Monday, December 14, 2009

Hello Again!

Hello friends,

It's Mimi here, not Chris this time. I have been in & out of the hosptial a couple of times, but now I have a new diagnosis. Gastroparesis. I made that a link so you guys can check it out, but it mainly means that I have a lazy stomach that does not process the food when I eat it. The stomach muscles don't contract nearly as much as they should, so food just sits there for too long and causes pain. This is usually associated with diabetes, which I don't have, but probably will in the future.

The good news is that I've lost 25 lbs. in 3 weeks, the bad news is I'm never hungry and eating makes me want to barf. I don't know how many times in my life I wished "just make me stop being hungry!" Well this time it took and I'm finding out that I need to be careful what I wish for!

I had botox done on my pylorus (the muscle that moves food from your stomach to your intestines) this morning and that's supposed to help. There's only a 50% success rate with the botox though and it could take up to 2 weeks for me to notice if there's a difference.

Tomorrow is my mom's mastectomy, so I may not be posting a whole lot again in the next few days, while I help to take care of her.

I'll keep you updated as much as I can.

I want you all to know how much your comments, prayers, and love have meant to me and my mom. It really is more than I can say. Hopefully I'll be by to see you all soon!

16 comments:

said...

Love you and have missed you Pam! I'm so glad you got a diagnosis and some treatment. I did know what the pyloris muscle was because Austin had pyloric stenosis when he was a newborn.

Big Xs and Os!!

Sally Ann and Andy said...

Hello Oskar's Mommy,
I'm so glad your better. Maybe now that you know what's wrong, you can treat it. Well, feel better and be merry.
Sally Ann
P. S. I have a special gift I am sending Oskar. I can't come myself, but I will come close.

Sueann said...

Half the battle is getting the proper diagnosis! So you are on your way. I hope the Botox does work for you. I will be praying for you and your mom!
Hugs
SueAnn

Liz Mays said...

I've been thinking about you and your mom and praying for both of you! I'm so glad you took a moment to update us!

Kerri said...

YAY I'm so glad you're back! Missed you. Praying for you and your mom...

A.Marie said...

Hoping that you are feeling a little better and I have both you and your mom in my prayers!

Sarah said...

Hope that everything works out with the Botox and your Mom. I also hope that you all are healthy and less stressed by the holiday!

He & Me + 3 said...

Glad they found out what is wrong...I hope the botox works. Yea for 25 pounds gone Awesome
Praying for your mom

Queenie Jeannie said...

Well hun, at least you finally know what you're dealing with! That's a big deal!!!

Hugs and prayers to your Mom!!

Diane said...

i'm SO HAPPY to hear from you!!! i'm glad they at least know what's going on with you!

i will be thinking/praying for you and your mom!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!

Amy said...

I am happy you are back. My thoughts will be with you and your family..

Hugs..

Anonymous said...

I'm happy your back! I'm thinking of you guys! I have a card all ready to send out to your Mom but I need the address...:)

Emily@MarvelousRecipes.net said...

It is soooo good to finally hear from you! I am glad they finally know what the problem is and are working to fix it! My prayers remain with you and your mom! :)

Nellie, Yuchie, Calvert and Bailey said...

I'm way too familiar with being in and out of hospitals myself (asthma) and am so happy to hear your back home.

Wishing you and your mom all the best, your in my thoughts and prayers.

Claudia

HOPE said...

I am so sorry to hear of all you have been through and will continue to pray for you to completely recover!

I'm being tested at this time myself for breast cancer. I'll have my results around New Years.

Take care and so glad that Oskar is keeping you cozy and protected!

HOPE and GUS

~Skiver~ said...

I found this article. I got bored. Personally, I think this would be worth a shot in helping your gastroparesis.

Electrical pacing. Electrical pacing of the stomach is a new method for treating severe gastroparesis. Electrical pacing of the stomach is analogous to cardiac pacing for the treatment of an abnormally slow heartbeat and involves the placement of a pacemaker. The pacemaker usually is placed laparoscopically and does not require a large abdominal incision for entering the abdomen. During placement, wire electrodes are attached to the muscle of the stomach. The wires are brought out through the abdominal wall just beneath the skin. The wires are attached to a small, battery-operated pacemaker that is buried in a surgically-created pouch just under the skin. The skin is then sutured so that the pacemaker and wires are beneath the skin. The pacemaker generates electrical impulses that are transmitted by the wires to the muscles of the stomach, and the muscles contract in response to the impulses. Electrical pacing is effective in many patients with severe gastroparesis, but the numbers of patients who have been treated is small. Since electrical pacing of the stomach is relatively new, the long-term effectiveness and safety have not been determined clearly.

Here's the link to the full page of treatments.

http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroparesis/page3.htm