MRI MRCP - Cyst (IPMN) - Newbie

So is the MRI the best to detect PC?

Is 6mm cysts in the pancreatic tail.....dangerousHaving a cyst in the pancreatic body measuring 12mm in size.........dangerous?

In yesterday's mail I received the referral to a liver specialist in San Francisco. While I had anticipated the referral to arrive, I had an overwhelming response and sense of dread about the document as it caused me to think that my condition is "real", for lack of a better word. I will contact my Medicare Advantage Plan on Monday as they do offer transportation assistance and will also make the appointment for me. I do not have a car.
I am still frustrated with the way my "friends" and neighbors and even my family are reacting to my physical change. I spoke briefly with my sister yesterday afternoon and told her I was planning to get a haircut. I do wear my hair short and am always complimented on the way that I look and it is very stylish. She commented that I should let my hair grow as with short hair along with my weight loss I would clearly look like someone undergoing chemotherapy, and it is no wonder people look away when they see me now. I emailed her earlier in the week asking if she could stop by for an hour to talk to me about my feelings about my condition, knowing full well that we were raised in a very toxic environment, and no one was allowed to talk about their feelings and things of that nature. She never responded so I later sent another email apologizing for asking her for support as she does have a lot going on in her life. I have no family support and her comment about my hair threw me off. I still plan to get my regular hair cut, and if people think I am undergoing chemotherapy, I cannot do anything about it. I have been fortunate to build my own "family" and will find comfort among them. My neighbor and good friend told me last night that looking at me is shocking at times, my offer to help others scares her because I give so much of myself even when I look as sick as I do and sometimes feel. I help others because it is therapeutic for me, and it is helpful to others. She said these things because she is a friend, and I did not take offense, as she was offering me insight into what may be going on in the minds of others who see me now, and perhaps it reminds them of their own immortality or worse, they think if I am sick I may ask for help, which I have no plans to do. I just cannot get over the lack of humanity among many people, especially those I have known for many years. In any event, I am grateful for those who can look past the "different" me and accept that I am ailing. I have asked one of my friends to go with me to see the specialist as she is well versed in medicine, including organ diseases. I am hearing impaired and thought it would be of value to have someone to attend the appointment(s) with me as I am anxious about my condition and will probably forget to ask important questions of this doctor.
I have begun to experience more pain in my upper abdomen which is accompanied with some gastrointestinal issues. My doctor has suggested a food diary as I may need to go on an elimination diet. Honestly, this is becoming so overwhelming; it is no wonder I have not gone "mad" so to speak. Sometimes it is all too much, but I still wake up each day, look at my dog's picture and say, "Ducky, we got another day." She died in March 2022 and I still miss her presence in my life. Strangely enough, she would often stick her nose where my liver/pancreas is located and sniff for periods of time. She followed me everywhere and surely knew I was sick. Hopefully I will be paired soon with a foster dog that needs a break from the shelter, as I feel so alone at times and another dog would be of great comfort to me. I still walk every morning and would love to have a dog along with me.

I did receive this to a question I posed to my doctor, and it took me a while to understand the response. We discussed the procedure in the past, which has a 50% success rate, and he discouraged me from undergoing the procedure as I could wind up with chronic pancreatitis. I am also wondering if there is a genetic component to my problem, as I have a sister with pancreatic disease. Her pancreas has stopped producing insulin so she gives herself 4 injections each day. We are estranged from each other so I am unable to ask any questions about her health.

FROM MY DOCTOR
The radiologist is saying that the bile duct is dilated and that this may be due to sphincter of OD dysfunction which I had described to you before. Sphincter of OD is the little door/valve between the bile duct and the small bowel or entrance into the bile duct when we do the ERCP procedure. We discussed in the past that if the sphincter of OD is not functioning well and has high pressure, it can result in abdominal pain and dilated common bile duct. This was the reason I mentioned ERCP and cutting the sphincter to see if it resolves your abdominal pain.. However, I also mentioned to you that there might be only a 50/50 chance that your symptoms will resolve.
Thank you,

Yes, I will post further as I obtain more information, My health insurance company is sending a NP out to visit me on 9/7/2022, and that will give me a great opportunity to ask some questions that I would not ordinarily ask of my male doctors.
Thank you again for you kindness.

@francess007

You are involved in some very worthwhile activities! I'm very pleased for you.
Yes, change is definitely a process and you are on the path!

Will you post again with questions or concerns?

Thank you for your kind words.
I am very involved in my community, and in June of this year joined the Assistance League, a national organization that has resale shops around the country. They have many programs to support women and children. I volunteer for 4 hours each week and have met many nice people; however, many seem to notice and want to discuss with me the amount of weight I have lost. I am polite, attractive and always look put together, just giving you a sense of who I am. If I look better, I feel better. A neighbor recently invited me to attend church with her, which I did. It was a very nice experience, I met many wonderful people and will probably go back again, even though I am pretty much an agnostic. I need to follow up with the dietician. I also need to schedule a 3-D mammogram, but have held off because I am embarrassed about the way I look. I will take a friend with me. I have a good support system, and am learning to let go of those who are avoiding me. As you know, it is a process.

@frances007

So sorry that you said, " I now find myself feeling rather fatalistic because there appears to be no treatment for my health condition at this point in time." Please know that the liver specialist as well as the registered dietician are experts at this type of problem and may be able to put you on the right track to a more healthy lifestyle and appearance. In the meantime, try not to be let down by others who you feel are avoiding you.

Are you in a situation where you can develop friendships outside of your apartment complex? Perhaps a church or other community center that has programs for senior citizens?

I saw my PCP last week and a referral to a liver specialist has been made. I am encouraged that I will finally see a doctor who specializes in my condition. Currently, I am having a very difficult time eating. I have no appetite, but understand this is a symptom of my disease. I have always been slender, but now look rather anatomical as I have lost so much weight. Lately I have noticed that those in my apartment complex who I would run into and talk to on my daily walks now avoid me, and feel hurt by their reaction to me. I have always been self conscious about my appearance, always ensuring I am well groomed, my clothes are pressed and things of that nature. Now I am more aware of the amount of weight I have lost and people's avoidance of me is bothersome. Perhaps the nutritionist I will be making an appointment with will provide me with what types of food will help me most. While I try to maintain a positive outlook about my disease, I now find myself feeling rather fatalistic because there appears to be no treatment for my health condition at this point in time.

Thank you for sharing your journey. Best wishes.