The good news continued this week when we went to see Robert’s surgeon. The report on his latest CT scan (at 4 months) is positive. The inflammation / fluids / swelling around the pancreas continue to decrease. The dark / dead / necrotic area is still there, unchanged, so any hope of restoration is pretty much gone. But the fact that this area is not increasing or showing any sign of swelling or enlarging is VERY good. This means that it is probably not infected and there is now about a 90% chance he will not need surgery. I asked the Dr what is happening to that necrotic area, and he said it is hopefully just hardening into scar tissue…which is the best case scenario with pancreatitis. Scar tissue, of course, can cause its own problems down the road…but so could another round of pancreatitis. Robert asked him if there is anything he can do to avoid another episode. Along with the things he is already doing in regards to diet and exercise (especially the avoidance of high fat and alcohol) the Dr suggested he eat fresh pineapple and papaya – both provide digestive enzymes which allow the pancreas to ‘rest’ a bit. I don’t want his pancreas to experience any stress at all, so I went to Costco last night to buy pineapple. It costs about the same as gold, but I decided he is well worth it.
Thanks for staying on the journey with us,
~Jeanette
Things that should never be...
10 years ago
2 comments:
Now there will a rush on pineapple!
We will think of you every time we think PINEAPPLE!
Karen
As you know, Lee is a HUGE fresh pineapple believer! After his last accident, he attributed his lack of inflammation and bruising to the 3 pineapple he ate in 2 days. I'm not sure if Robert will feel the need to take it that far!
Now I'm waiting to hear about Robert's eye issues. I'll be praying for you, Friends.
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