[JoeMac]

Hi All again,

I am still in full swing with this relapse, out of the 3 lesions I have on my spine only the C-3 is still as active as ever and still giving me problems.

I have an MRI on Monday and then I see my neuro to sign the paperwork for Tysabri. On top of all these problems with my MS I got a call today from my PCP, the pancreas CT scan I had last week is showing that I have what they call a "Pseudo Cyst" in my pancreas caused by the pancreatitis I had. The "Fix" for that COULD be a non-invasive procedure to drain it. My PCP wants to set me up with a surgical consultation down in Pittsburgh, (125 miles from me). I had a bunch of questions........the dr's office called and told me, then said they would call me back when they had my questions answered, but never called me back!

NOW I am scared to death that this is cancer, I did a google and found out about what a pseudo cyst is and what needs to be done with it, BUT what if they biopsy it, (which I am sure they will), and find cancer............ It is only me and my 19 Y.O. son, I have not much support here and even less money, I just don't know if I can handle any more issues right now.

I am a grown man and have always been able to handle anything that has come my way, but this is getting way out of hand. What do I do? Scream, cry?........I am at the end of my rope and at LEAST need to vent here and hope someone listens...........

HELP!!!!!!!

Joe

[lady_express_44]

Joe, it seems you and I like to do this stuff the same hard way, don't we? I got a call from my doc too . . . and I find out on Friday what they've "discovered".

I got thinking the worst, which is that it is a untreatable secondary malignant tumor, and yeah I'm freaked. I've had so many weird things with my health though, it's probably just some alien thing "they've never seen before" growing in there.

If I were you (and it seems I am almost ), I would take one thing at a time. I would put off the Tysabri treatment (a week or month isn't likely to make much difference anyway...), and deal with the immediate problem.

I sure hope everything works out for you with this cyst-thingy.

You two are not alone.

Cherie

[weegot5kiz]

sorry Joe, I dont know, vent scream cry yeah all three sounds good, Just try not to get ahead of yourself before you know for sure, what it is, the stress will not help any, praying and hoping things turn around real quick for you

[DM]

Hey Joe~ So sorry for all the stress you are going through while waiting to find out what is actually going on. I am my own worse enemy on things like this, as one tends to always think the worse. Please know that you can come here and let us know how you are feeling anytime. Man or woman~ fear is real and it's scary. Let's hope that it's a benign cyst and that things start to turn around for you.

Keeping you in my prayers.

You too, Cherie~~ Please know that I'm thinking of you, too!

[NurseNancy]

joe,

i'm sorry you're dealing with this all at once.
i like cherie's advice.
deal with the immediate problem.
maybe your neuro can Rx something like steroids that can get you over the hump of your flare.

then you can deal with the next thing.
do you belong to a church? perhaps there are some community resources available to you for some help and support.

please keep us posted.
i care.

[bluenurse]

Wow, Joe, I think you are entitled to scream ,cry, rant, whatever makes you feel better!! You have had one long bad time of it. Having worked on a GI flooor for 12 years, I saw lots of psuedo cysts. Sometimes there was no intervention, and other times the fluid was drained from the cyst. The most important consideration was pain control, and nutritional needs.

I'm sure you know how painful they are. Are you able to eat? Can you control the pain?Those are the 2 most important things to control right now. I have never seen a psuedo cyst become malignant, so I wouldn't worry so much about that at this time (easy for me to say).

Just want you to know, that I have added you and your son to my prayer list.

[dmplaura]

Joe, you're in my thoughts.

What's with all the cyst junk lately? I think we suffer enough without these darn things.

[SallyC]

I am so sorry, you are dealing with this @#$%^, right now. I hope your Doc will come up with something to give you some relief, soon.

You're in my thoughts and prayers.....Please feel better..

[JoeMac]

Thank you all for the nice encouraging words,

I did hear from the doc today, I have very little issues with pain and it most likely is a small cyst, I don't have to go to Pitt and I might not have to have surgery, they are referring me to a surgeon up here in Erie to just get a second opinion but as long as I have very few issues with it they may just monitor it and wait and see.

If it does need drained there are areas up here in my town to do a non-invasive procedure...........PHEW, I was SO nervous all last night because I DID think the worst same as you "DM"

Cherie it DOES seem like we have to do things the hard way huh........LOL

SO, I will keep my neuro appt for Monday, stay with trying to get the Tysabri started and go from there, for right now since I have little issues with this cyst i am going to ignore it and move ON and concentrate on getting this flare under control.........2 month anniversary of it today.......wow this is a LONG one huh.......

Thanks EVERYONE for making me feel better about this whole thing, this is truly a great board.........:-)

Joe

[Cathyst]

Joe-
I am so happy that you are feeling better about the cyst. Like you, I always expect the worst - it is so emotionally draining.

Now you can focus on the important things.......like how great the Phillies are doing and the Eagles won their first game! Woo Hoo!

Cathy