Gastroparesis is a disease often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome.  Kelly Disiano has spent the last three years in and out of hospital.  Dr. Chris Andrews is Kelly's physician.  "The nerves of the stomach aren't working properly and crates problems with the way the stomach works and empties."  Kelly says the problem is constantly on her mind.  "I think about it always.  How's my stomach today, am I sick."  She takes 14 pills a day to help her eat and keep food down, but what she really needs is surgery for a gastric pacemaker.  Dr. Andrews says the device is implanted in the patients' stomach.  "Electrodes implanted in the stomach stimulate the sensory nerve to decrease the amount of symptoms people get."  It's approved in Canada but not covered by any Provincial Government and so far only one doctor in Quebec performs the procedure.  Krista Livingstone had the surgery in October and says it's changed her life.  "I'd be in the ER 4-5 times a week because of vomiting and dehydration."  This time last year, Livingstone was throwing up more than 50 times a month.  Now only 3 months since her surgery, she is making plans to return to work as a registered nurse.  "I took on severe financial debt in hopes of returning to work to start paying it off."  Since the surgery isn't covered, Livingstone had to come up with $42,000 US plus expenses but she says it was worth every cent.  Help may be on the way for Disiano and others.  Dr. Andrews is working to get a pilot study on the debilitating disease right here in Calgary.