These are the orders that must be given to graduating physicians because the medical community all have their heads up their asses. No, that is unfair...they are trying, I guess, but it is rather funny how each new doctor brings a whole new set of possible prognoses, tests and wacky surprises...
This morning brought a phonecall from the office of the the hemotologist/oncologist to which I had been referred by my doctor and gastroenterologist. They had an opening today and I grabbed it. The doctor was of the old school - absolutely no bedside manner, but a straight shooter. I appreciate that. Now, he looked a little familiar, but I had been to the hospital so many times that I figured I had seen him around.
Well, I went through the whole spiel of my sordid medical history and he asked a variety of questions. One was whether or not I had ever received a transfusion. I first said "no," but remembered that I had received blood 5 years ago when I was hospitalized for my other bout of edema. I brought that up and he asked the details of my hospitalization. So, I told him the story - edema, go to emergency room, get told I have no blood and am immediately admitted for 3 days, go home with nothing but advice to take iron. He gets an odd look on his face, tells me to get dressed and leaves the room.
So, I wait a bit and he returns with that odd look still in place. He had not really remembered me either until I brought up that last hospital stay. He had actually examined me during that hospital stay! I remember 2 specialists poking and prodding me, but never paid them much attention, but it did explain why I thought I might have seen him before. So, he tells me that during my last stay I had been dangerously anemic. Ok, that I knew. He also said I had fluid in my abdomen. That I had only found out recently from the technician that gave me my recent CAT scan. My CAT from 5 years ago showed the same thing and no one had informed me of the fact. Well, I now find out that I had also shown liver abnormalities 5 years ago and, again, no one told me about it! So, neither the abdominal fluid or the liver abnormalities were ever given any further attention by my former doctor....
The hemotologist/oncologist said that he believes I may have some form of liver disease at the root of all this and wants me to have a liver biopsy and also a sampling of the peritoneal fluid around my intestines. That will have to be scheduled. But, starting Thursday, I begin a 24-hour urine test. I have to collect EVERY DROP of urine for a 24-hour period and store it in my fridge to keep it cold. Lovely. I also have to have more blood drawn for some tests. These are "send away" tests, since they are fairly specialized and not done at the hospital. Tomorrow starts the Great Purgation in preparation for Wednesday's endoscopies. Just a normal week for me! I am now even more thankful that I took my little vacation this weekend...
9 comments:
bummer of a day then...
I can't BELIEVE you weren't told these things 5 frikin years ago!! I can't even imagine the things going through your head right now. I am keeping fingers and toes crossed that it is an "easy fix" whatever they find. Good luck on the scopes!!
Well, it's raw at least. :)
I think I'd be on the phone to my doc of five years ago to find out what he was (not) thinking.
This is very strange that you were not told this medical news 5 years ago, and even more strange that you were sent home with no follow-up or additional testing to find out why you had all these symptoms to begin with! Oh, Wow! Well, I am really hoping that these rounds of tests finally bring forth the information you need! I am hoping that some good things come your way very soon!
Damn, did he call it ascities fluid Sci? He's right, it is linked to liver disease. Like the others, I can't believe that no one caught on to this 5 years ago.
Have you been checked for Hep C?
Wow. I'll agree with the others. Hon, if they do find something wrong with your liver, I'd sue, seriously. You've been suffereing for a long time and this could've all possibly been prevented if you'd been diagnosed properly 5 years ago.
Feel better!
Prom - yeah, he did say ascities fluid...I've been screened for hepatitis with a negative result.
As for my previous physician, well, he was removed from the medical group and, I think, retired after he was caught having relations with a patient. And not for the first time....
Do you have previous blood tests? Did they show anything with elevated or lowered liver enzyme, albumin, the standard stuff. It just seems weird that liver disease wasn't picked up right away if that is what it is since it tends to show up as jaundice or in blood work.
Problems with partial blockage of the hepatic arterial system could produce some of the symptoms but even then, unless you also have lack of bile production it would seem likely that you'd be jaundiced. 5 years is a long time to go without it being pretty apparent if you were having abdominal swelling all along.
It is also surprising that you aren't having pain from being backed up, I agree unless somehow the nerves are involved in whatever is doing this - some sort of pressure block to the conduction of the nerual impulses.
I'm glad to see you got this specialist interested. I'm betting he gets to the bottom of it.
Feel better soon Sci!!
Good Lord...sci, I'm so glad this guy recognized you and is taking action, but I'm also appalled that they didn't do anything 5 years ago...My thoughts are with you...hang in there.
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