Not sure congratulations are in order but I'm happy if you are! :) Too bad they can't schedule it for after the Holiday's but as you know, a cranky pancreas is NOT fun - and since you're at the end of the effectiveness of the block, maybe the dates are exactly what they should be. ALL of my best to you...

Thank you! I am excited and frightened at the same time so long as I dont go into some confused state. I did cry a few tears after the phone call but I am ready to move foward. I have covered my out of pocket expenses for this year so the timing is just right, Mary Beth the transplant coordinator is really good about schedulings. Seems all is falling into place. Thank you again for the best wishes. My prayers to you.

I'm with Angie, not sure if I should say congrats or not... so here is a BIG FAT HUG instead! I will keep you in my prayers that all will be fine and here I worry about some little GB removal Geesh! I need to count my blessings right? I do wish you the best of luck and will keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery and better days ahead.

Maybe it's silly to be superstitious but when things fall into place like this, I think it must be meant to be. It's a bonus that you're out of pocket is met too.

I was reading under your other post about someone mentioning the whipple. I thought I read that you can't have the TP/AIT after you've had the whipple, is that correct? I think you're making the right decision. I know how nervous you must be but I would be more nervous doing nothing. Like you said, your entire pancreas is damaged. The chances of you becoming a full blown diabetic are great if you don't do anything. This way you have a chance of being pain free and not becoming diabetic. I've read that even if you do become diabetic it's not as bad as having brittle diabetes and it can be controlled. I know you're worried about the recovery too but I honestly don't think it could be as bad as what you've already gone through.

I'll be praying that your surgery goes well! Take care and try to stay busy to take your mind off of things until your surgery.

swtkoolaid, (yes, it feels weird typing that) ;) - I read your post about the gallbladder surgery and just thought I'd add my two cents (I'm on a roll today). I would DEFINITELY have the surgery if there is even a small chance that it will give you relief! sues, that was me that mentioned the Whipple. I asked syl if it was considered (over the pancreaectomy (sp?) - both are HUGE surgeries but I was just wondering why the surgeon recommended one over the other. My guts have been completely rearranged (post Whipple) - they remove the head of the pancreas, the duondenum, part of the stomach, and reroute the small intestine directly to what's left of the pancreas. I seriously doubt that I'd ever be a candidate for the pancreaectomy...which makes me sad/disappointed since I'm still having pancreatic flare symptoms. Oh well, hopefully with further research/time, there will be advances in medicine that will allow relief to EVERYONE who suffers from this hell'ish condition.

Thank you Angie..good to hear positive feedback and I'm hoping for the best and if anything we/I will know for sure what is going on and go from there. Thanks again and sending you happy thoughts and healthy vibes your way :)

Thank you for your support and best wished, I will keep you all posted. The want me to maintain my weight but today I have lost my appetite. I have a headached, I know I must keep myself busy and stop thinking, I gotta think positive and pray.

Syl, hoping that you have kept busy and that your appetitie has returned. I was so frustrated today as my doctor (consultation) cancelled twice on me today, but the good news is that she does not work on Fridays and said that she definitely would come in and visit with me first thing in the a.m.... So instead I turned my frustration around and realized that not too many doctor's would of done this and that maybe this doctor actually cares about her patients ;) She had emergency surgery today that was more complicated then she had anticipated. So not her fault..... Hugs and I hope that you have eaten something today! :)

Hi Swt, thanks and yes I ate well today I was starving this morning.LOL um, I am still hungry I can hear my belly. You see some doctors do care and we have to understand that even though we have to vent and we are hurting, there are other ppl with bigger emergencies doe not mean they forgot about us, so that is so cool that your doctor will see you tomorrow. If we stress over it we just aggravate the cranky pancreas more, I know its easier said than done and some feeling cannot be prevented but we gotta do it for our own selfs. Last nite I realized that if I dont get busy I am going to fall apart and that is not going to help with a surgery coming up and I having to leave everything at work up to date, not that it is not but try to keep my head clear and be able to deal with all of this. Hugz dear

are you having the auto istlet transplant and total pancreatectomy?

That is great! Where are you having it done at? Did you know that the creon you will have to take forever costs almost $3000 a month? I called to schedule my surgery and then they decided to tell me that, so now I am waiting for an application from the makers of Creon to see if I can get the meds free. There will also be the cost of the insulin....are you aware of that? I hope you have better insurance than I do. Mine covers 85% of my meds. You are going to feel so much better....I am really happy for you and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Write me back!
Doreen

@ Chapin..yes i am.nervous about itt

Doreen, $3000 a month is that before insurance covers their part? I am aware of having to pay for insulin and what ever else I will be needing but $3000 a month for creon, I do now pay $45 a month for creon after ins pays their part and i am taking 48000 units with each meal which is 3x a day. have you had your surgery? where? how much creon are you taking? I am being scheduled for surgery as we speak and I cant afford $3000 am month just for creon but I cant afford to live with chronic pancreatitis that will paralyze my life. I think that large amount of money has just thrown me into a state of shock.

That is the total cost of creon BEFORE your insurance covers it. I just looked up the price and it's around $300 for 180 pills. I've read that some people take several pills with each meal. If you're paying $45 now after your insurance payment you're out-of-pocket shouldn't go up unless your insurance plan changes its benefits. Is your $45 copay for a 90 day supply or is it a percentage of the cost? If you have a flat copay versus a percentage of the cost your copay amount shouldn't go up even if you need to take more pills.

I forgot to mention, if you need more pills after your surgery just make sure your doctor writes you a new prescription so you don't end up having to pay more than you have to. For example, let's say now you take 3 pills per day. A 90 day supply would be written for 270 pills. I'm guessing that your copay amount is for a 90 day supply. If after your surgery you need to take 6 pills per day the prescription would go up to 540 pills for a 90 day supply. If your copay is for a 90 day supply you would pay the same price whether you're getting 270 pills or 540 but the prescription must be written for the additional pills.

I hope I'm not confusing you. You have enough to worry about right now.