Here is the latest on my condition.

[Andy_Stephenson]

I went to the Surgeon this AM and he is scheduling me for 3 more tests but at the current time this is what I know for sure.

The bile duct collapsed due to something. Where it collapsed in the pancreas is troubling but could be from at least 4 causes. they are:

1. Tumor of the Pancreas. He said if it is this...then it is less than 1 cm long. He says it is >1 cm because CT scans are accurate up to 1 cm. With the questionable pathology report this is looking more like the cause. He did say it is small and therefore...likely very treatable. If in fact this is the problem, and barring anything unforeseen I should be OK. The Dr is scheduling me for a Endoscopic Ultra Sound to look at the pancreas in much finer detail. So I am at least 1 step more away from surgery

2. Scarring of the duct due to pancreatitis I am dubious on this one as I have not had any infection that I have not been aware of, and, the pathology reports do not bear out this diagnosis.

3. Gall bladder disease. This IMHO would be the best one of all since it would merely mean the removal of my gall bladder. Unfortunately the pathology does not indicate that this is the problem either.

4. Finally Sarcoidosis...since there is a family history of this it could be the cause. He is going to run a few more tests for this as well as a fasting glucose tolerance test to make certain that I am not diabetic.

So there you have it. Sort of a mixed bag, certainly not the definitive answer I wanted but I feel far more confident than I did as of Friday. Certainly if it is any of the above it sounds far more treatable than I was thinking. So ya'lls prayers helped. I am convinced of it. I should have a bit more news as the week progresses and I imagine that I will have a full diagnosis and treatment regimen by Friday.

[villager]

1. best wishes to you, Andy

and speedy speedy recovery...

[Fridays Child]

2. Man, you are confronting this thing head on!

Good for you! You'll be well, soon. I know it. :hug:

[coffeenap]

3. Thanks for the report--we love ya! D says hi and hope! m.

[ultraist]

4. Great news Andy that you are feeling more confident!

What a stressful situation, but it sounds like all of those possibilities are manageable.

Good luck with the next round of tests!

[Cooley Hurd]

5. Great news, Andy!

Even though all four sound scary, at least they're all treatable!:thumbsup:

Excellent to hear!!!:hug:

[JanMichael]

6. I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better about the prospects.

It certainly sounds more promising than the first few updates.

Good luck and keep up the confident/positive attitude.

[clydefrand]

7. May your doctors have the knowledge to find and treat

your illness successfully. You'll be in my thoughts.
Fran

[happynewyear]

8. glad to hear it Andy!

Glad to know it most likely isn't something really serious. Hopefully they'll figure out what it is soon.

I'm glad you are able to deal with it now that you have a few answers.

Continue to take care & best wishes for a speedy recovery!

DTC

[Canadian Socialist]

9. I feel for you Andy

I know this particular problem is incredibly painful. However, with good medical treatment, it really is completely curable. If you do need to have your gall bladder removed, word of warning... avoid fatty foods. I speak from experience. :loveya:

[Swamp Rat]

10. Peace brother ... I'm hoping for the best for you. n/t

[Digit]

11. You sound greatly relieved, and for that I am glad.

We are all still pulling for you, Andy, so hang in there!
You'll get through it!

[Senior citizen]

12. Hi Andy!

I just dropped in

to see what condition

your condition was in.....


Thanks for keeping us posted and best wishes for a full and quick recovery.

[Andy_Stephenson]

14. That made me laugh!

:)

[KoKo]

13. Thanks for the update, Andy...

Just wanted you to know you are in my "prayers" and that your voter work with Bev..lives on here in NC where we are making good progress against the DRE's. I've sent that first work you did with Bev that's out on "Votergate" to many folks. It got their attention. So, no matter what happened with that relationship...your work stands on it's own. And it's good, solid and has made a difference for those of us who are working in our states to get our Legislators to notice.

Buck up...I went through something similar to you...just be aware that once you have something "solid" get a "second opinion." It' makes a huge amount of difference even though your first instinct is to give up and go with the first "opinion" because the "tests and waiting periods" just wear you down and out...and one just wants to get it all over with.

So...Buck Up and look to the bright side and know that our bodies "given the right signals from our brains" have great healing powers on their own...no matter what you are faced with.

You know how many are pulling for you here. All that love and concern...can move every obstacle. Think of that...all the time...the POWER OF OUR THOUGHTS...

:-)'s to you and just keep in there and don't accept what doesn't make sense to you...but from what I've seen you have a great head on your shoulders and a "questioning mind" so that shouldn't be a problem...

Great thoughts ...prayer power...and white lights and whatever..you'll get through this. Just think of that "walking medical miracle Cheney" and you will be fine!!!!! :evilgrin: Hang in their "Copper"...:loveya:

[Catherine Vincent]

15. I am glad you are keeping us up to date on your health.

I hope everything turns out okay for you.

[Deja Q]

16. Same here; definitely best wishes and ultimately full healing so you can

enjoy life once again to its fullest.

:hug:

:grouphug:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

17. 4U Andy.... if you are interested.....

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15723737
1: Nutrition. 2005 Feb;21(2):118-24. Related Articles, Links

Dynamics of antioxidants in patients with acute pancreatitis and in patients operated for colorectal cancer: A clinical study.
Musil F, Zadak Z, Solichova D, Hyspler R, Kaska M, Sobotka L, Manak J.

Department of Metabolic Care and Gerontology, Charles University and University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.

>>Patients with severe AP had a significantly lower concentration of selenium in RBCs than did healthy controls and CA patients (P < 0.05). The concentration of selenium in toe nails of AP patients was significantly lower than that in CA patients and healthy controls (P < 0.001). The marker of increased reactive oxygen species activity the ratio of 9,11- and 10,12-octadecanoic acids to linoleic acid in RBCs was significantly higher in AP and CA patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of measured antioxidants and increased activity of reactive oxygen species occurred during the course of AP. These findings applied in particular to patients who had severe AP. Levels of measured antioxidants seemed to be similar in AP and CA patients except for lower levels of selenium in toe nails in AP patients and lower selenium concentrations in RBCs in patients with severe AP.<<

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10565215
1: Probl Tuberk. 1999;(5):32-4. Related Articles, Links

Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of traditional and combined therapies of patients with sarcoidosis

Article in Russian

Ozerova LV, Romanov VV, Zaitseva IP, Rybakova NP, Shemetun ON.

Treatments were comparatively analyzed in two groups comprising 106 patients with respiratory sarcoidosis. One group of patients (n = 52) was treated with conventional therapy (corticosteroid hormones as tablets or aerosols, physiotherapy, SWF, plaquenil, antioxidants, the other (n = 54) received combined therapy (plasmapheresis, reduced hormone dosage, antioxidants. With both treatments, the early results of treatment were equally positive in 60-63% of patients, mainly in new cases of sarcoidosis. The late (3-year follow-up) ones were positive (no recrudescence) in 50 and 37% of patients treated with conventional and combined therapies, respectively. These outcomes are attributable to that combined therapy was used in more critical patients with disseminated and generalized processes and commonly at late stages of the disease.
PMID: 10565215 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12409844
1: Pancreas. 2002 Nov;25(4):e71-6. Related Articles, Links

Resveratrol inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Ding XZ, Adrian TE.
Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA

INTRODUCTION: Because of lack of early diagnosis and poor therapeutic responsiveness, median survival in patients with pancreatic cancer is <6 months, and survival beyond 5 years is rare. Thus, another dimension in chemotherapeutic agents for pancreatic cancer would be beneficial to control metastatic and unresectable disease. Resveratrol, a natural product from grapes, has been shown to be chemopreventive for carcinogen-induced skin cancer and also to inhibit proliferation of oral squamous, breast, colonic, and prostate cancer cells. AIM: To investigate the effect of resveratrol in pancreatic cancer. METHODOLOGY: To evaluate the potential role of resveratrol on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, two human pancreatic cancer cell lines, PANC-1 and AsPC-1, were used. RESULTS: Resveratrol inhibited proliferation of both PANC-1 and AsPC-1 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner as measured by < H>thymidine incorporation. Cell number of both PANC-1 and AsPC-1 was also significantly decreased following 48 and 72 hours of treatment with 100 micromol/L resveratrol. The growth inhibition induced by resveratrol was accompanied by apoptotic morphologic changes, characterized by cell rounding and cell membrane blebbing suggesting apoptosis. Propidium iodide staining of DNA, measured by flow cytometry, showed a dramatic increase in the fraction of sub-G0/G1 cells following resveratrol treatment in both PANC-1 and AsPC-1. The substantial apoptosis inducted by resveratrol on these two cell lines was confirmed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the natural product resveratrol may have a potent antiproliferative effect on human pancreatic cancer with induction of apoptosis. Resveratrol is likely to be valuable for the management and prevention of human pancreatic cancer.

PMID: 12409844 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

[greatauntoftriplets]

18. You're a popular guy tonight....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x335879

[Andy_Stephenson]

19. As I said on the phone...

I feel so much better...still sick...but mentally I feel less anguished and afraid.

[greatauntoftriplets]

34. And that is good....

:loveya:

[Melissa G]

20. love and good thoughts!

hugs and good wishes for your speedy recovery!

[mzmolly]

21. Andy, thanks for the update. I'll continue sending my prayers/thoughts

your way.

We'll look forward to your next update, and continue to be hopeful that the news is the best it could be!

[roguevalley]

22. Bravo, honey. All that anguish and it appears to be unnecessary.

Good news!

[Pastiche423]

23. Oh Andy

this is good news! It is far easier to deal w/a known than an unknown, as it were.

My positive and healing thoughts are w/you every day.

:loveya: ya!

[AmBlue]

24. Nice to see you, Andy...

And glad to see you're getting some answers that seem workable. Still praying for you, too.

[Maestro]

25. Sounds like progress is being made

Doctors can do incredible things nowadays. Take it from. I am one year out from a serious condition. All clear now. Have faith in the doctors, stay positive and don't give up. Your prognosis looks good in that they have narrowed down the possible causes and can decide on treatment. Good luck!!!!!

[Ellen Forradalom]

26. Prayers prayers prayers!

I hope it is readily treatable and that you're back on your pins in no time!

[bear425]

27. Thanks for the update, Andy

My thoughts have been with you and will continue to be. I feel confident that you will be okay.

[flyarm]

28. andy sweetheart!!

i hope you are at peace with more answers , and a better possible diagnosis. It sounds like your dr. is being very thorough , which is wonderful.
I am so happy they are doing more tests,and no matter what the diagnosis, it sounds like they are getting whichever it is , early.
I pray that is the case. And you sweetie are getting all my prayers.
You are going to get through this , and be so strong for it.

i send you my kindest thoughts and love to you dear!!

fly

[Andy_Stephenson]

35. HUgs to you my sweet!

:loveya:

[dzika]

29. Thanks, Andy

Hang in there! We have certainly been missing you.

[understandinglife]

30. Thank you for the update Andy. You're in all our thoughts. (nt)

PROVE MY VOTE COUNTS

[seabeyond]

31. good for you andy

i am so happy to hear it. not that you know yet, but it doesnt seem nearly as scARY AS IT WAS. IA M GLAD O HEAR. THANK YOU FOR sharing

sorry for caps

[MadisonProgressive]

32. Great news, Andy!

[AuntiBush]

33. Here's hoping it turns out well for you, Andy.

It's sounding better, Andy! Will pray for you again... right now. You're going to be "ok." Keep saying that to yourself. Self-talk positively. "You are going to be alright!"

Hang-in there. Everyone out here is pulling for you.

:grouphug:

[Booster]

36. Sounds like you have a good doctor, Andy, so let him do his

work and we will all pray for you to get through this thing. I have a gut feeling you're going to be ok.

[demodonkey]

37. Oh Andy! That is SO much better than what it could have been!

You will die an old, old, old man... warm and safe in your voting booth! :D
You know I had a good feeling about this yesterday? Well now I have an even better one.

Take care and be WELL Andy... with MUCH LOVE from the Keystone State,
MB

:loveya:

PS -- Don't forget to let us know the approximate TIME of your procedure when you have it, so we can all send prayers and happy thoughts your way RIGHT then...

Edited to add floaty hearts, which Andy certainly deserves!

[Blue Diadem]

38. continuing good thoughts and prayers for you Andy

:hug:

[napi21]

39. We'll keep those prayers commin' Andy.

Keep us up to date on the information you get. We are all interested and care for you.

[ConsAreLiars]

40. Good News. Use the challenge to give yourself a chance

to indulge in some R&R - maybe some silly crystal-healing newage spa time, long walks on the beach or whatever.

[lonestarnot]

41. Well you're sounding better, hope they find the right mix to put you on

the mend!

[Stephanie]

42. awesome

that's the best news! it really is - all treatable problems.

[LeahD]

43. Thank you

for keeping us up to date. There are so many of us who have such respect for you and are remembering you in our prayers. I visualize you enveloped by the light of love. Take care.

[Randi_Listener]

44. Get well and..

....GODSPEED!

[FM Arouet666]

45. A very difficult problem

Peace be with you, and I sincerely hope for a benign etiology.

It sounds like, from your description, that you have a stricture which is being worked up.

Some thoughts, in younger patients, a bile duct obstruction is most often caused by gall stones. These can typically be seen on a ultrasound or an MRI, a special type called a MRCP. I have also seen it occur with Mirizzi syndrome, when a large stone in the gall bladder compresses the main duct.

The next most common in younger patients is pancreatitis, which despite the name, is typically not an infectious process. An inflammation of the pancreas most often from gall stones or toxins, especially alcohol, but other medications can also be the source. Your right, most people would typically be aware of an episode of pancreatitis, is is typically painful.

Sarcoid is a rarer cause, as are a host of other autoimmune or variant anatomical reasons. Typically diagnosed via lab work, biopsy, or a visualization studies like the MRCP.

All of the above can and do occur with high frequency in older folks.
However, with older patients you need to worry about tumors. Endoscopic ultrasound is very good and will involve imaging and biopsy of the duct, unfortunately, a significant number of patients will have negative pathology, while still appearing to have a tumor. I have operated on a number of people without a definitive diagnosis, e.g without pathology, based on a very strong suspicion for a tumor. Most of which turned out to have tumors. A few have not had tumors, but chronic pancreatitis. Stigmata for tumors include painless jaundice, very high bilirubin levels in the blood, weight loss, and older patients.

It sounds like you have already had an ERCP, done by the GI doc via a scope down the mouth to the level of the bile duct, with injection of dye into the duct and brushings. Pathology being negative, which is typical, as I mentioned above.

Lastly, lab work can be helpful, a CA-19-9 level for example. But, it is often low with early, small tumors. Testing for diabetes is important, to implicate a process which affects the entire pancreas, like chronic pancreatitis, sarcoid etc, vs a more local phenomena like a bile duct or pancreatic tumor.

Again, I hope for the best. The diagnosis can be a difficult one to make. Sorry if I am rambling on, just trying to help.

[sweetheart]

46. excellent news

Sounds like this little glitch 'll keep you taking better care, that
you stick around on this earth much longer.... outstanding news.

:-) To the divine intervention of love. :-)

:toast:

[Straight Shooter]

47. A mixed bag, indeed, but definitely something good to hope for.

Thanks for sharing, Andy. Keep your thoughts positive and imagine yourself a year from now, strong and healthy again. Hold that image, and know that we're out here thinking of you, each of us praying in our own way.

:thumbsup:

[Media_Lies_Daily]

48. Hang in there, Andy.

[FreedomAngel82]

49. I hope everything goes well for you

Hopefully things will go smooth and well. Good luck! :hug:

[sandnsea]

50. That's better than last week

Let's hope for whatever is easiest to treat. You sound alot better too. Hopefully this will all be behind you in just a few more weeks! :hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

51. Sorry to be so late with my reply...but it is no less sincere.

Your latest note sounds like it is mostly good news...Well, better than we might have expected, anyway.
We will be rooting for the best possible.
Hang in there!!

[EFerrari]

52. Wow, they gave you a menu?

Nice going.

(Look, as long as they're not arguing for decapitation, you're in good shape. I mean, life isn't worth living with no head.)

I have a designer tie that says you will have forgotten all about this by Easter.

Make me wrong :hi:

[Withywindle]

53. All blessings on this!

Sending you good thoughts.

[demnan]

54. It sounds like something very treatable

and that you have some very capable doctors who will cure the problem. So :) and take a deep breath!

[Deb]

55. treatable is a beautiful word

I'm thrilled you heard it from the Doc.

[in_cog_ni_to]

56. I like those words.."likely very treatable"

and you have to be relieved to hear his more optimistic outlook! I'll continue to keep you in my prayers and always in my thoughts. You're going to beat whatever this is! Keep those positive thoughts, Andy. :hug:

[UrbScotty]

57. Many good wishes!

You are our hope.

[elehhhhna]

58. #3 looks okay--come on, gallbladder!

I think that's bandaid surgery.

Could earn you a Purple Heart!

Best best best thoughts & wishes,
E

[Lisa0825]

59. Glad to hear you're treatable!;-)

Hi, Andy! I was one of the voices shouting across the table to Velma's cell phone last night. We were all very happy to hear the promising prognosis.

Take care!:-)

[SharonRB]

60. This sounds like great news, Andy

All of the above sound treatable and much better than what we were hearing last week. Glad to hear it.

Watch your mail the next couple of days -- I sent you a little something!

[Coventina]

61. So very glad to hear this

:hug:

This goes beyond words. I've never met you, but I'm in tears of relief and joy for you right now.

I'll continue to hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Cuban_Liberal]

62. Good deal!

It sounds to me like things are looking a lot better than they did last week, Andy! Keep your chin up, bro!

:hug:

[bettyellen]

63. good small treatable... sounds like your docs are being thorough

and that's good too!

[seventythree]

64. good news

The endoscopy ultra sound is from my knowledge and experience (problem in the family)the best way to rule out pancreatic cancer, but the knowledge that you now have that it would be small and treatable if cancer is detected is a great ray of hope. I remember you at least once a day in my prayers, and will continue to do so. I will need to read about sarcoidosis, as I don't know what that is, but family history is very imporant.

[nostamj]

65. wow. thanks for the update...

i've been resisted the urge to call. didn't want to be a bother.

hope things continue to go well.

[MissWaverly]

66. Andy, all the best

Wishing you all the calmness you need to deal with all this.
Slowly, slowly cross over the ice to the shores of Good Health!
We're all keeping you in our prayers!
Miss Waverly

[liberalitch]

67. Best to you and I hope it is the least serious of everything...

Actually I hope that you wake up tomorrow completely healed but.... let's just hope for the best!

[amazona]

68. Get well soon!

And thanks for the update.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[nonny]

69. Glad that you are feeling more positive.

I keep thinking about you and praying that you will be OK.

:hug:

[Eloriel]

70. More eyes

Good luck, Andy.

:kick:

[Lori Price CLG]

71. Best wishes to you, Andy.... n/t

[bigtree]

72. "sounds far more treatable"

This should help settle your mind a little so you can use its energy and power to focus on helping with the healing. Keep heart. You'll get through this.

[Rockerdem]

73. You're in my heart, Andy

Good luck. Its heck being sick, but it is so sweet when treatment beats it back. Promise me one thing: when your comeback is complete, you do not fall in love with Big Pharma :-)

Cheers, my man.

[ailsagirl]

74. Hang in there, Andy, we're all rooting for you!!!