ladylinden

Hi Judi, On my 4th stent replacement, I contracted cholangitis. Like your husband Karl, I was extremely ill and admitted into emergency. I, too, could not walk without falling, couldn’t eat, talking that made no sense, and vomiting. It was a difficult infection to cure. After my 6th stent on January 5, 2014, I felt okay, but the 7th stent procedure has to be done again in a few weeks. You mention Karl had a stomach bypass. Let me know how Karl and you are doing and if the stomach bypass has helped your husband.

Dear Lisa, Thank you for the valuable information you provided. I am on my 5th stent/ERCP inserted in October, 2013. The gastroenterologist cleaned the metal stents in January, 2014. He was able to clean one stent 100% but the other he could only clean 60%. I may be headed for drains. Do you know if drains are the usual procedure when stents cannot be cleaned? If I am a candidate for drainage tubes, I will remember your great advice! Thank you. Pat

Dear Lainy and KrisV, Both of you have been so helpful in providing information to guide me through this very difficult time. As I mentioned, my husband who was my mentor, confidante, friend, guidance counselor, advisor and teacher died June 16, 2011. He taught me about courage in crisis. I admire the people who have faced so many ups and down and still do not give up. I plan on going into Hospice care, as I do not want to wait until I am unable to understand and make decisions. Yes, I filed my Statutory Will with the court house on Friday. It wasn’t necessary to file with Court, but I know the original will be kept safe. I am beginning to fill out the Probate Court forms and that will make it easier for my daughter. I don’t like to burden others with paperwork, attorneys, etc. and I was a legal secretary for 10 years prior to starting a small business with my husband. The other day I was watching a religious interview and the host was interviewing a man who had walked in fear most of his life. He was afraid to live his life. Fear had frozen him. He found the right church and became a Christian and was saved. He said “Now I am guided by faith and not by fear.” I thought these few words were powerful. His life has changed drastically and it’s as though he has been given a second chance at life. Sometimes you just never know that what you say can change a person’s life for the better. This site has given me the courage and guidance I’ve needed throughout this difficult time. And I thank you for taking the time in your busy schedules to respond and share your experiences! As always, it is appreciated. Sincerely, Pat from Linden, MI

Hi, Would like to know your opinion about Hospice care. I was diagnosed Memorial Day 2013, Stage IV, inoperable. I just had my fifth stent procedure. I tried chemo in October, 2013, ten days after my 4th ERCP. A few days after each chemo, I was wiped out for 9 days, laying in bed totally fatigued. In November I began to get chills and felt unwell. I did not want to go to the hospital because I was too sick! December I wheeled into the emergency room and was admitted due to a blood infection. After five days I was released and home care administered cipro for five days. I thought the infection was gone. Wrong! In December with each passing day I got weaker, nauseous, falling down, chills, could not eat or drink. I was really on my way out and again, felt too sick to move. Also, I had not completed my Statutory Will and felt I had to finalize it because I felt so bad and felt I was on my way out of this world. In January 2014, I walked into another hospital (my hospital that does the stents and what a great job they do at keeping me alive!). It was determined I still had a serious blood infection and I was admitted for three days. My hospital got me back on my feet! This past week I actually feel better than I have for three months. Appetite is back, nausea is gone, and I am getting stronger by the day. In November, December and first 9 days in January, I could hardly walk! Make sure that after stent procedure that you do not get a blood infection. Get to the doctor immediately. I suffered several weeks due to being so sick. I no longer take chemo, two treatments were enough for me! Next infection, I’ll get to the emergency room pronto! I’m taking it day by day and getting my legal papers in order while I feel okay. I am being hospice evaluated in a week or two. I don’t want to wait until I’m incapacitated to make a decision about hospice. Does anyone have any opinion about hospice? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi, My appetite is good, too, but it’s always been that way. I just had my second Gem/Cis treatment last Thursday. I’d like to know if your Mum is having problems with acid indigestion. I eat very little in small amounts because I feel full very fast. Is your Mum experiencing fullness, too? If she is doing better than me, would you tell me the kind of foods she is consuming. Right now I feel quite hungry but after four days of what felt like internal brusing to my stomach, I hesitate to eat at all. Thank you for any input you may be able to render.

Hi Mary, I also had my second treatment of Cis/Gem on Thursday. I’ll check on your posts to see how you are doing with this treatment plan. Patricia