"PAIN"creatitis

No...he is not headed to outer space (although I bet he wishes he could!) For the past several weeks, my dad has been in the hospital suffering from severe pancreatitis. It all started two and a half weeks ago. The whole McClure family had gone over to my dad's for Sunday dinner, only to find him very sick. He was doubled over in pain and sweating like there was no tomorrow. We insisted he go to the ER, so Steve, Terry and my brother-in-law Rob took him over to IMC where he was diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis. It has been a roller-coaster ever since. The problem with the pancreas is that no one knows what brings on the inflammation and there is no way to bring it back down, but to wait it out and treat the other problems it causes. In dad's case, this has included pneumonia, C. Diff infection (a nasty bacteria in the intestines and bowel...VERY contagious!), non-functioning kidneys, 30+ pounds of fluid which has caused him to look like a pregnant woman with a huge belly along with severe swelling in the legs and one arm, and most recently a blood clot. He spent two weeks in Intensive Care and had to be intubated for a few days. Although they have found that his gallbladder is full of stones, they do not plan to remove it until he is much better. It really has been a trial of "two steps forward and one step back". There is talk of him being discharged for home in the next few days, but still a long recovery ahead. Keep fighting, Dad! We love you!