Mary Wood

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We've created it to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.


Well, here we are again.  I began telling you all about Mary's journey with the post below.  


Family and friends...this could be a long post and should have been done some time ago.  My apologies, life has been rather hectic for the past 12+ months.  Acute chronic pancreatitis...3 words we never thought we would hear, nor would we ever wish on anyone. My Mary has this disease. Never did I anticipate this journey...we are asked on numerous occasions how she is doing.  We're told that she looks good, she must be feeling better---right?  Not so much...the average joe has no clue what kind of life threatening war that is raging within her.  She (her pancreas) will never, ever, never get better.  


Since I have been lacking in the update area...there has been some confusion regarding Mary's status/condition.  The following is a pretty accurate breakdown of what is or has been taking place.  


Mary's pancreas is completely diseased, with no hope of recovery. She is very sick. She is living in constant pain. Very fatigued. Her quality of life is not good at all. We and the doctors believe that total removal of the pancreas is the only thing that may help. The team of doctors at U of M have met, and we are in Minneapolis now to meet with doctors over the next two days. The plan is to move toward the surgery. It sounds like it may take several months (from what we know right now) before surgery happens. When it does, it is a full day of surgery, with 10-14 days in the hospital, then at least a month in Minneapolis. Full recovery usually takes 6 months to a year - maybe longer. She will have a feeding tube in the near future, then for 3-6 months after surgery (the last we've heard).  


So, I again apologize for a lot of information all at one time.  I will attempt to be more diligent with the updates.  We cannot thank you all enough for the love and prayers!  I honestly do not get it how people get through life events such as this without Jesus Christ.  Casting Crowns lyrics say it best...


And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm


What we have been praying for will happen this week...Friday the 18th, Mary will have a total pancreatectomy with an islet auto transplant & splenectomy. We have a few visits this week prior to the surgery to tie up loose ends for this portion of the journey.


She will be in the hospital 3-4 weeks with total recovery taking up to a full year.  I will provide more information as we know it. 


Thank you all for your love, prayers & support!