My diagnosis
I was no stranger to stomach pain. I had lived with Ulcerative Colitis for 13 years already; however, my instincts were telling me these stomach pains were different. I was getting a constant “burning” sensation in the middle of my abdomen that wrapped around to my back, I was nauseous, unable to eat full meals, and severely bloated.
Since I had a rapport with my gastro doctor, I was able to get in right away. My thought was that this would be easy to solve, and I would be on my way. I was diagnosed with C-Diff. They had me trying a cocktail of different medicines that only made my symptoms unrelenting and left me in agony.
I began to feel unheard, and my worry was taking a toll on me as well as my family. My husband convinced me to go to the ER and I agreed. I was desperate to figure out what was going on.
It was there that I first learned about pancreatitis. My lipase levels skyrocketed. I panicked. I had no idea what the pancreas’s role was in the body. I began to research and ask questions. They had me NPO for a few days with some anti-nausea medication. I began to feel a bit better, and they released me.
Living with it
After being home for a few days, the pain came back with a vengeance. I wound up back in the hospital — a different one — five more times in 8 months. I found an angel of a doctor that specialized in the pancreas. I had an EUS, an ERCP, a biliary sphincterotomy, and many stents placed. These were all procedures to get my attacks under control and to drain a pseudocyst that was essentially crushing my stomach.
I was now diagnosed with Chronic Pancreatitis and EPI. I also made the difficult decision to get my gallbladder removed since it was the only probable cause to the attacks. I was finally on my way to feeling healthy again.
I was once down to 88 lbs. and unable to walk, days away from IV nutrition. Today, I am living life to the fullest as a mom. I meditate, exercise, get quality sleep, take my digestive enzymes, and eat a clean diet.
"I found Mission: Cure while I was in a very dark place during my battle with pancreatitis. It helped knowing that I wasn’t alone"
My experience with Mission: Cure
I found Mission: Cure while I was in a very dark place during my battle with pancreatitis. It helped knowing that I wasn’t alone. Hearing other people’s journeys encouraged me to continue the fight until I was truly living again.
The seminars and articles empowered me to speak up about my care. Everyone at Mission: Cure has been so informative and you can truly feel their mission in how they form their connections with everyone involved in the battle.
What I wish people knew
Everyone’s path with pancreatitis is different, but our fight to find a cure is what we all want. It takes diligence, consistency, and positive thinking on my part to ensure I feel good. Taking the much-needed time to incorporate my whole treatment plan into my daily routine is the only way I can keep living and showing up for my family and for myself.
We still need more research done and more doctors who specialize in the pancreas. I am still educating myself about how to be proactive with scans and bloodwork so that I can prevent any further attacks and damage to my pancreas.
Advice for fellow patients and caregivers
You are worth it! Research, educate, and ask questions to the medical field. Mission: Cure provides so many valuable resources. Use all of your energy to keep going and empower yourself to take even the smallest step forward. It may not be perfect, but it is possible.
Hope is our light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes having courage isn’t a loud voice, it is a quiet whisper telling you that you are worth it to keep moving forward.
Share Your Story
Your story matters. If you’re living with pancreatitis or caring for someone who is, your experience can inspire and empower others who are going through the same thing. That’s why we want to hear from you! Share your story with us by clicking the button below.
About Mission: Cure
At Mission: Cure, we are dedicated to finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for pancreatitis. Through patient education, research, and advocacy, we strive to improve the lives of those affected by this condition.