I just say ok, fine, no better- no worse.. My favorite is...are you better? Now I just say I'm better at it. That's a way of letting them know..I'm not going to be better without telling them all the negatives. May God bless you. I can't imagine being a missionary and having this...my cousin just got back from 2 years in Madagascar. Amazing what God can bring you through and she is healthy. Bless your heart.
Hope this finds you feeling better.

wow! you are a missionary? where are you currently working?

@ pebblz21: I LOVE THAT! "Are you better?" "Im better at it!" whaha! fantastic! Thats positive! and funny! and SO true!!!! Thank you so much!!!

@ Isjjm: yeah missionary. I will be in Belize this January. But I'm in the states now. I've been all over! Primarily South America. But many times to africa. Just got back from Lesotho.

Depends on my mood, most days I say I better than the guy who is 6' under..Or if i'm in a bad mood I'll say are you asking to be nice or do you really want to know?

You are amazing..Doing Gods work is a Blessing and I am sure he just has another job for you. I am sure he will let you know what it is. Maybe you are supposed to share your health experiences and his word together. God Bless You..

HUGS
Cheryl

"Im better at it!" I will have to remember that one! My standard reply is "I have good days and not-so-good days" If I think they really want to know I will specify whether today is 'good' or 'not-so-good'. Looking forward to a day when I can answer "GREAT!". Not sure when or even if that day will come, though.

How are you all doing? :) And please answer honestly because I am truly concerned!

Diane

Diane, honestly, "good days and bad days. and today is a so-so day" The Dr has not called back about my pain meds yet and as of this afternoon, tho my drain is still productive, it is not wanting to flush and that concerns me. Will there ever come a day when I can go the whole day and not be impacted by this disease?

Oh Meg sorry to hear ...I assume you must have had some sort of surgery recently since you have a drain? How did you come to get this awful disease we all share? Also the doctor should call you back after 2 phone calls I would tell the receptionist or the answering service that this is my 2nd call and I need him to call me back! Hugs!

Diane

Diane, no surgery. I was diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis this past Sept, it became necrotic and I had/have a huge pseudocyst. The drain is to drain the cyst. I go for a CT on the 20th prior to my follow up apt with the gastro on the 22nd. I am hoping he will say the cyst has reduced enough to remove the drain. When I called the receptionist Friday morning I did tell her I had called Thursday morning. She assured me I would either have a call back from a doctor or a script called in to the pharmacy by end of business Friday. Didn't happen! So I will be on the phone to them first thing tomorrow morning. It is frustrating but I have limited options. There is not a doctor in my area who will touch me because of the complexity of my case. Noone here specializes in the pancreas. So I have to go 250 miles to see the specialist. It makes it difficult, dealing with a Dr so far away but he is supposed to be one of the very best in the state of Texas.

Megwyn I am so sorry what you are going through....I cannot even imagine ....you will be included in my prayers with the rest of my DS family to get the help you need as well as less pain....that is the worst of this damn disease for most of us. Hugs!

Diane

Thank you for your prayers, Diane. After all the run around and delays with the gastro's office one of them finally told me that their policy is to discharge you with enough pain meds to last until you can get your PC to prescribe for you. My PC, who has known us forever, is reluctant to .get involved in the treatment of the pancreatitis in any way because he admits he knows little about it. But he did agree to up the dose of the norco from 1 every 8 hrs to 1 or 2 every 6 hrs. It does seem to be helping to bring the pain to an acceptable level. If this doesn't work I will have to consult a pain mgmt. specialist. For me at least, the pain is definitely the worst part of this disease. I seem to be able to tolerate eating a fairly normal diet. I am conscious of the amount of fat and try not to go overboard. Shortly after I got home from the hospital one of my sons brought pizza. I thought "one slice won't hurt'. HAH! I was sick all night. I don't think I will ever eat pizza again! lol

i will be praying for you to megw.

the answer to that question is really.. about whom is asking. so to my close friends. the truth. " still struggling "
managing.. coping

if I am being sarcastic.. i can say horrid things. . drugs help a bit.

if I was asking someone how they were with any illness.. I often say out of 10 how are you feeling..

but i have so many illnesses.. i could say. which one do you refer to. lol

but my honest answer if it is someone that doesn't matter to me. i said i am fine. (fk off )
i am a Christian the healing thing is difficult to discuss. but i am at peace with God ..and God help the person who tries to steal my peace.