXO
Me
Sweet Bev,
ReplyDeleteYou are right about not questioning it all of course.
I quit asking why, and started asking "how" a LONG time ago! hehehe
She is back on morphine for now- She declined the dilaudid (sp) because she has a rough time 'thinking' when she takes it; although it works much better.
But she is true to her classes at UWGB too. The morphine helps, so that is enough for now. Man I just want her to be getting through this darned semester.
Whatever works.
Punk actually barfed (just a little) on Thursday night- But that might have been from too much wrestling with Casey in the middle of the night too.
She is asleep now- Has been so tired ever since we got home.
XOXO
Me
Sweet RT;
ReplyDeleteWe are home now.
I dropped Casey at the apartment because she was pretty dang sick all the way back. Her car is here. They will come get it at some point over the weekend I imagine.
Not sure about the 'when' of it all- (Only that January is after her 1st semester).
When I got back here... there was yet another mowiss in the trap in the garage! hehehe He is now at the bottom of the dumpster! Still have to go check out there this morning.
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteSweet SlurkieBabys pray? Izzat so?!
Sorry. (Still in a miff with those 2 others). hehehe
You are correct about Dr. Sutherland. He truly is a miracle for amny many people. Us included.
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sweet Carolyn!
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteSweet Pea;
Velcro leaks.
Zippers with candle wax do not.
Punk is hanging in too.
Wait. She is hanging off the couch right now.
hehehe
XOXO
Me
ReplyDeleteyummy?
I shall have to ask Dr. S. for more pictures. We can compare!
Sweet Shari;
ReplyDeleteWhat a great and happy story of your own recovery! I am so thrilled that it worked such magic for you, and that we are friends through faulty pancreas! hehehe
So amazing you are! An inspiration for both myself and for Casey too!
Jenné must still be off the clock without sleep. I haven't heard a peep from her in a few weeks! Will have to demand a Wyatt update soon! hehehe
XOXO
Me
I do remember Sweet SlurkieBaby;
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, she has "severe delayed gastric emptying"
I am thinking it has something to do with her duodenum because that is where the bile is entering (backing up into) her stomach.
But too, it has something to do with the vagus nerve. (That is why Roberta died during her gallbladder surgery, and took so long for them to bring her back).
I have SO much reading to do yet, right? But I will find if there is a correlation between it all.
Go read Sharis reply, and about her surgery.
Now KNOW you have no worries even if Randall needs this surgery as an intervention of sorts. He will be just fine.
And they ALL will have matching scars! hehehe
XOXO
me
I hope everything works perfect for your Casey. I had moderate pancreatitis from gall bladder disease caused by cholesterol meds.. It is a nasty nasty thing to have. .U of M is a good place.They did my son's heart surgery almost 30 years ago They are.innovative and willing to try new procedures.Which is what they did with my son. Son in law is an associate professor ( not sure what that means except he gives talks on gastro procedures) . But he practices at MN Gastro clinic in St Paul. He does studies with the camera pill.
ReplyDeleteAre the 2 then sister campuses?
ReplyDeleteMy Casey sure has been sick a long time... And it WILL work out!
They never did the camera studies- Guess because her own pain was a direct result of the pancreatitis, and the camera doesn't go there.
I can't believe it took me so long to find Dr. Sutherland, given the fact that he has done the TP/AIT since the 70's. Such little information out there on pancreatitis to begin with, and getting through the nasty ill informed is a process in/of itself.
Even many doctors are ill informed. I have corrected those, ad nauseum. (Well, those with the God complex' anyway). Add to that the FACT that Casey knows much more of this than some of the doctors she has dealt with... Not pretty. hehehe
But Dr. Sutherland was not ever like that toward her, or toward me.
The man actually listens!
What a refreshing experience for us all.
XOXO
Me
but velcro is more fun....
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXO
lol..
ReplyDeleteHope all works out well for both of you. I do hate to hear that Casey will have to have another surgery. Though it is better to nip it in the bud, so to speak, before anything gets worse.
ReplyDeleteNow why does that hotel bedspread look familiar?? I'll have to look back through some old photos of mine, but it sure looks similar to one that was on the bed at a hotel out in Texas back in 2001. LOL! There must be a Hotel/Motel shopping store.
You research project for next week....
ReplyDeletebromelain.
I wasn't sure what to say when I read the blog. But that statement put it in perspective for me. You and Casey have the best outlook on these circumstances and you assure me that all is and will be well. Meanwhile, I am still here... thinking of you... and praying for the best.
ReplyDeleteHi Mommy!
ReplyDeleteOh that mouse was quite hilarious to find in that position! Good news that you’re catching them, too; hopefully now they’ll be less pests in the house!
I have to say I’m glad that the “God of the back” decided to leave you right there with us… Although it is selfish, I do need my mother there with me through these ever-so-hard times… I just wish they would find a treatment for your back that would help to correct the problem and not just mask the symptoms. Apparently masking the symptoms isn’t working all that well… Me thinks it’s time to get a new approach!
That picture of Punkie looking out the window looks like her head is very disproportionate to the rest of her body!!! Must’ve been the angle, because she doesn’t always look that way! How awesome that there is an orb in that picture as well!! Very cool! We must’ve had company with us!!
I did write to Miss Beth and thanked her for putting that bug in your ear so they could catch the gastroparesis when they did. I really can’t stand that I have to have not only one but TWO more surgeries to go through. However, if they finally give me my health back, it’s more than worth it… I just want to get back to living and not feeling like my body is failing me all the time… Yes, we should’ve had the Velcro or zipper put in a while ago!!! :D
Prayers can never hurt! I have been including prayers for so many people on here, our local friends, and for us as well… I’m hoping they will all help!
Love you MUCH MUCH!
~CaseyAnne
ReplyDeleteam thinking that candle wax might be able to be applied there too.
hehehe
XOXO
Mama D.
Maybe it SHOULD be nipping her in the butt? heheh
ReplyDeleteThe dang bedspread looks familiar because we have lived in that hotel for how long since last year? And all the rooms are the same.
Maybe it's an import from Texas? hehehe
XOXO
Me
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/bromelain-000289.htm
ReplyDeleteOverview:
Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzymes found in pineapples (Ananas comosus ). Pineapple has been used for centuries in Central and South America to treat indigestion and reduce inflammation. Bromelain, which is derived from the stem and juice of the pineapple, was first isolated from the pineapple plant in the late 1800s. It is approved by the German Commission E to treat swelling and inflammation following surgery, particularly sinus surgery.
Bromelain can be useful in treating a wide range of conditions, but it is particularly effective in reducing inflammation associated with infection and injuries.
Surgical Procedures and Sports Injuries
Although studies show mixed results, bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following surgery and physical injuries. It is often used to reduce inflammation associated with tendinitis, sprains and strains, and other minor muscle injuries.
Wounds and Burns
Some studies of animals indicate that bromelain (applied to the surface of the skin) may be useful in removing dead tissue (debridement) from third-degree burns. In addition, a preliminary study using a debridement agent that is derived from bromelain to treat people with second- and third-degree burns showed a benefit. Bromelain may also be applied topically to reduce swelling from insect bites and stings.
Sinusitis (Sinus inflammation)
Although not all studies agree, bromelain may help reduce cough and nasal mucus associated with sinusitis, and relieve the swelling and inflammation caused by hay fever. Bromelain is approved by the German Commission E for the treatment of sinus and nasal swelling following ear, nose, and throat surgery or trauma.
Indigestion
Bromelain can digest proteins and may help relieve stomach upset or heartburn, particularly when used in conjunction with other enzymes such as amylase (which digests starch) and lipase (which digests fat). One animal study suggests that the antibacterial effects of bromelain may help to control diarrhea caused by bacteria. However, human studies are needed.
Arthritis and other Inflammatory Conditions
Studies show mixed results, but one study suggested that a combination of bromelain, rutosid, and trypsin was as effective as some commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications for reducing pain associated with osteoarthritis. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and diclofenac (Voltaren), among others. Similarly, preliminary studies suggest that bromelain may also help reduce pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, but the results are not definitive.
Infection
Some evidence from test tubes and animals suggests that bromelain can kill some viruses and bacteria. That could make it a useful addition to conventional treatment of bronchitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. But more research, including human studies, is needed to see whether it is truly effective.
Dietary Sources:
Bromelain is found in the common pineapple plant, but not in high enough doses to have a medicinal effect.
Available Forms:
Bromelain is available in tablet or capsule form for oral use. A topical variety is sometimes used by health care providers to treat severe burns. You should never attempt to treat a severe burn yourself; always seek medical attention.
How to Take It:
Pediatric
Because there are no known scientific studies on the pediatric use of bromelain, it should not be given to children.
Adults
The German Commission E recommends 80 - 320 mg two to three times per day. For specific conditions, higher doses may be prescribed:
* Digestive aid: 500 mg per day in divided doses with meals
* Injuries: 500 mg four times a day on an empty stomach
* Arthritis: 500 - 2,000 mg a day in two divided doses
Precautions:
Because supplements may have side effects or interact with medications, they should be taken o
ReplyDeleteSweetie;
It is quite easy to believe ya know. There are no other options that would be right.
XOXO
me
I forgot to bring out the garbage today- So there are 3 of his cousins in the dumpster- (And if it doesn't cool off, they will be reeking to high heaven).
ReplyDeleteA new approach to my back? Let me know how that goes... (Or should I say 'wake me when it's over'? hehehe
Oh hang on... I have a picture where her neck looks way long too.
XOXO
Mama D.
Try this on for size...
ReplyDelete~
~
Is that a turkey neck or not?!?
You are most welcome.....
ReplyDeleteIt's been quite a time and here I am....reading your blog on Casey's operation.
ReplyDeleteI hope by this time, she's already up and about.
Prayers for a healthier Casey in this coming year...
Love to you both!
It is very saddening and still some what confusing for me, what tests are whats and what results are what, yet I try to keep up as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteTo read about Casey, her illness and all is very unfair and yet very up lifting to know about your and her good times and relationship also.
I as a person / parent I could not even imagine what strength of character is required to carry out the responsibility you have been called upon to do
( I know you do it without thought and lovingly as a parent for Casey ) however a lot of people don't even give such things a second thought.
Knowing all that you have done, the type of person you are, the crap you had to put up in the past to get where you are now, this moment in time; Well I am sure that there is a pedestal somewhere in heaven for you, I mean that ( I hope you understand what I'm saying Anna )