When I was 25, I was diagnosed with my first bout of acute pancreatitis which started a long journey with multiple ups and downs. I was hospitalized 5 times in 6 months, with a cancer scare due to a mass on my pancreas (thankfully benign) and a trip to the Mayo Clinic to ultimately be diagnosed with type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis. Unfortunately, the biopsy required for diagnosis led to another acute attack and it was confirmed that my pancreatitis was already considered chronic. Following treatment with steroids, I began the journey of getting nerve blocks every 4-6 months due to the pain associated with chronic pancreatitis. I was started on digestive enzymes due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
This became my new normal and kept me relatively stable for almost 12 years until the nerve blocks stopped working in the fall of 2023. I was hospitalized again in January 2024 and underwent a total pancreatectomy with auto-islet cell transplant in May 2024.Â
I’ve relied heavily on my family and extended family as support to get me through this surgery with three young kids. I have had to adjust to my new normal as a type 3C diabetic. I’m back to work part-time and still adjusting to life without a pancreas. Through this process, I have clung tightly to my faith and family to get me through.
I have learned that I am more resilient with each challenge. I hope that people will see that you can be handed a lot of negative roadblocks in your life, but it is your attitude that determines how you will handle them. Rather than wallow in self-pity, I have used this platform to remind others that you are strong, resilient, and capable of handling the challenges life throws at you.Â
If you surround yourself with people who are there to support you, it makes the journey that much more manageable. Find support groups, connect with people who understand what you’re going through and you will come out on the other side stronger, even if it means with fewer organs!
What Do You Wish People Knew About Pancreatitis?​
I wish people understood that pancreatitis is not just a disease that can be brought on by lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption. Many people who are dealing with pancreatitis are dealing with hereditary forms or autoimmune conditions that involve their pancreas.
What Advice Would You Give to Fellow Pancreatitis Patients?​
I would advocate for patients and caregivers to join support groups, follow Mission: Cure, and other organizations that provide evidence-based information on dealing with pancreatitis. Learning more about your condition will empower you to manage it more easily.
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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.
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