Ashcroft in hospital-

[RainDog]

being treated for gallstone pancreatitis.

...as in, he had the gall to do what he's done to our justice system?

sorry, but I can find no sympathy for the man. okay, some.

I hope he doesn't die. I hope he needs to resign.

Is that okay?

[adadem]

1. ohhh...that's pretty painful

good...that a.h. deserves it.

[liberalnurse]

2. Oh, pancreatitis is really painful!

Morphine doesn't even cut the pain. It can last a long time too.

Here is a quick link:

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pancreati... /


<snip>

I like this part....

Acute pancreatitis is usually caused by gallstones or by drinking too much alcohol, but these aren't the only causes. If alcohol use and gallstones are ruled out, other possible causes of pancreatitis should be carefully examined so that appropriate treatment--if available--can begin.



Pancreatitis
On this page:

Acute Pancreatitis
Chronic Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis in Children
Points to Remember
Hope Through Research
For More Information
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy.

Normally, digestive enzymes do not become active until they reach the small intestine, where they begin digesting food. But if these enzymes become active inside the pancreas, they start "digesting" the pancreas itself.


Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves. Chronic pancreatitis does not resolve itself and results in a slow destruction of the pancreas. Either form can cause serious complications. In severe cases, bleeding, tissue damage, and infection may occur. Pseudocysts, accumulations of fluid and tissue debris, may also develop. And enzymes and toxins may enter the bloodstream, injuring the heart, lungs, and kidneys, or other organs.

Acute Pancreatitis
Some people have more than one attack and recover completely after each, but acute pancreatitis can be a severe, life-threatening illness with many complications. About 80,000 cases occur in the United States each year; some 20 percent of them are severe. Acute pancreatitis occurs more often in men than women.

Acute pancreatitis is usually caused by gallstones or by drinking too much alcohol, but these aren't the only causes. If alcohol use and gallstones are ruled out, other possible causes of pancreatitis should be carefully examined so that appropriate treatment--if available--can begin.

Symptoms
Acute pancreatitis usually begins with pain in the upper abdomen that may last for a few days. The pain may be severe and may become constant--just in the abdomen--or it may reach to the back and other areas. It may be sudden and intense or begin as a mild pain that gets worse when food is eaten. Someone with acute pancreatitis often looks and feels very sick. Other symptoms may include

swollen and tender abdomen
nausea
vomiting
fever
rapid pulse
Severe cases may cause dehydration and low blood pressure. The heart, lungs, or kidneys may fail. If bleeding occurs in the pancreas, shock and sometimes even death follow.

[RainDog]

5. what is the typical course of treatment?

is this why people get treatment for gallstones?

--or what?

[klook]

6. Maybe he's been receiving

...stem cell treatments:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retri...

[ogakor]

9. Bile

I don't wish pain on anyone, but it is cosmically, transcendentally ironic that Ashcroft's condition is the result of an accumulation of bile.

[Mandate My Ass]

12. Hi ogakor

You said exactly what I was thinking but much more eloquently. The Bush cabal supplies me with much more than the recommended dose of irony on a daily basis. Ashcroft is the epitome of biliousness.

Welcome to DU.

[gWbush is Mabus]

3. punishment from God?

don't let him smoke any forms of pain relief

[kodi]

19. Ashcroft's God certainly would not punish the righteous

.

[ClintonTyree]

4. I believe it's related to.............

the amount of vasoline he slathers on his scalp each day. That and the fact that this anal retentive idiot probably hasn't taken a dump in months. Couldn't happen to a nicer fella'. Don't get well soon, John.

[TankLV]

7. Just desserts (deserts?)

Couldn't happen to a more appropriate person.

[PaDUer]

8. MSNBC latest update

Didn't catch the name of who she was talking with for this update. Is not life threatening..blockage causes pain..antibiotics choice of treatment, and is minor surgery to remove stones..Reporter asked, Was he drinking? Response--he is tea-totaller,not alcoholic..will watch for day or two, back to work next wk.

[soup]

10. get well soon, John

to make him more comfortable

the nurses tending him should perfect their bedside manner and wear something that will make him feel more relaxed -

http://store5.yimg.com/I/scrubsbydesign_1780_5707382
http://scrubsbydesign.com/cat-wraps.html


http://www.cheap-scrubs.com/html/nurse-shoes-pawprint.h...

feel better gift suggestions include:

Awww, this is sweet- something to cuddle up with:

http://www.krittersinthemailbox.com/animals/cats/dt1820...

hospitals can be very cold and stark places, and sometimes nothing feels better than an extra layer of warmth:

http://ecatshow.com/Recreation%20Cats/cheeta%20sales/Th...

Love these - warm toes and non-skid soles:

http://www.bjburycats.com/slippers.html

Something to read:

In association with amazon.com, earth's biggest bookstore, PetRescue.Com brings you the convenience of online shopping for your favorite animal books! All of the profits from our sales are used to feed and care for rescued cats and dogs.
http://www.petrescue.com/books-cats.htm

or a jigsaw puzzle to while away the hours:

http://www.areyougame.com/Interact/item.asp?itemno=GA81...

Should we send him a get well card?

inside: Hope you're feline better soon! too cute.
http://www.paperfection.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Scree...

[peekaloo]

13. may his anesthetized dreams be

kitties with big titties!

[soup]

15. ROFL!

peekaloo, you crack me up...

[lpbk2713]

11. They oughtta give him a spine implant while they're at it.

He could sure use one.

[Nashyra]

14. Did anyone catch Dara K

on CNN, when she was talking to Sanjay Gupta their resident Dr. she ended the segment with this "kind of like an enemy combatant from within" I thought it was totally appropriate.

[Andy_Stephenson]

16. Is it life threatening?

that is all I want to know.

[soup]

18. no

but is excrutiatingly painful. My daughter-in-law had to have gall bladder surgery. not fun.

[kayell]

22. Could be - see post #2

We must all pray for the best possible outcome for John Ashcroft.

[TheMightyFavog]

17. pnacreatitis?

I thought the doctors were going to finally remove his head from his ass.

[kayell]

20. Hmm, Ashcroft struck with a painful affliction, Passion actor struck by

lightening, moviegoers getting tickets marked 666, BFEE planes struck by lightening... I may have to reconsider my atheism. There is a God, and she is righteously pissed!

[BradCKY]

21. Honestly

We are no better than our opposition taking joy in someone's physical pain, even if we absolutely DESPISE them which applies to my feelings of Ashcroft.

But not to worry we can get him out for good by voting Kerry~

[Skittles]

23. HE'S GOT A LOT OF GALL

F***ING A**HOLE.