Becky Fletcher
Idiopathic GP
Missouri

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I became ill on January 12, 2002 .  I suffered with severe nausea and pain for a week at a time until it decided to stay for good.  It wasn’t long before I was no longer able to attend school.

On my birthday, June 18, 2002 , I had my PICC line inserted and I had a CT scan done.  The hospital staff threatened to put in a NG (nasogastric) tube, because I was almost throwing up.  They couldn’t seem to understand that the problem I had was keeping things down.  I was put on Reglan, Domperidone and Urecholine and each time I didn’t see any improvement.

Finally in September 2002 I was started on Zelnorm, but I had an increase in nausea.  That’s when the doctor’s decided that I was a candidate for the gastric pacemaker (also known as gastric electrical stimulator). 

My doctor submitted the paperwork to the insurance company and the insurance refused to pay for the surgery.  After several denials, my dad asked for help and the online support group bombarded the insurance company with emails, faxes and phone calls.  Once that happened, the insurance company changed its’ mind and approved the surgery.

Since I couldn’t have the surgery right away, I had a j-tube placed to make me the healthiest I could be leading up to the surgery.

My family has been so supportive.  I don’t know what I would do without my wonderful parents and two great sister (Megan is the youngest at 14 and Catherine the oldest at 20).

On March 3, 2003 I finally had the pacer surgery.  Right now I am still having problems with nausea, but I’m sure that once that clears up things will improve.

I have gotten through this, because I’m fun and have a good sense of humor.  My online support group has helped me through this too.

Thanks Dad and Mom for all you have done for me.

Word from the webmaster: Becky was nominated for the April Spotlight by three members of the online support group. These include Jeff Somers, Les Kelley, and Cassie Stine. 

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