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Just Looking · Sep 12, 2009, 12:50 PM

I just got a call that my aunt is in the hospital in ICU. It started as a problem with her pancreas, which my uncle says is “eaten away”. Her blood pressure keeps dropping to dangerous levels, and they’ve had to bring the crash cart in several times. Her kidneys are not functioning and she is on dialysis. She’s 58 and in relatively good health. She is not diabetic. My uncle didn’t say much more, but I’m wondering if anyone here has any experience with this type of thing. How worried should I be?

tickle · Sep 12, 2009, 01:51 PM

Dialysis is used to provide an artificial replacement for lost kidney function and if, according to what you have heard second hand, her pancreas is 'eaten away' I am assuming her pancreas has failed. These two add up to serious diabetes, probably type l, insulin dependent. She could not have been in relatively good health with this ultimantum and she is definitely diabetic.

I don't know how worried you should be, possibly you need to hear first hand from a doctor what is going on, but from what you describe, J Lo, this is not good from my experience with clients on dialysis and pancreatic problems.

Tick

Just Looking · Sep 12, 2009, 02:28 PM

Diabetes is common in our family, but she gets tested regularly. Her last test was 6 months ago and she showed no sign of diabetes. Since she was just put on dialysis, could it be a temporary need or does it indicate she will always be on dialysis? Her mother died of kidney failure at age 75, but she refused to go on dialysis. I have another uncle who lived for 12 years after going on dialysis.

My uncle said they thought she had a blockage in her pancreas and used that term "eaten away". I asked him if that meant she would have to go on insulin, but he was not clear. I'm sure I will get more info in the next few days. I panicked a little after the call and was looking for some relief. I lost my parents last year and am particularly close to this aunt. Thanks for the response.

tickle · Sep 12, 2009, 03:05 PM

J Lo, I am not a doctor and just drawing on my experience as a PSW and Nurses Aid in my own community for Red Cross. I am a diabetic, so no full well what may be in store for me when I can no longer take care of my own needs on a regular basis. Diabetes is an auto immune disease and have some clients who have taken very good care of themselves as type 2 which is moderate meds and diet, and still in elder years run into life threatening problems.

Your aunt is young to be having this type of distress with kidneys and pancreas which indicates she may have been ignoring warnings from her doctor and not been on proper medication. Diabetes is the type of disease that doesn't give a physical warning, none that would be apparent, so we urinate more then usual etc. A lot of people do and don't have to worry, but the thing is, a good doctor calling up regular blood work will always notice the abnormalities if the patient has explained everything properly.

Sounds like your aunt has been ignoring some warnings.

Tick

Just Looking · Sep 13, 2009, 06:35 AM

My aunt passed away early this morning. My uncle was too broken up to tell me much, but I know that they stopped dialysis last night as it was not working. This is just all so sudden. She was such a beautiful person.

KISS · Sep 13, 2009, 07:33 AM

Sorry for your loss. I don't know what else to say.

tickle · Sep 13, 2009, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by Just Looking

My aunt passed away early this morning. My uncle was too broken up to tell me much, but I know that they stopped dialysis last night as it was not working. This is just all so sudden. She was such a beautiful person.

Condolences J Lo.

Tick

JudyKayTee · Sep 14, 2009, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Just Looking

My aunt passed away early this morning. My uncle was too broken up to tell me much, but I know that they stopped dialysis last night as it was not working. This is just all so sudden. She was such a beautiful person.

I am so sorry - I lost my husband (who was on dialysis for a number of years). It's not an easy death and it can be very sudden. It was my experience that as the kidneys fail, so do other organs.

Again - I'm so sorry.

Just Looking · Sep 15, 2009, 12:30 AM

Thanks to each of you for the condolences. Everyone is pulling together on this so that's making it a little easier, but we are all shocked. My aunt was the glue that kept our family together. She was so generous to all of us in so many ways, so we spend a lot of time talking about what a good person she was. Her memorial service is next week and my firm is allowing me to stay in LA with my family until then, so I'm thankful they are giving me this time off. It is nice to be here with everyone and doing what I can do to help.