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 derives 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" it.

Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period of time and usually resolves.
Hope yours resolves, and how rude of your ISP to quit on you! No Fair!

To answer someone's question, no, you can't live without your pancreas, but from what I read, they don't remove the whole thing if they finally need to do surgery anyway!