Happy Friday

[JudyJB]

An important lesson I learned from getting acute pancreatitis the day after I had my left knee replaced is that YOU CAN HAVE TWO THINGS WRONG WITH YOU AT ONCE!!!

My orthopedic surgeon diagnosed the horrible abdominal pain I was having as constipation as a result of the painkillers for my knee surgery. They sent me home and I was readmitted by a gastroenterologist in the ER 12 hours later. I could have died or had major organ failure from the pancreatitis.

The problem was that they treated me as a knee replacement patient, not as a patient who might have other problems. They did not tests or xrays or anything because of their false assumptions that whatever pain I had must be due to knee surgery.

Actually, the pancreatitis may have been due to the sedative propafol, and I have had a terrible time since them convincing people not to give it to me for other procedures, but as soon as I ask them if they will be responsible for any pancreatitis after the procedure, they backtrack and give me something else. I have it listed as an allergy to help convince them.

[chalet05]

Just a quick late afternoon hello from south of Hatch, Utah. WE drove all day - through Capitol Reef yesterday and Escalante today. Bypassed Bryce Canyon - I've been there and will come back on my own.

Won't get started on the doctor or family issues!

Hope you both continue to do well, Donna and CArol!