Stand by Anissa: Help Her Beat This

Help Me Fight Chronic Pancreatitis   

Hi,

My name is Anissa Figueroa.I’ve been sick most of my life since the early age of 5. I was diagnosed with Leukemia ( A.L.L.) , a form of cancer. When diagnosed I was told I had stage 3 but quickly became stage 4 which almost took me away from my family. When undergoing chemotherapy it had given me an allergic reaction causing me to have a swelled brain bleed which later caused me to have seizures indefinitely and almost caused organ failure because the chemotherapy attacked my organs so hard to the point where my pancreas was greatly affected. I’ve been through so much over the years from living in the hospital for 3 years being, to being fed through a tube for 2 years and having to relearn how to walk , see,and talk. Fortunately through the love and faith from my family and friends, I pushed through and little by little I started getting better and in 2015 I was able to beat Leukemia . I was so happy when I got to ring the bell of being cancer free because only god knew how much I suffered. Although now being in remission from cancer for 10 years i still have to deal with the aftermath that chemotherapy has caused me but in the end i have faith that god can get me through anything.

 I am currently 19 years old and  battling chronic pancreatitis, a debilitating condition that causes me severe abdominal pain daily. Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive disease that occurs when the pancreas is permanently damaged by long-term inflammation. This damage prevents the pancreas from functioning normally and making necessary enzymes and hormones. The main symptom is abdominal pain, which can be sudden and severe, mild, or constant. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, weight loss due to poor nutrient absorption, and digestive issues like diarrhea and oily stools.

My journey began in March 2021 when symptoms first appeared, leading to countless ER visits and doctor appointments before finally being diagnosed seven months later. Since then, my condition has worsened, with extreme pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, and difficulty eating. My pancreas, once the size of a banana, has now shrunk to the size of a bean and is curving abnormally, increasing my pain and complications.

To address this, I am facing an upcoming pancreas surgery called Total Pancreatectomy with Islet Autotransplantation (TPIAT). This procedure involves removing the pancreas, isolating insulin-producing cells called islets, and transplanting them into the liver through the portal vein. The gastrointestinal tract is also reconstructed during the surgery. TPIAT relieves pain, improves quality of life, and helps prevent or minimize the risk of developing diabetes. In some cases, patients can become insulin-independent.

Once I undergo my surgery I will require additional CT scans and costly medications for my recovery. Which is why I am reaching out to help manage the overwhelming medical expenses. Any support, big or small, would mean the world to me as I fight through this challenging time. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. 

Down below I have added additional information for anyone who would like to know more and understand what I’ve been dealing with and what is to become in the near future. 

what the disease is: Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive disease that occurs when the pancreas is permanently damaged by long-term inflammation. This damage prevents the pancreas from functioning normally and making necessary enzymes and hormones. The main symptom is abdominal pain, which can be sudden and severe, mild, or constant

Symptoms:

 Pain

The most common symptom is severe pain in the upper abdomen that can feel like burning or shooting. The pain can be constant or come and go, and it can worsen after eating.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can occur with chronic pancreatitis. The vomit may be yellowish, greenish, or brownish.

Weight loss

Chronic pancreatitis can cause weight loss, even when appetite and eating habits are normal. This is because the body can't absorb nutrients properly.

Digestive issues

Chronic pancreatitis can cause difficulty digesting fats, diarrhea, and oily stools.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms include back pain, left shoulder pain, jaundice, and diabetes mellitus

what they surgery does: Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a surgical procedure that removes the pancreas and transplants insulin-producing cells from the pancreas into the liver. It's a treatment option for people with chronic pancreatitis or severe recurrent acute pancreatitis.

How is performed:

1. The pancreas is removed, either partially or completely.

2.The pancreas is sent to a lab to isolate the insulin-producing cells, called islets.

3.The islets are transplanted into the liver through the portal vein.

4. The gastrointestinal tract is reconstructed.

What it achieves:

TPIAT relieves pain and improves quality of life.

It helps prevent or minimize the risk of developing diabetes.

In some cases, patients can become insulin independent