AN UNEXPECTED TRIP

Two weeks ago, Dec 14Th, I was getting ready to go to church when I was doubled over with the worst pain I have had in a long time. I thought it might be a kidney stone since I had had one several years ago. After about an hour, the pain did subside a little. So I decided it was going away and I finished getting ready for church. Gary thought we should go to the hospital, but I didn't want to. It was our Christmas Choir program that evening and I wanted to be there. About half way through church the pain came back and I conceded that I should go home. The pain continued to get worse and when the nausea started and then the throwing up, I knew something was really wrong. So off we went to the hospital to get something to make me better.
After blood tests and a CAT scan they informed me there were no stones. But, my blood enzymes were out of sight. They said I had acute pancreatitis, and would have to be hospitalized. I explained to them that I would not be able to do that because of the Christmas Concert that night. They were not sympathetic and said that the pain I was having now would only get much worse. I had to have pain meds going directly into a vein 24 hours a day and be totally off food and water until the levels came down. My pancreatic enzymes levels were at 9,700 and normal is 0-30. This was NOT sounding good to me. This was NOT on my list of things to do before Christmas.
Needless to say I was admitted to the hospital and my stay was not fun. The pain did get much worse and all the tests I had were not fun either. All I could think about was having a drink of water. It is soo hard not having any water for so long. I remember begging for an ice chip. But they were firm, no water or food. After a week the levels came down enough that I was able to have some liquids. Water never tasted so good to me before. All Iwanted was to go home. But I had to be able to keep liquids down first. Then they wanted me to keep soft foods down. That was alot harder. they made my stomach hurt. Finally they let me come home. I was so happy. But its been hard tryng to find soft things that have no fat or sugar in it. Gary is so good to me. He keeps trying to find things that I can eat and he takes really good care of me.
Each day I can tell that the pain gets a little better. I had never heard of pancreatitis before and now I may have to live with it my whole life. I see a specialist Jan 8th, I hope he will be able to help me.