Prayers...again...please

Just wanted to post a quick note...life has been crazy around our household for a while now...but the big concern right now is that our precious daughter is in the hospital. For those of you that don't know her or know her history...she has a hereditary condition called chronic famial pancreatitis...she has suffered bouts of it since she was five years old. This disease is VERY painful...and it is very rare. Some folks DO have or get pancreatitis, but it is usually a one time event...caused by one or more factors...possibly gall stones, injury to the pancreas, obesity, alcholism or drugs. I can assure you our daughter has not suffered from any of these...instead there is something chemical in her body that causes the pancreas to swell, close off the pancreatic ducts and in essence doesn't allow the pancreatic enzymes to flow properly into the intestines to digest the food. Thus, the enzymes (which work much like battery acid) stay within the pancreas and essentially destroy and eat away at the pancreas. That is where the pain comes from...the inflamation and the actual eating away of the pancreatic walls. I know folks that have had a one time bout with this and claim it is far worse than childbirth, kidney stones or even some cancers. She is tough...she has dealt with this a LONG time...but it never is easy. She used to get attacks about once a year, a few times she has had more than one attack in a year...and sometimes they last from a few days to a few weeks. The ONLY thing our medical world has been able to determine is that it is painful and that they must "rest" the pancreas. To do this, they admit her to the hospital, start an IV and administer strong pain meds and anti-nausea medicines and allow NO foods or water by mouth until it has run it's course. The GREAT news is since she and her hubbin have moved to Colorado over 2 years ago...this is her FIRST big attack that has required hospitilaztion. The BAD news is...the doctor she is using (which WILL change, soon) is not really savy when it comes to this disease and has really dropped the ball as far as a very slow admissions and running test that only exacerbate the pain. For now, she is still in some pain, but they do have her on a morphine drip and are trying to ease the nausea and pain.

I am asking please for all you prayer warriors out there...to please remember our sweet Jackie in your prayers...we are asking for wisdom from the hospital and doctors treating her, a speedy recovery and that they are able to get the pain and nausea under control. She is one tough cookie, this little girl of ours...she has dealt with it for so long...but hey, who's ever REALLY ready to go to the hospital...especially when you are in such pain.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers...I'll keep you all updated...PLUS I do have BIG news...that I will be sharing as soon as I have a moment to collect my thoughts...AND blogger lets me post pictures!