I'm going to be home for a while

Didn't know where to post this, ATS, BTS, nowhere. . . .
But if it'll help someone else along the way, then might as well.

Two weeks ago I started having abdominal issues. Bloating, nausea, swelling in different places.

Last week finally went to the doc because the pain was getting real bad.

I got refered to a gut doc. (GI specialist) who took a look at me.

Blood tests last week. Untrasound on tuesday (the 8th) morning. On tuesday afternoon, an "exploratory" procedure.

Problem is in my stomach, gall bladder, pancreas, spleen, liver. One or all of the above.

My wife has spent the last few days sobbing because she thinks cancer (she's a nurse) I think something silly like gall stones, or an *itis* somewhere.

Will know next week. Will be an interesting ride regardless. I have never been majorly ill in my life. Have had major surgeries before but that was due to a real bad parachute landing a few years ago when I was active duty.
I've good insurance. That's not a problem. Even have good life insurance so my family would be taken care of if it is something real rotten.

If it's nothing, it'll be a short thread. If it's something else, well, let this be my journal to teach others what they might expect if they should have something like this happen.

Be talking to ya'

Mike

reply to post by mikerussellus


It is going to be a silly minor thing and we'll spend the rest of this thread talking about cats.

That's what I'm going with for now and will ask the big guy in the sky to do likewise on your behalf.

Good luck on Tuesday.

reply to post by schrodingers dog


-god- cats? How about scotch? My wife has banned my from the nectar of the gods until I get the go-ahead from my doc.

I did try to put a tin foil hat on my dog and he bit me. (thought it'd make a good avitar)

Thanks for putting in a good word. . .



[edit on 6-9-2009 by mikerussellus]

Don't worry, Mike, that's what us women do best.

The best part of that mess - we usually get all worked up with worry, just to find out it's nothing.

I hope you feel better soon.

I'll keep you and your wife in my prayers.

About six weeks ago, looking and feeling the picture of health, I was shocked to learn that I had Stage 4 kidney failure and would need surgery to get ready for dialysis and then I would need a transplant if I wanted to live.

I cried all the way home from the doctors office. I was in total denial and was beginning to think I was just having a bad dream.

It wasn't a dream. I had a surgical procedure done to my arm last Monday for a dialysis site.

I had a tough time accepting the problem but now I am doing fine with it.

I know the problem and I know what I have to do to fight it. Knowing your enemy is the first step in winning the war.

I pray your problem is not serious but no matter what happens you are not alone and you can fight it.

My best to you and your family.

What a ride indeed, somewhat of a roller coaster right now im sure,

We are thinking of you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers wishing for good news for you,
Keep positive and keep us updated,

thinking of you

reply to post by orderedchaos


Thanks. I keep telling my wife that if worrying was an olympic event, she'd be a gold medalist.

reply to post by dizziedame


Thank you. I hope that you are doing better. We'll keep you in our prayers.

This sucks, but as a friend said yesterday, god doesn't give us anything we can't handle.

reply to post by asala


Appreciate it. Positive is the ONLY thing to be right now.

Mike

I start fasting tonight. But it's not like it is going to be a big deal, weak tea and small portions of mashed potatoes are my only diet right now.

Here's an irony only those on this site might appreciate.

My meds?

A red pill and a blue pill.

Ultrasound (50.00) nothing definite
EGD (139.00) no stomach cancer. The doctor still doesn'tknow -sigh- this is going to be a loooooong thread.

reply to post by mikerussellus


Thanks for the update mike ...

Hey, at least the big C is out right?

If so that is indeed good news.

Yes, no cancer is always a good thing to hear.

How are you feeling and what is next on the quest to find out what is the problem?

My best wishes to your wife as the caretaker of an ill person is a big job.

I had my stitches taken out today and will have another surgery in October.

Keep us informed.

Peace.

Unfortunately they still think gall bladder or pancreas. The ultrasound found no signs of stones so they are leaning more to cancer in the gall bladder or pancreas. More tests next week. They don't know, so am still in limbo.
I was still out of it last night with the anesthesia so couldn't expand like I wanted.

I do have my wife half convinced it's gas. She's in denial as far as anything else is concerned.

Just taking tylenol right now for the pain, but it's creeping up my back and between my shoulder blades. WebMD states is gall bladder.

Blood tests just came back. Normal. So I can say good bye to cancer now. Just have to worry about that gall bladder.

Good news today.

reply to post by mikerussellus


If you suspect gall bladder, start eating only plums for a while, maybe three days. Don't eat anything else. Drink a little water if you like but only for thirst, should you have any. You will probably get a nice bout of diarrhea for a couple of days but then it should pretty much return to normal. Then do the same with apples. Eat them for maybe four days. If you're not right as rain after that week, you let me know. But I suspect you're just a little clogged up. Unclogging a gall bladder is easier than you think and a lot less traumatic than having surgery.

Give it a try?

I hope you feel better soon mike, my thoughts are with you.

Think positive.

Very good news that you can rule cancer out.

When I was waiting in the holding pen ( seemed like it as there were about 12 of us) I met a young man who was going to have his gall bladder out.

He went in surgery right before I did and I saw him again in the recovery room.

I seldom miss an opportunity to have a conversation so I asked him how he felt. He said all he felt was a slight dull pain, nothing he couldn't handle.

The nurses are very liberal with the pain medication so you should not have any problem.

With me having a physical problem is more an inconvenience than anything.
I have other things I would rather be doing than getting poked and prodded.

We are both fortunate to have mates that love and take good care of us.

We are keeping you in our prayers.

[edit on 10-9-2009 by dizziedame]

reply to post by dizziedame


Thanks. Hope you are doing well, as well.

reply to post by Chilled Zen



Appreciate that. Thank you.