Is this even medically accurate?

richardjboro1 · Feb 29, 2008

Well, since pancreas makes insulin, it can theoretically cause problems if it is shut down.

Mobeeb, RN · Feb 29, 2008

hmmmm......despite the info below about pancreatic failure, it seems that soap heroes usually recover from the majority of life threatening illnesses. after all, how many of them have come back from the dead?

the pancreas is about five inches long and looks like a comma in shape. it is located behind the stomach, with its head fitting into the curve of the duodenum and its tail ending near the spleen under the left diaphragm.

the pancreas has two different functions that assist in the processing of food. it produces strong enzymes that help break down fat, protein and carbohydrates in food during digestion. it also produces two hormones, insulin and glucagon, which help regulate blood sugar.

because of it's role in regulating blood sugar levels, one of the major disorders affecting the pancreas is diabetes mellitus. patients with type 1 diabetes who are likely to develop vision, kidney or nerve problems are considered for a pancreatic transplant, according to the national pancreas foundation. many people with pancreas failure also experience renal failure, so a kidney is often transplanted with the pancreas, according to the organ procurement and transplantation network.

as of april, 2003, 1,414 people in the united states were waiting for a pancreas transplant and 2,423 people were waiting for a simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplant, according to optn. the first simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplant was performed in 1966. the first isolated pancreas transplant was not performed until two years later.

in 2002, 545 deceased donor pancreas transplants and 1 living donor pancreas transplants were performed, according to optn. in 2002, 905 deceased donor simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplants were performed, up from 886 in 2001. in 2001, 2 living donor kidney/pancreas transplants were performed, down from 6 in 2000.

a pancreatic transplant may involve the whole pancreas or a segment of it. a segmental transplant is usually performed when a living donor is involved. although the pancreas does not regenerate itself, donors rarely have problems because of reduced function, according to united network for organ sharing.

since 1988, there have been 22 living donor pancreas transplants. since 1994, there have been another 42 living donor simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplants, according to optn data.

pancreatic transplants are sometimes performed to improve quality of life, not necessarily to save a life. the transplant is an alternative to insulin and dialysis treatment. although it may seem like an easy way to "cure" diabetes, it is not, mostly because of the extensive time needed for evaluation and long waiting periods, which can vary from one to three years, according to the university of southern california pancreas transplant program.

namaste_71 · Feb 29, 2008

Thanks for all the info! I should clarify that I'm not a medical professional or clinician at this time. (I'm considering nursing as a second career, though.)

It just sounded funny ... usually they make something up like a rare cancer of the toe that will gradually eat through the star's body, rendering him near death. Then all of a sudden a lab in Greenland discovers a last-minute cure and the world is saved ... until the side effects of the cure take place, turning the soap hero into a giraffe. :-)

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Feb 29, 2008

OK, so I'm watching "Days of Our Lives" on my day off. The doctor tells Beau's dad that his pancreas has shut down and his life is in danger. In reality, what can cause this? Is it life-threatening? It just made me wonder ... :-)
Thanks!

Didn't Victor die years ago? And Caroline Brady's husband who raised Bo as his own - I thought he was killed off too!

But then again, if they can pass off a story about demonic possession of a main character as their main story for six months, then what's a little pancreatic failure between friends, eh?

Blee

jessiern, BSN, RN · Feb 29, 2008

Honey, I have been watching Days off and on since grade school with my momma. Nothing is medically accurate on that show .

maryloufu · Mar 1, 2008

I too yelled at the TV when I saw that commercial. That show is crazy.

smk1, LPN · Mar 1, 2008

Didn't Beau's sister Isabella die of pancreatic cancer? Isn't it amazing how everyone is fine from that plane crash except one person?

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 1, 2008

Thanks for all the info! I should clarify that I'm not a medical professional or clinician at this time. (I'm considering nursing as a second career, though.)
It just sounded funny ... usually they make something up like a rare cancer of the toe that will gradually eat through the star's body, rendering him near death. Then all of a sudden a lab in Greenland discovers a last-minute cure and the world is saved ... until the side effects of the cure take place, turning the soap hero into a giraffe. :-)

Maybe your second career should be writing for the soaps! Very creative storyline there! :lol2:

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2008

You know, I've been watching Days of our Lives for years and I was waiting to hear what horrible life-threatening disease they were going to come up with. What a disappointment. It's just drama. I've never heard of the pancreas just shutting down without other things going on like no insulin being produced, blood sugars all out of whack or pancreatitis along with it. But, a code blue? That was for dramatic impact. Anyway, I think Lexie is a horrible doctor. She routinely violates HIPAA confidentiality. Why they made her Chief of Staff is beyond belief. Probably because they have the actress back on contract again! I'm more interested in the "new" John Black. What a hoot he's turning into! And I love the way Marlena is looking more and more disgusted at him!

allnurses Guide · Mar 1, 2008

I used to be addicted to "Days". I watched it faithfully for about three years, back in the mid 90's.

I learned enough about the show in that short time that I could go back to watching it right now and it will be like I never missed a beat. You can go years and years without watching a particular soap opera, and then suddenly go back to watching it and the characters are so good at catching the audience back up over and over again....

"Oh Beau! Don't you remember??? Three years ago... that time that Stefano locked you and Sammy in the deep freeze for three days and threatened to keep you there until you died, unless you finally disclosed to him the secret place where your family was hiding his brother Tony????"

"Yes! DAMN that evil Stefano!"

Jo Dirt · Mar 1, 2008

I can't stand soap operas enough to watch them for 5 minutes.