It does sound a lot like pancreatitis, or gallbladder. My husband suffered from severe abdominal pain and vomiting which would come in waves, off and on, until his insides were so infected it became constant.

One of the best things he did was have the endoscopy's done to find the problem and have his gallbladder removed.

Ask about gallbladder disease, ulcers, h. pylorii infection, and diverticulitis. All of those should be looked at, depending on where the pain is located in his abdomen. Upper right, just under the ribs is where the gallbladder and pancreas live.

Clio

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Upper right, just under the ribs is where the gallbladder and pancreas live.

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Not trying to be nitpicky, Clio, but the pancreas is more central to left of the abdomen, behind and below the stomach. The gall bladder is as you describe it. I make the point only to explain why pancreatic pain may not be perceived in that area.

And I too will be praying for Tom.

Not being a doc, I'm glad that's all I got wrong!

Just wanted to make sure they knew there are some other right questions in addition to the tests suggested. Oh, if I had only known how to ask the right questions early on for Mike.

It never hurts to check things out....

Clio

I think your list was a good one. In other climates than Alaska, I would also ask about Giardia infection.

As consistently as Mike winds up in the "rarest of the rare" column, maybe I should ask about Giardia infection also!

Thanks Nan!

I will pray.

Thanks everyone for your prayers. Tom was improving and went home for a few days, but then he got worse again and had another ambulance ride. He was so weak, he couldn't move to get out of bed and was in alot of pain.

Barb says she is not letting them send him home until they find out what is wrong. So far they have done a scope of his stomach, an MRI, a CT scan and lots of blood work with more tests planned for Monday. He is anemic(?)and low in potassium. Barb says he seems disoriented and mostly just sleeps. He has lost so much weight over the last year, he only weighs about 100 lbs.

Please continue to pray for them.

shall continue to pray.

Naomi

Some good news and some bad news.

Tom is getting better. They found that the infection had spread to his abdomen and after a week of antibiotics, he is doing much better. He is getting up and around on his crutches, his appetite has returned and he is feeling very upbeat. They will still have to operate on his foot and they have also discovered 2 herniated discs in his back which will have to be operated on as well.

My sister Barb had an accident at work, fell and broke her arm. She had to have a steel plate put in to repair the damage. She is also in hospital, but not the same one as Tom. She will have her arm in a sling for 6 weeks.

Thank you for your prayers.

Praying!