Clinic Results

I mean to post this update yesterday, but got busy! I had my follow-up transplant clinic appointment Wednesday from when I was in the hospital recently. Unfortunately, it didn't go quite as I expected....wasn't horrible, but not good either.

My PFT's were slightly lower than the visit in December, but higher compared to September/ last Fall. My FVC was 1.58/47% and FEV1 was 0.99/37%. I usually don't have that big of a gap between the two numbers...so I was a little surprised. My midflow (FEF 25-75%) was 0.33 or 10%. Performing the tests today definitely stirred me up....evidently I've got a lot of junk inside (sorry, probably TMI).

In December, my FVC was 1.49/44% and my FEV1 was 1.10/40%. My midflow/FEF 25-75% was 1.05/31%. In November, my FVC was 38% and FEV1 34%. In September, my FVC was 35% and FEV1 33%. So today's #'s were better than September and November of last year. They weren't really concerned and neither was I. And plus, my PFT's don't always accurately reflect the way I'm feeling.

My WBC count was really high @ 15 something. Mine usually runs around 3 or 4...so definitely indicative of an infection. I haven't had a WBC count that high in probably 2 years. But the weird thing is, my WBC count with this last pneumonia was only 8 something...which is still pretty elevated for me. So we were all definitely shocked to see this number. I don't think I'm contagious in that aspect since I've been on antibiotics. However, I'm going to pay extra attention to those around me that might have colds, the sniffles, etc., right now.

I'm really frustrated and "tired" of being sick and not being able to knock out this dang infection. I knew I had pseudomonas growing in my sinuses from my ENT visit (and more than likely in my lungs again), but didn't expect it to be that bad. My xray looked ok, about the same as it was in December, and much clearer than with this past pneumonia. I am very dehydrated as well...which I had a feeling I would be because I've been thirsty like crazy. Also, in the lab this morning, it took them 5 sticks to get blood...UGH. They said my veins were dehydrated. Of course I'm not sure exactly how much of the dehydration caused the difficulty verses the skills of the lab technicians. One tech did get a vein, but I didn't have any pressure/blood flow to get into the lab tubes--weird.

I have completed 2 weeks of Cipro and about 1 week of inhaled TOBI. We (my doc and I) are hoping the TOBI as well as the final week (week 3) of the oral Cipro will help clear this infection up. I also did another sputum culture to check sensitivities, since we are now dealing with a lung infection and not just sinuses. I didn't realize you could have different sensitivities in the lungs verses the sinuses. If I haven't improved much in the next week, then my doc said we would probably have to do IV antibiotics...which STINKS that this is happening again so quick. Hopefully though, if that is necessary, we will be able to arrange home IV antibiotics. That will allow me to still attend classes. I definitely don't feel as bad as I did with this last pneumonia... I'm not as SOB and are not running any fevers. So as long as I don't feel worse, the home IV's will work (of course this is only if the TOBI doesn't kick in). So we'll see what happens over the next week. If you feel led, please pray that this infection resolves quickly, and that it won't interfere or put me behind in my classes again.

My doctor that I saw today did mention that it seems like these infections are brewing when I'm on my "off month" of the TOBI or not on any kind of oral antibiotic. He suggested alternating the inhaled TOBI with inhaled Colistin. I'm not too thrilled, as I don't want to be on antibiotics 24/7. But I guess if that is what it takes to keep me out of the hospital this semester, then I will do it. I haven't used the Colistin since before my transplant....so I'll be interested to see how it works.

My weight was up 5 pounds from December, which is really good, considering I had lost about 10 pounds with the gallbladder issues/surgery (which is a lot for someone my size). I'm very happy that the weight is starting to come back on :)

My back pain is doing better...still there and extremely painful at times...but definitely getting better. I've had to cancel my 2 therapy appointments this week due to a school exam and today due to not feeling well. I'm really going to try to be pro-active and stay well (which may include missing some classes if it is really cold weather outside). We are supposed to have possible SNOW (not just flurries) on Friday. I'm anxious to see if the weather people are right this time :)

At last but not least, I have a neurology appointment on Friday morning to evaluate the extensive shaking I'm having. I thought it was much better, but has been worse the last few days. Although I'm mostly noticing it in my hands verses my entire body like it had been doing awhile back. I'm sure this will be an interesting appointment...not looking forward to answering a million questions :)

Ok...so a long post...sorry. I hope everyone has a great Thursday...almost the weekend.

Ultrasound Report & More

Apparently the ultrasound I had on Thursday to check out the fluid in my abdomen turned out normal. The only thing they saw was pelvic fluid. I was told by my regular GI doctor that the pelvic fluid was normal, and just sympathetic womanly fluid. I may discuss that with my GYN though just to make sure. My GI surgery nurse coordinator was going to ask my surgeon if there was anything else she wanted to check out. This was Thursday, and she never called me back. So I guess not. It's a little frustrating, because my stomach is really big, bloated and pregnant looking and very uncomfortable/painful at times. I'm praying that maybe I just need a little more recovery time and that will get better. The more frustrating part is that I can only eat very little and only certain things. I haven't gained any of my weight back yet, which can be concerning and dangerous. I have to talk with my transplant coordinator again on Monday to see what they want to do about the liver lab values being too high.

I really don't want to have to schedule more appointments or go back to my regular GI doctor right now. (at least not before Christmas). So we'll see how this next week goes, i guess.

I worked 12 hours yesterday (Friday)...work is so slammed right now and I really need the extra/overtime hours. Our boss had approved a half of day (4 hrs) for everyone to work today (Sat) and really wanted everyone to come in. I had plans on it, but just couldn't get out of bed this morning. After the stressful week and pulling 3 all-nighters, my body was aching for some sleep. So I decided to just that. We also had a CF event going on today which I was helping out at. But with not feeling that great and with it being frigidly cold outside, I decided against that too. Tomorrow I have a few fun things planned and are hoping I feel good and energized for those. I have to fit some studying in as well for my final Anatomy lecture exam this coming Wednesday, although I'm not even sure if it's possible to pass the class now. I'm so upset and stressed with that!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I should have time not to keep up with blogging more frequently. I'm not sure how many of you follow Brandi's blog, but we have a dear CF friend of hours who recently was transplanted. She is having some complications including 40 lbs of fluid build-up, a severe aspergillus infection and induced pneumonia from the aspergillus. They put her back on the vent last night. So if you feel led, she could definitely use your prayers. Her name is Lauren and she is a sweet heart. She has no family or friends down here with her, and her mom is in end-stage cancer, and was just turned over to hospice yesterday!

Scheduled

So today I scheduled my gallbladder surgery for November 23rd. I'm so anxious to get it over with...the pain is TOO MUCH! They aren't sure how much of the pain is related to the gallstone/gallbladder, but we won't know until it comes out. I'll be in the hospital for a little while, just because I'm post-transplant, but hopefully not too long. I may get admitted the day before as well, not sure yet. And thankfully, I will be on our transplant unit (they are supposed to reserve a bed).Hopefully this date/schedule will work out the best with my classes and work. We don't have class that Wednesday-the 25th (in which I have my anatomy lab class), so I won't have to miss any lab classes; hopefully just 1 lecture class. The following week starts final exams...lovely. I will be studying as much as possible while in the hospital (when I'm not drugged from pain meds).

The surgeon feels pretty sure she can do it laproscopically, but there is a chance she may have to convert to an open procedure due to alot of scar tissue I have and due to previous "stomach" surgeries. But I feel pretty confident it will all work out.

Apparently, I've had "gallstones" since December of last year. I had an ultrasound in December, and then again in January of this year, due to lung issues and other stomach symptoms. But everyone told me the ultrasounds were fine (including an ER doctor, transplant surgeon, GI doctor). The chief resident had the reports from those tests today, which he said showed gallstones. I was pretty ticked off about that. Not too happy. I spent a day in January in the ER throwing up bile from the gallbladder, fever, and in lots of pain. It's apparent now that it was probably a gallstone attack. Glad nobody figured that out, until now that is :)

Oh well...I just finished my inhaled TOBI and are off to bed before work tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to post more stuff this week, but I wanted to do a quick update on the surgery. Thank you to those who commented on the previous post regarding gallbladder surgery experiences.

Gallstones, really?????

So...here are the results from my GI tests I had done last week. Very surprising....and totally unexpected. The tests were ordered to check out the fluid around my liver to make sure it was not anything bad. I had the tests (ultrasound and Doppler of abdomen and associated organs) at our Children's hospital which was kind of nice. The technician I had actually performed some tests on me back in 2003, and he remembered me. We had some great conversations and he was the nicest person. It was kind of nice being in a "children's setting" again.

Evidently, the fluid is fine. Some of it is pelvic fluid, and is apparently just there because I'm a female. And some of the other abdominal fluid is "sympathetic" fluid and supposedly a lot of CFers have some. So no worries in the fluid department. Now, for the shocking news: I have a BIG (4.22mm to be exact) gallstone (and possibly more that are just unseen). The ultrasound made this evident, but it it is believed that it has been there for sometime because ultrasounds don't always show gallstones. Unfortunately, the stone is too big too pass. I am having surgery to remove it (and the gallbladder from my understanding) the 2nd week in December right after semester exams. My GI doc feels like it can wait til then and really wanted me to be able to finish up the school semester. I'm with him on that decision!!! I have a consult with a surgeon at UAB who will be performing the surgery probably sometime this month. My GI doc can't do the surgery, because he only has admitting privileges at the Children's hospital. In addition, because of transplant, I have to have it at UAB. I will be on transplant services, and the surgeon will just consult everyday. From what I've read and been told, the surgery isn't too big of a deal, but I will be in the hospital for a little while. I think I will feel so much better.

As I researched more on gallstones, it sounded like I've been having gallbladder trouble for awhile. Back in January I spent a whole day in the ER throwing up bile (TMI sorry) and I had several tests indicating my gallbladder was not emptying properly. It was a "bad" winter/early spring in the stomach department. But for some reason it took until NOW to figure that out. I've had multiple ultrasounds, but without contrast. And without contrast, it is difficult to see gallstones. Having gallstones can also cause fevers and mild to severe back pain. And most of us are attributing some of my severe (putting me to tears) back pain to this gallstone. So I'm ready for that to go away. My weekends and whatever time I have free, I'm usually laying down with heat on my back, and taking Ultram, Lortabs, Aleve, muscle relaxers, Tylenol, etc. I'm so tired of being in pain. The pain may not all be related to the gallbladder, but I am definitely interested to see how much of it is. I hate that I have to have the surgery. At least it won't interfere with school, but it means taking at least 1 week off work, during our busiest time of the year. But oh well, you got to do what you got to do, right?

So that is basically the gist of the results. My liver is enlarged a little due to the gallstone. I have "ascitis" of the liver. So that should go away after the gallbladder is history. I also started on Actigall to help remove other small stones and "sand" which apparently my GI doc thinks I have as well. It will also help to prevent future gallstones. I looked up ways to prevent gallstones at home, and there really isn't much you can do. It did say to make sure you eat, that starving yourself isn't good. Not that I starve myself, but I do have days when I feel sick or times when I'm in the hospital that i will go for a good while not eating or eating very minimal. It also said to avoid foods that are very high in fats. I do a pretty good job of that already. So we'll see!!!

Have any of you had your gallbladder removed? I know it is common among CFers. I would love any feedback, suggestions, etc. The surgery is laproscopic, but I haven't had any surgery, per se, in about 3 years...so a little nervous. I'm also a little worried about the whole putting to sleep thing since my lung functions are not good. I'm sure there is nothing to worry about!

November Already???

I can't believe it is NOVEMBER!!! Time Flies!! Did everyone enjoy their extra hour of sleep last night? I have always said that (in school terms) the fall semesters go by much quicker than the spring semesters. I apologize for not much blogging still. I did manage a few more posts this past week than before. This upcoming week is crazy, with something every night after work, so the blogging, once again, may be few this week.

My anatomy test last week was ok. I don't think I failed it, but neither did I ace it. I should find out tomorrow night what i made...keeping my fingers crossed that all the guesses were right :) I have another anatomy lab practical test this Wed night. This class is driving me INSANE and stressing me out big time. After this week's test, I don't have anymore until the last and second to last week of the semester (December).

I will be venturing to transplant clinic this week. I have not been feeling good at all. My throat is really sore, coughing, sob, no energy, etc. The results from my GI tests last week will be reveled in a post TOMORROW....definitely check it out, very interesting!

It's been a lazy weekend. I've been resting after a busy and hectic week. I attended my cousin's senior concert on Friday night. He is part of Auburn Singers (their university choir) and each senior is required to put on a concert with them only. He is such an awesome singer. We had a reception afterwards (my Mom helped with the food) for him, which everyone enjoyed! I didn't make it to church, once again, UGH!!! I passed out candy to the trick-or-treaters last night. My favorite was a little boy (probably about 1 or 1.5 yrs old) that was a UPS Man. ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE. Here is a picture of me, my brother, and cousin (Christopher who i mentioned above) one Halloween. I think it was around 1990, but don't know the exact year!

Oh yea: Not sure if I mentioned this last week or not, but we transplanted again last Tuesday night. The girl is doing great! But please keep her in your prayers. She is alone, has no family and no friends with her. Her Dad recently passed away and her Mom is in stage 4 cancer. One of my dear CF friends, Brandi, has been her angel, visiting her every day, multiple times a day. Her phone number is the "emergency" number left with the nurses. We've talked about trying to come up with a plan, because you can't go through the transplant recovery process alone. You need someone there to help you physically and mentally. I know the nurses will take good care of her, but it's not the same without a friend there. So please pray for this situation. She is in good spirits and doesn't regret anything. But I know deep down, she wishes she had someone to support her as well as her mother there with her.

I have a busy week! It is filled with work, doctor's appointments, class, a wedding Friday night, and much more!!! I'm praying I have the energy to make it through. I hope everyone has a great and blessed week!

Decisions

WOW!! My mind is overwhelmed with decisions that need to be made or will need to be made in the near future! I just got home from my anatomy lab class, and don't feel up to writing the entirety of several issues! But briefly, these decisions involve my health, and basically my entire future. Decisions that I really didn't expect to have to make! And still praying I won't have to make them. But I have to be prepared just in case!

There was no evidence of acute rejection from my bronch. Good? Yes and No. Bad? Yes and No. Bad in that we don't have anything acute to treat. Good in that my lungs are not acutely rejecting! What are the causes of very low PFT's (my PFT's have been declining a good bit over the last 2-3 years),non-response to the IV antibiotics, multiple pneumonias and infections this year: UNKNOWN! Possibilities: SEVERAL. I will begin doing things (tests, etc.,) to rule out these possibilities, but in my eyes, I would rather one of these possibilities be positive, in fear of what the final and last diagnosis is, which would basically be a progression of my chronic rejection of lungs, which was diagnosed in 2006. (But in reality, that is not a good diagnosis, and I don't care what is wrong, I just don't want that answer). I'm not ready to decide my entire future, just yet!

Step #1: Liver tests! Evidently,there is fluid around my liver. I guess they saw this either in the recent CT scan or bronch (not sure). I have NEVER had any issues with my liver or kidney, and never had any lab values indicate that there are issues. But in reality, something being wrong with my liver, could indeed, be the best possibly diagnosis in the great scheme of things.

I kind of want to cry, and sort of don't. I never give up, and will not accept the final and last diagnosis until we've exhausted all other means! And that view stands among all of the UAB Transplant Team!

In other news, I bombed my anatomy lab test..UGH!! Needless to say, I will be studying my butt off all weekend studying EVERY SINGLE muscle in the body, it's origin, its insertion, its action, its nerve supply and finally, yes finally, it's arterial supply! That shouldn't be too hard right? Na, piece of cake! Yea, right :)

Until my next post! All I can ask for now is prayers! I'm sure many of you can read between the lines on what I'm talking about. If not, then I will post about it sooner or later!

Update on grandfather: still hanging on by a THIN, THIN, THIN thread! But not responding to anything! Just waitin on the Lord to take him home!

Newborn Screening in all 50 States!!!

All Fifty States to Screen Newborns for Cystic Fibrosis by 2010 as of yesterday, July 7th!

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced today that all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, have passed legislation requiring that all newborns be screened for cystic fibrosis (CF) by the year 2010.

Newborn screening for CF was adopted nationwide at a rapid pace, following the aggressive advocacy efforts of the Foundation, its volunteers and many local and national interest groups. In 2005, only five states required that CF be included as a mandatory screening condition.

After years of debate, Texas and Connecticut — the last two states without mandatory newborn screening — will now establish programs. Connecticut will begin screening Oct. 1, 2009, and Texas is expected to start in December.

“Newborn screening is critically important for this disease because early diagnosis is tied to better health. Research shows that newborn screening for CF likely improves and extends the lives of those born with the disease. Early diagnosis allows affected infants to begin therapeutic interventions immediately. Early treatment has been shown to improve height, weight, nutrition, cognitive and lung functioning, and to reduce hospitalizations. We extend our thanks to every volunteer and advocate who fought to establish screening programs across the country.

Click here to read the full article/press release!! This is a HUGE accomplishment in the CF Community!

Update/Plan

So....it's like the Devil is playing me or something!!! Guess who the transplant doctor on call today is???? Yep, you guessed it!!! I don't think i can get any more frustrated!! And I don't understand how he is on call AGAIN!!!

So this is the plan: He actually told my coordinator that it sounded like i needed a chest x-ray. Ya think??? So we wants me to go get a chest x-ray and then go the ACT (our room on the transplant floor where patients can get evaluated). But here's the catch: He can't be at the ACT until 1:00. So I'm not allowed to step foot in the ACT until then. So I guess I'll go around 12:00 or so to get xray then make my way over there. I'm SOO frustrated. I asked my coordinator about getting labs done. They definitely need to be done. She said that Dr.Y didn't want labs yet. Ok..that really doesn't make sense??

I called my Dad at work and told him the news. He usually gets a couple of hours off during lunch time, so I asked him if he would go down there with me. #1...I feel awful, and it will be nice to have him walk around with me. And #2...I really don't want to "face" Dr. Y by myself.

So....that's the update! I'll post when I know something. In the meantime, please pray that this doctor will cooperate with me, actually believe me when I tell him something and don't make me out to look like an idiot if something doesn't show up on the chest xray.

I'm gonna go try and sleep for a little while!

GI appt results

I had a follow-up appointment with my GI doctor today! While he still doesn't know what's going on....he still seems proactive and wants to figure it out. He now thinks I have gastroparesis, which basically means my stomach isn't emptying properly. Right now there are 1 or 2 meds that can help with this, but they aren't very successful. He has ordered a gastric emptying study to be done. I had one of these about 2 1/2 years ago, but the hospital that did it screwed up the results. I dread doing this study again, as it's one of those that takes at least 2 hours....and my back is not going to be happy! The good part about it is that it shouldn't require any IV's, etc.

He also wants to get a biopsy and get a good look at my stomach next time I have a bronchoscopy for my lungs. He thinks that will be a good idea! I'm not sure at this time when that will be, but I imagine in the next few months, depending on how my lungs do.

So for now I guess I will just continue taking anti-nausea meds, and treating my symptoms. I did have a bad nausea and throwing up spell Sunday night. They come at random, and I just have to deal with it when it happens, unfortunately. While I'm glad my GI doctor is trying to be proactive, it's still extremely frustrating being nauseated every day, and throwing up at least 1-2 times a week. Yesterday morning I woke up with chest pain, really bad junky cough, and just dragging all over. Today I feel better...and are hoping it was just a 1-day thing.

I am going to get my port flushed on Thursday and eat lunch with a nurse (friend) of mine as well. And no...I haven't learned how to flush my own port neither taught my parent's how either. I prefer to do it this way.

Tomorrow I am going to volunteer at our local CFF and work on our Great Strides Walk for our area! I'm on the committee and pretty much helping coordinate all the teams...so I need to get busy!

I am enjoying my break from my internship this week, but somehow have filled it up with a good bit of stuff!!

Thanks for your prayers this morning!!

Update

WOW! It has been a LONG and frustrating day. I woke up about 2:30 am this morning nauseated, and unable to go back to sleep. I started throwing up around 3:30 this morning gallons and gallons of junk(abnormal junk). I could not keep any anti-nausea meds down either. I was not able to stop throwing up, and I felt so weak and sick, so I had to call my tx coordinator (which I was trying not to do for awhile considering last weeks events). And believe or not...guess who was the doctor on call this morning...yep, you guessed it (even more frustrating).

They sent me to the ER, but at another connected hospital instead of the main UAB hospital. They said it would be quicker and that I needed to get fluids ASAP. So My mom drove me to the ER, and we did just that. They got me in pretty quick, and gave me a workup. I was still throwing up at this time...my poor body was so weak, shaky, etc. They gave me 2 liters of fluid, and repeated another ultrasound of my stomach. Apparently, the ultrasound looked unchanged from the one a few weeks ago.

My potassium was low due to all the throwing up, so I got IV potassium as well and a supplement to take for 12 days. He also gave me a script for Prilosec to help with some of the acid (although normally is not an issue for me). I was very dehydrated (obviously), and a little anemic (which is normal for me). They gave me IV Zofran, but unfortunately, that didn't help any. Thankfully, after I got home, I was able to keep down an oral Phengran.

The ER discharged me about 1:30 this afternoon. I was shaking so bad and so cold...we weren't sure what was going on. Once I got home, I decided to check my temp, and I had a fever of 101.1 (which is high for me). I took some Tylenol, which helped.

I followed up with my coordinator, and she wants me to follow up with my GI doc in the morning and then call her. MY GI doctor was not in his office today, but my Mom did talk with his nurse. They are concerned that the H-pylori bacteria is still there and wants me to go on another intestinal abx for that. However, I still think something is going on. The nurse thinks that what I was throwing up this morning, was bile from my gallbladder. It was the worst throwing up experience I've ever had, and felt so so sick. I've been so dizzy and lightheaded, that I can't really walk much.

I'm feeling better now, but have not eaten anything, and aren't allowed until tomorrow. I'm on a liquid diet for tonight as tolerable. I'm very weak, and I have a little body, and nothing in it.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to start my internship tomorrow, but are planning on Wednesday, if everything is ok.

Today's events proved more frustration with the transplant team, and frankly, I was glad i was at another ER.

I will update more later...I'm still nauseated and need some rest big time. Thanks for your comments and prayers! I really need them!

And once again...no Music Monday. Sorry!

Hidascan Results

So I talked with my coordinator just a few minutes ago. And apparently, the results from the Hidascan were normal. She faxed the results over to my GI doctor, and hopefully I'll be getting a call from them soon! Not sure where to go from here. I'm glad the scan was normal. However, the ultrasound was not. And my nausea keeps getting worse and worse, and I'm only able to eat small amounts of food at one time! I'm taking anti-nausea meds pretty much everyday now and sometimes multiple times a day. I'm guessing he'll be ordering more tests...but not sure! I'll keep you updated!

On another subject...my coordinator and I just had a big blowout discussion about the events surrounding this doctor and my care! It was a good blowout...but it's going to take some magic to repair this relationship with this doctor and right now my family and I feel it's best to separate ourselves from the transplant team for awhile with time and distance unless an emergency arises! Please continue to pray...this situation has turned into a much bigger one than expected and I hate it. Unfortunately, its going to involve more people than I want. I'm not this type of person..I don't ever talk about other people unless something or someone has really made me mad. I know God will take care of it all and has the situation in his hands!

It's Over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY!! The Hidascan is over!! It wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. There were 2 parts to the test. The 1st part lasted an hour, and took pictures of my liver. Radioactive dye was injected into my liver to get a better picture. After that, the technician gave me about a 10 minute break before begging the 2nd portion of the test. This part lasted about 40 minutes and was intended to measure the retractability of my gallbladder (whatever that means). It also involved another substance being injected into my bloodstream.

My back did pretty well. It started getting really achy near the end of the 1st portion, but after the break, it was ok. I also took some Ultram before I arrived this morning (even though I was NPO). I also took a Phenegran before arriving to help with my nausea...and I was glad I did. Because while in the waiting room, I had a horrible bout where I thought I was going to throw up. But the Phenegran kicked in and relieved that feeling.

They were not able to use my port :( At one point they had a lady that was going to come access it, but they didn't have the correct needle to do so. So after 2 trys for an IV...a nurse from Oncology/Radiology was successful.

The Nuclear Medicine Technician was also sweet and checked on me every few minutes (which I liked).

So now we just wait for results. I know you can view the results right away, so if I don't hear anything by Thursday morning, I'm going to call!

Well...I'm eating leftovers right from last night (pizza from Mellow Mushroom...yummy)...and then have a few things lined up for this afternoon!

Hidascan Rescheduled

My Hidascan has been rescheduled for the 4th time for tomorrow morning at 8am. Please pray for a smooth and quick procedure and that they are willing and able to use my port for IV access. Thanks!

Sorry about no Music Monday post today...maybe I'll do one tomorrow! It's been a long and stressful weekend with LOTS of thinking and praying going on! Thank you for all your comments and prayers!! I love you all! I have not yet called my transplant coordinator to discuss this weekend's events, and probably won't until Thursday, when I'll be fishing for Hidascan results! This doctor's conversation(s) this week/end has really hit me hard, and I'm having a hard time dealing with what he told me and how he made me out to be someone who I'm not.

I'll update tomorrow after the test!

Hidascan

My GI test (Hidascan) is rescheduled for Friday morning at 8:30. YAY...not really though :) Please say a prayer that the test will go smoothly. I'm not worried about results and will be happy to finally get something done about my stomach issues. This is a test to look more closely at my gallbladder. And according to what everyone is saying, if it shows gallbladder trouble like the ultrasound, then more than likely the gallbladder will come out.

I'm very nervous about the test. The test can take up to 2 hours...and that's bad news for my back, since i have serious back pain. I'm usually in tears when tests that long are over, because my back is hurting so bad. Also, this test involves IV contrast. Please pray that they are able and willing to use my port for IV access. I don't have any available veins for peripheral IV's and don't feel like being tortured to find one. Also, please pray for my nausea. I will be NPO after midnight, and I have not had one day this week without nausea. My coordinator is letting me take a phenigren that morning prior to the procedure, so hopefully that will help!

Thanks! I will update when I know the results. I'm going to try and schedule the follow-up appt with my GI doctor next week!!