This morning, I was out running errands; trying to keep myself busy and get things done before my surgery on Friday, when I received a phone call from the surgeon's office.
Apparently, my bloodwork came back atypical and the anesthesiologist is concerned. So, I have to go see my primary doctor tomorrow to see whether I can get clearance for my surgery or not. If not, I don't know what's going to happen.
I called the surgeon's office back to try and get a little more information out of them, and it seems the Potassium concentration is high in my blood stream. (hyperkalemic)
Being a (slightly) nervous Nelly, I looked up what hyperkalemia is and what causes it. Everything I found, shows it's a kidney malfunction. (Originally, I thought it might be a side effect of my meds, but I can't find any correlation between them. If anything, I've found Florinef being used to treat hyperkalemia.)
I'm not too ashamed to say that that prospect makes me highly nervous.
Why, you ask? Because one of the symptoms of hyperkalemia is tingly feelings in your body and muscle weakness; both of which I've (sometimes to the point of pain) experienced this week.
That's just what I need - to find out I have kidney failure or something.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
interesting info
My boyfriend was kind enough to ask his cousin how his appendectomy went, so I could have a better idea of what to expect with mine. His was also done laproscopically so my recovery should be similar.
His cousin said that the surgery is nothing, and that he woke up feeling decent (no nausea or anesthetic complications...which is what I was worried about) and was able to go home the same day. He also said the recovery wasn't that bad pain wise.
The snag? He was told he couldn't lift or do anything for a week. The maximum weight you can lift is 2lbs. Can't even lift a laptop or a full single serve pop. Can't go upstairs (which I already knew) either.
My boyfriend was somewhat nervous to share that with me because I haven't spent a single DAY doing nothing, let alone a whole week. What the hell am I going to do with myself?
His cousin said that the surgery is nothing, and that he woke up feeling decent (no nausea or anesthetic complications...which is what I was worried about) and was able to go home the same day. He also said the recovery wasn't that bad pain wise.
The snag? He was told he couldn't lift or do anything for a week. The maximum weight you can lift is 2lbs. Can't even lift a laptop or a full single serve pop. Can't go upstairs (which I already knew) either.
My boyfriend was somewhat nervous to share that with me because I haven't spent a single DAY doing nothing, let alone a whole week. What the hell am I going to do with myself?
Friday, January 28, 2011
One step closer...
This morning was my appointment for my pre-Admissions Testing. They took blood and gave me a physical to see how I'll do with having surgery. They also gave me instruction sheets for pre- and post-surgery.
I'm not even nervous anymore. My side is becoming increasingly uncomfortable; and, because of the low level infection in my appendix/colon, it's been making me have digestive trouble also. Which is disheartening because I'd been doing so well. It's forced me to drop some of the weight I've worked very hard to put back on after being in the hospital in December. (Although, I'm sure some of it is depression related too over my Grandpa's death.)
Let's just get it over with already.
I'm not even nervous anymore. My side is becoming increasingly uncomfortable; and, because of the low level infection in my appendix/colon, it's been making me have digestive trouble also. Which is disheartening because I'd been doing so well. It's forced me to drop some of the weight I've worked very hard to put back on after being in the hospital in December. (Although, I'm sure some of it is depression related too over my Grandpa's death.)
Let's just get it over with already.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
good and bad news
Good News: Today I got a call from the hospital to get all my pre-testing 'paperwork' done. They got most of my file filled out so hopefully Friday's "Pre-Admissions Testing" will be shorter than the 2 hours they've told me to prepare for.
Bad News: This morning my family and I got the call that my grandpa died overnight. He passed around 4:30am. It came as quite a shock because he had made a full recovery from being in the hospital a few weeks ago. The nurses said that he was in better shape than he was before he even went into the nursing home (and he was healthy then). Thankfully, he wasn't alone.
We're hoping that once he's cremated that they'll bring him up from Florida for a memorial service with our family.
He will be greatly missed. He was a kind, sweet and wonderful man that we all loved very much.
Bad News: This morning my family and I got the call that my grandpa died overnight. He passed around 4:30am. It came as quite a shock because he had made a full recovery from being in the hospital a few weeks ago. The nurses said that he was in better shape than he was before he even went into the nursing home (and he was healthy then). Thankfully, he wasn't alone.
We're hoping that once he's cremated that they'll bring him up from Florida for a memorial service with our family.
He will be greatly missed. He was a kind, sweet and wonderful man that we all loved very much.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
dreams...
Last night, both my boyfriend and I had dreams about my surgery. Normally, I'm not a superstitious person but this makes me a little uncomfortable.
His: I ended up with a problem and caused me to need brain surgery that my insurance wouldn't cover. I ended up in a coma, but thankfully I woke up.
Mine: They found a systemic problem, involving having to do surgery on my throat. Plus, that my colon is shaped incorrectly and they have to go back in and try to correct it.
I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous about it. Although, I know I have no choice and have to go through with this surgery.
His: I ended up with a problem and caused me to need brain surgery that my insurance wouldn't cover. I ended up in a coma, but thankfully I woke up.
Mine: They found a systemic problem, involving having to do surgery on my throat. Plus, that my colon is shaped incorrectly and they have to go back in and try to correct it.
I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't nervous about it. Although, I know I have no choice and have to go through with this surgery.
Friday, January 21, 2011
getting nervous
Yes, surgery is two weeks away...but I got the paperwork on it today and I'm starting to get extremely nervous about it :/
Thursday, January 20, 2011
CT Results and an Appendectomy
So...I got the call yesterday giving me the results of my CT scan.
It turns out, my appendix is still inflamed/ infected and has blocked itself off from my colon. It has to be removed.
I knew something was up when the surgeon himself called me. Plus, I've had a lingering discomfort ever since my hospital stay.
Surgery Date: Feb 4th
It turns out, my appendix is still inflamed/ infected and has blocked itself off from my colon. It has to be removed.
I knew something was up when the surgeon himself called me. Plus, I've had a lingering discomfort ever since my hospital stay.
Surgery Date: Feb 4th
Monday, January 10, 2011
*sigh*
Some days it feels like I'm just never going to get out of this hole.
I'm still waiting on the results of my CT (not surprising, the surgeon is only in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, the other days he's doing surgeries lol) and the last 4 days have wreaked havoc on my health/ mental well being.
I was sick for several days from the dye/ contract (turns out that wasn't that much of a better choice) so I lost any potential weight gain then.
Plus, my grandpa was sent to the hospital on Saturday and they were almost positive he would die. Since then, it's been an up and down road causing a lot of tears (obviously) and anxiety. Both of which are not constructive to eating, although I tried my best. (He's stable at the moment but has heart and kidney failure.)
I'm starting to seriously suspect depression has fully set in though, who knows. All I know is that I'm tired of trying and have no desire to continue to anymore.
I'm still waiting on the results of my CT (not surprising, the surgeon is only in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, the other days he's doing surgeries lol) and the last 4 days have wreaked havoc on my health/ mental well being.
I was sick for several days from the dye/ contract (turns out that wasn't that much of a better choice) so I lost any potential weight gain then.
Plus, my grandpa was sent to the hospital on Saturday and they were almost positive he would die. Since then, it's been an up and down road causing a lot of tears (obviously) and anxiety. Both of which are not constructive to eating, although I tried my best. (He's stable at the moment but has heart and kidney failure.)
I'm starting to seriously suspect depression has fully set in though, who knows. All I know is that I'm tired of trying and have no desire to continue to anymore.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
CT: Complete
Well, the CT is over with.
This time was better and worse lol
When I went in this time, I went and asked if I really, absolutely HAD to drink barium (the last time they make me take two drinks.) The last few times I've had the barium cocktail, it's made me violently ill. Most people, it makes them severely constipated...for me, it goes violently the other way.
Thankfully, they came back and said I didn't have to had that, I could just drink a lot of the second drink (a different dye contrast). So, that's what I did. For the most part, it went better. My stomach's off today but that could be the orange juice I had to drink the contrast in lol. (IBS + OJ = bad anyways.)
The test was okay. CT dye is awful. It makes if feel like your brain is boiling for a minute before it passes. It's not the worst test you can have, but it sucks lol
So, now we'll wait and see what the doctor says next week when they get the results.
This time was better and worse lol
When I went in this time, I went and asked if I really, absolutely HAD to drink barium (the last time they make me take two drinks.) The last few times I've had the barium cocktail, it's made me violently ill. Most people, it makes them severely constipated...for me, it goes violently the other way.
Thankfully, they came back and said I didn't have to had that, I could just drink a lot of the second drink (a different dye contrast). So, that's what I did. For the most part, it went better. My stomach's off today but that could be the orange juice I had to drink the contrast in lol. (IBS + OJ = bad anyways.)
The test was okay. CT dye is awful. It makes if feel like your brain is boiling for a minute before it passes. It's not the worst test you can have, but it sucks lol
So, now we'll wait and see what the doctor says next week when they get the results.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
CT tomorrow
Tomorrow (finally) is my CT scan to check my appendix- not looking forward to it.
I don't know which is worse...having my test come back positive and having to go through the whole ER experience all over again, or having it come back negative which means that the whole ordeal was a huge waste of time.
I know it probably sounds stupid, but I'm hoping it comes back positive and I have my appendix removed outpatient. That way, I don't have to worry about having to go through this ever again.
More to come...
I don't know which is worse...having my test come back positive and having to go through the whole ER experience all over again, or having it come back negative which means that the whole ordeal was a huge waste of time.
I know it probably sounds stupid, but I'm hoping it comes back positive and I have my appendix removed outpatient. That way, I don't have to worry about having to go through this ever again.
More to come...
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Resolutions
Happy New Year!
Last year, I took to the idea of actually having serious New Year's Resolutions.
A couple of mine this year are:
- Get a job I like - Now that I'm starting to finally feel a little bit better (most days) I'm looking forward to finding a job that I like and that makes enough money to help pay off those pesky doctor bills.
- Gain 5 lbs - Last year's goal (Gain 15 lbs) was a little too ambitious; according to a lot of research, it takes the average person almost 8 years to gain that much weight, plus with POTS I'm already at a disadvantage. Overall, I gained 6 lbs last year and would like to gain another 5 this year.
- Give yoga another shot- this was something that I tried early on in my illness and it was a nightmare. The doctor's say it should be better with the medication that I'm taking so that would be nice. The only thing I'm cleared to do is something low-impact like yoga, so I'd like to give it another shot.
- Accept some things, deal with the others, and move on - over the last two years, I've had an incredible amount of stress in my life (between family, health, and losing my job/school) that's pretty much broken me down. This year I'd like to find better ways to deal with things going on. If it's something I just have to accept: accept it. If it's something that needs to be dealt with: deal with it. If I can't do either of those things/once I've accomplished those things? Move on.
- Manage my POTS- pretty obvious, but always on my mind. I think I'll consider this done once I'm getting out more often, I gain a couple more pounds and I can be a bit more active.
Happy New Year!
Overall dinner was okay.
Turns out, the curse continued unfortunately. Halfway through the longest dinner in my life, I got awful stomach cramps. So I ate half of my dinner and we got our desserts to go. Thankfully, it didn't turn out to be anything worse (although my appendix hurt afterward...I really hope it's not that) and we played some Harry Potter Clue, Scattegories and watched some HP6 all while in our PJs/Sweats. Then we had some sparkling cranberry juice for midnight.
Not exactly how I wanted 2010 to end, seeing as I wanted my steak and my dessert, I just couldn't stomach it (although I tried!) Although, it almost makes me laugh how fitting it was to end that awful year.
Turns out, the curse continued unfortunately. Halfway through the longest dinner in my life, I got awful stomach cramps. So I ate half of my dinner and we got our desserts to go. Thankfully, it didn't turn out to be anything worse (although my appendix hurt afterward...I really hope it's not that) and we played some Harry Potter Clue, Scattegories and watched some HP6 all while in our PJs/Sweats. Then we had some sparkling cranberry juice for midnight.
Not exactly how I wanted 2010 to end, seeing as I wanted my steak and my dessert, I just couldn't stomach it (although I tried!) Although, it almost makes me laugh how fitting it was to end that awful year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)