Steve E ... hospitalized ...

[Tom Tanquary]

Get well soon

[Bob Beamesderfer]

Pacreatitis is now fun. Get well soon!

[Steve Ekstrand]

Being the attention seeking whore I am I decided to stage a little near death experience.

Main problem now is a form of strep bacteria running wild in my blood. Caused my pancreatic function to go crazy and kidneys to start shutting down.

Today the kidneys are back and that is a huge relief.

My gp stopped by to visit to let me know how close I came to dying. He's always so cheery.

I have this huge team of doctors. Including a really hot attending. Nursing staff is great. Pretty much resort living here.

Cute little ultrascan girl...... Wow!

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!

[Max Hayter]

Acute pancreatitis is swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland located behind the stomach. It releases digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.
Symptoms

* Abdominal pain that is greatest in the upper abdomen (upper left quadrant or upper middle of the abdomen)
o Is persistent or chronic
o May be worse lying flat on the back
o May spread (radiate) to the back or below the left shoulder blade
o May be worse after eating or drinking (occurs within minutes following meals), especially foods with a high fat content
o May be worse after drinking alcohol
* Anxiety
* Fever
* Mild jaundice
* Nausea and vomiting
* Sweating

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

* Indigestion
* Clay-colored stools
* Gaseous abdominal fullness
* Hiccups
* Skin rash or lesion
* Swollen abdomen

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at supportive measures, such as:

* Relieving pain
* Replacing fluids by intravenous (IV) infusion
* Withholding food or fluid by mouth to limit the activity of the pancreas

Occasionally a tube will be inserted through the nose or mouth to remove the contents of the stomach (nasogastric suctioning). This may be done if there is persistent vomiting or severe pain, or if a paralytic ileus develops.

Treating the condition that caused the problem can prevent recurrent attacks.

In some cases, radiologic or endoscopic therapy is needed to:

* Drain fluid collections in or around the pancreas
* Remove gallstones
* Relieve blockages of the pancreatic duct

In the most severe cases, surgery is necessary to remove dead, infected pancreatic tissue.
Causes

The main causes of acute pancreatitis in adults are:

* Alcohol use
* Gallbladder (biliary) disease
* Gallstones

Other causes include:

* Certain medications (especially estrogens, corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, and azathioprine)
* Common bile duct surgical procedures
* Surgery to the pancreas
* Traumatic injury
* Viral infection (mumps, coxsackie B, mycoplasma pneumonia, and campylobacter)

Acute pancreatitis may also be caused by:

* An abnormal structure of the pancreas
* Complications of cystic fibrosis
* Genetic factors (hereditary pancreatitis)
* High lipid levels in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)

What exactly causes pancreatitis is not well known. It is thought that enzymes the pancreas normally releases in an inactive form become activated inside the pancreas and start to digest the pancreatic tissue. This process is called autodigestion. It causes swelling, bleeding (hemorrhage), and damage to the blood vessels.

The disease affects men more often than women. Alcohol abuse is an important risk factor.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

The disease affects men more often than women. Alcohol abuse is an important risk factor.

We're gonna have to have this post for 80% of the folks that go to nationals in the next few years then.

[Marshall Grice]

...you could have just posted the wikipedia link Max.

[Max Hayter]

...you could have just posted the wikipedia link Max.

I wanted to sound more cleverer.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

...you could have just posted the wikipedia link Max.

I wanted to sound more cleverer.

SUCCESS!

[Tadd Ekstrand]

I just talked to him and looks like his kidney function has recovered to nearly normal but he is still having a hard time kicking the infection.

[Steve Abbott]

Get well Steve.

[Daryl Slawnikowski]

Get well soon Steve. As you get better let us know how those wheel chairs handle in the corners!

[Tom Berry]

[

I wanted to sound more cleverer.[/quote]
You already are more cleverer Max.

Get better soon Steve.

[George Lynch]

Steve, Jo Ann and I wish you a speedy and complete recovery. Our best to you and your family.
George

[Sheldon Ekstrand]

get well soon!!!
Robert was very behaved at your house and mine. He went to bed when we asked him to without argument. He also let me play his video-game while he was getting ready!!

Hope your feeling better!

[Lisa Severy]

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!
Lisa

[Henry Bjoin]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery
Henry

[Steve Towers]

Get well soon.
Steve T.

[Nic Sanchez]

Hope your full recovery will be soon.

Best wishes,
Nic

[Steve Ekstrand]

Up and walking around a bit. Back it time for glenn beck.

Need to check out my heart today to make sure no valve damage.

Glucose levels all crazy still. But blood cultures improving.

Put on notice today ill probably need an iv for 3-4 weeks. I can't imagine.

[Max Hayter]

Up and walking around a bit. Back it time for glenn beck.

Need to check out my heart today to make sure no valve damage.

Glucose levels all crazy still. But blood cultures improving.

Put on notice today ill probably need an iv for 3-4 weeks. I can't imagine.

Jeez, hang in there Steve. The IV does not sound like fun. Any idea what brought this on... hereditary, turkey, owning a SRT4, being a Republican?

[Rick Brown]

Up and walking around a bit. Back it time for glenn beck.

Need to check out my heart today to make sure no valve damage.

Glucose levels all crazy still. But blood cultures improving.

Put on notice today ill probably need an iv for 3-4 weeks. I can't imagine.

Your car does have a rear view mirror to hang the IV from, right?

[George Schilling]

Back it time for glenn beck.

No wonder you're sick. You've been watching Glenn Beck again.

[Marcus Russell]

c'mon man.. I need a civic to chase ....get well soon

[Steve Ekstrand]

I've always had immune system issues
RA
CP
Sinus super infections

I had a prostate flair up come on very quickly. The thought is the uncontrolled diabetes just poured gasoline on an already bad infection while I was really rundown.
Then it just spread everywhere again the crazy blood sugar fighting the recovery.

So basically instead of just dropping dead from a massive stroke life toys with me a bit with some medieval torture then a diet of rabbit kibble and brussel sprouts.

[Ken Motonishi]

Steve,

If you don't get better, we're going to have to part out your Civic and I'll end up with your high dollar dampers and make them work.

I'd like your engine as well. Please.