From:
zus888@netzero.net
Date: 2002-09-15 04:28:20 UTC
Subject: insulinoma - multiple surgeries - HELP!!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4886579.1032064100858.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Please help me. I=92m at a loss of what to do. I=92ll give you a quick hi=
story of what has occurred in the past year or so.
August 2001: Zinc has surgery. Dr. removed left adrenal gland.
October 2001: Pixie=92s BG was in the low 60s. Pixie has surgery. Dr. re=
moved left adrenal gland and 15% of pancreas.
April 2002: Pixie=92s BG is low again. Pixie has surgery. Dr. removed ri=
ght adrenal and 10% of pancreas.
August 2002: Zinc=92s BG is low. Zinc has surgery. Dr. removed right adr=
enal (had to impinge on the vena cava during surgery) and tumor on pancreas=
along with 10% of pancreas. The pathology report on the pancreas and tumo=
r came back as: =93No significant lesions, pancreas,=94 and when re-read, =93=
Additional sections of pancreas were examined. No evidence of neoplasia or=
other significant pathology were found.=94 How can this be, if a tumor wa=
s removed????
September 2002: Zinc=92s BG has continued to drop (59, 46, and 59). And n=
ow Pixie=92s BG was 81 and 68. =
All BGs were done with a 4 hour fast. We feed baby food four hours prior t=
o the appointment. And they are placed in the travel cage without food. =
My dilemma: My finances have been drained!!! I cannot afford surgeries ev=
ery couple of months. And it seems that, despite the statistics regarding =
early surgery for insulinomas and removal of part of the pancreas, my ferre=
ts are requiring surgery at least every 6 months. Plus, I have been paying=
for blood tests every week for the past 3 weeks. The surgeries have cost =
between $800 and $1300, and I just can=92t continue to do this every 4 mont=
hs or so. Where do I draw the line?
My ferrets are feeling fine, as far as I can tell. Energy is way up. No i=
nsulinomic episodes. The only medications they are on are for the missing =
adrenal glands, and lately, their electrolyte ratios have been stabilized w=
ithout Percorten injections. They are happy and bouncing around and very a=
ctive. However, on the other hand, if I=92m going to do surgery, I don=92t=
want to wait until their health is compromised, which leads me back to sur=
geries every 4 months. I want to do what=92s best for my babies. I will g=
o into debt if I have to, but I=92m beginning to believe that no matter wha=
t I do, I=92m not making much of a difference in the long run. =
The doctor will likely suggest surgery this Friday on Zinc. He found nothi=
ng wrong with the pancreas a month and a half ago. Why would he find anyth=
ing now???? And if he finds nothing on the pancreas because the insulinoma=
s are microscopic or something, then what??? Should he just pick a side, r=
emove it, and hope for the best? Should I put her through a surgery so soo=
n after her last one (I=92m worried about the impingement on her vena cava)=
? =
How long will surgery be an option? Should I just put each ferret through =
a surgery every 6 months?
Please help me do what=92s best for my ferrets. They are doing fine now, b=
ut according to the numbers, they won=92t be doing fine for very long. Any=
input is so appreciated. I=92m frustrated. I=92m stressed. And I=92m ge=
tting discouraged.
Suzanna Donahue
=