Foxnews Reporting: Ashcroft about to undergo surgery.

Foxnews ^

[ConservativeMan55]

John Ashcroft is about to undergo surgery to have his gallbladder removed.

Prayers going up!

There's no telling how many lives this man has saved!

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**Can you live without a gallbladder?**

If I'm talking to you from beyond the grave then we're all in trouble. :o)

Seriously though, the answer is yes. I had a gallstone lodged in the neck of my gallbladder. Gallbladder was removed laproscopically (4 itsy bitsy incisions) and I'm doing well, except for heartburn when I lie down...one tablet of Maalox Max takes care of that though.

Too much information? :o)

Here's more. I have a video of the operation...bleeder and everything. You bring the pizza and we'll all watch it, ok? LOL

Prayer heavenward for John Ashcroft!!!! <><

[LisaMalia]

I've been living without one now for 5 years. Unfortunately, there can be some nasty side effects and I have one of these--argh!

My sister and I (we had our's removed within months of each other) joke that we have seen the inside of every restroom in a 50 mile radius of here....LOL Thankfully, there are some good meds to remedy the situation.

[MeekOneGOP]

[John123]

Here's more. I have a video of the operation...bleeder and everything. You bring the pizza and we'll all watch it, ok? LOL

Uh...Can I take a raincheck? :)

[mrs tiggywinkle]

**Uh...Can I take a raincheck? :) **

sigh. Oh well...sure.

I lent the video to my regular Doc and he said the video 'lacked plot'. :o)

[Samwise]

Most people (including a lot of doctors) don't realize that you can have gallstones even after you have had your gallbladder removed. I found out the hard way.

[lawdude]

If it is laproscopic [sp?], it is a piece 'o cake. I had it last summer. In at 7:00 AM and home a 5:00 PM. Little tender but full work day the next day!.

[Wiser now]

My goodness, five years? That's not a pleasant way to lose weight.

My sympathy.

[MEGoody]

Whether you think the prosecution of Chong was right or wrong, the fact that this particular issue is the one thing you bring up on a thread about Ashcroft undergoing surgery shows us a great deal about the kind of person you are.

[Phantom Lord]

I have posted on other threads about the horrible situation Ashcroft is in and wished only the best for him. A close friend of mine had pancreatitis and spent 3 months in the hospital and lost 80 pounds. It is a very dangerous problem to have.

As far as his performance as AG, I have not liked it one bit.

[mewzilla]

A doc on ABC Radio just said that their willingess to do the surgery is a good sign, and he predicts a full recovery for AG Ashcroft.

[MeekOneGOP]

Report via The Dallas Morning News ...

Ashcroft to have surgery to remove gall bladder

11:22 AM CST on Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Doctors attending Attorney General John Ashcroft found several troublesome gallstones and ordered surgical removal of the Cabinet officer's gallbladder to prevent a recurrence of gallstone pancreatitis.

Dr. Bruce Abell, a surgeon at George Washington University Hospital, cited stones "that are of concern to us," leading to the decision to remove the gallbladder -- a procedure called a cholecystectomy.

"As a preventative measure we are going to remove his gallbladder, because when the gallbladder isn't removed, up to 50 percent of patients have a recurrence of pancreatitis within six weeks," Abell said.

The procedure began at noon EST and was expected to last about two hours. Ashcroft has been hospitalized since Thursday with acute gallstone pancreatitis and his condition has improved enough to withstand the surgery, Abell said.

The procedure initially will be done laparoscopically but surgeons are prepared to switch to the more conventional open surgery if necessary. Most patients remain in the hospital for four or five days after such surgery, Abell said.

A laparoscopic procedure involves insertion of a fiberoptic instrument through a small incision in the abdominal wall and is usually done with use of general anesthesia, according to the National Library of Medicine.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile produced by the liver, shunting it as needed to the small intestine. Diet is not restricted after removal of the gallbladder, although some people suffer some recurring diarrhea.

Ashcroft, 61, has been in the hospital's intensive care unit since he was admitted after complaining of severe abdominal pain.

Doctors diagnosed gallstone pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas caused by a gallstone that blocks a passage leading from the pancreas to the beginning of the small intestine. The pancreas is a gland that secrets digestive enzymes and insulin.

Ashcroft was diagnosed with a severe case, which can be life-threatening, particularly among people with other medical problems. About 20 percent of the estimated 80,000 cases of acute pancreatitis in the United States each year are severe, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Pancreatitis also occurs more frequently in men than in women, according to NIH, and often strikes people more than once. In less severe cases, the gallstone passes on its own without the necessity of surgery.

The attorney general has canceled his schedule for the week to continue treatment for the illness. Deputy Attorney General James Comey is empowered to act for Ashcroft while the attorney general is being treated.

---

Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/030904dnnatashcroft.6b12d497.html

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Prayers for AG Ashcroft, bump!

[Arrowhead1952]

I had my gallbladder removed 3 years ago and it was a two-week recovery for laproscopic surgery. My daughter had her gallbladder removed last month and went back to work after one week. This surgery is usually routine and low risk. Prayers for AG Ashcroft because his illness is more severe with the pancreatitis as well as gallbladder disease.

I still have mine, but one of our best friends had her gallbladder taken out last Friday, and she was back at work yesterday!! I saw her, and asked how she was doing, and she said, "Much better, just a little sore...." She did go home a little early, but is back on all day today.

[texasflower]

I am praying in agreement with you.

[Trust but Verify]

I had my gallbladder out on a Friday and was back to work the following Tuesday. I had one night of discomfort while the gas they fill you with dispersed. After that, I was good to go.

[Trust but Verify]

Just a bit of friendly advice. Don't wait for another attack. Especially if you are insured, get it done while you are feeling well. If you wait until you have another attack, you are risking having to forgo the much less invasive laproscopic procedure to having the full-blown 4-inch scar type. There is no comparison between the two. Plus, if the pancreas gets involved, you are in for days of unremitting pain. they cannot go in and take it out until the inflammation subsides. Don't wait, for your own sake.

[Trust but Verify]

I have the same problem as you since my GB surgery 4 years ago. I take fiber supplements daily and eat a diet high in fiber. Otherwise, I feel great and I'm glad I didn't wait until I had a really severe attack.

[mewzilla]

Anyone heard how the AG is doing?

[MeekOneGOP]

FOX News JUST NOW reports that the doctors say ...

they have successfully removed his
gall bladder and Ashcroft is doing fine !!